thedenverpost--2020-08-16--NFL Journal: It was one practice, but presence of Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan a big positive

It was a handful of plays in the Broncos ’ first practice of training camp .
But a major takeaway Friday , aside from receiver Jerry Jeudy effortlessly running routes and making catches , was the presence of cornerback Bryce Callahan .
He was on the field , period .
Callahan ’ s 2019 season ended a week before the first preseason game , when the screw in his surgically-repaired foot broke .
The Broncos and Callahan were patient in his recovery , including stem cell treatment , but he was placed on injured reserve last Nov. 16 and eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos ’ first-team defense gathered Friday for 11-on-11 work , Callahan was at cornerback opposite newcomer A.J .
Bouye .
When coach Vic Fangio went to a sub package , Callahan was out there covering the slot receiver .
Callahan had an interception and a pass break-up .
“ His foot feels fine , ” Fangio said .
“ He ’ s confident and ready to go.
” The Broncos need Callahan ’ s foot to feel fine and for him to be confident and ready to go for the Sept. 14 opener @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indispensable Broncos , players like quarterback Drew Lock , outside linebacker Bradley Chubb , safeties Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons are undoubtedly on the list .
Callahan should be , too .
Hear me out .
If Callahan stays healthy , he can be an every-down player — outside on base downs and nickel ( over the slot receiver ) on sub downs .
That means Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell don ’ t have to force a player ( or players ) into the nickel spot , like they had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried and struggled .
If Callahan can ’ t stay healthy , uh-oh .
Who plays nickel ?
Maybe Duke Dawson .
Who plays 100 % of the outside snaps ?
Michael Ojemudia , Isaac Yiadom or De ’ Vante Bausby or a mix of the three ?
That is why Callahan ’ s health is so important to the overall effectiveness of the Broncos ’ defense .
Tight end frenzy .
The tight end market exploded last week when in a matter of hours , San Francisco signed George Kittle to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City signed Travis Kelce to an extension averaging $ 14.3 million .
Before the new Kittle-Kelce deals , the highest multi-year average was Cleveland ’ s Austin Hooper ( $ 10.5 million ) , who was atop the salary chart for all of five months .
Will this represent a market correction ?
I lean toward this being two isolated cases .
That ’ s how good Kittle and Kelce have been and are expected to be moving forward .
Playing games on Saturday ?
As the college football season started getting flushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Titans-Broncos Sept. 14 game from late-night ESPN to ABC prime-time on Sept. 12 .
The Saturday rating ( 8 p.m. Eastern kickoff ) would be a bonanza compared to the Monday night number ( 10:10 p.m. Eastern kickoff ) .
If the ACC , Big 12 and SEC play ( good for those schools ) , they will take care of the Saturday inventory , but if they don ’ t start playing until the weekend of Sept. 26 , moving Titans-Broncos up two days would be ideal .
Impact of draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conferences actually don ’ t play next spring , how will the draft status of players be effected ?
I looked at the recent Broncos draft picks to see how they would be viewed minus their final college season .
Chubb , Lock , Jeudy and left guard Dalton Risner would have been fine — they had plenty of tape for teams to evaluate .
But center Lloyd Cushenberry would have been a one-year starter if his junior season was cancelled .
Receiver KJ Hamler would have had only one year of tape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They may have been drafted later or elected to stay in college .
The key for NFL scouts and executives is grinding away on the 2019 game tape and using the time at home usually reserved for campus visits to work the phones to gather intel on 2021 draft prospects .
Remembering Mudd .
Howard Mudd , one of the NFL ’ s most respected offensive line coaches , passed away at age 78 last week due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident .
Mudd was Indianapolis ’ offensive line coach for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manning ’ s career .
“ In every game plan meeting and every practice , I know he was always thinking about how to protect me as a quarterback in the pocket with different blocking schemes and ways to run the ball , ” Manning told the Colts ’ website .
“ ( Mudd ) was the best offensive line coach in NFL history .
I would put him on that pedestal any day of the week.
” During Manning ’ s first 12 years , he had the same play-caller ( Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Remarkable continuity .
Staying fresh .
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky sees one silver lining in not having preseason games .
“ This is the freshest group of NFL players we ’ ve ever had , ” he said during a conference call .
“ These guys have not had the burden of a full offseason .
That will pay dividends at some point in the season .
”

It was a handful of plays in the Broncos’ first practice of training camp.
But a major takeaway Friday, aside from receiver Jerry Jeudy effortlessly running routes and making catches, was the presence of cornerback Bryce Callahan.
He was on the field, period.
Callahan’s 2019 season ended a week before the first preseason game, when the screw in his surgically-repaired foot broke. The Broncos and Callahan were patient in his recovery, including stem cell treatment, but he was placed on injured reserve last Nov. 16 and eventually had another operation.
But when the Broncos’ first-team defense gathered Friday for 11-on-11 work, Callahan was at cornerback opposite newcomer A.J. Bouye. When coach Vic Fangio went to a sub package, Callahan was out there covering the slot receiver.
Callahan had an interception and a pass break-up.
“His foot feels fine,” Fangio said. “He’s confident and ready to go.”
The Broncos need Callahan’s foot to feel fine and for him to be confident and ready to go for the Sept. 14 opener against Tennessee.
Naming the 10 most indispensable Broncos, players like quarterback Drew Lock, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, safeties Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons are undoubtedly on the list. Callahan should be, too. Hear me out.
If Callahan stays healthy, he can be an every-down player — outside on base downs and nickel (over the slot receiver) on sub downs. That means Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell don’t have to force a player (or players) into the nickel spot, like they had to last year when a cast of many tried and struggled.
If Callahan can’t stay healthy, uh-oh. Who plays nickel? Maybe Duke Dawson. Who plays 100% of the outside snaps? Michael Ojemudia, Isaac Yiadom or De’Vante Bausby or a mix of the three?
That is why Callahan’s health is so important to the overall effectiveness of the Broncos’ defense.
Tight end frenzy. The tight end market exploded last week when in a matter of hours, San Francisco signed George Kittle to a contract averaging $15 million and Kansas City signed Travis Kelce to an extension averaging $14.3 million.
Before the new Kittle-Kelce deals, the highest multi-year average was Cleveland’s Austin Hooper ($10.5 million), who was atop the salary chart for all of five months.
Will this represent a market correction? I lean toward this being two isolated cases. That’s how good Kittle and Kelce have been and are expected to be moving forward.
Playing games on Saturday? As the college football season started getting flushed, I floated the suggestion to move the Titans-Broncos Sept. 14 game from late-night ESPN to ABC prime-time on Sept. 12.
The Saturday rating (8 p.m. Eastern kickoff) would be a bonanza compared to the Monday night number (10:10 p.m. Eastern kickoff).
If the ACC, Big 12 and SEC play (good for those schools), they will take care of the Saturday inventory, but if they don’t start playing until the weekend of Sept. 26, moving Titans-Broncos up two days would be ideal.
Impact of draft status. If the majority of college conferences actually don’t play next spring, how will the draft status of players be effected?
I looked at the recent Broncos draft picks to see how they would be viewed minus their final college season.
Chubb, Lock, Jeudy and left guard Dalton Risner would have been fine — they had plenty of tape for teams to evaluate.
But center Lloyd Cushenberry would have been a one-year starter if his junior season was cancelled. Receiver KJ Hamler would have had only one year of tape (as a redshirt freshman). They may have been drafted later or elected to stay in college.
The key for NFL scouts and executives is grinding away on the 2019 game tape and using the time at home usually reserved for campus visits to work the phones to gather intel on 2021 draft prospects.
Remembering Mudd. Howard Mudd, one of the NFL’s most respected offensive line coaches, passed away at age 78 last week due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Mudd was Indianapolis’ offensive line coach for the first 12 years of quarterback Peyton Manning’s career.
“In every game plan meeting and every practice, I know he was always thinking about how to protect me as a quarterback in the pocket with different blocking schemes and ways to run the ball,” Manning told the Colts’ website. “(Mudd) was the best offensive line coach in NFL history. I would put him on that pedestal any day of the week.”
During Manning’s first 12 years, he had the same play-caller (Tom Moore) and same line coach. Remarkable continuity.
Staying fresh. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky sees one silver lining in not having preseason games.
“This is the freshest group of NFL players we’ve ever had,” he said during a conference call. “These guys have not had the burden of a full offseason. That will pay dividends at some point in the season.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-16--Health care takes center stage in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional race

