Top Ten Colorado Sports Events for 2021

 2021 didn't see any championships for Colorado sports teams.  Generally it was a down year for our teams but there were a few highlights:

NUMBER TEN:

Oct 1st: Rockies 9 Diamondbacks 7 at Arizona: The Rockies come back from a 7-0 deficit to win 9-7, scoring 3 runs in the 9th to cap the come from behind victory.  It was the largest road comeback in team history, and I was in attendance to see it.

NUMBER NINE:

June 1st: Nuggets 147 Blazers 140: Double Overtime Game 5 playoff series win.  Nuggets overcome a stellar performance by Portland's Damian Lilliard (55 points, multiple clutch 3 pointers to extend the game) to win the game and eventually win the series.

NUMBER EIGHT:

February 19th: Nuggets 120 Cleveland 103: Jamal Murray scored 50 points on hitting 21 of 25 field goal attempts and 8-of-10 from behind the three-point line, with NO FREE THROWS!  First player in NBA history to score 50 points with no free throws.

NUMBER SEVEN:

March 20th: Colorado 96 Georgetown 73, first round ncaa tournament:  12th seeded Georgetown was favored by many media experts over 5th seeded Colorado, but the game wasn't close.  The Buffs dominated from the start for a sweet win against a prestigious program like Georgetown and their legendary player turned coach Patrick Ewing.

NUMBER SIX:

June 2nd: Avs 3 Golden Knights 2 in overtime:  There's nothing like overtime in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and this game was no exception.  Despite being outshot 41 to 25 the Avs got an outstanding performance from goalie Philipp Grubauer (39 saves) to steal a game from Vegas.  This game would have been higher in my rankings had the Avs won the series, however after this game the Avs lost four straight to Vegas to lose the series in one of the year's biggest disappointments.

NUMBER FIVE:

November 28th: Broncos 28 Chargers 14. After a disappointing loss to Philadelpia and the bye week, the Broncos surprised division rival Chargers with a convincing win.  Rookie Patrick Surtain had two interceptions including one for a touchdown that clinched the victory.

NUMBER FOUR:

April 1st: Rockies 8 Dodgers 5 In their first time opening at home since 2011 the Rockies beat the defending World Series champion Dodgers.  It was not a good year for the Rockies starting with the terrible trade of Nolan Arenado, but opening day was a bright spot in an otherwise dreary season.

NUMBER THREE:

June 8th: Nikola Jokic voted NBA's Most Valuable Player.  An amazing accomplishment for a little known second round draft choice from Serbia.

NUMBER TWO:

July 12th: Home Run Derby at Coors Field: No Trevor Story didn't win but the Home Run Derby was a huge success in front of a sellout crowd and a national tv audience. With home runs flying out of the ballpark one commentator said "Baseball should have the home run derby at Coors Field every year."

NUMBER ONE

November 7th: Broncos 30 Cowboys 16: The Broncos had lost 3 games in a row and then had an unimpressive win over the Redskins at home.  The Cowboys had won 6 in a row and were big favorites in this game.  The Broncos shocked the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, opening up a stunning 30-0 lead before eventually winning 30-16. One of the biggest upsets in team history.

My First NASCAR Experience

 

I never followed NASCAR races.  When NASCAR coverage came on ESPN I would change the channel to something else.  Not interested.  Until ...

After moving to Arizona this past year I had the opportunity to attend the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday November 7th.  The age 55+ community I live in chartered a bus to the event with seats near the finish line.  "Why not?" I thought, "Let's see what this NASCAR craze is all about."

Much to my surprise, it was awesome!

When I arrived I could tell this was no ordinary race.  Many tents were setup outside with race fans eager to purchase merchandise or see a celebrity in attendance.  This reminded me of the atmosphere when I attended Super Bowl 50   For NASCAR fans, I figured, this was their Super Bowl.

Once inside the Phoenix Raceway I was pleasantly surprised by my seat location - near the finish line in what turned out to be in the shade the whole race.  That was a good thing as I didn't know if I'd be sitting in the hot Arizona sun this afternoon.

