thedenverpost--2020-08-29--Grading the Week: Nuggets guard Jamal Murray a man for the moment

To say this week in sports was unlike any that preceded it would be a massive understatement .
Protests , postponements , prepared statements — this was a week when athletes wouldn ’ t allow sports to distract us from the real-world problems that exist outside the lines .
Games stopped .
Athletes spoke .
And , perhaps , some people listened .
The Grading the Week staff wouldn ’ t be so crass as to assign a grade for what transpired over the past few days , but we will say that this generation of athletes passed an age-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few fans likely to feel alienated , professional athletes from across the spectrum opted to stand up for something they believed in — consequences be damned .
In doing so , they kept alive a tradition that dates back decades , and one that has produced some of the most indelible moments in sports history .
Muhammad Ali gave up his heavyweight title rather than fight a war he did not believe in .
Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised gloved fists after winning medals in Mexico City to protest racism at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand for a flag he said stood as a “ symbol of oppression , of tyranny.
” All acts of defiance .
All acts that cost them dearly .
It ’ s hard to imagine today ’ s athletes will pay the same price .
But that was the point of their solidarity .
By standing together , across all of this country ’ s major sports , they ensured that if fans choose to boycott one , they ’ ll have to boycott them all .
In this sports-crazed country , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re just going to have to sit and listen .
And , now , back to the games… If there ’ s one thing we ’ ve learned from this Nuggets playoff run , it ’ s this : Jamal Murray is a man for the moment .
With his team ’ s season on the line in Game 5 of the Nuggets ’ series against the Utah Jazz , the Blue Arrow went atomic , scoring 42 points on 17-of-26 shooting with eight rebounds , eight assists and zero turnovers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murray hasn ’ t had a turnover since Game 3 .
In fact , in the last two games , the 6-foot-4 guard has 92 points ( yes , he had 50 in Game 4 ) , 19 rebounds , 15 assists and 13 3-pointers on 23 shots from deep .
That ’ s superstar stuff right there , coming when his team needed it most .
Even if the Nuggets go on to lose this series , they can at least step into the future knowing the five-year , $ 170 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money well spent .
No matter who the Rockies played during the first 14 games of this abbreviated season , they stood a good chance of getting a “ W. ” Since that 11-3 start ?
Well , if they ’ re any good , you might as well tie an L flag to the mast now .
Heading into Saturday ’ s game against surging San Diego , Colorado was 4-9 against teams that currently hold records above .500 , and 0-8 since the beating the Padres on Aug. 2 .
Granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Astros and Dodgers — two of the most talented teams in baseball .
But if the Rockies want to reach Rocktober , let alone make noise during it , those are exactly the ones they ’ re going to have to start beating .

To say this week in sports was unlike any that preceded it would be a massive understatement.
Protests, postponements, prepared statements — this was a week when athletes wouldn’t allow sports to distract us from the real-world problems that exist outside the lines.
Games stopped. Athletes spoke. And, perhaps, some people listened.
The Grading the Week staff wouldn’t be so crass as to assign a grade for what transpired over the past few days, but we will say that this generation of athletes passed an age-old test of humanity. With more than a few fans likely to feel alienated, professional athletes from across the spectrum opted to stand up for something they believed in — consequences be damned.
In doing so, they kept alive a tradition that dates back decades, and one that has produced some of the most indelible moments in sports history.
Muhammad Ali gave up his heavyweight title rather than fight a war he did not believe in. Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised gloved fists after winning medals in Mexico City to protest racism at home. Mahmoud Abdul Rauf declined to stand for a flag he said stood as a “symbol of oppression, of tyranny.”
All acts of defiance. All acts that cost them dearly.
It’s hard to imagine today’s athletes will pay the same price. But that was the point of their solidarity.
By standing together, across all of this country’s major sports, they ensured that if fans choose to boycott one, they’ll have to boycott them all. In this sports-crazed country, that’s not happening anytime soon.
We’re just going to have to sit and listen. And, now, back to the games…
Jamal Murray — A+
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this Nuggets playoff run, it’s this: Jamal Murray is a man for the moment.
With his team’s season on the line in Game 5 of the Nuggets’ series against the Utah Jazz, the Blue Arrow went atomic, scoring 42 points on 17-of-26 shooting with eight rebounds, eight assists and zero turnovers.
What’s more impressive? Murray hasn’t had a turnover since Game 3.
In fact, in the last two games, the 6-foot-4 guard has 92 points (yes, he had 50 in Game 4), 19 rebounds, 15 assists and 13 3-pointers on 23 shots from deep. That’s superstar stuff right there, coming when his team needed it most.
Even if the Nuggets go on to lose this series, they can at least step into the future knowing the five-year, $170 million contract they handed Murray last summer is money well spent.
Rockies vs. good teams — D-
No matter who the Rockies played during the first 14 games of this abbreviated season, they stood a good chance of getting a “W.”
Since that 11-3 start? Well, if they’re any good, you might as well tie an L flag to the mast now.
Heading into Saturday’s game against surging San Diego, Colorado was 4-9 against teams that currently hold records above .500, and 0-8 since the beating the Padres on Aug. 2.
Granted, seven of those losses came against the Astros and Dodgers — two of the most talented teams in baseball.
But if the Rockies want to reach Rocktober, let alone make noise during it, those are exactly the ones they’re going to have to start beating.


thedenverpost--2020-08-29--Ask Amy: Long distance gets longer during pandemic

Dear Amy : My guy and I live in different countries .
We have only seen each other one time since COVID hit , and I just feel like we are falling apart .
We used to see each other one or two times a month .
It has been four months since we ’ ve gotten together , and we really don ’ t know when we will again .
We talk three times a day , and text a bit during the week , but then weekends come , and he goes quiet all day and we talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get this gut feeling that he is pulling away .
He won ’ t reply to texts for hours ( and sometimes he never replies , unless I ask ) .
Our phone calls are sometimes limited to a minute or two to touch base .
He won ’ t comment on my Facebook posts .
He used to leave cute little comments , but that has stopped .
Should I continue to try , or just give up ?
We used to be such a strong couple .
I was sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just feel like he doesn ’ t really care .
We have been together for five years , now .
I have tried not to ask for much and not to text too much .
I want to respect his space when he gets quiet , but I ’ m not sure what he needs anymore .
Just when I think it ’ s time to end it and I question him on it , he will send something sweet or tell me that he sees a future .
When will I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or whether to just give him space on the weekends ?
Dear Lost : The wonderful thing about being in a long-distance relationship is how the anticipation and rhythm of meetings fuels the romance .
You are either planning to meet , or parting with sweet sorrow while you anticipate the next meetup .
Everything else about a long-distance relationship is the worst , and trying to maintain a long-distance relationship during a global pandemic is the worst-worst , mainly because you are being denied not only the ability to see one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertain nature of everything right now — you can ’ t even plan for the future .
Add to this the stress of job and health insecurity and other family pressures , and you have a multitude of large and small strains on your relationship .
The only answer here is to talk about it .
Does he want to emotionally distance himself until there is more clarity about the possibility of seeing one another again ?
Dear Amy : Like other readers , I ’ d like to add my voice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my story about quitting smoking .
I was a smoker for almost 50 years from when I tried my first cigarette behind the garage until I finally quit , one day at a time .
The day I quit was two years and 65 days ago and I can tell because I have made an entry in a spreadsheet every single day since I quit .
I have also estimated my savings , which to date are over $ 14,000 ( based on my previous smoking amount and the cost of cigarettes when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day at a time , my savings go up and one more day is recorded .
— One Day at a Time in Canada Dear One Day at a Time : I am enjoying these inspiring tales from former smokers , along with the helpful tips people share about how they have done it .
It is absolutely amazing to me that you spent so much money each year on cigarettes , and yet when I do the math I realize that any daily consumable ( be it my daily donut or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds up !
Tracking your progress each day after quitting is a genius idea .
This is not only an important part of your one-day-at-a-time practice , but it is a positive daily reminder of your savings over time .
Way to go !
Dear Amy : I was deeply disturbed by your response to “ Making Change , ” who accused her teacher of initiating a racist game in middle school .
First of all , playing a game called “ Underground Railroad ” is not racist .
Secondly , you should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel culture.
” Making Change could get this person fired !
Dear Upset : I think it is entirely appropriate to contact the school to reflect on an experience this person had there .
I do not think it is appropriate to try to get a teacher fired over this , as I said in my answer .

Dear Amy: My guy and I live in different countries. We have only seen each other one time since COVID hit, and I just feel like we are falling apart.
We used to see each other one or two times a month. It has been four months since we’ve gotten together, and we really don’t know when we will again.
We talk three times a day, and text a bit during the week, but then weekends come, and he goes quiet all day and we talk maybe one time the entire weekend.
I get this gut feeling that he is pulling away. He won’t reply to texts for hours (and sometimes he never replies, unless I ask).
Our phone calls are sometimes limited to a minute or two to touch base.
He won’t comment on my Facebook posts. He used to leave cute little comments, but that has stopped.
Should I continue to try, or just give up?
We used to be such a strong couple. I was sure we would end up together but now I just feel like he doesn’t really care.
We have been together for five years, now. I have tried not to ask for much and not to text too much. I want to respect his space when he gets quiet, but I’m not sure what he needs anymore.
Just when I think it’s time to end it and I question him on it, he will send something sweet or tell me that he sees a future.
When will I know for sure whether to end it, or whether to just give him space on the weekends?
— Lost in Love
Dear Lost: The wonderful thing about being in a long-distance relationship is how the anticipation and rhythm of meetings fuels the romance. You are either planning to meet, or parting with sweet sorrow while you anticipate the next meetup.
Everything else about a long-distance relationship is the worst, and trying to maintain a long-distance relationship during a global pandemic is the worst-worst, mainly because you are being denied not only the ability to see one another, but — because of the uncertain nature of everything right now — you can’t even plan for the future. Add to this the stress of job and health insecurity and other family pressures, and you have a multitude of large and small strains on your relationship.
The only answer here is to talk about it. Does he want to emotionally distance himself until there is more clarity about the possibility of seeing one another again?
Dear Amy: Like other readers, I’d like to add my voice to “Smoke Free,” and share my story about quitting smoking.
I was a smoker for almost 50 years from when I tried my first cigarette behind the garage until I finally quit, one day at a time.
The day I quit was two years and 65 days ago and I can tell because I have made an entry in a spreadsheet every single day since I quit.
I have also estimated my savings, which to date are over $14,000 (based on my previous smoking amount and the cost of cigarettes when I quit).
Every day, one day at a time, my savings go up and one more day is recorded.
— One Day at a Time in Canada
Dear One Day at a Time: I am enjoying these inspiring tales from former smokers, along with the helpful tips people share about how they have done it.
It is absolutely amazing to me that you spent so much money each year on cigarettes, and yet when I do the math I realize that any daily consumable (be it my daily donut or a $10 pack of cigarettes) adds up!
Tracking your progress each day after quitting is a genius idea. This is not only an important part of your one-day-at-a-time practice, but it is a positive daily reminder of your savings over time. Way to go!
Dear Amy: I was deeply disturbed by your response to “Making Change,” who accused her teacher of initiating a racist game in middle school. First of all, playing a game called “Underground Railroad” is not racist. Secondly, you should not encourage someone to participate in “cancel culture.” Making Change could get this person fired!
— Upset
Dear Upset: I think it is entirely appropriate to contact the school to reflect on an experience this person had there.
I do not think it is appropriate to try to get a teacher fired over this, as I said in my answer.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-08-29--Laura victims may go weeks without power; US deaths reach 14

