Denver Post sports columnist Woody Paige posts Woody’s Mailbag every Thursday on DenverPost.com.
To drop a sports-related question into Woody’s Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s . And to browse the archive of videos in Woody’s World, .
Hey, Woody! With , are the Brewers, in your opinion, the favorites to win the NL? Thanks!
— Jordan, Slinger, Wis.
Jordan – It’s CC. I met him a couple of years ago when I was doing “Cold Pizza” in New York, and someone introduced me to him in the green room, and he knew who I was, for some reason, and I thought, “CC. Must be a rap artist.” I asked him where he was appearing in New York, and he said Yankee Stadium. And I thought, “This guy must be a gigantic artist, and I’ve never heard of him.” I later realized he was the pitcher.
We spent some time together later in Vegas. What a great guy. I wish him well in Milwaukee, and I do honestly think the Brewers will now win the division, despite their weak effort this week against the Rockies. That’s more information than you wanted.
Woody – I’m most excited to see what can do this season. Who is your “Breakout Bronco” for 2008?
— Darin, San Francisco
Jay Cutler. I believe he’s going to have a big season, Darin, assuming Brandon Marshall isn’t suspended and Selvin Young can run for 1,000 yards. It’s Cutler’s third season. Shanahan does know how to coach quarterbacks, excepting Brian Griese. And Cutler learned he has diabetes and is dealing with it and is back to his health.
Scheffler I’m concerned about, with ongoing injury problems. I’m thinking all the young defensive linemen will make big advances.
I used to work in radio when you did, and I enjoy seeing you on ESPN. Do you think the Rays are as good as they seem? I have very little to root for since moving here from Denver 15 years ago.
— Tom Vaught, Anna Maria Island, Fla.
Tom – Good to hear from you. I don’t enjoy seeing myself on ESPN. I never watch myself. I’d quit.
I love the Rays. This year’s feel-good story, of course. Good pitching, great young lineup. They need a little help, and CC would have been a good addition. I think they’ll spend the money because the crowds are coming out, and there’s a referendum in November in regard to a new stadium, and they need it bad. The Devil is gone from the Rays. I like them to be a wild card and this year’s Rockies.
How do you think the Denver Broncos’ revamped linebacker corps will do this year? Thank you.
— David, Ft. Drum, N.Y.
David – I’m hopped up about the new linebacking group. It was always a strength of the old Broncos, and they’ve fallen way off the last couple of years, and the scheme last year stunk. In the new system, John Lynch basically is a fourth linebacker, and Boss Bailey, united with his brother, will have a big year, and D.J. Williams is back outside where I kept saying all last year he belonged.
You’ll see how much better the defensive line and the secondary will be with majorly improved linebacking play. Trust me on this one.
I’ve been reading you since your arrival in Denver, so I’m familiar with your word play, and I sometimes even appreciate your ingenuity. I remember reading that your first visit to an MLB game was in St. Louis, which is my original hometown. Not a question, just a comment. I’ve always dreamed of Matt Holliday in a Cards uniform. However, I’m hoping we don’t trade for him for multiple reasons.
— Barney, Makaha, Hawaii
Mahalo to Makaha, Barney. I just returned from Hawaii, as if anyone else cares. I’ve always dreamed of myself in a Rainbows uniform.
It wasn’t enough that the Cardinals stole Lou Brock from the Cubs and got Larry Walker. You want Holliday, too. I like your outfield. Ryan Ludwick and Chris Duncan came up to me when the Cardinals played in Denver earlier in the year, and I’m impressed with both. You’ve got an outfield when you had none when the season started. Don’t be greedy. Get a pitcher.
If the Cowboys wanted Brett Favre to play for them this season, how would they go about arranging such a deal? Hmmm?
— William K., Asheville, N.C.
William K. – The Cowboys don’t want Favre for two reasons. They got Romo. Hello! And Favre never won in Dallas.
Favre wants to play. His only interests in life, really, are his family and his football. His family wants him to come back. They’re probably tired of him hanging out with nothing to do at home. I think Atlanta, where he started, or Miami would be a good spot for him.
Dallas is out. Green Bay should take him back. Aaron Rodgers is no great shakes.
You are the man, Woody! My former high school classmate is Seth Smith. It was a joy to watch him last year, and briefly this year when he has been called up. What are your thoughts on him? Could the Rockies look to trade him if there is not a future for him in Colorado? He fits the commodity bill: big, left-handed, he’s got some pop and a nice arm, plus decent speed. I know he needs regular at-bats, and he gets them for the Sky Sox, but he needs a shot (a decent shot).
— Jimmy Davis, Jackson, Miss.
Jimmy – Seth’s getting another shot now with Ryan Spilborghs out. He needs to take advantage of it. I don’t honestly see him as a long-term answer in Denver, though. He needs to go somewhere else, and he’s probably a nice backup, but not much more. Sorry. I love Jackson, Miss., almost as much as I love Hawaii.
Woody – What is the deal with Roger Goodell? The man seems to be a better politician than NFL commissioner. Outside of the NHL, his league is the cleanest, and not to mention the most profitable. He should run for president to show how “moral” he’d make the country.
— Joe, Littleton
Joe – I like Roger Goodell. He’s sharp. Plus, he gave me an exclusive interview on the elevator at the Super Bowl and knew my name. Here’s that interview, never published before.
“Hi, Wood.”
“Hi, commissioner. Been a good week.”
“Yes, I think everything’s going extremely well. I watch you on TV.”
“I think you’re doing an incredible job as commissioner.”
“Thank you. I’m trying.”
“I almost moved to your hometown when I lived in New York. I really like Bronxville (which is in Westchester County, about 20 miles from Manhattan; it’s where Goodell grew up and became a very good football player, and he lives there now). I looked at houses, but it’s a very expensive place to live.”
“That’s because it’s such a good place to live, and it’s the first stop for the train (from New York City into Westchester). You should have moved there.”
“I preferred to go back to Denver.”
“Good choice.”
“Thanks. Have a good game.”
Now you know why the interview has never been published. This guy is bringing discipline back to his league, and Goodell will be the second-best commissioner in NFL history, behind Pete Rozelle. And, did I mention, he knew my name. I barely know my name.
Woody Paige first joined The Denver Post in 1981 as a sports columnist. To drop a question into Woody’s Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
