A picture is worth a thousand notes. …
How quick is 345-pound Sam Adams? Mike Shanahan answered the question with a question: “Did you see that first step?” Considering he’ll only need two or three steps a play, Adams should be a force in Jim Bates’ defense. Bates’ tackles run 40-inch dashes, not the 40-yard version. …
Adams represents a significant upgrade over “Big Daddy” Dan Wilkinson, who refused to report after being acquired from Miami. Why does Bates want such huge bodies clogging the middle? “We probably play our ends wider than anybody in the National Football League,” Bates said. “It gives us the opportunity to be able to rush the passer and set the edge to where the ball doesn’t get outside us that much.” …
That 345-pound figure comes courtesy of Adams himself. One supersize trip through the drive-thru and he would be the biggest player in franchise history. That distinction currently belongs to Alphonso Taylor, a 6-foot-3, 350-pound D tackle during the Wade Phillips regime. Trust me, nobody ever marveled at his first step. …
By the way, that sound you just heard was Bill Belichick pounding his fist on his desk. The Patriots, in search of D line help after the tragic drowning of tackle Marquise Hill, were none too pleased Adams chose the Bronx. …
Kal Bay gets a phone call from Jeff Bzdelik telling him his CU scholarship won’t be renewed. Billy Donovan, meanwhile, is trying to bail on the Magic and Florida is waiting with open arms. Not that it’s any of my business, but why do college coaches answer to a higher calling than players? That’s right out of hypocrisy 101. …
The best pitching staff in the National League? What, you mean other than the Padres? …
Memo to Lou Piniella: Now that you’re on a roll, you might as well go ahead and kick dirt on the Cubs’ season. …
OK, so I predicted the Pistons would win the NBA title. For my next savvy prognostication, I predict the Edsel will make a comeback as the chickmobile of the 21st century. …
Terrell Owens pocketed a $3 million roster bonus despite boycotting the Cowboys’ offseason program. That would fly at Dove Valley right about the time the Energizer Bunny wins the backup quarterback gig. …
And now for this reality check, courtesy of the Las Vegas Hilton. The Avs figure to upgrade their roster, but the Hilton’s wise guys give them little chance of challenging for the Stanley Cup next season. The Avs are 40-1 to win it, tied with the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Lightning and Hurricanes for 15th among the NHL’s 30 teams. The Ducks are 5-1 and the Senators and – read it and weep, sports fans – Red Wings are second at 8-1. …
The Nuggets, by the way, were ranked eighth by the Hilton to win the 2008 NBA title. The Mavs and Suns are 7-2, the Spurs 5-1 and the Cavs 7-1. The Nuggets are 20-1, as are the Jazz and Warriors. …
How steep is Dan Hawkins’ challenge at CU? College football guru Phil Steele put out his preseason top 50 the other day. Toledo, Troy and Western Michigan were in it and CU wasn’t …
Carlos Zambrano, when asked by Chicago reporters about the prospect of hitting the road: “If the Cubs want to trade me. … It’s a business, what can I do? I’ve got to go somewhere else and pitch my game and do my job. Plus, I don’t have to see your faces anymore.” …
For the record, top draft pick-in-waiting Greg Oden was measured one Raisinette short of 7 feet at the NBA’s Orlando predraft camp. OK, so he’ll make nine all-star teams instead of 10. …
Oden, when asked by The Indianapolis Star what he knew about the Great Northwest: “I know it rains a lot. I know it’s close to L.A. and I love that. I want to go to L.A. and go to the beach.” …
He’ll take U.S. Geography for $200, Alex.
Staff writer Jim Armstrong can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