LAKE CHARLES , La .
— The Louisiana coastline devastated by Hurricane Laura began a long and gloomy recovery Friday as hundreds of thousands of people still without water and power confronted the possibility that basic services may not return for weeks or even longer .
The number of dead climbed to at least 14 .
A day after the Category 4 storm hit , more bodies emerged in the aftermath in Louisiana and neighboring Texas .
The deaths included five people killed by fallen trees and one person who drowned in a boat .
Eight people died from carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generators , including three inside a Texas pool hall , where authorities say the owner had let seven Vietnamese shrimp boat laborers and homeless men take shelter .
The other four were in critical condition .
The lack of essential resources was grim for the many evacuated residents eager to return .
Chad Peterson planned to board up a window and head to Florida .
“ There ’ s no power .
There ’ s no water .
There ’ s no utilities , ” he said .
Thousands of people who heeded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to homes without roofs , roads littered with debris and the likelihood of a harsh recovery that could take months .
Lawrence “ Lee ” Faulk came back to a home with no roof in hard-hit Cameron Parish , which was littered with downed power lines .
His metal storage building , 24 feet square , was thrown into a neighbor ’ s oak trees .
“ We need help , ” Faulk said .
“ We need ice , water , blue tarps — everything that you would associate with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two hours ago.
” The White House said President Donald Trump would visit the region Saturday and survey the damage .
Simply driving in Lake Charles , a city of 80,000 residents that sustained some of the worst damage , was a feat .
Power lines and trees blocked paths or created one-lane roads that drivers had to navigate with oncoming traffic .
Street signs were snapped off their perches or dangled , and no stoplights worked , making it a trust exercise with those sharing the roads .
Mayor Nic Hunter cautioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electricity and that water-treatment plants “ took a beating , ” resulting in barely a trickle of water coming out of most faucets .
“ If you come back to Lake Charles to stay , make sure you understand the above reality and are prepared to live in it for many days , probably weeks , ” Hunter wrote on Facebook .
Caravans of utility trucks were met Friday by thunderstorms in the sizzling heat , complicating recovery efforts .
Forty nursing homes were also relying on generators , and assessments were underway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 11 facilities that had been evacuated could return .
Water outages remained a major problem in evacuated facilities , the Louisiana Department of Health said .
Meanwhile , the hurricane ’ s remnants threatened to bring flooding and tornadoes to Tennessee as the storm , now a tropical depression , drifted north .
Forecasters warned that the system could strengthen into a tropical storm again upon returning to the Atlantic Ocean this weekend .
In the storm ’ s wake , more than 600,000 homes and businesses were without power in Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poweroutage.us , which tracks utility reports .
The Louisiana Department of Health estimated that more than 220,000 people were without water .
Restoration of those services could take weeks or months , and full rebuilding could take years .
Ira Lyles returned to find that his downtown Lake Charles salon called The Parlor House survived with little damage , but his home was destroyed .
“ It tore the front off , tore the front of the roof off , picked up my camper trailer and hit the side wall , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ I think it ’ s going to be a wash. ” Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards called Laura , which packed a top wind speed of 150 mph ( 241 kph ) , the most powerful hurricane to strike Louisiana , meaning it surpassed even Katrina , which was a Category 3 storm when it hit in 2005 .
He said officials now believe the surge was as high as 15 feet and added that tens of thousands of people were displaced by the storm .
Late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president had approved Louisiana ’ s major disaster declaration request , saying in a statement that the step paves the way for getting aid to the hard-hit communities .
More than 580,000 coastal residents were put under evacuation as the hurricane gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico .
Laura was the seventh named storm to strike the U.S. this year , setting a new record for U.S. landfalls by the end of August .
Laura hit the U.S. after killing nearly two dozen people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machinery hauled tree limbs in the front lawn of Stanley and Dominique Hazelton , who rode out the storm on a bathroom floor .
A tree punctured the roof just a few feet from where the couple was taking cover .
“ There ’ s people without homes , ” Stanley Hazelton said .
“ So it was dumb .
We ’ ll never do it again .
We ’ ll never stay through another hurricane again.
” Associated Press contributors include Jamie Stengle in Dallas ; Janet McConnaughey in New Orleans ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana ; Paul J. Weber in Austin , Texas ; Seth Borenstein in Kensington , Maryland ; and Adrian Sainz in Memphis , Tennessee .

By Melinda Deslatte and Stacey Plaisance
LAKE CHARLES, La. — The Louisiana coastline devastated by Hurricane Laura began a long and gloomy recovery Friday as hundreds of thousands of people still without water and power confronted the possibility that basic services may not return for weeks or even longer. The number of dead climbed to at least 14.
A day after the Category 4 storm hit, more bodies emerged in the aftermath in Louisiana and neighboring Texas. The deaths included five people killed by fallen trees and one person who drowned in a boat. Eight people died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to unsafe operation of generators, including three inside a Texas pool hall, where authorities say the owner had let seven Vietnamese shrimp boat laborers and homeless men take shelter. The other four were in critical condition.
The lack of essential resources was grim for the many evacuated residents eager to return.
Chad Peterson planned to board up a window and head to Florida. “There’s no power. There’s no water. There’s no utilities,” he said.
Thousands of people who heeded dire warnings and fled the Gulf Coast returned to homes without roofs, roads littered with debris and the likelihood of a harsh recovery that could take months.
Lawrence “Lee” Faulk came back to a home with no roof in hard-hit Cameron Parish, which was littered with downed power lines. His metal storage building, 24 feet square, was thrown into a neighbor’s oak trees.
“We need help,” Faulk said. “We need ice, water, blue tarps — everything that you would associate with the storm, we need it. Like two hours ago.”
The White House said President Donald Trump would visit the region Saturday and survey the damage.
Simply driving in Lake Charles, a city of 80,000 residents that sustained some of the worst damage, was a feat. Power lines and trees blocked paths or created one-lane roads that drivers had to navigate with oncoming traffic. Street signs were snapped off their perches or dangled, and no stoplights worked, making it a trust exercise with those sharing the roads.
Mayor Nic Hunter cautioned that there was no timetable for restoring electricity and that water-treatment plants “took a beating,” resulting in barely a trickle of water coming out of most faucets. “If you come back to Lake Charles to stay, make sure you understand the above reality and are prepared to live in it for many days, probably weeks,” Hunter wrote on Facebook.
Caravans of utility trucks were met Friday by thunderstorms in the sizzling heat, complicating recovery efforts.
Forty nursing homes were also relying on generators, and assessments were underway to determine if more than 860 residents in 11 facilities that had been evacuated could return. Water outages remained a major problem in evacuated facilities, the Louisiana Department of Health said.
Meanwhile, the hurricane’s remnants threatened to bring flooding and tornadoes to Tennessee as the storm, now a tropical depression, drifted north. Forecasters warned that the system could strengthen into a tropical storm again upon returning to the Atlantic Ocean this weekend.
In the storm’s wake, more than 600,000 homes and businesses were without power in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports.
The Louisiana Department of Health estimated that more than 220,000 people were without water. Restoration of those services could take weeks or months, and full rebuilding could take years.
Ira Lyles returned to find that his downtown Lake Charles salon called The Parlor House survived with little damage, but his home was destroyed.
“It tore the front off, tore the front of the roof off, picked up my camper trailer and hit the side wall, and the side wall buckled and cracked inside,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a wash.”
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards called Laura, which packed a top wind speed of 150 mph (241 kph), the most powerful hurricane to strike Louisiana, meaning it surpassed even Katrina, which was a Category 3 storm when it hit in 2005. He said officials now believe the surge was as high as 15 feet and added that tens of thousands of people were displaced by the storm.
Late Friday night, Edwards announced that the president had approved Louisiana’s major disaster declaration request, saying in a statement that the step paves the way for getting aid to the hard-hit communities.
More than 580,000 coastal residents were put under evacuation as the hurricane gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico. Laura was the seventh named storm to strike the U.S. this year, setting a new record for U.S. landfalls by the end of August. Laura hit the U.S. after killing nearly two dozen people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
In Lake Charles, chainsaws buzzed and heavy machinery hauled tree limbs in the front lawn of Stanley and Dominique Hazelton, who rode out the storm on a bathroom floor. A tree punctured the roof just a few feet from where the couple was taking cover.
They regretted staying.
“There’s people without homes,” Stanley Hazelton said. “So it was dumb. We’ll never do it again. We’ll never stay through another hurricane again.”
Associated Press contributors include Jamie Stengle in Dallas; Janet McConnaughey in New Orleans; John L. Mone in Holly Beach, Louisiana; Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas; Seth Borenstein in Kensington, Maryland; and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee.