Diane Mitsch Bush supported Medicare for All before she was against it .
Lauren Boebert doesn ’ t have a health care plan , only vague goals and a history of criticizing the Affordable Care Act .
With fewer than 80 days to go before the Nov. 3 election , health care has emerged as a top issue in Colorado ’ s closely watched 3rd Congressional District .
It ’ s not a big surprise , given that both health insurance and health care are particularly expensive and hard to access on the Western Slope and in other parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Republican , who has placed the issue front and center .
“ Diane Mitsch Bush is a lying socialist who supports socialized medicine , ” the narrator in a recent Boebert ad states .
“ Nobody likes a liar , Diane .
Nobody.
” On at least two occasions in 2018 , Mitsch Bush , a Democrat , stated on social media that she supported a single-payer , Medicare for All system in which the government provides health care coverage , rather than private insurers .
But on July 29 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ I don ’ t support Medicare for All.
” Boebert has seized on that reversal .
“ Can you hear her pollsters and political hacks explaining to her she can ’ t win on her socialized medicine scheme , so she had better just lie about her position and try to scare people about me ?
” Boebert wrote in a Pueblo Chieftain op-ed Aug. 8 .
Mitsch Bush said in a statement Thursday that she has “ never supported the elimination of private insurance ” but instead supports “ allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public option.
” During a 2018 debate , however , she touted a specific piece of legislation — HR 676 , the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act — that would “ virtually eliminate private medical insurance , ” according to an analysis and at least one of the bill ’ s supporters in Congress .
Boebert ’ s campaign , meanwhile , says that Chieftain op-ed is the totality of her health care plan at this stage in the race .
There are no specifics in the opinion piece , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , protecting people with pre-existing conditions , making health care affordable , increasing access to care .
“ I will never vote for legislation that will leave Coloradans without health care coverage , ” she wrote .
Protection for people with pre-existing conditions is already required under current law , the decade-old Affordable Care Act .
Making health care more affordable , more transparent and more easily accessible are vague goals both political parties strive for with varying success .
Nearly all legislation , including the existing Affordable Care Act and Republicans ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would leave some Coloradans without health care coverage .
Boebert ’ s campaign spokeswoman declined to say whether Boebert believes the ACA , a 2010 health care overhaul colloquially known as Obamacare , should be repealed .
But Boebert has repeatedly criticized Rep. Scott Tipton , the Cortez Republican she defeated June 30 , for failing to repeal the ACA while in Congress .
“ You know , we had an opportunity in 2017 to repeal Obamacare and once again my opponent ( Tipton ) voted no , ” Boebert told an online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .
“ He had a chance to put a yes vote to that and he said no and he ’ s supposed to be a conservative.
” Boebert ’ s claim was false — Tipton supported the American Health Care Act , a Republican ACA repeal effort , in 2017 — but her remarks make clear that she supports a repeal of Obamacare .
Repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement would leave the 159,338 Coloradans who receive health insurance through the state ’ s ACA marketplace without coverage , among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ My opponent has no plan to make health care more affordable for people in the 3rd ( District ) , and instead she wants to take health care away from hundreds of thousands of people during a national health care and economic crisis , ” Mitsch Bush said Thursday .
“ We can ’ t let that happen.
” Some of Colorado ’ s highest rates of uninsured people are in northwest Colorado , along the I-70 corridor and in southwest Colorado — all part of the 3rd District , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Connect for Health Colorado , which oversees the state ’ s individual insurance marketplace .
“ It ’ s about two things : cost and access , ” Gann said .
“ Both are a problem out here.
” More people on the Western Slope buy their insurance off the individual marketplace than elsewhere in the state , which is more costly than receiving it through an employer , and insurance rates are generally highest there , according to state health care experts .
“ There ’ s usually just one hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a town , and that hospital can charge pretty high prices to insurers , ” said Joe Hanel , communications director for the nonpartisan Colorado Health Institute .

Diane Mitsch Bush supported Medicare for All before she was against it.
Lauren Boebert doesn’t have a health care plan, only vague goals and a history of criticizing the Affordable Care Act.
With fewer than 80 days to go before the Nov. 3 election, health care has emerged as a top issue in Colorado’s closely watched 3rd Congressional District. It’s not a big surprise, given that both health insurance and health care are particularly expensive and hard to access on the Western Slope and in other parts of the far-flung district.
It is Boebert, a Republican, who has placed the issue front and center.
“Diane Mitsch Bush is a lying socialist who supports socialized medicine,” the narrator in a recent Boebert ad states. “Nobody likes a liar, Diane. Nobody.”
On at least two occasions in 2018, Mitsch Bush, a Democrat, stated on social media that she supported a single-payer, Medicare for All system in which the government provides health care coverage, rather than private insurers. But on July 29, she flatly told KREX in Grand Junction, “I don’t support Medicare for All.”
Boebert has seized on that reversal.
“Can you hear her pollsters and political hacks explaining to her she can’t win on her socialized medicine scheme, so she had better just lie about her position and try to scare people about me?” Boebert wrote in a Pueblo Chieftain op-ed Aug. 8.
Mitsch Bush said in a statement Thursday that she has “never supported the elimination of private insurance” but instead supports “allowing people to buy into Medicare or a public option.” During a 2018 debate, however, she touted a specific piece of legislation — HR 676, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act — that would “virtually eliminate private medical insurance,” according to an analysis and at least one of the bill’s supporters in Congress.
Boebert’s campaign, meanwhile, says that Chieftain op-ed is the totality of her health care plan at this stage in the race. There are no specifics in the opinion piece, only a series of aspirations: price transparency, protecting people with pre-existing conditions, making health care affordable, increasing access to care.
“I will never vote for legislation that will leave Coloradans without health care coverage,” she wrote.
Protection for people with pre-existing conditions is already required under current law, the decade-old Affordable Care Act. Making health care more affordable, more transparent and more easily accessible are vague goals both political parties strive for with varying success. Nearly all legislation, including the existing Affordable Care Act and Republicans’ ACA repeal efforts, do leave or would leave some Coloradans without health care coverage.
Boebert’s campaign spokeswoman declined to say whether Boebert believes the ACA, a 2010 health care overhaul colloquially known as Obamacare, should be repealed. But Boebert has repeatedly criticized Rep. Scott Tipton, the Cortez Republican she defeated June 30, for failing to repeal the ACA while in Congress.
“You know, we had an opportunity in 2017 to repeal Obamacare and once again my opponent (Tipton) voted no,” Boebert told an online show called “Steel Truth” in May. “He had a chance to put a yes vote to that and he said no and he’s supposed to be a conservative.”
Boebert’s claim was false — Tipton supported the American Health Care Act, a Republican ACA repeal effort, in 2017 — but her remarks make clear that she supports a repeal of Obamacare.
Repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement would leave the 159,338 Coloradans who receive health insurance through the state’s ACA marketplace without coverage, among other disruptions to the health care system.
“My opponent has no plan to make health care more affordable for people in the 3rd (District), and instead she wants to take health care away from hundreds of thousands of people during a national health care and economic crisis,” Mitsch Bush said Thursday. “We can’t let that happen.”
Some of Colorado’s highest rates of uninsured people are in northwest Colorado, along the I-70 corridor and in southwest Colorado — all part of the 3rd District, said Linda Gann, a Montrose-based outreach director with Connect for Health Colorado, which oversees the state’s individual insurance marketplace.
“It’s about two things: cost and access,” Gann said. “Both are a problem out here.”
More people on the Western Slope buy their insurance off the individual marketplace than elsewhere in the state, which is more costly than receiving it through an employer, and insurance rates are generally highest there, according to state health care experts.
“There’s usually just one hospital that’s at all convenient to a town, and that hospital can charge pretty high prices to insurers,” said Joe Hanel , communications director for the nonpartisan Colorado Health Institute.


thedenverpost--2020-08-16--Broncos Insider: Safety Kareem Jackson details recovery from coronavirus