The pre race activity reminded me more of a beauty contest than a sports event!  The top competitors walked across a stage waving to the crowd.  The very top racers, the ones in contention for the NASCAR Cup, each rode around the track standing up in a flatbed truck waving to the crowd.  Broadway star Kristen Chenoweth sang the national anthem. "This is a big deal," I thought, remembering hearing Lady Gaga sing the anthem at Super Bowl 50.

While the prerace activity was interesting, the highlight was the race itself.  The closely bunched cars raced by me at high speed to start the race.  The noise was deafening - much louder to hear in person than what you may hear in watching the race on TV.  How can cars go so fast, so close together, without wrecking?

There were a few minor accidents this day, with a few cars bumping the track's outside wall when trying to take a turn too wide.  Nothing too serious.  While a wrecked car was cleared from the track the drivers got the "yellow flag" to reduce speed.  During the yellow many race cars would visit pit row to get a new tank of gas and new tires.  I marveled at how fast these pit crews could service their race cars and get them on their way.

The race was 312 laps around a 1 mile track.  A bit repetitive?  Yes.  However the intermittent yellow flags slowing the race, and then the cars coming out of the yellow all bunched together in a thrilling start, kept my interest.  I also was impressed with the driving skill of some of the racers as they tried to maneuver around the cars in front of them.

Overall I was impressed with the show that NASCAR put on this day.  I don't anticipate becoming an avid NASCAR fan like many in the crowd.  But if given an opportunity to attend the championship race in 2022 at this same Phoenix track, I think I'll do it!

Will the Broncos Curse over the Browns Strike Again?

 

"I don't ever want to see the Denver Broncos play in my stadium," said then Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell when the NFL was in talks with the rival AFL for merging the two leagues. 

The merger did happen, the Broncos joined the NFL in 1970 along with the other AFL teams, and the team had a surprise for Modell when the Broncos visited Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1971.

The Broncos totally destroyed the Browns 27-0. To this day one of the most dominant Bronco performances I have ever seen and so unexpected. Cleveland was a contender that year (the Browns ended up 9-5) while the Broncos struggled (with a 4-9-1 record in 1971).  Over the years I have saved newspapers of great Bronco victories, and this was one (see the photo above)

Years later I talked to Broncos great Floyd Little about that game at a Denver Broncos Quarterback Club meeting.  "That win meant a lot to Lou," Little said about Broncos head coach Lou Saban.  Little went on to tell me that Saban had played for the Browns in the late 40's. 

It was to be Saban's last win as Broncos head coach. He resigned midseason as the Broncos failed to have a winning record during his five year tenure.

But Denver's "curse" over the Browns lived on.  Three Broncos AFC Championship victories vs Cleveland, including the famous "Drive" game in that same stadium, made Art Modell regret his words disparaging the Broncos.  Overall the Broncos have 11 wins against 2 losses against the Browns for games played in Cleveland, and an overall record of 24 Broncos wins vs 6 losses in games against the Browns.

Will the Broncos curse over the Browns strike again this Thursday night when the two teams meet in a nationally televised game?  The Browns are heavily favored and the Broncos are in the midst of a three game losing streak.  If the Broncos do win, perhaps the curse has struck again!

More details about the Broncos 1971 victory over the Browns can be found in this Sports Illustrated story about the game.

My 2021 Bronco Predictions

 As is my yearly tradition (though I missed doing it last year in that crazy covid19 football season) I like to predict the Denver Broncos record before any regular season games are played.  This year's predictions:

1 Sun, Sep 12 @New York Giants

WIN - Giants offensive line is shaky, running back Saquan Barkley is still not 100% from last year's season ending injury. The Giants do have a good defense so it'll be a good test for Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos offense, but I think they score enough to get the win.

2 Sun, Sep 19 @Jacksonville

WIN - A rookie quarterback going against the Denver Defense?  Win

3 Sun, Sep 26 vs New York Jets

WIN Ditto - Jets rookie qb against the Denver D is a good matchup for the Broncos, and the Broncos traditionally have played well in home openers

4 Sun, Oct 3 vs Baltimore

WIN - The Ravens are one of the AFC's best teams.  The Broncos have a chance though, since this is at home, and the Ravens have significant injuries at running back. If the Broncos are 3-0 entering this game as I predict, the momentum of that fast start will give the team a win over the favored Ravens.