thedenverpost--2020-08-29--Rockies’ three-game winning streak ends with loss to Padres in series opener at Coors Field

During the recent 2-12 skid that brought the Rockies back down to earth , their most-common lament went something like this : “ When we pitch well , we don ’ t hit .
When we hit , we don ’ t pitch well.
” Friday night at Coors Field , they did neither well in a 10-4 loss to the streaking San Diego Padres , who won for the ninth time in their last 11 games to improve to 20-14 .
Colorado ’ s three-game winning streak screeched to a halt and they are back to .500 with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heretofore Colorado ’ s most consistent pitcher , who entered the game with a 2.87 ERA , didn ’ t make it out of the fifth inning .
And while Colorado scored four runs in the first inning off right-hander Zach Davies , the offense went dormant after that .
“ Kyle hung in there tonight , but it wasn ’ t , probably , as crisp as we have seen him , ” manager Bud Black said .
Asked if he ’ s frustrated by an offense that continues to sputter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked about that a little bit over these first 32 games .
I ’ ve said that we really haven ’ t clicked on all cylinders .
“ We ’ ve had some big individual performances , but as a group , there ’ s been that big hit that ’ s been lacking , during certain times , in certain games that ( could ) swing the momentum and change the game .
I think it ’ s coming , it just hasn ’ t come so far , and not often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out 19 hits , ganged up on relievers Jeff Hoffman and Phillip Diehl in the decisive four-run sixth .
Ty France ’ s three-run double off Diehl iced the game .
The double from France with two outs should come as no surprise .
San Diego entered the game with 78 runs scored with two outs , the most in the majors .
Also , San Diego was 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position .
Again , no surprise .
The Padres entered the game with a .303 average with RISP , best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wil Myers hit 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs and his four hits tied his career-high .
Three of his six four-hit games have come at Coors Field , where , in 43 career games , he ’ s hit .365 ( 62-for-170 ) with 10 home runs , 16 doubles , three triples and 35 RBIs .
The Rockies , on the other hand , were limited to nine hits and were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position .
Freeland had turned in quality starts in all six of his outings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the Padres ’ relentless offense turned it into a rough night for the lefty .
The 11 hits off Freeland — in just 4 1/3 innings — tied his career-high for hits allowed .
He also gave up 11 on Sept. 28 , 2018 vs. Washington over six innings .
“ I definitely wasn ’ t as sharp as I wanted to be tonight , ” Freeland said .
“ I didn ’ t have a very good feel for my changeup .
I felt , a lot of times like I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone .
I couldn ’ t get it off my fingertips and I couldn ’ t get it down in the zone very consistently .
And my fastball wasn ’ t as pinpoint as I would like it.
” Freeland admitted that he caught some breaks in the first three innings , then said , “ In the fourth and fifth innings I started leaving balls over the plate.
” San Diego chased Freeland from the game with a three-run fifth to tie the game , 4-4 .
The big blows were RBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as a bloop single to right by France , who hit 3-for-4 .
The Padres had already put Freeland against the ropes in the fourth .
With one run already in , the bases full , just one out and the top of the order coming up , Freeland needed to find a way out .
The lefty took a few deep breaths then struck out Trent Grishan with a 2-2 slider .
Then he coaxed the dangerous Fernando Tatis Jr. to pop out to second to end the inning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first inning .
When Hosmer dropped the ball on a throw to first base , scuttling what would have been an inning-ending double play , the Rockies took advantage .
Daniel Murphy drew a walk and then Matt Kemp launched a three-run homer into the forest beyond the center-field wall .
The ball traveled 468 feet , the longest of his career in the Statcast era ( since 2015 ) and tied the Yankees ’ Aaron Judge for the fourth-longest in MLB this season .
But it wasn ’ t nearly enough for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead , their largest blown lead of the season .
It marked Colorado ’ s third game against the Padres over the last two seasons in which they blew a lead of four or more runs .
It also happened June 14 and 16 of last season .

During the recent 2-12 skid that brought the Rockies back down to earth, their most-common lament went something like this: “When we pitch well, we don’t hit. When we hit, we don’t pitch well.”
Friday night at Coors Field, they did neither well in a 10-4 loss to the streaking San Diego Padres, who won for the ninth time in their last 11 games to improve to 20-14.
Colorado’s three-game winning streak screeched to a halt and they are back to .500 with a 16-16 record.
Left-hander Kyle Freeland, heretofore Colorado’s most consistent pitcher, who entered the game with a 2.87 ERA, didn’t make it out of the fifth inning. And while Colorado scored four runs in the first inning off right-hander Zach Davies, the offense went dormant after that.
“Kyle hung in there tonight, but it wasn’t, probably, as crisp as we have seen him,” manager Bud Black said.
Asked if he’s frustrated by an offense that continues to sputter, Black said: “We’ve talked about that a little bit over these first 32 games. I’ve said that we really haven’t clicked on all cylinders.
“We’ve had some big individual performances, but as a group, there’s been that big hit that’s been lacking, during certain times, in certain games that (could) swing the momentum and change the game. I think it’s coming, it just hasn’t come so far, and not often enough.”
The Padres, who belted out 19 hits, ganged up on relievers Jeff Hoffman and Phillip Diehl in the decisive four-run sixth. Ty France’s three-run double off Diehl iced the game.
The double from France with two outs should come as no surprise. San Diego entered the game with 78 runs scored with two outs, the most in the majors. Also, San Diego was 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Again, no surprise. The Padres entered the game with a .303 average with RISP, best in the National League.
Rockie killer Wil Myers hit 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs and his four hits tied his career-high. Three of his six four-hit games have come at Coors Field, where, in 43 career games, he’s hit .365 (62-for-170) with 10 home runs, 16 doubles, three triples and 35 RBIs.
The Rockies, on the other hand, were limited to nine hits and were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
Freeland had turned in quality starts in all six of his outings prior to Friday’s game, but the Padres’ relentless offense turned it into a rough night for the lefty. The 11 hits off Freeland — in just 4 1/3 innings — tied his career-high for hits allowed. He also gave up 11 on Sept. 28, 2018 vs. Washington over six innings.
“I definitely wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to be tonight,” Freeland said. “I didn’t have a very good feel for my changeup. I felt, a lot of times like I was trying to push it to the zone. I couldn’t get it off my fingertips and I couldn’t get it down in the zone very consistently. And my fastball wasn’t as pinpoint as I would like it.”
Freeland admitted that he caught some breaks in the first three innings, then said, “In the fourth and fifth innings I started leaving balls over the plate.”
San Diego chased Freeland from the game with a three-run fifth to tie the game, 4-4. The big blows were RBI doubles by Eric Hosmer and Myers, as well as a bloop single to right by France, who hit 3-for-4.
The Padres had already put Freeland against the ropes in the fourth. With one run already in, the bases full, just one out and the top of the order coming up, Freeland needed to find a way out. The lefty took a few deep breaths then struck out Trent Grishan with a 2-2 slider. Then he coaxed the dangerous Fernando Tatis Jr. to pop out to second to end the inning.
Things looked rosy for Colorado in the first inning.
When Hosmer dropped the ball on a throw to first base, scuttling what would have been an inning-ending double play, the Rockies took advantage. Daniel Murphy drew a walk and then Matt Kemp launched a three-run homer into the forest beyond the center-field wall. The ball traveled 468 feet, the longest of his career in the Statcast era (since 2015) and tied the Yankees’ Aaron Judge for the fourth-longest in MLB this season.
But it wasn’t nearly enough for the Rockies, who relinquished a 4-0 lead, their largest blown lead of the season. It marked Colorado’s third game against the Padres over the last two seasons in which they blew a lead of four or more runs. It also happened June 14 and 16 of last season.


thedenverpost--2020-08-29--Denver Public Schools considers earlier return to classroom for some elementary students

Based on current public health conditions , Denver Public Schools may bring back some elementary students earlier than originally planned , Superintendent Susana Cordova said Friday in an email to parents .
Denver is holding classes remotely through the end of the first quarter Oct. 16 .
Cordova made that decision in July when many public health officials were sounding the alarm over the rate of increase in COVID-19 cases .
Since then , the number of new cases each day and the percentage of people testing positive have both declined .
Earlier this week the district announced plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September .
Cordova has also said the district might bring back students who are considered especially vulnerable , including those with disabilities who rely on school-based services and those in the earliest stages of learning English , before October .
But on Friday , she indicated the district is considering a broader return for elementary students .
Younger children are at less risk of serious illness and may transmit the virus less efficiently than older children .
It ’ s also harder to meet their needs through online instruction .
Read the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues .
For more , visit co.chalkbeat.org .

Based on current public health conditions, Denver Public Schools may bring back some elementary students earlier than originally planned, Superintendent Susana Cordova said Friday in an email to parents.
Denver is holding classes remotely through the end of the first quarter Oct. 16. Cordova made that decision in July when many public health officials were sounding the alarm over the rate of increase in COVID-19 cases. Since then, the number of new cases each day and the percentage of people testing positive have both declined.
Earlier this week the district announced plans to bring preschool students back to school buildings in September. Cordova has also said the district might bring back students who are considered especially vulnerable, including those with disabilities who rely on school-based services and those in the earliest stages of learning English, before October.
But on Friday, she indicated the district is considering a broader return for elementary students. Younger children are at less risk of serious illness and may transmit the virus less efficiently than older children. It’s also harder to meet their needs through online instruction.
Read the full story from our partners at chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues. For more, visit co.chalkbeat.org.


thedenverpost--2020-08-30--Kiszla: Broncos’ Justin Simmons feels animosity between fans, players: “Isn’t that part of problem i

Kiszla: Broncos’ Justin Simmons feels animosity between fans, players: “Isn’t that part of problem in America: That people view us as just entertainment to them?”