On June 17 , Broncos safety Kareem Jackson revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19 , two months after outside linebacker Von Miller announced his positive test .
Jackson spent his two-week quarantine at his home in Houston , but returned to the Denver area in advance of the July 28 report date and participated in the team ’ s first training camp practice on Friday .
After the workout , Jackson was asked about his recovery from coronavirus .
“ Once I got here , I was fine , ” Jackson said .
“ Initially , getting back into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was kind of tough , just trying to get over what I went through , being tired and not really being able to breathe deeply .
“ It took me a couple weeks to kind of get back into the swing of things with my training .
Right before I had to report here , I was back to 100 percent.
” Earlier this month , Miller commented on his recovery from the virus .
“ It was hard for me to get my wind back for probably 2-3 weeks after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Everybody ’ s symptoms aren ’ t the same but for me , I lost my taste and smell , I couldn ’ t really eat because when you can ’ t taste or smell food , you lose your appetite .
I lost about 15 pounds .
“ As soon as I got my second negative back , I started back training and started back running and it was tough , no doubt about it .
It was tough to just warm up , but I pushed through it and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel back to normal and hit it a little harder.
” The Broncos began testing players and coaches July 23 ( quarterbacks , rookies and selected veterans ) and the rest of the team joined Jackson and Miller in reporting five days later .
Players are tested every day and that will continue until at least Sept. 5 .
Fullback/tight end Andrew Beck was placed on the COVID-19 list July 30 .
After being in quarantine , he did side-field work Friday with the strength-and-conditioning staff , part of a re-acclimation period that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you enjoy The Denver Post ’ s sports coverage , we have a new subscription offer for you !
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On June 17, Broncos safety Kareem Jackson revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19, two months after outside linebacker Von Miller announced his positive test.
Jackson spent his two-week quarantine at his home in Houston, but returned to the Denver area in advance of the July 28 report date and participated in the team’s first training camp practice on Friday.
After the workout, Jackson was asked about his recovery from coronavirus.
“Once I got here, I was fine,” Jackson said. “Initially, getting back into the groove of things after getting diagnosed, it was kind of tough, just trying to get over what I went through, being tired and not really being able to breathe deeply.
“It took me a couple weeks to kind of get back into the swing of things with my training. Right before I had to report here, I was back to 100 percent.”
Earlier this month, Miller commented on his recovery from the virus.
“It was hard for me to get my wind back for probably 2-3 weeks after the virus,” he said. “Everybody’s symptoms aren’t the same but for me, I lost my taste and smell, I couldn’t really eat because when you can’t taste or smell food, you lose your appetite. I lost about 15 pounds.
“As soon as I got my second negative back, I started back training and started back running and it was tough, no doubt about it. It was tough to just warm up, but I pushed through it and at about 2-3 weeks, I started to feel back to normal and hit it a little harder.”
The Broncos began testing players and coaches July 23 (quarterbacks, rookies and selected veterans) and the rest of the team joined Jackson and Miller in reporting five days later. Players are tested every day and that will continue until at least Sept. 5.
Fullback/tight end Andrew Beck was placed on the COVID-19 list July 30. After being in quarantine, he did side-field work Friday with the strength-and-conditioning staff, part of a re-acclimation period that can last up to seven days.
— Ryan O’Halloran and Kyle Newman, The Denver Post
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thedenverpost--2020-08-16--Broncos’ Noah Fant eyes explosive growth in second season as tight end seeks to join elite company

The day after the NFL ’ s two best tight ends signed big-money extensions , the Broncos ’ Noah Fant asserted he , too , will someday be among the league ’ s elite at the position .
George Kittle agreed to a five-year , $ 75 million extension with the 49ers on Thursday , and Travis Kelce came to terms with the Chiefs hours later on a four-year , $ 57 million extension .
The All-Pros have set the bar , and the market , for the position , and Fant believes he ’ s set to take another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I want to be looked at in the same group as those guys , ” Fant said Friday .
“ If I can be in the same conversation as those guys , then I ’ m doing what I ’ m supposed to in order to try to get on that path I want to be on .
… I still have a lot to learn and more progressing ( to do ) , but I definitely want to get there one day.
” Fant turned in a solid debut season after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
20 overall ) of the 2019 draft .
The 22-year-old led all rookie tight ends in catches ( 40 ) and receiving yards ( 562 ) — marks that were also franchise rookie records for the position — while also posting two 100-yard receiving games .
That overall body of work , highlighted by pop-off games against the Browns at home and Texans on the road , was interspersed with moments of rookie adversity .
Fant ’ s biggest gut-check came during a home game against Kansas City on Oct. 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then as “ one of the worst games of my life ” with three drops , all on vertical routes .
“ Adversity-wise , going into your rookie year I figured at some point I was going to hit some type of adversity… I figured there was going to be some point where I realized , ‘ Hey , I ’ m going to have to get through this , ’ ” Fant said .
“ It ended up being the Chiefs game for me… I was feeling down about ( my performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Vic ) Fangio and he told me like , ‘ We know what you have inside of you .
You ’ re a great player.
’ That kind of turned my mindset around just to be like , ‘ Okay , I ’ m going to go have fun out there and I ’ m going to have a good time.
’ ” Two weeks later , after he was booed by the Denver home crowd for his poor performance against Kansas City , a more relaxed Fant posted his first career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Iowa star ’ s confidence , and growth , looked right back on track .
Fant hopes to parlay the momentum he built over the second half of last year into 2020 , as he ’ s the leading man in a deep tight end room that also features free-agent acquisition Nick Vannett , returnee Troy Fumagalli and rookie Albert Okwuegbunam .
Fant put on about 5 to 10 pounds and is ready for a versatile role within new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur ’ s system .
“ I ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in-line and I ’ ll be outside as a wide receiver .
I think that ’ s what I love the most ( about the new scheme ) , is just being able to have a versatile game and do a lot of different things , take advantage of a lot of different matchups , ” Fant said .
“ Especially with as good of receivers as we have , it ’ s going to be a lot of fun to do that.
” Fant ’ s own lofty goals for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coaching staff , which expects the tight end to be one of quarterback Drew Lock ’ s primary weapons .
Fangio noted he ’ d be “ surprised if we don ’ t see good improvement from him , ” while tight ends coach Wade Harman said having a consistent quarterback this fall will further spur Fant ’ s growth .
“ I think finishing up with Drew and then having Drew start this year out , we should see some benefits of those guys being on the same page in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game , ” Harman said .
“ And just from understanding what worked in the run game , where things could have been better and where ( Fant ) had problems and what caused it and going back and watching those things 1-on-1 , I think his fundamentals and techniques will be better overall .
”

The day after the NFL’s two best tight ends signed big-money extensions, the Broncos’ Noah Fant asserted he, too, will someday be among the league’s elite at the position.
George Kittle agreed to a five-year, $75 million extension with the 49ers on Thursday, and Travis Kelce came to terms with the Chiefs hours later on a four-year, $57 million extension. The All-Pros have set the bar, and the market, for the position, and Fant believes he’s set to take another step toward joining them in 2020.
“I want to be looked at in the same group as those guys,” Fant said Friday. “If I can be in the same conversation as those guys, then I’m doing what I’m supposed to in order to try to get on that path I want to be on. … I still have a lot to learn and more progressing (to do), but I definitely want to get there one day.”
Fant turned in a solid debut season after being selected in the first round (No. 20 overall) of the 2019 draft. The 22-year-old led all rookie tight ends in catches (40) and receiving yards (562) — marks that were also franchise rookie records for the position — while also posting two 100-yard receiving games.
That overall body of work, highlighted by pop-off games against the Browns at home and Texans on the road, was interspersed with moments of rookie adversity. Fant’s biggest gut-check came during a home game against Kansas City on Oct. 17, when he played what he described then as “one of the worst games of my life” with three drops, all on vertical routes.
“Adversity-wise, going into your rookie year I figured at some point I was going to hit some type of adversity… I figured there was going to be some point where I realized, ‘Hey, I’m going to have to get through this,’” Fant said. “It ended up being the Chiefs game for me… I was feeling down about (my performance). But I talked to coach (Vic) Fangio and he told me like, ‘We know what you have inside of you. You’re a great player.’ That kind of turned my mindset around just to be like, ‘Okay, I’m going to go have fun out there and I’m going to have a good time.’”
Two weeks later, after he was booed by the Denver home crowd for his poor performance against Kansas City, a more relaxed Fant posted his first career 100-yard game against Cleveland, and the former Iowa star’s confidence, and growth, looked right back on track.
Fant hopes to parlay the momentum he built over the second half of last year into 2020, as he’s the leading man in a deep tight end room that also features free-agent acquisition Nick Vannett, returnee Troy Fumagalli and rookie Albert Okwuegbunam. Fant put on about 5 to 10 pounds and is ready for a versatile role within new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s system.
“I’ll be in the slot, I’ll be in-line and I’ll be outside as a wide receiver. I think that’s what I love the most (about the new scheme), is just being able to have a versatile game and do a lot of different things, take advantage of a lot of different matchups,” Fant said. “Especially with as good of receivers as we have, it’s going to be a lot of fun to do that.”
Fant’s own lofty goals for his second year in the league are mirrored by the coaching staff, which expects the tight end to be one of quarterback Drew Lock’s primary weapons.
Fangio noted he’d be “surprised if we don’t see good improvement from him,” while tight ends coach Wade Harman said having a consistent quarterback this fall will further spur Fant’s growth.
“I think finishing up with Drew and then having Drew start this year out, we should see some benefits of those guys being on the same page in a lot of ways in the passing game,” Harman said. “And just from understanding what worked in the run game, where things could have been better and where (Fant) had problems and what caused it and going back and watching those things 1-on-1, I think his fundamentals and techniques will be better overall.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-16--Colorado courts catapulted online amid coronavirus pandemic