5 Sun, Oct 10 @Pittsburgh

LOSS - Big Ben still has enough left to lead the Steelers over the Broncos

6 Sun, Oct 17 vs Las Vegas

WIN - I predict the Raiders/Broncos split their 2 games this year with both teams winning at home

7 Thu, Oct 21 @Cleveland

LOSS - Browns will be one of the most improved AFC teams this year

8 Sun, Oct 31 vs Washington

WIN - home field gives the edge to the Broncos in a close contest

9 Sun, Nov 7 @ Dallas

LOSS - Cowboys are a different team with Dak at QB

10 Sun, Nov 14 vs Philadelphia

WIN - Bronco D should handle another young QB

12 Sun, Nov 28 vs Los Angeles Chargers

LOSS - Chargers get revenge for a close loss at Denver last season

13 Sun, Dec 5 @ Kansas City

LOSS - Tough to beat the AFC's best team on the road

14 Sun, Dec 12 vs Detroit

WIN - Lions are one of the NFL's worst teams

15 Sun, Dec 19 vs Cincinnati

WIN - Broncos improved secondary will handle Joe Burrow

16 Sun, Dec 26 @ Las Vegas

LOSS - see week 6, home teams win this series

17 Sun, Jan 2 @ Los Angeles

LOSS - I hope not as I'll be at this game!  But Chargers look to be much improved under their new coaching staff.

18 Sun, Jan 9 vs Kansas City

WIN - I'm guessing KC has their playoff position clinched by now, they'll rest some starters, giving the Broncos the edge.

Overall record: 10 wins 7 losses  That may be good enough for a wildcard playoff berth, depending on how the rest of the AFC shakes out.  

Other thoughts: I think Teddy Bridgewater will do better than the other short term veteran quarterback fixes the team has tried in recent years (Case Keenum, Joe Flacco in their one year stints).  I don't think he's the long term answer at qb though.  If the Broncos were thinking long term, Drew Lock should have been the starter this year, to determine if Drew is the answer or not.  Lock did have a bad year last season, but with a new offensive coordinator and a covid19 shortened preseason it was not surprising that the 2nd year qb struggled.  Fangio wants to win to keep his job, and Bridgewater gives the team the best chance to win now.

I think the Broncos defense is the best we will have seen in years (barring significant injuries), close to the 2015 SB 50 champ bronco D.  That defense will give the team lots of wins.

Still the Broncos did not take a quarterback when they had the chance with an early draft position.  It was Josh Allen they passed on in 2018.  This year the team passed on Justin Fields and Mac Jones in round one, both of whom have shown promise in the preseason.  In 2021 if I am close to my win/loss position the Broncos won't be drafting early enough to get one of the top qbs in the 2022 draft.  And if Drew Lock isn't the answer (there's at least a 50/50 chance he is not) then the Broncos will again be hoping for a veteran free agent qb to lead them.  It worked with Peyton Manning.  Back in the day it worked with Charlie Johnson and Craig Morton (Morton via trade).  Most times it doesn't work, though.  

Bottom line: the Broncos should have taken a quarterback when they had the chance with an early first round draft choice in recent years.

RIP Floyd Little, the 1968 play that defined who he was

 

I have many fond memories of Floyd's playing days as a young bronco fan in the late 60's/early 70's. One play stands out: 

The first year I had season tickets in the South Stands at age 12 I attended the Buffalo Bills/Bronco game in November 1968. This was the game where Lou Saban "fired" Floyd after Floyd fumbled as the Broncos were trying to run out the clock. The Bills recovered and kicked what appeared to be the winning field goal. Floyd is walking dejectedly to the locker room under the South Stands when all of a sudden he runs back on the field, tells Fran Lynch he's replacing him, and Floyd tells Bronco qb Marlin Briscoe to throw a deep pass to him. And that's what happened. Floyd makes a great diving catch (still one of the best I have seen in my many years of being a bronco fan) that sets up the winning field goal for the Broncos. It was cold that day too - I was freezing in the South Stands when Floyd made that catch! I only found out later of what drama transpired between Floyd and Lou Saban. 

That game, and that play, symbolized what Floyd Little was all about. He was an inspiration to me and many Denver area youth in the late 60's and early 70's. The message Floyd gave us: never give up, always give your best, and good things will happen. Rest In Peace Floyd.