Hey , Broncos Country .
Justin Simmons poses a tough question we need to discuss : Do you love Simmons when he ’ s making a tackle , but hate it when a football player opens his mouth on matters close to his heart ?
“ Isn ’ t that part of the problem in America : That people view us as just entertainment to them ?
” Simmons said Friday , when I asked his reaction to fans irritated that a 26-year-old safety dares to speak out against racial injustice .
During a lousy year , drenched in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social discord , maybe it should be no surprise the cozy , old relationship between fans and their athletic heroes has been tested to the breaking point .
“ My skin color should not determine whether I live or die , ” Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said Saturday .
In that single sentence , Murray stated why players from MLS to the WNBA and everywhere in between refused to take the field during the past week .
The hard-line stance that interrupted basketball , hockey and baseball games also offended fans that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and maybe the one best time to tune out all the stress 2020 has heaped on us .
Broncos Country is full of passionate fans like Thomas Koller , who ardently follows all things Colorado sports , whether it ’ s a spat between Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and Jeff Bridich or how CSU conducted its search for a new football coach .
Koller is never hesitant to let me know his thoughts , firing off emails so frequently he makes me feel like a 21st century pen pal .
“ Are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major-leagues holding fans hostage whenever they feel like it ?
” Koller asked me last week .
“ Protesting they call it .
More like deliberate misbehavior to plumb the depths of law and society .
Don ’ t even mention the NBA .
Commissioner Adam Silver is powerless .
I say don ’ t pay ’ em , offer their jobs to the willing and act before these sports are forgotten by the public .
What I really want to say is : ( Bleep ) ’ em all.
” Now that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arenas , will many care if they never go back ?
NBA television ratings that were in decline before a pandemic halted the season in March have slid more than 20 percent during this summer restart , to the point where the league ’ s concern was unmistakable during my recent visit to the bubble in Florida .
I admire the push for racial equality from local pro athletes from as varied backgrounds as Avs center Nazem Kadri , a Muslim of Lebanese descent , and Rockies shortstop Trevor Story , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a firefighter in the heart of Texas .
But I do think it ’ s fair to wonder : Is this tension between fans that just want to watch sports and athletes who feel compelled to be community activists a momentary blip in America ’ s love affair with sports ?
Or is this the fraying of a relationship that could end in irreconcilable differences ?
Simmons has felt the tension .
He told the story of feeling the ire of a loyal fan who turned sour when Simmons used his Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social issues .
“ When I was wearing the jersey and I visited this fan ’ s dad in the hospital , I was a great guy .
But as soon as I started speaking out on some things that pertained to my life , I ’ m worthless and I need to shut up and play the game , ” Simmons said .
“ Nah , you don ’ t get both sides .
You don ’ t get one side without the other .
When we ’ re outside playing ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a guy who has family , has kids and has values , has all these things that are going on in his life .
For someone to sit on their couch or wherever they are and belittle athletes , there ’ s a root problem there with people idolizing celebrities and then also thinking they don ’ t have a voice.
” Here ’ s the growing disconnect , as best I understand it : There are fans who firmly believe a political football should never be allowed on any playing field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kneeling during the national anthem or painting “ Black Lives Matter ” on the basketball court .
There are players who feel disrespected when told their athletic prowess is admired but their brainpower is dismissed .
“ Regardless of what the public thinks , we have a lot of smart guys in our league .
Around the world , when you ’ re talking about athletes , we can make a difference , ” Simmons said .
“ I ’ m hoping a lot of guys don ’ t pay any attention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I could not care less what they have to say about myself , as long as they keep my family out of it .
You can say all you want about me .
I know my worth .
I know my value in Christ .
It ’ s ridiculous that people think that way.
” Well , nobody asked me , but : The worst disease of 2020 is whatever ’ s killing our empathy .
Have sports , like America , become a place where if you ’ re not 100 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemn you as being 100 % against me ?
The listening that fosters understanding can ’ t begin until the screaming stops .

Hey, Broncos Country. Justin Simmons poses a tough question we need to discuss:
Do you love Simmons when he’s making a tackle, but hate it when a football player opens his mouth on matters close to his heart?
“Isn’t that part of the problem in America: That people view us as just entertainment to them?” Simmons said Friday, when I asked his reaction to fans irritated that a 26-year-old safety dares to speak out against racial injustice.
During a lousy year, drenched in the anxiety and rage fostered by the coronavirus and social discord, maybe it should be no surprise the cozy, old relationship between fans and their athletic heroes has been tested to the breaking point.
“My skin color should not determine whether I live or die,” Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said Saturday. In that single sentence, Murray stated why players from MLS to the WNBA and everywhere in between refused to take the field during the past week.
The hard-line stance that interrupted basketball, hockey and baseball games also offended fans that believe game time is their time, and maybe the one best time to tune out all the stress 2020 has heaped on us.
Broncos Country is full of passionate fans like Thomas Koller, who ardently follows all things Colorado sports, whether it’s a spat between Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and Jeff Bridich or how CSU conducted its search for a new football coach. Koller is never hesitant to let me know his thoughts, firing off emails so frequently he makes me feel like a 21st century pen pal.
“Are you going to put up with these major-leagues holding fans hostage whenever they feel like it?” Koller asked me last week.
“Protesting they call it. More like deliberate misbehavior to plumb the depths of law and society. Don’t even mention the NBA. Commissioner Adam Silver is powerless. I say don’t pay ’em, offer their jobs to the willing and act before these sports are forgotten by the public. What I really want to say is: (Bleep) ’em all.”
Now that COVID-19 has taken spectators out of ballparks and arenas, will many care if they never go back? NBA television ratings that were in decline before a pandemic halted the season in March have slid more than 20 percent during this summer restart, to the point where the league’s concern was unmistakable during my recent visit to the bubble in Florida.
I admire the push for racial equality from local pro athletes from as varied backgrounds as Avs center Nazem Kadri, a Muslim of Lebanese descent, and Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, a white kid who grew up the son of a firefighter in the heart of Texas.
But I do think it’s fair to wonder: Is this tension between fans that just want to watch sports and athletes who feel compelled to be community activists a momentary blip in America’s love affair with sports? Or is this the fraying of a relationship that could end in irreconcilable differences?
Simmons has felt the tension. He told the story of feeling the ire of a loyal fan who turned sour when Simmons used his Broncos fame as a platform to speak on social issues.
“When I was wearing the jersey and I visited this fan’s dad in the hospital, I was a great guy. But as soon as I started speaking out on some things that pertained to my life, I’m worthless and I need to shut up and play the game,” Simmons said.
“Nah, you don’t get both sides. You don’t get one side without the other. When we’re outside playing (football), you’re looking at a guy who has family, has kids and has values, has all these things that are going on in his life. For someone to sit on their couch or wherever they are and belittle athletes, there’s a root problem there with people idolizing celebrities and then also thinking they don’t have a voice.”
Here’s the growing disconnect, as best I understand it: There are fans who firmly believe a political football should never be allowed on any playing field, whether it takes the form of kneeling during the national anthem or painting “Black Lives Matter” on the basketball court. There are players who feel disrespected when told their athletic prowess is admired but their brainpower is dismissed.
“Regardless of what the public thinks, we have a lot of smart guys in our league. Around the world, when you’re talking about athletes, we can make a difference,” Simmons said. “I’m hoping a lot of guys don’t pay any attention to what fans say because, personally, I could not care less what they have to say about myself, as long as they keep my family out of it. You can say all you want about me. I know my worth. I know my value in Christ. It’s ridiculous that people think that way.”
Well, nobody asked me, but: The worst disease of 2020 is whatever’s killing our empathy.
Have sports, like America, become a place where if you’re not 100% in agreement with me, I must condemn you as being 100% against me?
The listening that fosters understanding can’t begin until the screaming stops.


thedenverpost--2020-08-30--Rockies’ reliever Carlos Estevez trending up since scary hand injury

On Aug. 16 at Coors Field against Texas Rangers , the 27-year-old Dominican watched a line drive come off the bat of Scott Heineman and drill Estevez ’ s right pitching hand .
He winced in pain after his first save of the season — and wondered if it might be over .
“ The way that it got swollen , I thought ( my hand ) was broken , ” Estevez said Saturday on a video conference call .
“ It felt pretty bad.
” Thankfully , the x-rays were negative , and Estevez has been positive on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday at home against the Padres , he posted a 2.25 ERA with no runs allowed over his last five outings .
Estevez has tallied 13 strikeouts .
“ I feel like I ’ m in a good spot , ” Estevez said .
“ My feel came back .
I ’ m pitching well .
… Sometimes my fastball is off and I ’ m missing a lot , but my slider and changeup are there to back me up .
That ’ s how I feel like I grew up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my off-speed ( pitches ) , too , and show my fastball .
That ’ s something that has made me better.
” Estevez has made significant strides as a reliever with his ERA falling in each of the last three seasons .
“ The consistency of a reliever is something that ’ s valued , ” Rockies manager Bud Black said .
“ We feel as though we have a good one in Carlos .
A consistent performer .
I think that can continue into the future .
He ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game … to get four or five outs if needed.
” Gonzalez returns .
The Rockies announced Saturday that they have called up right-handed pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez from the 10-day IL after he dealt with a biceps strain .
Colorado optioned right-handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau to their alternate training site at Metro State .
Dahl update .
Rockies outfielder David Dahl went on the 10-day IL on Aug. 19 with lower-back soreness and is making progress toward a return .
He had struggled in 19 games this season with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ David is feeling better , ” Black said .
“ There ’ s no timetable for his return .
I wish I could add something more , but David was here earlier receiving treatment .
He ’ s getting better .
Not quite sure when he ’ ll be back in there.
” Castellani , 24 , earned his first career MLB win Monday to open the Diamondbacks series in Arizona .
The 2014 second-round draft pick struck out three batters , allowed two earned runs , and three hits over six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-2 win had snapped a seven-game losing streak .
Castellani lingered in Double-A for two seasons ( 2017- ’ 18 ) before breaking through to Triple-A last year .
Paddack made his major league debut last season and finished his rookie year 9-7 with a 3.33 ERA .
He made one quality start against the Rockies with three earned runs allowed over six innings .
The 24-year-old right-hander won his first two starts this year , but has since lost three in a row .
Trending : Rockies shortstop Trevor Story entered Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ batting .323 with two home runs and three RBIs over that span .
At issue : Colorado had its three-game winning streak snapped on Friday after sweeping the Diamondbacks in Arizona ( 3-0 ) .
The loss put the Rockies back at .500 ( 16-16 ) before Game 2 of their series against the Padres .
Pitching Probables Monday : Padres TBD at Rockies RHP German Marquez ( 2-4 , 4.50 ) , 7:40 p.m. , ATTRM Tuesday : Giants RHP Kevin Gausman ( 1-2 , 4.54 ) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , ATTRM Wednesday : Giants RHP Logan Webb ( 2-3 , 4.75 ) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland ( 2-1 , 3.43 ) , 1:10 p.m. , ATTRM