With some dropped connections , a few crying babies and the occasional hot mic , the historically camera-shy Colorado courts took a giant , forced leap into new technology this summer as safety concerns about the novel coronavirus pushed court proceedings into the virtual world .
Judges , attorneys , witnesses , defendants and members of the public are logging into virtual courtrooms across the state , appearing via live online video streams , or calling in on phones from their cars , homes — or wherever they happen to be .
“ Within a couple of months the courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Tom Isler , a Denver civil litigation attorney .
“ And that ability to adapt is to their credit and interesting to see .
These changes can happen .
There just needs to be the will behind it.
” The shift to virtual proceedings happened fast , and it ’ s come with a learning curve , including hiccups with technology , breaches of decorum and unprecedented legal situations .
Judges have been muted when they should have been unmuted , attorney conversations meant to be private have been picked up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angles and participants have tuned in from loud places or in informal settings .
But attorneys say the virtual proceedings also have improved the court system ’ s efficiency , reduced costs for clients and increased transparency in Colorado ’ s usually slow-moving and rigidly formal judicial system .
Some hope to see virtual proceedings continue even after the end of the coronavirus pandemic , particularly for short appearances , continuances or minor events .
“ From my clients ’ perspective , it is a huge time saver , ” said Janene McCabe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar .
“ They don ’ t have to drive to court , they don ’ t have to wait in line for security , and they don ’ t have to wait for their case to be called .
For those types of events it has been exceptionally useful.
” Appearing virtually allows McCabe and other attorneys to visit courtrooms across the state without leaving their offices — saving the attorneys from long drives or rushed dashes across town and saving clients from paying for their counsel ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was not uncommon for me to drive to Greeley for a five minute court appearance , ” said Eric Zale , a Boulder criminal defense attorney .
But it ’ s difficult to hear testimony and cross-examine witnesses through a video chat , and attorneys can ’ t have private conversations with their clients in a virtual courtroom , he said , particularly if they ’ re in jail .
“ That part I find really hard , ” he said .
The virtual courtrooms also have seen a variety of interruptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others because of users .
During one contentious hearing in Jefferson County over Bandimere Speedway , a large group of observers exchanged messages in the courtroom ’ s group chat , criticizing the judge and the proceedings despite warnings from court staff that their messages would be included in the official record .
Crying babies and arguing couples could be heard from unmuted participants .
In another case , a client who was experiencing homelessness ran out of minutes on his pre-paid cell phone in the middle of a hearing and couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an hour .
Providing translation services virtually is challenging too .
“ We ’ ve had children come into the middle of the testimony while someone is testifying under oath , asking daddy for this or that , ” said 2nd Judicial District Chief Judge Michael Martinez .
“ A lot of those things take a little getting used to.
” In the middle of a murder trial in Denver District Court last week , someone identified as “ Cynthia ” logged into the courtroom and started talking .
“ Those are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcasting to the about 50 people in the virtual courtroom .
“ Are they your favorite ?
I might as well try everything .
I like those .
Where can I find this lady ?
Who is that ?
Oh my god .
You would ’ ve had fun wouldn ’ t you… ” “ Good morning , this is Courtroom 2A , ” she said .
“ This is a friendly reminder to keep your phones , your computers , or whatever devices on mute or you will be expelled from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , online proceedings have allowed jury trials to go forward — at a much reduced pace — in some courts across the state , many of which developed large backlogs when most jury trials were stopped altogether earlier this year .
Jefferson County District Court resumed felony jury trials last week , and one issue that arose immediately was how to enforce the sequestration of witnesses — that ’ s a requirement that witnesses in the case don ’ t watch the trial ’ s proceedings before they testify .
“ The court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ” said attorney Douglas Richards , who handled one of the two felony trials that started in Jefferson County last week .
“ Normally , someone walks into the courtroom , you hear the doors open , you turn around and see who is in there , and you can stop the testimony , or pass notes and say , ‘ No , that ’ s not a witness.
’ But here you can ’ t do that.
” Anyone can watch virtual proceedings online , and there ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to log in , making it difficult to stop a witness from violating a sequestration order .
“ It ’ s very much the honor system , ” Richards said .
There have been growing pains , said Jeffrey Pilkington , chief judge of the 1st Judicial District , which includes Jefferson County .
“ We did not use a lot of technology before , ” said “ Most of our proceedings were in-person , very few were handled in a remote manner , and the ones that were were primarily telephonic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ use to doing as much as we can via Webex.
” Overall , the courts adapted well , stakeholders said , in large part because of widespread cooperation between attorneys , judges , law enforcement , prosecutors and other participants .
“ It was so new and so strange when we first got going with it , ” Martinez said .
“ It ’ s like kind of like getting a new gadget for Christmas , and you ’ re trying to figure out how to make it work and all the bells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initially that excitement has worn off a little bit , the shine is off the system a bit , and we ’ re starting to focus more on functionality .
And for the most part it ’ s pretty strong .
We ’ re getting done a considerable amount of work we otherwise would not be able to do here in the courts.
” Gail Pickarts , court executive for the 1st Judicial District , said in-person interactions are still key to much of what the courts do .
“ Historically , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done in person , ” she said .
“ But I think we have learned that , ‘ Yeah , you know what , there is some stuff we can do with technology , and we don ’ t necessarily have to have everybody come out to the courthouse.
’ Once this is over , I think we ’ ll go back to some semblance of normality , but I think overall it will have changed our business model at least a little bit.
” Pilkington too , sees a future in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtually .
“ We have learned a lot from this experience , ” he said .
“ I believe that we will continue to use Webex and remote audio visual to conduct hearings.
” Some continuation of virtual proceedings , or even just an online video livestream of courtrooms in which people can log in and watch proceedings but not interact , would increase transparency in Colorado courts , Isler said .
“ This experience is showing the judiciary and judges across the country that you can have cameras in the courtroom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public watching from their computers , and the wheels of justice will keep turning .
”

