thedenverpost--2020-11-08--Rockies’ critical crossroads: Colorado faces choice between keeping Trevor Story or Nolan Arenado

The Rockies are approaching a critical crossroads involving third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story , their two best position players .
The contract status of the two stars , the financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic on baseball and Arenado ’ s rocky relationship with general manager Jeff Bridich have converged to create an imperfect storm .
How the front office deals with the situation this offseason will affect the franchise in 2021 and far beyond .
And it will tug at the heart of Rockies fans who ’ ve seen Story and Arenado blossom into arguably the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majors .
Because it seems unlikely , at this point , that the Rockies will be able to keep both stars .
Story , who ’ s owed $ 18.5 million in 2021 , is scheduled to become a free agent after the season .
He understands that his future in Colorado is a question mark .
“ I ’ m aware of the situation that ’ s coming up , ” Story said at the end of the Rockies ’ second consecutive losing season .
“ I love being here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s fun playing here .
So I try not to think too far ahead .
I ’ m always the guy who ’ s going to cross that bridge when it gets here.
” Arenado , who ’ s owed a whopping $ 35 million next season , can opt out of his contract after 2021 .
While it once seemed certain that he would do so — or that the Rockies would trade him in anticipation of that happening — the pandemic has muddied the waters .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gon na happen , ” Arenado told ESPN last Tuesday after he won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove Award .
“ I think this year will be interesting .
I ’ m hopeful that wherever ( happens ) , I wan na play for a winner .
If that ’ s in Colorado , that ’ s great .
And , at the end of the day , that ’ s what it ’ s all about ; I just wan na win.
” The Rockies , like most teams in the majors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former Rockies general manager Dan O ’ Dowd said on MLB Network that he expects two-thirds of teams not to be spending big in free agency .
Count the Rockies among that group .
While the team doesn ’ t disclose its financial information , the 60-game season that played out with no fans attending games at Coors Field cost the Rockies well north of $ 100 million .
According to sports industry analysts Team Marketing Report , the Rockies lost $ 174.7 million .
TMR annually produces what it calls the Fan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average cost for a fan to attend a game for teams across sports .
For the 2020 Major League Baseball season , TMR produced a study that projected how much game-day revenue each club missed out on due to the absence of fans .
According to TMR ’ s calculations , there was more than $ 5 billion in lost revenue across baseball .
The New York Yankees topped the list , with an estimated $ 437 million in game-day revenue lost compared to what they would have drawn with fans attending a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dick Monfort admitted that the Rockies are staring at a difficult financial landscape .
“ The financial losses incurred across baseball in 2020 are astounding , with losses at nearly $ 3 billion industry-wide and the average club losing nearly $ 100 million , ” Monfort wrote in a letter to Rockies season ticket holders .
“ It will take time to rebound , and in some cases , these losses will never be recovered .
As a result , there will be nothing normal about this offseason as the industry faces a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to adjust.
” The Rockies ’ new television contract with AT & T SportsNet begins in 2021 .
“ I ’ ve always said ( that ) revenues pass right through to the payroll , and I think we ’ ve proven that over time , ” Monfort said before last season .
“ It doesn ’ t start until 2021 , so there ’ s no additional money next year ( 2020 ) ….But it ’ s going to help the franchise ( in the future ) .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players.
” But all of that was before COVID-19 struck .
Monfort has said multiple times that he would like to keep Story in Colorado for the long-term .
Now , that might not be possible .
According to sportrac.com , the Rockies are already on track to spend more than $ 130 million in 2021 , assuming they tender contracts to their 11 arbitration-eligible players .
For example , right-hander Jon Gray , who is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2021 season , is projected to make $ 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Story , who is a dazzling infielder , would be coveted as a free agent , though he won ’ t approach the eight-year , $ 260 million mega-deal that Arenado received prior to the 2019 season .
But Story was the Rockies ’ best player in 2020 , leading the team in home runs ( 11 ) , triples ( four ) and doubles ( 13 ) .
