http://rockymountainnews.com/news/sports/columns-blogs/?partner=RSSRocky Mountain News Stories: Sports Columns & Blogsen-ussports/columns-blogshttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/27/krieger-we-were-the-best-of-teams/?partner=RSSIt is as inexplicable to me now as it was almost three months ago when our parent company announced it wanted out of Denver. Other than Bob Seger, I never knew anyone who wanted out of Denver. kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger)Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:05:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168517-733465news/columns-blogsDave KriegerDenver, COKRIEGER: We were the best of teamsRocky Mountain Newskrieger-we-were-the-best-of-teamsurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168517-733465Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/26/krieger-we-were-best-teams/?partner=RSSIt is as inexplicable to me now as it was almost three months ago when our parent company announced it wanted out of Denver. Other than Bob Seger, I never knew anyone who wanted out of Denver. kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger)Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:15:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168512-733464sports/columns-blogsDave KriegerDenver, COKRIEGER: We were the best of teamsRocky Mountain Newskrieger-we-were-best-teamsurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168512-733464Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/26/best-newspaper-deserved-better-fate/?partner=RSSI didn't read the News today. Oh, boy. Nor tomorrow and tomorrow. lincicomeb@rockymountainnews.com (Bernie Lincicome)Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:12:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168511-733464news/columns-blogsBernie LincicomeDenver, COLINCICOME: Sports will go on, just without the RockyRocky Mountain Newsbest-newspaper-deserved-better-fateurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168511-733464Change733464Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/26/denver-rocky-goods-sports/?partner=RSSThe suits at NBC were worried. It was June 1965, the network had just signed a lengthy deal with the American Football League, and now it was stuck with a "backwater, small-market team" - the Denver Broncos. latimerc@rockymountainnews.com (Clay Latimer)Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:05:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168510-733464news/localClay LatimerDenver, CODenver, Rocky good sportsRocky Mountain Newsdenver-rocky-goods-sportsurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168510-733464Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/26/tomasson-scoring-race-likely-come-down-final-game/?partner=RSSESPN is currently scheduled to show Houston at Dallas at 6 p.m. MDT April 15, the season’s final day. Network executives might want to rethink that one. Scheduled to start the same time are Detroit at Miami and Philadelphia at Cleveland. How about a split screen, with one game on each side? tomassonc@rockymountainnews.com (Chris Tomasson)Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:16:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168487-733464sports/columns-blogsChris TomassonDenver, COTOMASSON: Scoring race likely to come down to final gameRocky Mountain Newstomasson-scoring-race-likely-come-down-final-gameurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168487-733464Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/26/ringolsby-ramirez-not-key-dodgers-success/?partner=RSSPut the Mannymania on hold. Yes, Los Angeles is a star-studded town, and yes Manny Ramirez became a Dodger darling in his two months with the team at the end of last season. No doubt if he finally signs with the Dodgers there will be a positive reaction from the fans. But get serious. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:56:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168476-733464sports/columns-blogsTracy RingolsbyDenver, CORINGOLSBY: Ramirez not the key to the Dodgers' successRocky Mountain Newsringolsby-ramirez-not-key-dodgers-successurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168476-733464Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/26/sadowski-avalanche-not-buyers-time-around/?partner=RSSBarring a miraculous finish, the Avalanche is going to miss the playoffs for the second time in three years. It's quite a comedown for a team that won division championships its first eight seasons in Colorado, advanced to the Western Conference finals six times and captured a Presidents' Trophy. sadowskir@rockymountainnews.com (Rick Sadowski)Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:39:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168449-733464sports/colorado-avalancheRick SadowskiDenver, COSADOWSKI: Avalanche not buyers this time aroundRocky Mountain Newssadowski-avalanche-not-buyers-time-aroundurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168449-733464Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/26/legwold-broncos-have-plenty-holes-fill-defense-spe/?partner=RSSAt almost every opportunity to throw the Broncos defense of 2008 under any passing Greyhound, first-year Broncos coach Josh McDaniels has instead offered something on the order of: "We want to make the whole team better." legwoldj@rockymountainnews.com (Jeff Legwold)Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:12:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168438-733464sports/denver-broncosJeff LegwoldDenver, COLEGWOLD: Broncos have plenty of holes to fill on defense, special teamsRocky Mountain Newslegwold-broncos-have-plenty-holes-fill-defense-speurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168438-733464Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/25/krieger-pro-sports-still-stepping-up-to-the/?partner=RSSPro sports' idea of recognizing hard times is to temporarily postpone the inexorable ascent of ticket prices by holding the line for a year. kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger)Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:44:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168143-733463sports/columns-blogsDave KriegerDenver, COKRIEGER: Pro sports still stepping up to the troughRocky Mountain Newskrieger-pro-sports-still-stepping-up-to-theurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-168143-733463Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/24/lincicome-woods-is-pga-tours-economic-stimulus/?partner=RSSWorking just from memory, this must be at least the fourth edition of Tiger Woods, the consistent theme being that in each he has been terrific. lincicomeb@rockymountainnews.com (Bernie Lincicome)Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:59:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167869-733462sports/columns-blogsBernie LincicomeDenver, COLINCICOME: Woods is PGA Tour's economic stimulusRocky Mountain Newslincicome-woods-is-pga-tours-economic-stimulusurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167869-733462Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/23/krieger-rockies-crystal-ball-says-85-wins/?partner=RSSTwo