With some dropped connections, a few crying babies and the occasional hot mic, the historically camera-shy Colorado courts took a giant, forced leap into new technology this summer as safety concerns about the novel coronavirus pushed court proceedings into the virtual world.
Judges, attorneys, witnesses, defendants and members of the public are logging into virtual courtrooms across the state, appearing via live online video streams, or calling in on phones from their cars, homes — or wherever they happen to be.
“Within a couple of months the courts totally changed how they practice,” said Tom Isler, a Denver civil litigation attorney. “And that ability to adapt is to their credit and interesting to see. These changes can happen. There just needs to be the will behind it.”
The shift to virtual proceedings happened fast, and it’s come with a learning curve, including hiccups with technology, breaches of decorum and unprecedented legal situations. Judges have been muted when they should have been unmuted, attorney conversations meant to be private have been picked up and broadcast, cameras have recorded at odd angles and participants have tuned in from loud places or in informal settings.
But attorneys say the virtual proceedings also have improved the court system’s efficiency, reduced costs for clients and increased transparency in Colorado’s usually slow-moving and rigidly formal judicial system. Some hope to see virtual proceedings continue even after the end of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly for short appearances, continuances or minor events.
“From my clients’ perspective, it is a huge time saver,” said Janene McCabe, a defense attorney and secretary of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar. “They don’t have to drive to court, they don’t have to wait in line for security, and they don’t have to wait for their case to be called. For those types of events it has been exceptionally useful.”
Appearing virtually allows McCabe and other attorneys to visit courtrooms across the state without leaving their offices — saving the attorneys from long drives or rushed dashes across town and saving clients from paying for their counsel’s time in the car.
“It was not uncommon for me to drive to Greeley for a five minute court appearance,” said Eric Zale, a Boulder criminal defense attorney.
But it’s difficult to hear testimony and cross-examine witnesses through a video chat, and attorneys can’t have private conversations with their clients in a virtual courtroom, he said, particularly if they’re in jail.
“That part I find really hard,” he said.
The virtual courtrooms also have seen a variety of interruptions, some because of technical issues and others because of users.
During one contentious hearing in Jefferson County over Bandimere Speedway, a large group of observers exchanged messages in the courtroom’s group chat, criticizing the judge and the proceedings despite warnings from court staff that their messages would be included in the official record. Crying babies and arguing couples could be heard from unmuted participants.
In another case, a client who was experiencing homelessness ran out of minutes on his pre-paid cell phone in the middle of a hearing and couldn’t get back on for more than an hour. Providing translation services virtually is challenging too.
“We’ve had children come into the middle of the testimony while someone is testifying under oath, asking daddy for this or that,” said 2nd Judicial District Chief Judge Michael Martinez. “A lot of those things take a little getting used to.”
In the middle of a murder trial in Denver District Court last week, someone identified as “Cynthia” logged into the courtroom and started talking.
“Those are not my favorite,” she said, broadcasting to the about 50 people in the virtual courtroom. “Are they your favorite? I might as well try everything. I like those. Where can I find this lady? Who is that? Oh my god. You would’ve had fun wouldn’t you…”
A member of courtroom staff cut in.
“Good morning, this is Courtroom 2A,” she said. “This is a friendly reminder to keep your phones, your computers, or whatever devices on mute or you will be expelled from the courtroom.”
Still, despite the problems, online proceedings have allowed jury trials to go forward — at a much reduced pace — in some courts across the state, many of which developed large backlogs when most jury trials were stopped altogether earlier this year.
Jefferson County District Court resumed felony jury trials last week, and one issue that arose immediately was how to enforce the sequestration of witnesses — that’s a requirement that witnesses in the case don’t watch the trial’s proceedings before they testify.
“The court is telling us we need to police it,” said attorney Douglas Richards, who handled one of the two felony trials that started in Jefferson County last week. “Normally, someone walks into the courtroom, you hear the doors open, you turn around and see who is in there, and you can stop the testimony, or pass notes and say, ‘No, that’s not a witness.’ But here you can’t do that.”
Anyone can watch virtual proceedings online, and there’s no requirement that participants use their legal names to log in, making it difficult to stop a witness from violating a sequestration order.
“It’s very much the honor system,” Richards said.
There have been growing pains, said Jeffrey Pilkington, chief judge of the 1st Judicial District, which includes Jefferson County.
“We did not use a lot of technology before,” said “Most of our proceedings were in-person, very few were handled in a remote manner, and the ones that were were primarily telephonic. So we really went from very minimal use to doing as much as we can via Webex.”
Overall, the courts adapted well, stakeholders said, in large part because of widespread cooperation between attorneys, judges, law enforcement, prosecutors and other participants.
“It was so new and so strange when we first got going with it,” Martinez said. “It’s like kind of like getting a new gadget for Christmas, and you’re trying to figure out how to make it work and all the bells and whistles that come with it. Initially that excitement has worn off a little bit, the shine is off the system a bit, and we’re starting to focus more on functionality. And for the most part it’s pretty strong. We’re getting done a considerable amount of work we otherwise would not be able to do here in the courts.”
Gail Pickarts, court executive for the 1st Judicial District, said in-person interactions are still key to much of what the courts do.
“Historically, the vast majority of what we do should be done in person,” she said. “But I think we have learned that, ‘Yeah, you know what, there is some stuff we can do with technology, and we don’t necessarily have to have everybody come out to the courthouse.’ Once this is over, I think we’ll go back to some semblance of normality, but I think overall it will have changed our business model at least a little bit.”
Pilkington too, sees a future in which some limited court business is done virtually.
“We have learned a lot from this experience,” he said. “I believe that we will continue to use Webex and remote audio visual to conduct hearings.”
Some continuation of virtual proceedings, or even just an online video livestream of courtrooms in which people can log in and watch proceedings but not interact, would increase transparency in Colorado courts, Isler said.
“This experience is showing the judiciary and judges across the country that you can have cameras in the courtroom,” he said, “and have the public watching from their computers, and the wheels of justice will keep turning.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-16--Keeler: Recruiting experts say CU Buffs had a bad week. But CSU Rams’ week was even worse.

We saw the storm coming for months , hoping the dang thing would turn .
Or dissipate .
Now that the hurricane has finally hit college football , we ’ re going through the wreckage of what was supposed to be 2020 , picking up pieces scattered from the Front Range to Laguna Beach .
As you sift through the rubble , trying to make sense of the most awful , impactful week for the Pac-12 and the Mountain West in decades , it ’ s fair to ponder : Who got hit worse by the cataclysmic events of August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rams ?
“ Oh , I think the Rams , by far , ” said Brandon Huffman , national recruiting editor with 247Sports .
“ You just look at all the other stuff they ’ re having to deal with first , not just the Mountain West stopping football .
At least with CU , it ’ s just about the ( changes in the ) Pac-12 .
“ CSU has to deal with the MW canceling a season and its own internal issues .
It would be one thing if it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations toward ( former CSU football coach ) Mike Bobo .
But it ’ s toward the current coach .
And that ’ s a problem you just can ’ t wash your hands of.
” We knew it would be a bad week once the executives who pull the strings within the Power 5 leagues started saying the quiet parts out loud .
Huffman and 247Sports West region recruiting analyst Blair Angulo see the postponement of the Pac-12 ’ s season making a tougher sell for new CU coach Karl Dorrell until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with examples of in-game philosophy , tempo , etc .
— to show potential Buffs his vision .
Mind you , that ’ s a leaky basement pipe compared to the flood in Fort Collins right now .
“ I think there are still people that are in shock that ( Steve Addazio ) got hired at CSU as quickly as he did , ” Huffman said of the Rams ’ first-year coach , who was brought on board last December to replace Bobo .
“ And they ’ re just like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hire because a buddy is ( lobbying for ) the administration to hire a guy .
I think it ’ s kind of an I-told-you-so thing.
” So , yeah , thanks , Urban Meyer .
Thanks loads .
A few days before the MW announced its cancellation of fall sports , CSU athletic director Joe Parker decreed that he was pausing the football program in its entirety while an independent investigation looks into allegations of racist language and abusive behavior within the program .
And that was added to an earlier investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published allegations that Addazio and his staff , with the blessing of the administration , had violated university coronavirus protocols .
“ I think the hope would be that the staff would have a chance to be able to impress recruits personally , meet with their families and interact face-to-face , ” Angulo noted .
“ And I think that would alleviate a lot of the concern or the issues there are .
“ Without that , and with football now getting investigated , it ’ s just kind of difficult .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to kind of resolve things and clear the air.
” If there ’ s a silver lining from about 10 days of clouds , it ’ s that neither recruiting savant foresees a significant exodus from the Buffs or Rams roster , at least in the short term , despite the new freedoms allowed by the transfer portal .
“ I don ’ t think there will ( be ) .
I really don ’ t , ” Huffman said .
“ The bigger issue is that every school that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Had it not happened in August , maybe there ’ s the likelihood that a few guys here and there could ’ ve left school ( and gone ) with early enrollment .
“ Most schools are at their max .
There ’ s just no room … Just because a guy transfers , it doesn ’ t mean they would be eligible this fall.
” And just because Iowa State or Clemson are still pushing for a September start doesn ’ t mean their seasons will make it over the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to lead his Buffs out onto Folsom Field eventually — whether that ’ s in January , February , March , April , or , worst-case , next summer .
Whether Addazio gets that same opportunity , though , remains to be seen .
“ I just think , right now , the student-athletes , and deservedly so , have the power and have a louder voice than they ’ ve ever had , ” Huffman said .
“ And it ’ s not the time to have any kind of bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ’ re a coach .
Even ( Clemson coach ) Dabo Swinney isn ’ t escaping scrutiny .
”