His 28 RBIs ranked second only to right fielder Charlie Blackmon ’ s 42 .
Story also led Colorado in OPS ( .874 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So what are the Rockies ’ options regarding their shortstop ?
They could trade him this offseason to a contender in return for prospects and a solid veteran .
Or they could hold onto Story in the hopes that the Rockies turn their fortunes around and contend in 2021 .
If they don ’ t contend , Colorado could deal Story next summer , although that would mean paying half of his salary .
Plus , there is always the risk he could get hurt .
Story ’ s future is tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rockie were able to trade Arenado , that could free up money to give Story a long-term deal , although there ’ s no guarantee he ’ ll want to stay in Colorado .
He has six years and $ 199 million left on a contract that includes a full no-trade clause .
Arenado has made it clear that he doesn ’ t think that Bridich has done enough to construct a winning roster in Colorado , and late last winter Arenado said he felt “ disrespected ” by the GM .
Bridich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the end of the season — the only big league general manager not to do so — but sources say that the Bridich-Arenado feud has not been resolved .
Arenado might still want to be traded , but the pandemic has made that scenario problematic .
Would a team be willing to deal for Arenado knowing he could opt out after one season ?
Would the Rockies be willing to pay part of Arenado ’ s salary in order to get out from under his contract ?
Would a team trade for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could get him to agree to waive the opt out ?
If the Rockies can ’ t swing a trade for their star third baseman , then the ball would be in Arenado ’ s court .
Given baseball ’ s economic climate , would he really walk away from the $ 164 million left on the final five years of his contract ?
That seems doubtful , but it ’ s a critical piece of the jumbled puzzle that faces the Rockies as they enter the offseason .

The Rockies are approaching a critical crossroads involving third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story, their two best position players.
The contract status of the two stars, the financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic on baseball and Arenado’s rocky relationship with general manager Jeff Bridich have converged to create an imperfect storm. How the front office deals with the situation this offseason will affect the franchise in 2021 and far beyond.
And it will tug at the heart of Rockies fans who’ve seen Story and Arenado blossom into arguably the premier left side of the infield in the majors. Because it seems unlikely, at this point, that the Rockies will be able to keep both stars.
Story, who’s owed $18.5 million in 2021, is scheduled to become a free agent after the season. He understands that his future in Colorado is a question mark.
“I’m aware of the situation that’s coming up,” Story said at the end of the Rockies’ second consecutive losing season. “I love being here. These guys drafted and developed me, and it’s fun playing here. So I try not to think too far ahead. I’m always the guy who’s going to cross that bridge when it gets here.”
Arenado, who’s owed a whopping $35 million next season, can opt out of his contract after 2021. While it once seemed certain that he would do so — or that the Rockies would trade him in anticipation of that happening — the pandemic has muddied the waters.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Arenado told ESPN last Tuesday after he won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove Award. “I think this year will be interesting. I’m hopeful that wherever (happens), I wanna play for a winner. If that’s in Colorado, that’s great. And, at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about; I just wanna win.”
Choppy financial waters
The Rockies, like most teams in the majors, are navigating choppy financial waters. Former Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said on MLB Network that he expects two-thirds of teams not to be spending big in free agency.
Count the Rockies among that group.
While the team doesn’t disclose its financial information, the 60-game season that played out with no fans attending games at Coors Field cost the Rockies well north of $100 million. According to sports industry analysts Team Marketing Report, the Rockies lost $174.7 million.
TMR annually produces what it calls the Fan Cost Index, a calculation of the average cost for a fan to attend a game for teams across sports. For the 2020 Major League Baseball season, TMR produced a study that projected how much game-day revenue each club missed out on due to the absence of fans. According to TMR’s calculations, there was more than $5 billion in lost revenue across baseball. The New York Yankees topped the list, with an estimated $437 million in game-day revenue lost compared to what they would have drawn with fans attending a traditional 81-game home schedule.
Rockies owner Dick Monfort admitted that the Rockies are staring at a difficult financial landscape.