years ago, I predicted the Rockies would win 85 games, which they had never done. Readers found my prediction amusing. So did editors, who slapped the following headline on it: This might come back to bite me. Nevertheless, for 2009, I am here to tell you again that the Rocks will win 85 games. kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger)Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167450-733461sports/columns-blogsDave KriegerDenver, COKRIEGER: Rockies crystal ball says 85 winsRocky Mountain Newskrieger-rockies-crystal-ball-says-85-winsurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167450-733461Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/22/krieger-stewart-can-solve-rockies-woes/?partner=RSSThere is only one element of the Rockies' blueprint for 2009 that I don't understand. When club brass put together the tentative everyday lineup, it did not include Ian Stewart, the one player in the organization with a chance to replace the departed Matt Holliday's power numbers. kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger)Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167315-733460sports/columns-blogsDave KriegerDenver, COKRIEGER: Stewart can solve Rockies' woesRocky Mountain Newskrieger-stewart-can-solve-rockies-woesurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167315-733460Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/22/lincicome-steroid-era-brought-about-by-the-not/?partner=RSSThe term "dumb jock" has lasted as long as there have been jocks, dumb or otherwise. Age has never been a qualifier until Alex Rodriguez made it one. To be young and dumb, or young and stupid, cannot be an excuse for anything after the age of consent, speaking legally. lincicomeb@rockymountainnews.com (Bernie Lincicome)Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167314-733460sports/columns-blogsBernie LincicomeDenver, COLINCICOME: Steroid Era brought about by the not so young and stupidRocky Mountain Newslincicome-steroid-era-brought-about-by-the-noturn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167314-733460Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/22/saunders-dues-paid-goodman-living-dream/?partner=RSSDrew Goodman chuckles when recalling his first broadcasting job. Actually, "broadcasting" stretches the definition. Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:22:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167307-733460sports/columns-blogsDusty Saunders, Special to the RockyDenver, COSAUNDERS: Dues paid, Goodman living dreamRocky Mountain Newssaunders-dues-paid-goodman-living-dreamurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-167307-733460Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/20/krieger-impatient-rockies-hitters-need-baylors/?partner=RSSCredibility with big-league hitters, especially those who have had some success, is hard to come by for a hitting coach. Don Baylor brings more credibility to the job than any hitting coach in Rockies history. He has more career home runs and more MVP awards than anyone on the roster. kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger)Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:51:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166819-733458sports/columns-blogsDave KriegerDenver, COKRIEGER: Impatient Rockies hitters need Baylor's expertise, credibilityRocky Mountain Newskrieger-impatient-rockies-hitters-need-baylorsurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166819-733458Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/19/tomasson-rose-ahead-of-learning-curve/?partner=RSSMagic Johnson became one of the NBA's top point guards while still doing rookie chores in 1979-80. Two years later, Isiah Thomas approached that level while still delivering doughnuts. Generally, though, it takes time to develop into an elite point guard. tomassonc@rockymountainnews.com (Chris Tomasson)Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:47:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166563-733457sports/columns-blogsChris TomassonDenver, COTOMASSON: Bulls' Rose ahead of learning curve Rocky Mountain Newstomasson-rose-ahead-of-learning-curveurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166563-733457Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/19/sadowski-success-doesnt-mean-security/?partner=RSSLeading a team into the Stanley Cup Finals - even winning the prized trophy - hardly guarantees long-term job security for a coach. sadowskir@rockymountainnews.com (Rick Sadowski)Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:32:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166514-733457sports/colorado-avalancheRick SadowskiDenver, COSADOWSKI: Success doesn't mean security in NHLRocky Mountain Newssadowski-success-doesnt-mean-securityurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166514-733457Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/19/krieger-pieces-in-place-to-weather-loss-of/?partner=RSSJust the other day, up in Phoenix, former Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday was citing Jeff Francis as a key to the Rockies' chances this season. "I think Jeff's health, obviously, is important, but there's a lot of very talented guys over there," Holliday said. kriegerd@rockymountainnews.com (Dave Krieger)Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:42:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166489-733457sports/columns-blogsDave KriegerDenver, COKRIEGER: Pieces in place for Rockies to weather loss of FrancisRocky Mountain Newskrieger-pieces-in-place-to-weather-loss-ofurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166489-733457Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/19/ringolsby-legal-ruling-agent-of-change/?partner=RSSOklahoma State University pitcher Andrew Oliver's legal victory against the NCAA last week could impact the NFL and NBA more than it does baseball. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:35:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166488-733457sports/columns-blogsTracy RingolsbyDenver, CORINGOLSBY: Legal ruling agent of change? Rocky Mountain Newsringolsby-legal-ruling-agent-of-changeurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166488-733457Change0Usablehttp://rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/19/legwold-after-splits-lots-of-cash-for-broncos/?partner=RSSIn 2008, the Broncos fielded the youngest team in Mike Shanahan's tenure, a testament to an increased emphasis on keeping and developing the team's draft picks, an emphasis many in the league believed wasn't there during much of Shanahan's time with the team. legwoldj@rockymountainnews.com (Jeff Legwold)Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:26:00 -0000urn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166434-733457sports/denver-broncosJeff LegwoldDenver, COLEGWOLD: Broncos lavishing on exesRocky Mountain Newslegwold-after-splits-lots-of-cash-for-broncosurn:publicid:rockymountainnews.com:news-Story-166434-733457Change0Usable