We saw the storm coming for months, hoping the dang thing would turn. Or dissipate.
COVID-19 did neither.
Now that the hurricane has finally hit college football, we’re going through the wreckage of what was supposed to be 2020, picking up pieces scattered from the Front Range to Laguna Beach.
As you sift through the rubble, trying to make sense of the most awful, impactful week for the Pac-12 and the Mountain West in decades, it’s fair to ponder: Who got hit worse by the cataclysmic events of August — the CU Buffs or the CSU Rams?
“Oh, I think the Rams, by far,” said Brandon Huffman, national recruiting editor with 247Sports.
“You just look at all the other stuff they’re having to deal with first, not just the Mountain West stopping football. At least with CU, it’s just about the (changes in the) Pac-12.
“CSU has to deal with the MW canceling a season and its own internal issues. It would be one thing if it was (a past) coach, or allegations toward (former CSU football coach) Mike Bobo. But it’s toward the current coach. And that’s a problem you just can’t wash your hands of.”
We knew it would be a bad week once the executives who pull the strings within the Power 5 leagues started saying the quiet parts out loud. Huffman and 247Sports West region recruiting analyst Blair Angulo see the postponement of the Pac-12’s season making a tougher sell for new CU coach Karl Dorrell until he’s got actual games — with examples of in-game philosophy, tempo, etc. — to show potential Buffs his vision.
Mind you, that’s a leaky basement pipe compared to the flood in Fort Collins right now.
“I think there are still people that are in shock that (Steve Addazio) got hired at CSU as quickly as he did,” Huffman said of the Rams’ first-year coach, who was brought on board last December to replace Bobo.
“And they’re just like, ‘Don’t just make a hire because a buddy is (lobbying for) the administration to hire a guy. I think it’s kind of an I-told-you-so thing.”
So, yeah, thanks, Urban Meyer. Thanks loads.
And fare thee well, Warren Jackson.
A few days before the MW announced its cancellation of fall sports, CSU athletic director Joe Parker decreed that he was pausing the football program in its entirety while an independent investigation looks into allegations of racist language and abusive behavior within the program. And that was added to an earlier investigation launched by university president Joyce McConnell into published allegations that Addazio and his staff, with the blessing of the administration, had violated university coronavirus protocols.
Jackson, the Rams’ top NFL prospect, a 6-foot-6 wideout and the preseason pick for MW Offensive Player of the Year, posted a statement Sunday morning explaining his decision to forgo his senior season of eligibility.
“I think the hope would be that the staff would have a chance to be able to impress recruits personally, meet with their families and interact face-to-face,” Angulo noted. “And I think that would alleviate a lot of the concern or the issues there are.
“Without that, and with football now getting investigated, it’s just kind of difficult. That all just hovers until they’re able to kind of resolve things and clear the air.”
If there’s a silver lining from about 10 days of clouds, it’s that neither recruiting savant foresees a significant exodus from the Buffs or Rams roster, at least in the short term, despite the new freedoms allowed by the transfer portal.
“I don’t think there will (be). I really don’t,” Huffman said. “The bigger issue is that every school that’s still playing has their own 85 scholarships. Had it not happened in August, maybe there’s the likelihood that a few guys here and there could’ve left school (and gone) with early enrollment.
“Most schools are at their max. There’s just no room … Just because a guy transfers, it doesn’t mean they would be eligible this fall.”
And just because Iowa State or Clemson are still pushing for a September start doesn’t mean their seasons will make it over the line in November or December.
Dorrell is going to lead his Buffs out onto Folsom Field eventually — whether that’s in January, February, March, April, or, worst-case, next summer. Whether Addazio gets that same opportunity, though, remains to be seen.
“I just think, right now, the student-athletes, and deservedly so, have the power and have a louder voice than they’ve ever had,” Huffman said. “And it’s not the time to have any kind of bad juju and bad skeletons in your closet if you’re a coach. Even (Clemson coach) Dabo Swinney isn’t escaping scrutiny.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-16--Improving Investor Behavior: Reframing your business mindset

For business owners , improving investor behavior can mean more than a focus solely on financial instruments .
The intent of this column has been improving investor behavior , which often discusses market investments like equities , bonds , and other financial assets .
But it ’ s important to consider how our investor behavior applies to other critical areas of our lives , namely in the ownership and running of a business .
As an independent financial adviser , I ’ m in a unique spot .
I own a business and am responsible for running that business while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I have a dual perspective , both as an advisor and as a business owner .
So this week , I want to cross over into the business world and encourage you to consider how your investment behavior ( i.e.
, the beliefs and attitudes you have about your business ) and possibly the most valuable asset you have , your employees , might be affecting your results .
Mid-March , I was faced with the same decision that many other business owners were .
With the economy and society locking down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do ?
Many in our firm , and people on my immediate team , were among the high-risk population .
The two parts of our business , which I like to refer to as our “ frontstage ” ( meeting with clients , presentations , events ) and “ backstage ” ( everything that has to happen to make sure our frontstage looks beautiful and performs flawlessly ) had unique challenges in working remotely .
For our local clientele , meeting face-to-face would be impossible , not only for our safety but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were more accustomed to Zoom meetings , which we have been holding since 2014 .
On the backend , we are in a highly regulated industry meaning many of the tools for cloud storage and remote working , enjoyed by other businesses , have barriers .
Furthermore , my disposition was what my team would call “ old-school.
” It was always important that my staff be in the office working , connecting , and serving clients .
Even after working with a business coach for the better part of 20 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ time and effort ” mentality in favor of one based on “ results , ” I stuck with what I knew .
Behavior is a difficult thing to change , and I am no exception .
My mindset needed to change .
So here we are in mid-March with a choice I had to make .
Weighing the risks for our team and clients , we shifted to operating remotely .
The grand experiment had begun .
Would we be able to serve our clients with the same attention to detail and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Would our clients , some of whom are unfamiliar with online video meetings and presentations ( especially as market volatility peaked ) , adapt ?
Heck , how would I access files remotely that we are accustomed to accessing in the office ?
Like many business owners and investors , these fears proved to be largely in my head .
As the month progressed , my team quickly found solutions and implemented them .
When you get out of the way and let your team work , magic happens .
Using tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not only able to keep our backstage running smoothly , but improve our frontstage , offering clients the ability to connect with us and have their questions answered at an incredible speed .
This was all while keeping everyone safe and healthy .
We were even able to host a client event , giving them the opportunity to come by a restaurant and pick up a to-go meal while we accepted donations to a local food bank for those in need , all without them getting out of their car .
Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , forced me , to innovate and adapt my behavior and change my mindset .
When we go to renew our lease in a couple of years , we may reduce our space , ultimately improving our bottom line .
Team members and partners traded their 30-minute commute for a 30-second commute .
They are more productive , healthier and happier .
They can have lunch with their spouse and family .
These benefits were obfuscated because of a blind spot I had that my team needed to be in the office to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your thinking .
What is your mindset ?
Are you a “ time and effort ” or a “ results ” oriented owner ?
Our story has a happy ending , but that ’ s not the case for many businesses .
Restaurants can ’ t serve food over Zoom , and it ’ s hard to be an onsite travel guide from your couch .
But for the business owners who are still trying to make it work , I ’ d encourage you to examine your beliefs , behavior and mindset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reach ?
Remember , your team members are the frontline with your clients and customers ; encourage them , listen to what they have to say .
Look at what you do ; re-think your product or service .
Be open to new ideas .
This attitude shift was once a luxury , a “ let me think about that.
” COVID has made it a necessity .
Those business owners fortunate enough to have the ability and agility to respond have an opportunity to reconsider how they do business , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future for their staff and clients .
What is your mindset ?
Have you thought about your thinking ?
Steve Booren is the founder of Prosperion Financial Advisors in Greenwood Village .
He is the author of “ Intelligent Investing : Your Guide to a Growing Retirement Income , ” published in March 2019 .

For business owners, improving investor behavior can mean more than a focus solely on financial instruments. The intent of this column has been improving investor behavior, which often discusses market investments like equities, bonds, and other financial assets. But it’s important to consider how our investor behavior applies to other critical areas of our lives, namely in the ownership and running of a business.
As an independent financial adviser, I’m in a unique spot. I own a business and am responsible for running that business while helping my clients think about running theirs. I have a dual perspective, both as an advisor and as a business owner. So this week, I want to cross over into the business world and encourage you to consider how your investment behavior (i.e., the beliefs and attitudes you have about your business) and possibly the most valuable asset you have, your employees, might be affecting your results.
Mid-March, I was faced with the same decision that many other business owners were. With the economy and society locking down around us, what were we going to do? Many in our firm, and people on my immediate team, were among the high-risk population.
The two parts of our business, which I like to refer to as our “frontstage” (meeting with clients, presentations, events) and “backstage” (everything that has to happen to make sure our frontstage looks beautiful and performs flawlessly) had unique challenges in working remotely. For our local clientele, meeting face-to-face would be impossible, not only for our safety but also for theirs. Our out-of-town clients were more accustomed to Zoom meetings, which we have been holding since 2014. On the backend, we are in a highly regulated industry meaning many of the tools for cloud storage and remote working, enjoyed by other businesses, have barriers.
Furthermore, my disposition was what my team would call “old-school.” It was always important that my staff be in the office working, connecting, and serving clients. Even after working with a business coach for the better part of 20 years, who persistently encouraged me to reconsider my “time and effort” mentality in favor of one based on “results,” I stuck with what I knew. Behavior is a difficult thing to change, and I am no exception. My mindset needed to change.
So here we are in mid-March with a choice I had to make. Weighing the risks for our team and clients, we shifted to operating remotely. The grand experiment had begun. Would we be able to serve our clients with the same attention to detail and responsiveness for which we’re known? Would our clients, some of whom are unfamiliar with online video meetings and presentations (especially as market volatility peaked), adapt? Heck, how would I access files remotely that we are accustomed to accessing in the office?
Like many business owners and investors, these fears proved to be largely in my head. As the month progressed, my team quickly found solutions and implemented them. When you get out of the way and let your team work, magic happens. Using tools like Microsoft 365 and Zoom, we were not only able to keep our backstage running smoothly, but improve our frontstage, offering clients the ability to connect with us and have their questions answered at an incredible speed. This was all while keeping everyone safe and healthy. We were even able to host a client event, giving them the opportunity to come by a restaurant and pick up a to-go meal while we accepted donations to a local food bank for those in need, all without them getting out of their car.
Like everyone, the COVID challenge forced us, forced me, to innovate and adapt my behavior and change my mindset. When we go to renew our lease in a couple of years, we may reduce our space, ultimately improving our bottom line. Team members and partners traded their 30-minute commute for a 30-second commute.
They are more productive, healthier and happier. They can have lunch with their spouse and family. These benefits were obfuscated because of a blind spot I had that my team needed to be in the office to serve our clients best. Think about your thinking. What is your mindset? Are you a “time and effort” or a “results” oriented owner?
Our story has a happy ending, but that’s not the case for many businesses. Restaurants can’t serve food over Zoom, and it’s hard to be an onsite travel guide from your couch. But for the business owners who are still trying to make it work, I’d encourage you to examine your beliefs, behavior and mindset. What innovations are lying just out of reach?
Remember, your team members are the frontline with your clients and customers; encourage them, listen to what they have to say. Look at what you do; re-think your product or service. Be open to new ideas. This attitude shift was once a luxury, a “let me think about that.” COVID has made it a necessity. Those business owners fortunate enough to have the ability and agility to respond have an opportunity to reconsider how they do business, and hopefully innovate their way to a better future for their staff and clients.
What is your mindset? Have you thought about your thinking?
Steve Booren is the founder of Prosperion Financial Advisors in Greenwood Village. He is the author of “Intelligent Investing: Your Guide to a Growing Retirement Income,” published in March 2019.