“The financial losses incurred across baseball in 2020 are astounding, with losses at nearly $3 billion industry-wide and the average club losing nearly $100 million,” Monfort wrote in a letter to Rockies season ticket holders. “It will take time to rebound, and in some cases, these losses will never be recovered. As a result, there will be nothing normal about this offseason as the industry faces a new economic reality, and each club will have to adjust.”
The Rockies’ new television contract with AT&T SportsNet begins in 2021.
“I’ve always said (that) revenues pass right through to the payroll, and I think we’ve proven that over time,” Monfort said before last season. “It doesn’t start until 2021, so there’s no additional money next year (2020)….But it’s going to help the franchise (in the future). It’s going to help the franchise keep players.”
But all of that was before COVID-19 struck.
Enough room for Story?
Monfort has said multiple times that he would like to keep Story in Colorado for the long-term. Now, that might not be possible.
According to sportrac.com, the Rockies are already on track to spend more than $130 million in 2021, assuming they tender contracts to their 11 arbitration-eligible players. For example, right-hander Jon Gray, who is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2021 season, is projected to make $6 million in his third year of arbitration.
Story, who is a dazzling infielder, would be coveted as a free agent, though he won’t approach the eight-year, $260 million mega-deal that Arenado received prior to the 2019 season. But Story was the Rockies’ best player in 2020, leading the team in home runs (11), triples (four) and doubles (13). His 28 RBIs ranked second only to right fielder Charlie Blackmon’s 42. Story also led Colorado in OPS (.874) and runs scored (41).
So what are the Rockies’ options regarding their shortstop? They could trade him this offseason to a contender in return for prospects and a solid veteran. Or they could hold onto Story in the hopes that the Rockies turn their fortunes around and contend in 2021. If they don’t contend, Colorado could deal Story next summer, although that would mean paying half of his salary. Plus, there is always the risk he could get hurt.
Story’s future is tied to Arenado’s. If the Rockie were able to trade Arenado, that could free up money to give Story a long-term deal, although there’s no guarantee he’ll want to stay in Colorado.
Arenado’s situation, meanwhile, is messy.
He has six years and $199 million left on a contract that includes a full no-trade clause.
Arenado has made it clear that he doesn’t think that Bridich has done enough to construct a winning roster in Colorado, and late last winter Arenado said he felt “disrespected” by the GM. Bridich has yet to talk to the media since the end of the season — the only big league general manager not to do so — but sources say that the Bridich-Arenado feud has not been resolved.
Arenado might still want to be traded, but the pandemic has made that scenario problematic. Would a team be willing to deal for Arenado knowing he could opt out after one season? Would the Rockies be willing to pay part of Arenado’s salary in order to get out from under his contract? Would a team trade for all of Arenado’s contract if they could get him to agree to waive the opt out?
If the Rockies can’t swing a trade for their star third baseman, then the ball would be in Arenado’s court. Given baseball’s economic climate, would he really walk away from the $164 million left on the final five years of his contract?
That seems doubtful, but it’s a critical piece of the jumbled puzzle that faces the Rockies as they enter the offseason.


thedenverpost--2020-11-08--How Tim Patrick went from Broncos unknown to Drew Lock’s No. 1 target

Somewhere , in a parallel universe two doors down from the Twilight Zone , the scribes are waxing poetic about the chemistry between Drew Lock and Tim Patrick .
Heck , the talk radio wonks can ’ t stop salivating at how close , now that parallel-universe LeBron James has retired to run for office , the pair are to bringing a championship to Denver .
“ Tim had it all as far as basketball , as well as for a receiver , ” offered Chris Bonner , who grew up in San Diego not far from Patrick , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later serve as his quarterback and chauffeur at Grossmont ( Calif. ) College .
“ I remember actually seeing this video that someone at his high school ( University City High ) did of their pep rally , and they were having a dunk contest .
I was like the only player on my high school team that could come close to dunking .
“ And then I see a video of Tim and all his high school teammates and they ’ re all dunking .
And I was like , ‘ Geez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” You think ?