Rockies reliever Carlos Estevez feared the worst.
On Aug. 16 at Coors Field against Texas Rangers, the 27-year-old Dominican watched a line drive come off the bat of Scott Heineman and drill Estevez’s right pitching hand. He winced in pain after his first save of the season — and wondered if it might be over.
“The way that it got swollen, I thought (my hand) was broken,” Estevez said Saturday on a video conference call. “It felt pretty bad.”
Thankfully, the x-rays were negative, and Estevez has been positive on the mound ever since.
Entering Game 2 Saturday at home against the Padres, he posted a 2.25 ERA with no runs allowed over his last five outings. Estevez has tallied 13 strikeouts.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Estevez said. “My feel came back. I’m pitching well. … Sometimes my fastball is off and I’m missing a lot, but my slider and changeup are there to back me up. That’s how I feel like I grew up in confidence. I can pitch based on my off-speed (pitches), too, and show my fastball. That’s something that has made me better.”
Estevez has made significant strides as a reliever with his ERA falling in each of the last three seasons.
“The consistency of a reliever is something that’s valued,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “We feel as though we have a good one in Carlos. A consistent performer. I think that can continue into the future. He’s a guy that can contribute at the back-end of the game … to get four or five outs if needed.”
Gonzalez returns. The Rockies announced Saturday that they have called up right-handed pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez from the 10-day IL after he dealt with a biceps strain. Colorado optioned right-handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau to their alternate training site at Metro State.
Dahl update. Rockies outfielder David Dahl went on the 10-day IL on Aug. 19 with lower-back soreness and is making progress toward a return. He had struggled in 19 games this season with a .189 batting average and 21 strikeouts.
“David is feeling better,” Black said. “There’s no timetable for his return. I wish I could add something more, but David was here earlier receiving treatment. He’s getting better. Not quite sure when he’ll be back in there.”
Padres RHP Chris Paddack (2-3, 5.15 ERA) at Rockies RHP Ryan Castellani (1-1, 3.54 ERA)
1:10 p.m. Sunday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 AM
Castellani, 24, earned his first career MLB win Monday to open the Diamondbacks series in Arizona. The 2014 second-round draft pick struck out three batters, allowed two earned runs, and three hits over six innings for a quality start. The 3-2 win had snapped a seven-game losing streak. Castellani lingered in Double-A for two seasons (2017-’18) before breaking through to Triple-A last year. Paddack made his major league debut last season and finished his rookie year 9-7 with a 3.33 ERA. He made one quality start against the Rockies with three earned runs allowed over six innings. The 24-year-old right-hander won his first two starts this year, but has since lost three in a row.
Trending: Rockies shortstop Trevor Story entered Saturday night riding an eight-game hitting streak while batting .323 with two home runs and three RBIs over that span.
At issue: Colorado had its three-game winning streak snapped on Friday after sweeping the Diamondbacks in Arizona (3-0). The loss put the Rockies back at .500 (16-16) before Game 2 of their series against the Padres.
Pitching Probables
Monday: Padres TBD at Rockies RHP German Marquez (2-4, 4.50), 7:40 p.m., ATTRM
Tuesday: Giants RHP Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.54) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (2-3, 5.45), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
Wednesday: Giants RHP Logan Webb (2-3, 4.75) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-1, 3.43), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM


thedenverpost--2020-08-30--Johnson, Matsuyama tied for lead at tough Olympia Fields

OLYMPIA FIELDS , Ill. — Dustin Johnson says his game feels similar to last week when he had the easiest of his 23 career victories .
It just doesn ’ t look that way at the BMW Championship .
Every par at Olympia Fields is hard work , and Johnson played the final 13 holes Saturday with nothing worse than that .
It ’ s what carried him to a 1-under 69 and a share of the lead with Hideki Matsuyama , leaving them as the only players under par going into the final round .
“ I feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously these conditions and the greens are a lot more difficult , ” he said .
“ This is pretty much a major championship venue , and the conditions , the way it ’ s set up , it ’ s playing just like a major.
” Matsuyama , who had a three-shot lead early when he holed a bunker shot for eagle at the start and stuffed a wedge in tight for birdie on No .
4 , fell back with a string of bogeys and held it together for a 69 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to hang on , ” Matsuyama said .
“ Just tried to do what I could to stay in , and I was happy with how it went.
” Johnson and Maruyama were at 1-under 209 .
Everyone else was over par going into the final round .
Sunday is one last chance for some players to be among the top 30 who advance to the FedEx Cup finale , and one last round for others — like Tiger Woods — to prepare for the U.S. Open on a course that plays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only hit five fairways and didn ’ t make a birdie as he tumbled out of a tie for the lead with a round with a 75 that left him five shots behind and might cost him a spot in the Tour Championship .
Rory McIlroy had to play left-handed to escape the base of a tree in starting the back nine with a bogey , and he finished with a shot he thought was going to be long , came up 70 feet short and led to a three-putt bogey for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots back assuming he plays .
McIlroy said after the round his wife is expecting their first child , news they had shared with family and friends but was revealed during the NBC broadcast .
He said his caddie and best friend , Harry Diamond , has kept a phone in his pocket to not miss a call .
And if it ’ s time , he said , “ I ’ m out of here.
” Jon Rahm matched the low round of the day at 66 that could have easily been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blunder that even he couldn ’ t believe .
He forgot to set a marker down on the green before picking up his golf ball on No .
5 , freezing in his tracks when he realized what happened .
“ I was thinking of somebody else or something else … and yeah , I just picked up the ball without marking it , simple as that , ” Rahm said after a round that left him only three behind .
“ I can ’ t really give you an explanation .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen in golf .
Never thought it would in my professional career , but here we are.
” A week ago at The Northern Trust on a rain-softened course with little wind , Johnson was at 22-under par through three rounds and had a five-shot lead .
That felt easy .
This does not .
Joaquin Niemann had a 68 and was part of the group at 1-over 211 that included Adam Scott ( 70 ) and Mackenzie Hughes ( 69 ) .
Another shot back were the likes of Rahm , Bubba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who had 15 pars , two birdie and bogey for his round of 70 .
Rounds like that go a long way at Olympia Fields , the former U.S. Open course playing like one with its thick rough and rock-hard greens and enough wind to make the fairways look tighter than they are .
“ I ’ ve played good and bad this week , and I ’ ve had basically the same score every day , ” Scott said , whose superb bunker play kept him close .
“ I saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit it well , there ’ s a chance to make a few putts .
One of this leading group will shoot 4 under tomorrow , 4 or 5 under I ’ m sure.
” Woods , meanwhile , had a reasonable start to his round and wasn ’ t losing much ground until he lost a tee shot into the water right of the 17th fairway and then smothered a fairway metal to the left .
He walked across a cart path smacking the club off the concrete and twice looked like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed a short putt for triple bogey and shot 72 .
Woods has yet to break par this week .
One more round like that and it will be the first time in 10 years — the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone — that he had all four rounds over par .
He needed something around fourth to advance to the Tour Championship for the first time since 2018 .
Matsuyama is trying to end three years without a victory .
Johnson is trying to win for the second time in seven days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top seed at the Tour Championship , which would allow him to start the tournament with a two-shot lead under the staggered start .
For players like Niemann , Hughes and Scott , they are simply trying to get to East Lake in Atlanta .
All of them are one round away on a golf course where small mistakes can lead to bogeys or worse on just about every hole .

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. — Dustin Johnson says his game feels similar to last week when he had the easiest of his 23 career victories.
It just doesn’t look that way at the BMW Championship.
Every par at Olympia Fields is hard work, and Johnson played the final 13 holes Saturday with nothing worse than that. It’s what carried him to a 1-under 69 and a share of the lead with Hideki Matsuyama, leaving them as the only players under par going into the final round.
“I feel like it’s fairly similar, just obviously these conditions and the greens are a lot more difficult,” he said. “This is pretty much a major championship venue, and the conditions, the way it’s set up, it’s playing just like a major.”
Matsuyama, who had a three-shot lead early when he holed a bunker shot for eagle at the start and stuffed a wedge in tight for birdie on No. 4, fell back with a string of bogeys and held it together for a 69.
“Great start and then just had to hang on,” Matsuyama said. “Just tried to do what I could to stay in, and I was happy with how it went.”
Johnson and Maruyama were at 1-under 209. Everyone else was over par going into the final round.
Sunday is one last chance for some players to be among the top 30 who advance to the FedEx Cup finale, and one last round for others — like Tiger Woods — to prepare for the U.S. Open on a course that plays every bit as tough.
Patrick Cantlay only hit five fairways and didn’t make a birdie as he tumbled out of a tie for the lead with a round with a 75 that left him five shots behind and might cost him a spot in the Tour Championship.
Rory McIlroy had to play left-handed to escape the base of a tree in starting the back nine with a bogey, and he finished with a shot he thought was going to be long, came up 70 feet short and led to a three-putt bogey for a 73. He still was only three shots back assuming he plays.
McIlroy said after the round his wife is expecting their first child, news they had shared with family and friends but was revealed during the NBC broadcast. He said his caddie and best friend, Harry Diamond, has kept a phone in his pocket to not miss a call. And if it’s time, he said, “I’m out of here.”
Jon Rahm matched the low round of the day at 66 that could have easily been one shot better if not for a blunder that even he couldn’t believe. He forgot to set a marker down on the green before picking up his golf ball on No. 5, freezing in his tracks when he realized what happened.
“I was thinking of somebody else or something else … and yeah, I just picked up the ball without marking it, simple as that,” Rahm said after a round that left him only three behind. “I can’t really give you an explanation. It’s one of those things that happen in golf. Never thought it would in my professional career, but here we are.”
A week ago at The Northern Trust on a rain-softened course with little wind, Johnson was at 22-under par through three rounds and had a five-shot lead. That felt easy. This does not.
Joaquin Niemann had a 68 and was part of the group at 1-over 211 that included Adam Scott (70) and Mackenzie Hughes (69). Another shot back were the likes of Rahm, Bubba Watson, Brendon Todd and Kevin Kisner, who had 15 pars, two birdie and bogey for his round of 70.
Rounds like that go a long way at Olympia Fields, the former U.S. Open course playing like one with its thick rough and rock-hard greens and enough wind to make the fairways look tighter than they are.
“I’ve played good and bad this week, and I’ve had basically the same score every day,” Scott said, whose superb bunker play kept him close. “I saw today, though, that if I hit it well, there’s a chance to make a few putts. One of this leading group will shoot 4 under tomorrow, 4 or 5 under I’m sure.”
Woods, meanwhile, had a reasonable start to his round and wasn’t losing much ground until he lost a tee shot into the water right of the 17th fairway and then smothered a fairway metal to the left. He walked across a cart path smacking the club off the concrete and twice looked like he wanted to break it. He missed a short putt for triple bogey and shot 72.
Woods has yet to break par this week. One more round like that and it will be the first time in 10 years — the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone — that he had all four rounds over par. He needed something around fourth to advance to the Tour Championship for the first time since 2018.
Matsuyama is trying to end three years without a victory. Johnson is trying to win for the second time in seven days, along with positioning himself to be the top seed at the Tour Championship, which would allow him to start the tournament with a two-shot lead under the staggered start.
For players like Niemann, Hughes and Scott, they are simply trying to get to East Lake in Atlanta. All of them are one round away on a golf course where small mistakes can lead to bogeys or worse on just about every hole.