thedenverpost--2020-08-17--Jairo Diaz’s walks, Carlos Estevez’s injury muddles Rockies’ bullpen picture

Rockies manager Bud Black likes to have one pitcher he can count on to close out games , at least most of the time .
He no longer has that option after events in the ninth inning on Sunday further muddled the bullpen picture .
Late-game reliever Carlos Estevez , called on to finished up Colorado ’ s 10-6 victory over Texas after closer Jairo Diaz faltered , took a wicked hit on the back of his throwing hand on a come-backer off the bat of the Rangers ’ Scott Heineman .
Estevez appeared to be in significant pain as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first save of the season .
“ He ’ s being evaluated , so it ’ s too early for me to tell , ” Black said .
“ We ’ ll find out here shortly .
He ’ s gon na get some X-rays , and we ’ ll see where we are.
” Estevez ’ s potential injury and Diaz ’ s ineffectiveness creates uncertainty for a bullpen that has already lost reliever Scott Oberg for the season because of reoccurring blood clots in his right arm , and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wade Davis will return from a strained right shoulder .
The hard-throwing Díaz , who ’ s handled most of the closing duties since Davis ’ injury on July 31 , gave up runs for the third time in his past five outings .
Sunday ’ s performance was especially messy .
Diaz was hurt by second baseman Ryan McMahon fielding error in the ninth , but Diaz walked three , including two with the bases loaded .
The Rockies are in the midst of a stretch 33 games in 34 days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taxed .
Now , Black might use multiple relievers in the ninth .
“ We ’ re really hoping someone can come in and really nail down some outs late in the game , ” Black said .
“ It looks to me right now there ’ s probably not a designated , per se , closer .
We ’ ll look at each game , each inning .
We ’ ll continue to critique how guys are throwing and where they fit , but there ’ s no doubt the bullpen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Right-hander Daniel Bard has been the most reliable of the late-inning relievers , so he might see time in the ninth inning .
Tyler Kinley , though he ’ s struggled with control in his last two appearances , might also see work in the eighth or ninth innings .
Dahl down .
Outfielder David Dahl , an all-star last season , is struggling to find his swing .
Sunday marked his second straight day out of the starting lineup .
The 26-year-old entered Sunday in an 0-for-15 slump that included eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a home run in 72 at-bats .
Black , naturally , expressed confidence that Dahl will snap out of his funk , but admitted that there is extra pressure to rebound quickly during this shortened , 60-game season .
“ David is a great talent , and eventually he ’ s going to come out of it , like all good players do , ” Black said .
“ But David has been frustrated , just for the simple reason that his expectation level is high and he wants to produce and wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really been through this type of stretch before as a big-leaguer or even a minor-leaguer .
For now , Dahl is taking extra batting practice and working with hitting coaches Dave Magadan and Jeff Salazar .
“ He ’ s working on some things within his swing and hitting mechanics to keep him more up the middle and the other way , ” Black said .
Footnotes .
Utility player Chris Owings ( sore left hamstring ) has begun taking batting practice and doing some running .
Black said Owings is doing much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s not clear how soon Owings might be available .
… Outfielder Garrett Hampson , who ’ s taken over center-field duties from Dahl , extended his hitting streak to seven games Sunday .
He ’ s batting .375 ( 12-for-32 ) with seven runs , one double , two triples , one walk and two stolen bases over the streak .

Rockies manager Bud Black likes to have one pitcher he can count on to close out games, at least most of the time. He no longer has that option after events in the ninth inning on Sunday further muddled the bullpen picture.
Late-game reliever Carlos Estevez, called on to finished up Colorado’s 10-6 victory over Texas after closer Jairo Diaz faltered, took a wicked hit on the back of his throwing hand on a come-backer off the bat of the Rangers’ Scott Heineman. Estevez appeared to be in significant pain as he came off the field after notching his first save of the season.
“He’s being evaluated, so it’s too early for me to tell,” Black said. “We’ll find out here shortly. He’s gonna get some X-rays, and we’ll see where we are.”
Estevez’s potential injury and Diaz’s ineffectiveness creates uncertainty for a bullpen that has already lost reliever Scott Oberg for the season because of reoccurring blood clots in his right arm, and also is waiting to see if former closer Wade Davis will return from a strained right shoulder.
The hard-throwing Díaz, who’s handled most of the closing duties since Davis’ injury on July 31, gave up runs for the third time in his past five outings. Sunday’s performance was especially messy. Diaz was hurt by second baseman Ryan McMahon fielding error in the ninth, but Diaz walked three, including two with the bases loaded.
The Rockies are in the midst of a stretch 33 games in 34 days, so the bullpen was already going to be taxed. Now, Black might use multiple relievers in the ninth.
“We’re really hoping someone can come in and really nail down some outs late in the game,” Black said. “It looks to me right now there’s probably not a designated, per se, closer. We’ll look at each game, each inning. We’ll continue to critique how guys are throwing and where they fit, but there’s no doubt the bullpen is an important part of our success.”
Right-hander Daniel Bard has been the most reliable of the late-inning relievers, so he might see time in the ninth inning. Tyler Kinley, though he’s struggled with control in his last two appearances, might also see work in the eighth or ninth innings.
Dahl down. Outfielder David Dahl, an all-star last season, is struggling to find his swing. Sunday marked his second straight day out of the starting lineup. The 26-year-old entered Sunday in an 0-for-15 slump that included eight strikeouts. Dahl has yet to hit a home run in 72 at-bats.
Black, naturally, expressed confidence that Dahl will snap out of his funk, but admitted that there is extra pressure to rebound quickly during this shortened, 60-game season.
“David is a great talent, and eventually he’s going to come out of it, like all good players do,” Black said. “But David has been frustrated, just for the simple reason that his expectation level is high and he wants to produce and wants to perform. He hasn’t really been through this type of stretch before as a big-leaguer or even a minor-leaguer.
For now, Dahl is taking extra batting practice and working with hitting coaches Dave Magadan and Jeff Salazar.
“He’s working on some things within his swing and hitting mechanics to keep him more up the middle and the other way,” Black said.
Footnotes. Utility player Chris Owings (sore left hamstring) has begun taking batting practice and doing some running. Black said Owings is doing much better and is closer to returning, but it’s not clear how soon Owings might be available. … Outfielder Garrett Hampson, who’s taken over center-field duties from Dahl, extended his hitting streak to seven games Sunday. He’s batting .375 (12-for-32) with seven runs, one double, two triples, one walk and two stolen bases over the streak.
On Deck
Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-0, 245) at Astros RHP Brandon Bielak (2-0, 1.76)
7:10 p.m. Monday, Minute Maid Park
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM-
Freeland, mixing his pitches more than he ever has, is pitching as well as he did in 2018. The Rockies have won all four of his starts, including on Wednesday when they beat Arizona, 8-7. Freeland received a no-decision after allowing two runs on seven hits across seven innings. Freeland has never pitched at Houston but he has a solid track record vs. the American League, going 7-3 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 starts. Bielak, a rookie, earned two wins in relief in his first two big-league appearances, prompting the Astros to move him into the starting rotation. He’s pitched five innings in each of his two starts, blanking the Diamondbacks in his last outing.
Trending: Nolan Arenado had his streak of 47 at-bats without a strikeout snapped Sunday with a strikeout in the third inning. It was the longest streak of his career and the longest active streak in the majors.
At issue: Though first baseman Daniel Murphy is still hitting .313, he was 2-for-for-20 during the just-completed homestand.
Pitching probables


thedenverpost--2020-08-17--Arrival of Tristan da Silva completes CU Buffs men’s basketball 2020-21 roster