If it weren ’ t for The Legend of Phillip Lindsay , the 6-foot-4 Patrick would be the mother of all Broncos rags-to-riches , feel-good tales , the ultimate undrafted lottery ticket who gutted and clawed his way to the NFL elite .
The California native and former Utah Ute heads into Sunday ’ s tussle at Atlanta tied for the AFC lead in receptions of 25 yards or more ( six ) .
Of his 33 targets , 15 have led to first downs ( 45.5 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos wideout .
“ Whoever the quarterback has been , he ’ s put the ball around him and he ’ s caught the ball , ” Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said of Patrick .
“ That ’ s what you need to do as a receiver .
“ Aside from that , and all the things we appreciate ( as coaches ) , we can put him at any three of the receiver spots and he can line up properly and do the right thing .
When we ask him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all that he brings to the table.
” Meanwhile , back in this universe , Bonner ’ s got a few theories as to why Lock , the Broncos ’ quarterback , has developed such synchronicity with Patrick , who missed that manic comeback win over the Chargers last Sunday because of a hamstring issue .
For one , they ’ re both grinders .
For another , they ’ re both excellent basketball players , guys who could ’ ve made it as pros on the hardwood , too .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the best prep hoops prospects of his class in greater Kansas City , drawing scholarship offers from Oklahoma , Wichita State and Missouri before ultimately playing football for the Tigers .
Patrick led his high school basketball squad to a CIF championship as a senior and , as a two-sport standout at Grossmont , helped the Griffins notch a share of the 2013-14 PCAC men ’ s basketball title .
“ Oh , man , he ’ s long .
I think he ’ s got bigger hands and longer arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve got him by a few inches , ” said Bonner , who ’ s 6-7 .
“ When you see him just coming out of his break , it ’ s a big target .
You know you can put it probably a little further away from him , lead him away from the defensive backs , and he ’ ll go up and he ’ ll go grab it .
It ’ s his size and his length , the fact that balls don ’ t have to be right there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it with these long arms .
He can jump .
He ’ s got big hands .
And he ’ ll go make a play.
” In other words : A killer catch radius .
Every quarterback ’ s best friend .
And every cornerback ’ s worst nightmare .
“ I think ( Lock ’ s trust ) speaks volumes to what I ’ ve been doing since I got here , ” said Patrick , who shot up the depth chart after Courtland Sutton tore his ACL during Week 2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It takes one person to notice you and get your foot in the door .
Thankfully , that guy was Drew , the starting quarterback of the team.
” Bonner can take credit for a small assist , too .
After helping lead CSU-Pueblo to a Division II national title and cups of coffee with the Panthers , Chiefs and in the Arena Football League , Patrick ’ s old college teammate settled in Denver three years ago , where he now works as a mortgage lender .
Dude ’ s stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long after the Broncos signed Patrick to the practice squad for the first time in October 2017 , the former Griffins reconnected .
The Broncos wideout ’ s even been known to text his old QB during the offseason to see if he ’ s got some time to chuck the ball around , work schedules permitting .
“ With him having suffered injuries ( in college ) , you might think , ‘ Man , maybe he ’ s slowed a step here , ’ ” Bonner said .
“ But with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oh , geez , he ’ s definitely in the best shape that I ’ ve ever seen him in.
’ ” The duo managed to hook up a couple times this past spring , during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic while the facilities at Dove Valley were shuttered and the Broncos were trying to simulate Organized Team Activities from their respective laptops .
“ It definitely helped out , because I didn ’ t have a quarterback ( to take throws from ) , ” Patrick said .
“ Catching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was huge for him to be out here and take the time out of his day.
” Hey , once a pal , always a pal .
There was a two-year stretch when Bonner would pick Patrick up every day and drive the pair of them to practice at Grossmont in El Cajon , Calif. Bonner was usually the one taking his wideout back home , too .
“ It was entertaining , ” Bonner laughed .
“ He usually took control of the stereo and put on all sorts of stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soulja Boy songs .
It was some stuff I ’ d never heard .
“ He was always turning me on to new music .