thedenverpost--2020-08-29--Police shoot, kill man in Loma after he allegedly brought gun to neighbor’s property

Law enforcement officers shot and killed an armed man Saturday morning in Loma after he allegedly trespassed on his neighbor ’ s property , the Grand Junction Police Department said in a news release .
Shortly after 10 a.m. , Mesa County sheriff ’ s deputies and Fruita police officers responded to a trespass in progress in the 1200 Block of M ¾ Road in Loma .
The caller said her neighbor was on her property and carrying a gun , authorities said .
“ The suspect was armed with a firearm and was not compliant with directions from law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Ultimately , the suspect was shot by law enforcement.
” It is unclear how many officers fired their weapons or if the suspect fired on law enforcement .
The suspect , who has not been identified , was taken to a hospital , where he later died .
No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident .
The shooting will be investigated by the 21st Judicial District .
The officers involved will be placed on administrative leave , per department policy .
The incident marks the 43rd time this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colorado , and the second involving the Mesa County Sheriff ’ s Office and Fruita police .

Law enforcement officers shot and killed an armed man Saturday morning in Loma after he allegedly trespassed on his neighbor’s property, the Grand Junction Police Department said in a news release.
Shortly after 10 a.m., Mesa County sheriff’s deputies and Fruita police officers responded to a trespass in progress in the 1200 Block of M ¾ Road in Loma. The caller said her neighbor was on her property and carrying a gun, authorities said.
“The suspect was armed with a firearm and was not compliant with directions from law enforcement,” Grand Junction police said. “Ultimately, the suspect was shot by law enforcement.”
It is unclear how many officers fired their weapons or if the suspect fired on law enforcement.
The suspect, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital, where he later died. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.
The shooting will be investigated by the 21st Judicial District. The officers involved will be placed on administrative leave, per department policy.
The incident marks the 43rd time this year that law enforcement injured or killed someone in Colorado, and the second involving the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Fruita police.


thedenverpost--2020-08-29--Vic Fangio hopes young Broncos’ offense treats poor practice as learning tool

Broncos quarterback Drew Lock likes to say he doesn ’ t want to make the same mistake twice and treats each error as an acquired lesson .
Lock and the rest of the offense will have plenty to learn from when they return to the Broncos ’ facility on Monday morning to watch video of Saturday ’ s practice at Mile High .
The Broncos ’ secondary intercepted four passes and created all kinds of pass-rush pressure .
“ I ’ ve always been a guy who has learned more from mistakes than when it ’ s roses all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will be good for us to go back and see how we struggled and what we did wrong , especially for the young guys .
“ It ’ s big to struggle early .
I feel like , I would rather us struggle now , obviously , and then be great when the season comes along.
” The season comes along Sept. 14 against Tennessee , leaving the Broncos at least nine practices to clean things up .
Cornerback Davontae Harris and safeties P.J .
Locke , Trey Marshall and Justin Simmons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vic Fangio , encouraged to see that from the defense , but concerned to see that from the offense ?
“ It all depends on which lens you ’ re looking through , ” he said .
“ If you ’ re an offensive player or an offensive coach , you didn ’ t like it .
If you ’ re a defensive player or a defensive coach , you liked it .
Obviously , we can ’ t have that many turnovers on offense .
It would be great to get that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Lock was intercepted by Harris on a miscommunication with receiver Courtland Sutton .
“ It was called ‘ Pump ’ in the huddle and Mr .
Lock didn ’ t throw the pump — he threw the curl , ” Lock said .
“ That will result in a pick most of the time .
That one ’ s on me.
” Said Fangio : “ I think ( Saturday ) will be a very good learning experience for Drew and the entire offense .
There is a story behind every interception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throw on his part or a poor route on somebody else ’ s part .
I think it was a very valuable day for him.
” Thankfully for the offense , the pumped-in crowd noise doesn ’ t feature a track for boos .
Fans who would have attended would have been concerned by the offense and the injuries .
On the fourth play of the day , right guard Graham Glasgow limped off with an ankle injury and was replaced by Austin Schlottmann .
Later , outside linebacker Bradley Chubb had his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tore his left ACL last Sept. 30 .
Chubb had an ice pack on the knee before taking it off and watching practice from the sideline .
“ Bradley just didn ’ t feel right out there so ( being ) precautionary , we took him out , ” Fangio said .
Outside linebacker Von Miller , who tore his ACL in 2013 , visited with Chubb on the sideline throughout practice .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s a serious injury , ” Miller said .
“ Now is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I told him , ‘ We ’ re Ferraris and sometimes , the check engine light comes on.
’ That doesn ’ t mean the car is broken .
He was kind of disappointed not to be out there , but he ’ s still working his way back .
I have all the faith he ’ ll be ready for the first game.
” Before the first game , the final cuts will happen next Saturday , following five consecutive days of practice .
“ I like our team , ” Fangio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re at .
Obviously , we wish some of the guys who have missed time with nagging injuries were practicing .
We have five days of practice this coming week before we get into Tennessee Week and these are probably the most valuable practices we ’ ll have in camp .
We have to take advantage of them , iron some things out , get sharp and get ready for our opener .
”

Broncos quarterback Drew Lock likes to say he doesn’t want to make the same mistake twice and treats each error as an acquired lesson.
Lock and the rest of the offense will have plenty to learn from when they return to the Broncos’ facility on Monday morning to watch video of Saturday’s practice at Mile High.
The Broncos’ secondary intercepted four passes and created all kinds of pass-rush pressure.
“I’ve always been a guy who has learned more from mistakes than when it’s roses all the time,” Lock said. “It will be good for us to go back and see how we struggled and what we did wrong, especially for the young guys.
“It’s big to struggle early. I feel like, I would rather us struggle now, obviously, and then be great when the season comes along.”
The season comes along Sept. 14 against Tennessee, leaving the Broncos at least nine practices to clean things up.
Cornerback Davontae Harris and safeties P.J. Locke, Trey Marshall and Justin Simmons all had interceptions.
So, coach Vic Fangio, encouraged to see that from the defense, but concerned to see that from the offense?
“It all depends on which lens you’re looking through,” he said. “If you’re an offensive player or an offensive coach, you didn’t like it. If you’re a defensive player or a defensive coach, you liked it. Obviously, we can’t have that many turnovers on offense. It would be great to get that many on defense each and every week.”
Lock was intercepted by Harris on a miscommunication with receiver Courtland Sutton.
“It was called ‘Pump’ in the huddle and Mr. Lock didn’t throw the pump — he threw the curl,” Lock said. “That will result in a pick most of the time. That one’s on me.”
Said Fangio: “I think (Saturday) will be a very good learning experience for Drew and the entire offense. There is a story behind every interception, be it poor read or poor throw on his part or a poor route on somebody else’s part. I think it was a very valuable day for him.”
Thankfully for the offense, the pumped-in crowd noise doesn’t feature a track for boos.
Fans who would have attended would have been concerned by the offense and the injuries. On the fourth play of the day, right guard Graham Glasgow limped off with an ankle injury and was replaced by Austin Schlottmann.
Later, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb had his left knee examined by trainers; he tore his left ACL last Sept. 30. Chubb had an ice pack on the knee before taking it off and watching practice from the sideline.
“Bradley just didn’t feel right out there so (being) precautionary, we took him out,” Fangio said.
Outside linebacker Von Miller, who tore his ACL in 2013, visited with Chubb on the sideline throughout practice.
“I don’t think it’s a serious injury,” Miller said. “Now is not the time to push it. I told him, ‘We’re Ferraris and sometimes, the check engine light comes on.’ That doesn’t mean the car is broken. He was kind of disappointed not to be out there, but he’s still working his way back. I have all the faith he’ll be ready for the first game.”
Before the first game, the final cuts will happen next Saturday, following five consecutive days of practice.
“I like our team,” Fangio said. “I like where we’re at. Obviously, we wish some of the guys who have missed time with nagging injuries were practicing. We have five days of practice this coming week before we get into Tennessee Week and these are probably the most valuable practices we’ll have in camp. We have to take advantage of them, iron some things out, get sharp and get ready for our opener.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-29--Broncos training camp rewind, Day 12: Pumped-in crowd noise makes debut at stadium practice