The final piece for Colorado ’ s 2020-21 season , whenever it tips off , has finally arrived in Boulder .
This past week , German wing Tristan da Silva cleared the mounds of red tape necessary to get international recruits on campus .
Da Silva , the younger brother of Stanford star Oscar da Silva , still will have to wait for a full-fledged greeting with all his new teammates , as he currently is undergoing a mandatory quarantine after traveling , yet his arrival at least relieves head coach Tad Boyle of one pandemic-related headache .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bolder and quarantining , ” Boyle said .
“ He ’ s excited to be here .
We ’ re excited to have him here .
Can ’ t wait for him to get through all the protocols he has to get through to be cleared .
But it ’ s been a long journey for him and his family .
I ’ ve talked about this a lot , but the mental health of the student-athletes is real .
And to see his face and his smile and his reaction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international recruits to America always involves handling mounds of paperwork .
Boyle admitted the COVID-19 pandemic magnified that process somewhat for the 6-foot-8 da Silva .
“ It was more on the German side and the embassy there , ” Boyle said .
“ It was a little bit certainly with COVID and all the hoops these young men and women have to go through to get their I-20s , get them stamped and approved in their county and get on a plane .
There ’ s more hoops to jump through now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that ’ s part of the relief as well for him .
We ’ re glad to have him.
” Da Silva ’ s arrival completes the Buffs ’ impressive freshman class — which includes Colorado natives Dominique Clifford and Luke O ’ Brien , in addition to forward Jabari Walker — and adds another new face to a roster full of newcomers .
In addition to the four freshmen , the Buffs also have added graduate transfer Jeriah Horne and two new walk-ons in Coloradoans Isaac Jessup and Owen Koonce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard Keeshawn Barthelemy , who redshirted last year as a true freshman .
Even in a normal year , this particular roster makeup might cause Boyle to make some tough personnel decisions in terms of possible redshirts .
Given that even in a best-case scenario , the possible season that won ’ t tip off until at least Jan. 1 is likely to feature fewer games and a revamped postseason , Boyle and his staff will have to weigh whether it will be worth sacrificing a season of eligibility for any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take redshirt seasons , such as Eli Parquet or D ’ Shawn Schwartz .
To be clear , Boyle did not discuss any particular players or potential scenarios .
Yet he did admit the altered state of the season could influence his personnel decisions in the months to come .
“ I ’ ve thought about it , ” Boyle said .
“ I ’ ve talked about it with my staff .
Those decisions are off in the future .
They ’ re certainly not on the table right now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that doesn ’ t make a decision until I have to .
The situation is so fluid .
It can be so different .
I ’ m not going to make a decision about that now .
”

The final piece for Colorado’s 2020-21 season, whenever it tips off, has finally arrived in Boulder.
This past week, German wing Tristan da Silva cleared the mounds of red tape necessary to get international recruits on campus. Da Silva, the younger brother of Stanford star Oscar da Silva, still will have to wait for a full-fledged greeting with all his new teammates, as he currently is undergoing a mandatory quarantine after traveling, yet his arrival at least relieves head coach Tad Boyle of one pandemic-related headache.
“He’s here. He’s in Bolder and quarantining,” Boyle said. “He’s excited to be here. We’re excited to have him here. Can’t wait for him to get through all the protocols he has to get through to be cleared. But it’s been a long journey for him and his family. I’ve talked about this a lot, but the mental health of the student-athletes is real. And to see his face and his smile and his reaction to arriving in Boulder is priceless.”
Bringing international recruits to America always involves handling mounds of paperwork. Boyle admitted the COVID-19 pandemic magnified that process somewhat for the 6-foot-8 da Silva.
“It was more on the German side and the embassy there,” Boyle said. “It was a little bit certainly with COVID and all the hoops these young men and women have to go through to get their I-20s, get them stamped and approved in their county and get on a plane. There’s more hoops to jump through now than there was then, pre-COVID. I think that’s part of the relief as well for him. We’re glad to have him.”
Da Silva’s arrival completes the Buffs’ impressive freshman class — which includes Colorado natives Dominique Clifford and Luke O’Brien, in addition to forward Jabari Walker — and adds another new face to a roster full of newcomers. In addition to the four freshmen, the Buffs also have added graduate transfer Jeriah Horne and two new walk-ons in Coloradoans Isaac Jessup and Owen Koonce. That list also can include point guard Keeshawn Barthelemy, who redshirted last year as a true freshman.
Even in a normal year, this particular roster makeup might cause Boyle to make some tough personnel decisions in terms of possible redshirts. Given that even in a best-case scenario, the possible season that won’t tip off until at least Jan. 1 is likely to feature fewer games and a revamped postseason, Boyle and his staff will have to weigh whether it will be worth sacrificing a season of eligibility for any of the rookies or even veterans who have yet to take redshirt seasons, such as Eli Parquet or D’Shawn Schwartz.
To be clear, Boyle did not discuss any particular players or potential scenarios. Yet he did admit the altered state of the season could influence his personnel decisions in the months to come.
“I’ve thought about it,” Boyle said. “I’ve talked about it with my staff. Those decisions are off in the future. They’re certainly not on the table right now. I’m the kind of coach that doesn’t make a decision until I have to. The situation is so fluid. It can be so different. I’m not going to make a decision about that now.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-16--Fearing a “twindemic,” health experts push urgently for flu shots

By Jan Hoffman , The New York Times As public health officials look to fall and winter , the specter of a new surge of COVID-19 gives them chills .
But there is a scenario they dread even more : a severe flu season , resulting in a “ twindemic.
” Even a mild flu season could stagger hospitals already coping with COVID-19 cases .
And though officials don ’ t know yet what degree of severity to anticipate this year , they are worried large numbers of people could forgo flu shots , increasing the risk of widespread outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so great that officials around the world are pushing the flu shot even before it becomes available in clinics and doctors ’ offices .
Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , has been talking it up , urging corporate leaders to figure out ways to inoculate employees .
The CDC usually purchases 500,000 doses for uninsured adults but this year ordered an additional 9.3 million doses .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , has been imploring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that you could at least blunt the effect of one of those two potential respiratory infections.
” In Britain , Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been waging his own pro-flu shot campaign .
Last month , he labeled people who oppose flu vaccines “ nuts ” and announced the country ’ s largest-ever rollout of the shots .
In April , one of the few reasons Australia allowed citizens to break the country ’ s strict lockdown was to venture out for their flu shots .
A life-threatening respiratory illness that crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu shares symptoms with COVID-19 : fever , headache , cough , sore throat , muscle aches and fatigue .
Flu can leave patients vulnerable to a harsher attack of COVID-19 , doctors believe , and that coming down with both viruses at once could be disastrous .
According to the CDC , flu season occurs in the fall and winter , peaking from December to February , and so was nearing its end as the pandemic began to flare in the U.S. in March .
But now , fighting flu proactively during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only how to administer the shot safely and readily but also how to prompt people to get a shot that a majority of Americans have typically distrusted , dismissed and skipped .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

By Jan Hoffman, The New York Times
As public health officials look to fall and winter, the specter of a new surge of COVID-19 gives them chills. But there is a scenario they dread even more: a severe flu season, resulting in a “twindemic.”
Even a mild flu season could stagger hospitals already coping with COVID-19 cases. And though officials don’t know yet what degree of severity to anticipate this year, they are worried large numbers of people could forgo flu shots, increasing the risk of widespread outbreaks.
The concern about a twindemic is so great that officials around the world are pushing the flu shot even before it becomes available in clinics and doctors’ offices. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been talking it up, urging corporate leaders to figure out ways to inoculate employees. The CDC usually purchases 500,000 doses for uninsured adults but this year ordered an additional 9.3 million doses.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been imploring people to get the flu shot “so that you could at least blunt the effect of one of those two potential respiratory infections.”
In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been waging his own pro-flu shot campaign. Last month, he labeled people who oppose flu vaccines “nuts” and announced the country’s largest-ever rollout of the shots. In April, one of the few reasons Australia allowed citizens to break the country’s strict lockdown was to venture out for their flu shots.
A life-threatening respiratory illness that crowds emergency rooms and intensive care units, flu shares symptoms with COVID-19: fever, headache, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue. Flu can leave patients vulnerable to a harsher attack of COVID-19, doctors believe, and that coming down with both viruses at once could be disastrous.
According to the CDC, flu season occurs in the fall and winter, peaking from December to February, and so was nearing its end as the pandemic began to flare in the U.S. in March.
But now, fighting flu proactively during the continuing pandemic presents significant challenges — not only how to administer the shot safely and readily but also how to prompt people to get a shot that a majority of Americans have typically distrusted, dismissed and skipped.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.