The minute he got in the car , he was like , ‘ Enough of whatever you ’ re listening to.
’ He would always be playing some interesting stuff.
” Whether he ’ s rocking La Jolla or rolling at Mile High , Patrick ’ s never been shy .
Especially when it comes to marching to the beat of his own drum .
“ And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he reminded me of during the times we ’ d throw here , is that he ’ s had three different offensive coordinators the last three years ( with the Broncos ) , ” Bonner said .
“ And with guys that are on the fringe , you ’ re not going to automatically make the team .
The fact that he ’ s had rotating coordinators and was still able to impress , it ’ s just a tremendous testament to the guy he is .
”

Somewhere, in a parallel universe two doors down from the Twilight Zone, the scribes are waxing poetic about the chemistry between Drew Lock and Tim Patrick. Heck, the talk radio wonks can’t stop salivating at how close, now that parallel-universe LeBron James has retired to run for office, the pair are to bringing a championship to Denver.
With the Nuggets.
“Tim had it all as far as basketball, as well as for a receiver,” offered Chris Bonner, who grew up in San Diego not far from Patrick, the Broncos’ nimble wideout, and would later serve as his quarterback and chauffeur at Grossmont (Calif.) College.
“I remember actually seeing this video that someone at his high school (University City High) did of their pep rally, and they were having a dunk contest. I was like the only player on my high school team that could come close to dunking.
“And then I see a video of Tim and all his high school teammates and they’re all dunking. And I was like, ‘Geez, this guy’s legit.’”
You think? If it weren’t for The Legend of Phillip Lindsay, the 6-foot-4 Patrick would be the mother of all Broncos rags-to-riches, feel-good tales, the ultimate undrafted lottery ticket who gutted and clawed his way to the NFL elite.
The California native and former Utah Ute heads into Sunday’s tussle at Atlanta tied for the AFC lead in receptions of 25 yards or more (six). Of his 33 targets, 15 have led to first downs (45.5%), the best conversion rate of any Broncos wideout.
“Whoever the quarterback has been, he’s put the ball around him and he’s caught the ball,” Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said of Patrick. “That’s what you need to do as a receiver.
“Aside from that, and all the things we appreciate (as coaches), we can put him at any three of the receiver spots and he can line up properly and do the right thing. When we ask him to block, he blocks. We appreciate all that he brings to the table.”
“It’s a big target”
Meanwhile, back in this universe, Bonner’s got a few theories as to why Lock, the Broncos’ quarterback, has developed such synchronicity with Patrick, who missed that manic comeback win over the Chargers last Sunday because of a hamstring issue.
For one, they’re both grinders. For another, they’re both excellent basketball players, guys who could’ve made it as pros on the hardwood, too.
As a 6-4 shooting guard, Lock was considered one of the best prep hoops prospects of his class in greater Kansas City, drawing scholarship offers from Oklahoma, Wichita State and Missouri before ultimately playing football for the Tigers.
Patrick led his high school basketball squad to a CIF championship as a senior and, as a two-sport standout at Grossmont, helped the Griffins notch a share of the 2013-14 PCAC men’s basketball title.
“Oh, man, he’s long. I think he’s got bigger hands and longer arms than me, even though I’ve got him by a few inches,” said Bonner, who’s 6-7.
“When you see him just coming out of his break, it’s a big target. You know you can put it probably a little further away from him, lead him away from the defensive backs, and he’ll go up and he’ll go grab it. It’s his size and his length, the fact that balls don’t have to be right there — that he’ll go get it with these long arms. He can jump. He’s got big hands. And he’ll go make a play.”
In other words: A killer catch radius. Every quarterback’s best friend. And every cornerback’s worst nightmare.
“I think (Lock’s trust) speaks volumes to what I’ve been doing since I got here,” said Patrick, who shot up the depth chart after Courtland Sutton tore his ACL during Week 2. “That’s all it takes. It takes one person to notice you and get your foot in the door. Thankfully, that guy was Drew, the starting quarterback of the team.”
