Go to the official Cleveland Browns website and look for press releases from the last week. You’ll notice five separate mentions of rookie quarterback Brady Quinn, formerly of Notre Dame. What you won’t notice is a single mention of rookie tackle Joe Thomas from Wisconsin.
An oddity considering it was Thomas who was drafted first by the Browns, third overall in the 2007 NFL draft. Apparently, the third best college player doesn’t warrant much mention when he’s a lineman.
This is how we fans process the NFL, where the newsiest players are the players who score. Does your fantasy team draft offensive lineman?
But this oversight of the big guys isn’t always the case. During the preseason, every player is on the block and even the second-string special-teams players make the papers.
Cedric Cobbs and John Browning made news this week after the Broncos signed them to contracts. But it’s unlikely either will make a dent on Denver’s season.
That’s why Saturday’s game at Invesco Field at Mile High against the Browns at 7 p.m. might be worth watching. It will be the preseason game with the most playing time for starters. And it might be the last time this season we hear much about the “other” players.
If you’re paying attention to the trenches, notice these guys:
The game airs at 7 p.m. on KCNC-4.
THE COUCH
ON: If you were asked to jot down the most memorable moments of the 2006 baseball playoffs, the Cardinals-Mets NL Championship Series would likely dominate the list. But the Dodgers-Mets NL divisional series was no slouch. A year later, New York and Los Angeles are still battling, with the Mets in control of the NL East and the Dodgers battling for a wild-card spot in the West. On Sunday, in ESPN’s prime-time national broadcast at 6 p.m., the Dodgers’ Brett Tomko (2-11, 5.80 ERA) goes against the Mets’ John Maine (13-7, 3.64) at Shea Stadium.
OFF: The start of the school year can either be a total drag or full of excitement. Regardless, the new year starts with good community fun. Three schools will hold fund-raising walks. Ralston Valley High School kicks it off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with a 5K run/walk (rvmustangs.org). Then at 9 a.m., it’s off to D’Evelyn High in Denver for the Dash Run and Fun Run (develyndash.com), and then to Lakewood High on Sunday at 8 a.m. for the Tiger Prowl (active.com).
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
The next time the movers and shakers in Las Vegas show some tact will be the first time. Casino giant Harrah’s Entertainment this week said it will join with L.A.-based AEG, owner of the Staples Center, to build a 20,000-seat arena in the Sin City in hopes of attracting an NBA or NHL team. With the NBA’s Tim Donaghy scandal looming large and the NHL’s Rick Tocchet episode not yet out of the rearview mirror, could this announcement have come at more inopportune time?
AROUND TOWN
The Arizona Diamondbacks might be running away with the NL West. The D-backs, who were idle Thursday, are 3 1/2 games ahead of the Padres and 5 1/2 up on the Dodgers and 7 1/2 on our Rockies. Regardless, the NL wild card is well within the Rockies’ reach. And with a stretch of games this weekend against a subpar team, now is the time for the Rox to make up ground. The Rox-Nats series at Coors Field starts at 7 p.m. tonight, continues at 6 p.m. Saturday and ends at 1 p.m. Sunday, with all games airing on FSN.
WEAK IN REVIEW
Kurt Busch did exactly what his sponsor wanted after winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Michigan International on Tuesday. He took a big drink of Miller Lite and the picture ended up in papers across the country. Unfortunately, he was still in the car. The advertising slogan could be: “What better way to flaunt the open container law than with a refreshing Miller Lite! If Kurt Busch can enjoy it, so can you!”