Did not practice : TE Troy Fumagalli ( illness , first missed practice ) , WR KJ Hamler ( hamstring , seventh ) , WR Juwann Winfree ( groin , eighth ) , CB Michael Ojemudia ( quad , fifth ) , ILB Justin Strnad ( wrist , fourth ) , S Alijah Holder ( soft tissue , fourth ) , ILB Todd Davis ( calf , sixth ) and TE Austin Fort ( knee , 12th ) .
Of Fumagalli , coach Vic Fangio said : “ Just a medical issue — it ’ s not at this point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be back by next week .
We ’ ll find out more on Monday.
” RG Graham Glasgow ( ankle ) was injured on a running play during the first-team offense ’ s fourth play of practice .
Coach Vic Fangio said Glasgow “ tweaked ” his ankle , but didn ’ t have an update .
OLB Bradley Chubb ( left knee ) left practice early .
After having ice applied , he watched from the sideline .
QB Drew Lock showed good pocket patience ( and received good protection ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle to get unmugged by ILB Josey Jewell to make a snatched-out-of-the-air catch .
*Secondary ball skills .
The defense got interceptions from S P.J .
Locke , S Justin Simmons , S Trey Marshall and CB Davontae Harris .
*K Brandon McManus .
He drilled a 60-yard field goal with a few yards to spare .
*Pumped-in crowd noise .
After a few minutes , it was hardly noticeable .
“ I thought the environment was fine , ” coach Vic Fangio said .
“ That was realistic crowd noise and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our home games until we have fans and road games that don ’ t have fans.
” *First-team offense .
Young offenses are going to have bad practices and Saturday was it for the Broncos .
Turnovers .
Drops .
Allowed pressures .
A complete breakdown .
*OLB Bradley Chubb .
If fans were allowed in the stadium for practice , their eyes would have been jarred by seeing Chubb evaluated by trainers .
• After practice , Denver Mayor Michael Hancock spoke to the players at midfield .
His message ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) for their work in the community and thanked them for the work they ’ re going to do in the community in the future and lent his support to help , ” coach Vic Fangio said .
“ He had been wanting to do it so the timing is right and we ’ ll have more of that ( from other speakers ) .
” • Fangio said it ’ s possible the Broncos practice at the stadium one more time before facing Tennessee on Sept. 14 .
• Of being in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think just being in a big-league stadium brings a little oomph to the party .
I felt that early on and you could tell it was more game-like than practice-like.
” • OLB Von Miller on not having fans in the stadium : “ It ’ s definitely different and definitely not the same as having all of Broncos Country in there .
But when you start running around and add the crowd noise ( pumped in ) , you don ’ t really pay attention to it.
” • First period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the first team again Saturday and after RG Graham Glasgow was injured , Austin Schlottmann replaced him .
Lock ’ s first drive ended with a drop by WR DaeSean Hamilton .
… QB Jeff Driskel ’ s second pass was intercepted by S P.J .
Locke after going through the hands of WR Tyrie Cleveland .
On the next play , Driskel missed open RB LeVante Bellamy , who got several steps on ILB Josh Watson .
… Lock ’ s second drive started with a completion to WR Courtland Sutton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davontae Harris interception when Lock and Sutton weren ’ t on the same page .
… Driskel ’ s second series included a leaping catch by WR Jerry Jeudy in between defenders ( 36-yard gain ) and a touchdown catch by TE Albert Okwuegbunam .
• Second period of 11-on-11 : In the red zone , Lock ’ s pass was slightly behind TE Nick Vannett at the goal-line and it fell incomplete after Vannett juggled it .
… QB Brett Rypien got his first-team reps and tried to find WR Diontae Spencer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bassey broke it up .
… In a two-minute situation , Lock was intercepted by S Justin Simmons ( FB Andrew Beck was the target ) , but then threw a nice pass to Jeudy .
CB A.J .
Bouye broke a pass at the goal-line intended for Cleveland .
… Driskel ’ s two-minute drill was initially sharp ( four consecutive completions ) , but the drive ended with S Trey Marshall ’ s interception .
• Third period of 11-on-11 : Miller went right around Fant to “ sack ” Lock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half .
Two plays later , Lock threw a dart down the middle to Sutton .
… Driskel ’ s first play — completion to Freeman — would have been a sack by DE DeMarcus Walker in a game .
… Lock had two possessions from the opponent ’ s 12-yard line and went three-and-out both times .
On the first , DE Shelby Harris batted down a pass on third down .
… Driskel ’ s possession from the 12 ended with a touchdown pass to Okwuegbunam .
• Fourth period of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drill , but had passes broken up by Davontae Harris and batted down by Simmons before K Brandon McManus hit a 60-yard field goal .
… Practice ended with Rypien completing a pass to WR Trinity Benson .
• The Broncos didn ’ t have live contact during the stadium practice .
Pre-practice , they went through their routine of stretching , returning to the locker room and then taking the field for a kickoff .
• The Broncos continue to be cautious with RB Melvin Gordon ( rib ) , who did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team work .
“ We think he ’ ll be back sooner rather than later and we ’ re hoping for that , ” Fangio said .
“ We need him .
”

Player attendance
Did not practice: TE Troy Fumagalli (illness, first missed practice), WR KJ Hamler (hamstring, seventh), WR Juwann Winfree (groin, eighth), CB Michael Ojemudia (quad, fifth), ILB Justin Strnad (wrist, fourth), S Alijah Holder (soft tissue, fourth), ILB Todd Davis (calf, sixth) and TE Austin Fort (knee, 12th).
Of Fumagalli, coach Vic Fangio said: “Just a medical issue — it’s not at this point very serious. We think he’ll be back by next week. We’ll find out more on Monday.”
New injuries
RG Graham Glasgow (ankle) was injured on a running play during the first-team offense’s fourth play of practice. Coach Vic Fangio said Glasgow “tweaked” his ankle, but didn’t have an update.
OLB Bradley Chubb (left knee) left practice early. After having ice applied, he watched from the sideline.
Top play
QB Drew Lock showed good pocket patience (and received good protection) to allow WR Courtland Sutton over the middle to get unmugged by ILB Josey Jewell to make a snatched-out-of-the-air catch.
Thumbs up
*Secondary ball skills. The defense got interceptions from S P.J. Locke, S Justin Simmons, S Trey Marshall and CB Davontae Harris.
*K Brandon McManus. He drilled a 60-yard field goal with a few yards to spare.
*Pumped-in crowd noise. After a few minutes, it was hardly noticeable. “I thought the environment was fine,” coach Vic Fangio said. “That was realistic crowd noise and that’s what it could be for our home games until we have fans and road games that don’t have fans.”
Thumbs down
*First-team offense. Young offenses are going to have bad practices and Saturday was it for the Broncos. Turnovers. Drops. Allowed pressures. A complete breakdown.
*OLB Bradley Chubb. If fans were allowed in the stadium for practice, their eyes would have been jarred by seeing Chubb evaluated by trainers.
Odds and ends
The Broncos ran 68 plays of 11-of-11.
After practice, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock spoke to the players at midfield. His message? “(Hancock) thanked (the players) for their work in the community and thanked them for the work they’re going to do in the community in the future and lent his support to help,” coach Vic Fangio said. “He had been wanting to do it so the timing is right and we’ll have more of that (from other speakers).”
Fangio said it’s possible the Broncos practice at the stadium one more time before facing Tennessee on Sept. 14.
Of being in the stadium, Fangio said: “I think just being in a big-league stadium brings a little oomph to the party. I felt that early on and you could tell it was more game-like than practice-like.”
OLB Von Miller on not having fans in the stadium: “It’s definitely different and definitely not the same as having all of Broncos Country in there. But when you start running around and add the crowd noise (pumped in), you don’t really pay attention to it.”
First period of 11-on-11: C Lloyd Cushenberry worked with the first team again Saturday and after RG Graham Glasgow was injured, Austin Schlottmann replaced him. Lock’s first drive ended with a drop by WR DaeSean Hamilton. … QB Jeff Driskel’s second pass was intercepted by S P.J. Locke after going through the hands of WR Tyrie Cleveland. On the next play, Driskel missed open RB LeVante Bellamy, who got several steps on ILB Josh Watson. … Lock’s second drive started with a completion to WR Courtland Sutton, but was derailed by a CB Davontae Harris interception when Lock and Sutton weren’t on the same page. … Driskel’s second series included a leaping catch by WR Jerry Jeudy in between defenders (36-yard gain) and a touchdown catch by TE Albert Okwuegbunam.
Second period of 11-on-11: In the red zone, Lock’s pass was slightly behind TE Nick Vannett at the goal-line and it fell incomplete after Vannett juggled it. … QB Brett Rypien got his first-team reps and tried to find WR Diontae Spencer in the end zone but CB Essang Bassey broke it up. … In a two-minute situation, Lock was intercepted by S Justin Simmons (FB Andrew Beck was the target), but then threw a nice pass to Jeudy. CB A.J. Bouye broke a pass at the goal-line intended for Cleveland. … Driskel’s two-minute drill was initially sharp (four consecutive completions), but the drive ended with S Trey Marshall’s interception.
Third period of 11-on-11: Miller went right around Fant to “sack” Lock on the first play of the second half. Two plays later, Lock threw a dart down the middle to Sutton. … Driskel’s first play — completion to Freeman — would have been a sack by DE DeMarcus Walker in a game. … Lock had two possessions from the opponent’s 12-yard line and went three-and-out both times. On the first, DE Shelby Harris batted down a pass on third down. … Driskel’s possession from the 12 ended with a touchdown pass to Okwuegbunam.
Fourth period of 11-on-11. Lock ran an end-of-game hurry-up drill, but had passes broken up by Davontae Harris and batted down by Simmons before K Brandon McManus hit a 60-yard field goal. … Practice ended with Rypien completing a pass to WR Trinity Benson.
The Broncos didn’t have live contact during the stadium practice. Pre-practice, they went through their routine of stretching, returning to the locker room and then taking the field for a kickoff.
The Broncos continue to be cautious with RB Melvin Gordon (rib), who did individual drills but did not participate in team work. “We think he’ll be back sooner rather than later and we’re hoping for that,” Fangio said. “We need him.”
Sunday’s schedule
No practice.


thedenverpost--2020-08-29--How two Colorado prep football programs brought back Friday night lights. Sort of.

