Rocky Mountain News Stories: Sports Columns & Blogs

LINCICOME: Heat on without Cool Hand Anthony

lincicomeb@rockymountainnews.com (Bernie Lincicome) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:36:00 -0000

As we all do from time to time, the Denver Nuggets need a hand. That would be Carmelo Anthony's right hand, the weapon hand, the one from which all things begin. Dribble. Shoot. Shake.

KRIEGER: Nuggets impress, mystify

kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:33:00 -0000

The Nuggets are a puzzle, a bite-your-lip, shake-your-head, look-at-the-ceiling puzzle. They are now 24-12, which is very good, and 17-1 against teams with losing records, which is crazy good. By the record, they are as good as they've been this far into a season since they joined the NBA in 1976.

Sam Adams' Open Mic: Defensive mauling a treat

adamss@rockymountainnews.com (Sam Adams) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:24:00 -0000

Offense wins games. But watching the Baltimore Ravens play defense on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins sure was fun. Wasn’t it?

SAUNDERS: MLB network has a 'perfect' start

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:45:00 -0000

While a half-dozen TV channels were busy dissecting the surprising Pat Bowlen-Mike Shanahan divorce, one outlet was airing a historic sports event - the perfect game thrown by the Yankees' Don Larsen against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.

KRIEGER: In fantasy college football world, ho-hum now thrilling

kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:56:00 -0000

When last we tuned into our fictional Bowl Championship Playoff, the eight first-round winners were headed for a New Year's Day quadrupleheader and a chance to make the final four.

LINCICOME: Successor rarely finds success

lincicomeb@rockymountainnews.com (Bernie Lincicome) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:32:00 -0000

Whoever takes Mike Shanahan's place will fail. The one after that is the one who will win. Except for possibly Bill Cowher, there is no one Pat Bowlen can hire who will not be stepping on Shanahan's shadow day after day.

SAM ADAMS' OPEN MIC: Shanahan’s sacking places him in exclusive club

adamss@rockymountainnews.com (Sam Adams) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:56:00 -0000

Former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan is one of only six men to lead a franchise to Super Bowl championships in consecutive NFL seasons. But Shanahan is also the first of those six coaches to be formally fired from the team he led to back-to-back titles.

LINCICOME: Cheat sheet for Broncos' next coach

lincicomeb@rockymountainnews.com (Bernie Lincicome) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:30:00 -0000

As a public service for the next head coach of the Broncos, here are the answers to all the really important questions about one of the best jobs in football, none of which are likely to come up during actual job interviews.

KRIEGER: Step down from Shanahan isn't inevitable

kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:27:00 -0000

Local sportswriters in 2019, assuming there still are local sportswriters in 2019, will very likely conclude that firing Mike Shanahan was a mistake. That's because his successor, by the law of averages, is unlikely to have a record as good as his.

LEGWOLD: Shanahan at head of pack for NFL openings

legwoldj@rockymountainnews.com (Jeff Legwold) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:48:00 -0000

Just for a moment, tip your head back and imagine ... You’re young. Well, young in the world of NFL coaches. You have a growing résumé that is coming together nicely. Then you flick on the flat screen and see the Broncos just fired Mike Shanahan. Oh.

TOMASSON: Thunder may set new mark for NBA's worst

tomassonc@rockymountainnews.com (Chris Tomasson) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:49:00 -0000

As tough as it might become in Oklahoma City, it's safe to say some things can't get as bad as with the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers. They finished 9-73, the worst mark in NBA history.

SADOWSKI: Blue Jackets' Mason builds wall of zeros

sadowskir@rockymountainnews.com (Rick Sadowski) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:32:00 -0000

Would you believe the hottest goalie in the NHL - who will be at the Pepsi Center on Friday night - is Steve Mason? The Columbus Blue Jackets rookie has taken the NHL by storm, and his team is looking like a potential playoff participant for the first time in franchise history.

LINCICOME: Bowlen looked like one who got fired

lincicomeb@rockymountainnews.com (Bernie Lincicome) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:18:00 -0000

What came to mind as Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen rolled around in his own confusion about just why this had to happen is that he was the one being fired. Mike Shanahan was clear-eyed and chipper, disembarking a leaky boat while Bowlen is left to plug the holes.

RINGOLSBY: Rice good, but not Hall good

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:15:00 -0000

Jim Rice epitomizes the puzzle of voting for the Hall of Fame. He is on the ballot for the 15th and final time, and most likely, later this month when the 2009 inductees are announced, Rice will slip in, probably along with first-time candidate Rickey Henderson.

KRIEGER: Bowlen-Shanahan parting respectful, but questions remain

kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:06:00 -0000

It was a partnership that spanned a quarter-century and reached the highest highs pro sports have to offer. As it ended, each partner was overcome by emotion discussing the other. It was like a marriage sabotaged by time, sad but amicable. That's how close Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan were.

Sam Adams' story lines for 2009

adamss@rockymountainnews.com (Sam Adams) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:01:00 -0000

Happy New Year. If it is left up to Sam Adams, 2009 will be full of celebration for you, Denver Sports Fan. But what does the year ahead hold for Mike Shanahan, above, Pat Bowlen, Todd Helton and CU football coach Dan Hawkins, among others?

ADAMS: 'Coach for Life,' or until magic ran out

adamss@rockymountainnews.com (Sam Adams) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:14:00 -0000

Perhaps the 10-year drought without a Super Bowl appearance has left the Broncos' long-time owner parched for success. Mike Shanahan had a way of convincing many of us that he possesses the Midas touch. If it didn't work out one season, he could push the right buttons and fix it all the next.

KRIEGER: Goodbye Shanahan, hello . . . Elway?

kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:57:00 -0000

When Pat Bowlen fired Dan Reeves as Broncos head coach following the 1992 season, it set the stage for the return of Mike Shanahan to the organization. When Bowlen fired Shanahan on Tuesday, it set the stage for the return of John Elway to the organization.

LINCICOME: 'New direction' or bust for Broncos

lincicomeb@rockymountainnews.com (Bernie Lincicome) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:06:00 -0000

Mike Shanahan will coach again, and soon, if that is what he wants to do. There is no hard landing for someone who has won two Super Bowls.

Sam Adams' Open Mic: Injuries, inexperience and inconsistencies spell 'L'

adamss@rockymountainnews.com (Sam Adams) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:09:00 -0000

Denver Broncos running back Michael Pittman, who spent the latter part of the season on injured reserve, cited the difference between the Broncos' inexperienced lineup and the Chargers. "A lot of young guys, they don’t really know the atmosphere or what it takes sometimes, to get into the playoffs," Pittman said.