A bachelor of notes degree. …
Brandon Marshall has a message for Bronco Nation: “Everything is OK.”
Marshall finished his rookie season strong, catching 14 passes in Jay Cutler’s five starts, only to be arrested on domestic violence charges during the offseason.
“One little mistake blows up to something big,” Marshall said. “Now you just have to gain the trust of your teammates and coaches. I’m not a thug, I’m not a gangster, none of that. I graduated college. All through high school, all through college, I was honor roll every year. You can Google it if you want to.”
With Rod Smith coming off hip surgery, Marshall practiced with the first-team offense during Wednesday’s quarterback camp. He liked the feel of it so much he wants to stay in the starting lineup.
“That’s my goal,” he said. “My goal isn’t to just play football. It isn’t just to start. I want to win the Super Bowl. I want to be a Pro Bowl player. In time, I’ll prove I’m a top-notch receiver in the NFL.” …
Larry Zimmer, one of the voices of football in Our Town, is heading off on a European vacation. Good thing. If anyone needs a vacation, it’s Zim. He is finally healing from a severe dog bite inflicted by a neighbor’s German shepherd in mid-February. So where is he going on vacation? Where else? To Germany. Cracked Zimmer: “I don’t think I can avoid any German shepherds over there.” …
Sure, the NFL has problems, but the reality check came Tuesday during the John Lynch Salutes the Stars luncheon. Among those on the podium were Nick Ferguson, who once passed on a $50,000 workout bonus to get his degree from Georgia Tech, and Domonique Foxworth, who graduated from Maryland in 3 1/2 years. …
If Detroit is Hockeytown, then Anchorage is the Bikini Capital of the World. At least that’s what the attendance figures at Joe Louis Arena suggest. The Red Wings have played eight home playoff games and have yet to sell out. …
Of course, the Avs would love to say they’ve played eight home playoff games without a sellout. Next season, Avs fans, next season. …
So who wins the Stanley Cup? Jeff Francis, raised on skates in Canada but making his living on a mound in Our Town, has the Senators. …
Jai Lucas, one of the top point-guard recruits in the nation, has picked Florida over several other heavyweights. Yes, he’s the son of ex-Nuggets assistant John Lucas. …
According to the New York Post rumorama, the Nuggets are talking to Sacramento about a Ron Artest-for-Kenyon Martin deal. Whether it’s that deal or another, feel free to assume that changes are coming. …
Can George Karl survive another one-and-done next season? No-no-never-never-uh-uh-uh. Or maybe you haven’t noticed what’s going on in Houston, where Jeff Van Gundy is all but gone after the Rockets’ third straight one-and-done. …
The problem isn’t all those NBA haters. The problem is the league keeps giving them a reason to hate the NBA. If players aren’t brawling on the court, then Shaq or Rasheed Wallace or Van Gundy are questioning the integrity of the officials. Can we get through one postseason, just one, without the league embarrassing itself? …
Suggestion from a reader: Big Shot Bob Horry changes his name to Cheap Shot Bob. …
This just in. The Spurs lead the NBA playoffs in points in the paint and points in the gutter. …
The second annual Athletics and Beyond football clinic, Saturday and Sunday at East High School. Info: Narcy Jackson at 303-725-0811 or www.athleticsandbeyond.com. …
Kudos to Lou Piniella for finally figuring out Alfonso Soriano isn’t a leadoff hitter. Then again, the Cubs’ history with these kinds of things isn’t very good. Back in the day, they didn’t think Lou Brock was a leadoff hitter. …
Let’s not overanalyze here. The Rockies aren’t hitting and, three or four times out of five, they send an inferior pitcher to the mound. But other than that …
And finally, happy 51st birthday to Sugar Ray Leonard.
Jim Armstrong can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