Every wrist band had a number and a narrative .
Colten Brueggeman and his father , Eric , drove in from Montrose , five hours up U.S. 285 on Friday , only to be greeted by spitting rain at de La Salle Stadium .
The temperatures were cool and the wind light , perfect conditions for a timed 40-yard dash .
The slick grass ?
Not so much .
“ Our stadium in Montrose , the field is muddy , ” Brueggeman , a senior lineman/end , mused from the Mullen High School parking lots .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve got an advantage.
” With a strapping 6-foot-3 , 260-pound frame and a 7-foot wingspan , Brueggeman was on the college football radar as a freshman and sophomore .
He excelled in wrestling , too , and more than a dozen schools pursued him as a lacrosse goalie .
Colten decided as a junior that he was going to commit to the latter pretty much full-time .
Just like that , the football calls stopped .
“ I regret that , ” he said softly .
“ I regret that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing catch-up ever since .
Or trying to .
Colten ’ s father had signed him up for summer 2020 football camps at CU and CSU , one last look .
It was full of seniors , cycled in 25 at a time , wearing white bands on their wrists and enough chips on their respective shoulders to fill a 16-inch serving bowl .
More than 150 football players from the class of 2021 turned up for a free , pro-style testing combine under the Friday night lights at soggy Brother Bernard Kinneavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mullen high schools , Pivotal Sports Performance and Athletafied testing services .
“ I think it gave kids something to look forward to and to train toward , ” said Ponderosa football coach Jaron Cohen , who got the ball rolling for the combine in early August , shortly after CHSAA announced that the football season had been moved to the spring of 2021 .
“ They ’ re getting a document that they can give their head coach and they can promote , and it ’ s going to be verified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard in the combine business.
” Although some parts of that business also rubbed Cohen the wrong way .
Especially the part where upperclassmen , victims of circumstance , suddenly found themselves having to pay hundreds of dollars in order to wrangle certified times to send to prospective college football programs .
“ I don ’ t begrudge a guy for making a buck , ” Cohen said .
“ But when I saw some of what was going on — I ’ ve worked in inner-city schools .
It just didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nolan , owner and founder at Pivotal and the head strength-and-conditioning coach at Ponderosa , got on board to fix the situation .
So did Matt Logston , vice president of operations with Denver-based Athletafied , whose clientele includes the Under Armour All-America and FBU Top Gun Showcase camps .
A call to old friend Jeremy Bennett , the first-year football coach at Mullen , secured the facility for what was supposed to be the opening weekend of the 2020 season .
“ ( Cohen ) wanted to do something for the kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ So he reached out to me and said , ‘ What do you think ?
’ And I said , ‘ Absolutely let ’ s do it.
’ Not everybody can afford to pay 200 bucks .
Not everybody can afford 100 bucks.
” And not everybody got the kind of camp exposure , or had the kind of stats , to impress prospective recruiters while they were sophomores or juniors .
Seniors who attended the combine were given wrist bands , measured for height and weight and given the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half-dozen timing stations .
All the information was then gathered onto a profile on the Athletafied app , which they could send on to college coaches or recruiting coordinators .
“ Being a senior , I know this means a lot to me , ” Cherry Creek lineman Domingo Prince II said .
“ Just because I never really thought as a kid , growing up , I ’ d live through a pandemic — and still be living through it .
But it ’ s an opportunity to show people what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruiting calendar trending earlier and earlier , football late-bloomers already face an uphill climb to get noticed .
Which is why so many on Friday went out of their way to thank Nolan and the coaches on-hand for a free chance to plug verified data onto their dossiers .
“ Just the smiles on their faces , that was the important thing , ” Nolan said .
“ They were under the lights , really competing .
You were supposed to be hitting someone today .
You ’ re not , so let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity.
” With football delayed , Logston said he ’ s hoping to put together three or four more combines around the Front Range this fall .
And looking to open things up to underclassmen as well .
“ Obviously , 2020 is kind of a funky year , ” Logston chuckled .
“ I think ( it ’ s great ) if we can give some normalcy to the athletes and parents , to let them know we ’ re going to create an environment for them to compete .
Obviously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and from there , they can do with it what they want.
” Brueggeman just wants a look .
Any look .
Especially if that look ’ s coming from Colorado coach Karl Dorrell .
“ More than anything in the world , I want to play football at CU , ” Colten said , speaking of Folsom Field with the reverence of a 4-year-old describing Santa ’ s workshop .
“ That ’ s what I want in life , right there .
I want to play football at CU-Boulder .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s got numbers to send them , now , at least .
Brueggeman said he wound up running a 5.0 in the 40-yard dash , a pretty decent shake for a 260-pound lineman on a wet track who rolled up after five hours in the car .
“ He ’ s usually around the 4.8 , 4.9 neighborhood , ” Eric Brueggeman said with a smile .
“ So that ’ s not bad on wet grass.
” Running in the rain ?
With a broken heart ?
Not bad .
Not @ @ @ @

Every wrist band had a number and a narrative. Colten Brueggeman and his father, Eric, drove in from Montrose, five hours up U.S. 285 on Friday, only to be greeted by spitting rain at de La Salle Stadium.
The temperatures were cool and the wind light, perfect conditions for a timed 40-yard dash. The slick grass?
Not so much.
“Our stadium in Montrose, the field is muddy,” Brueggeman, a senior lineman/end, mused from the Mullen High School parking lots. “I’m used to this. If anything, I’ve got an advantage.”
With a strapping 6-foot-3, 260-pound frame and a 7-foot wingspan, Brueggeman was on the college football radar as a freshman and sophomore. He excelled in wrestling, too, and more than a dozen schools pursued him as a lacrosse goalie. Colten decided as a junior that he was going to commit to the latter pretty much full-time. Just like that, the football calls stopped.
“I regret that,” he said softly. “I regret that decision.”
The kid’s been playing catch-up ever since. Or trying to. Colten’s father had signed him up for summer 2020 football camps at CU and CSU, one last look.
COVID-19 wiped out the entire slate.
“This stadium,” Colten said, “is full of heartbroken kids.”
* * *
It was full of seniors, cycled in 25 at a time, wearing white bands on their wrists and enough chips on their respective shoulders to fill a 16-inch serving bowl.
More than 150 football players from the class of 2021 turned up for a free, pro-style testing combine under the Friday night lights at soggy Brother Bernard Kinneavy Field — a joint production of Ponderosa and Mullen high schools, Pivotal Sports Performance and Athletafied testing services.
“I think it gave kids something to look forward to and to train toward,” said Ponderosa football coach Jaron Cohen, who got the ball rolling for the combine in early August, shortly after CHSAA announced that the football season had been moved to the spring of 2021.
“They’re getting a document that they can give their head coach and they can promote, and it’s going to be verified by Athletafied, which is the gold standard in the combine business.”
Although some parts of that business also rubbed Cohen the wrong way. Especially the part where upperclassmen, victims of circumstance, suddenly found themselves having to pay hundreds of dollars in order to wrangle certified times to send to prospective college football programs.
“I don’t begrudge a guy for making a buck,” Cohen said. “But when I saw some of what was going on — I’ve worked in inner-city schools. It just didn’t sit right with me.”
Patrick Nolan, owner and founder at Pivotal and the head strength-and-conditioning coach at Ponderosa, got on board to fix the situation. So did Matt Logston, vice president of operations with Denver-based Athletafied, whose clientele includes the Under Armour All-America and FBU Top Gun Showcase camps. A call to old friend Jeremy Bennett, the first-year football coach at Mullen, secured the facility for what was supposed to be the opening weekend of the 2020 season.
“(Cohen) wanted to do something for the kids free of charge,” Bennett recalled. “So he reached out to me and said, ‘What do you think?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely let’s do it.’ Not everybody can afford to pay 200 bucks. Not everybody can afford 100 bucks.”
* * *
And not everybody got the kind of camp exposure, or had the kind of stats, to impress prospective recruiters while they were sophomores or juniors. Seniors who attended the combine were given wrist bands, measured for height and weight and given the opportunity to participate in all or some of a half-dozen timing stations. All the information was then gathered onto a profile on the Athletafied app, which they could send on to college coaches or recruiting coordinators.
“Being a senior, I know this means a lot to me,” Cherry Creek lineman Domingo Prince II said. “Just because I never really thought as a kid, growing up, I’d live through a pandemic — and still be living through it. But it’s an opportunity to show people what you can do.”
With the NCAA recruiting calendar trending earlier and earlier, football late-bloomers already face an uphill climb to get noticed. Which is why so many on Friday went out of their way to thank Nolan and the coaches on-hand for a free chance to plug verified data onto their dossiers.
“Just the smiles on their faces, that was the important thing,” Nolan said. “They were under the lights, really competing. You were supposed to be hitting someone today. You’re not, so let’s make the best of the opportunity.”
With football delayed, Logston said he’s hoping to put together three or four more combines around the Front Range this fall. And looking to open things up to underclassmen as well.
“Obviously, 2020 is kind of a funky year,” Logston chuckled. “I think (it’s great) if we can give some normalcy to the athletes and parents, to let them know we’re going to create an environment for them to compete. Obviously, they come away with some verified numbers and from there, they can do with it what they want.”
Brueggeman just wants a look. Any look. Especially if that look’s coming from Colorado coach Karl Dorrell.
“More than anything in the world, I want to play football at CU,” Colten said, speaking of Folsom Field with the reverence of a 4-year-old describing Santa’s workshop. “That’s what I want in life, right there. I want to play football at CU-Boulder. I would love to go there.”
He’s got numbers to send them, now, at least. Brueggeman said he wound up running a 5.0 in the 40-yard dash, a pretty decent shake for a 260-pound lineman on a wet track who rolled up after five hours in the car.
“He’s usually around the 4.8, 4.9 neighborhood,” Eric Brueggeman said with a smile. “So that’s not bad on wet grass.”
Running in the rain? With a broken heart? Not bad. Not bad at all.