Bonner can take credit for a small assist, too. After helping lead CSU-Pueblo to a Division II national title and cups of coffee with the Panthers, Chiefs and in the Arena Football League, Patrick’s old college teammate settled in Denver three years ago, where he now works as a mortgage lender.
Dude’s stayed in game shape, though. Not long after the Broncos signed Patrick to the practice squad for the first time in October 2017, the former Griffins reconnected. The Broncos wideout’s even been known to text his old QB during the offseason to see if he’s got some time to chuck the ball around, work schedules permitting.
“With him having suffered injuries (in college), you might think, ‘Man, maybe he’s slowed a step here,’” Bonner said. “But with Tim, it was like, ‘Oh, geez, he’s definitely in the best shape that I’ve ever seen him in.’”
The duo managed to hook up a couple times this past spring, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic while the facilities at Dove Valley were shuttered and the Broncos were trying to simulate Organized Team Activities from their respective laptops.
“It definitely helped out, because I didn’t have a quarterback (to take throws from),” Patrick said. “Catching the ball is my job, so it was huge for him to be out here and take the time out of his day.”
“Just a tremendous testament”
Hey, once a pal, always a pal. There was a two-year stretch when Bonner would pick Patrick up every day and drive the pair of them to practice at Grossmont in El Cajon, Calif. Bonner was usually the one taking his wideout back home, too.
“It was entertaining,” Bonner laughed. “He usually took control of the stereo and put on all sorts of stuff. Soulja Boy. Not the dance Soulja Boy songs. It was some stuff I’d never heard.
“He was always turning me on to new music. The minute he got in the car, he was like, ‘Enough of whatever you’re listening to.’ He would always be playing some interesting stuff.”
Whether he’s rocking La Jolla or rolling at Mile High, Patrick’s never been shy. Especially when it comes to marching to the beat of his own drum.
“And the other thing I keep thinking of, that he reminded me of during the times we’d throw here, is that he’s had three different offensive coordinators the last three years (with the Broncos),” Bonner said. “And with guys that are on the fringe, you’re not going to automatically make the team. The fact that he’s had rotating coordinators and was still able to impress, it’s just a tremendous testament to the guy he is.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-08--Ask Amy: Family members press for baptism

Dear Amy : I grew up in a conservative Catholic family and went to 12 years of Catholic school .
After , I decided to leave the Catholic faith .
My husband was raised without a religious background .
Ten months ago , we welcomed our first child ( my parents ’ first grandchild ) and have decided not to have her baptized .
My family is very upset .
They say we don ’ t have to have her baptized Catholic , and that any nondenominational baptism would be OK with them , however my husband and I are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the point of going through the motions or making “ promises ” that we will raise our child Christian or with any religious ideals .
We want her to make that decision ( if she chooses to ) later in life .
My family ’ s disappointment is really weighing on me and now I ’ m feeling guilty and a little resentful for them not respecting our decision .
The conversation keeps coming up .
Should we just do it and get it over with to make them happy and end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My siblings and I were also never baptized ; even though we were raised as church-goers , my independent mother let her children choose their own faith practice , including choosing none .
When I decided to get baptized as a teenager , I was proud to make a choice about the course of my own life .
Baptism means different things to different denominations but yes , if you baptize a child with clergy present , you are participating in a Christian rite , and if you do not intend to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you should not do it .
For Catholics , baptism is connected with huge concepts , including original sin and the fate of the soul .
If your parents believe that their grandchild ’ s very soul is at stake , they will continue to push .
You might mollify some by creating a “ naming ceremony ” for your child .
You and your husband could design your own ritual , asking members of both families and special friends to pledge to watch after your child , celebrating your baby ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ naming “ guardians ” to be in a special relationship with your child , if something happens to you .
Will this satisfy the family members who are bugging and guilting you about baptism ?
No , it won ’ t .
In fact , it might offend some .
But you would be able to say that you have done exactly as much as you are prepared to do .
You should prepare yourself for more pressure in this regard , but you are the parents and you must act according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My mother passed away at 90 in 2018 .
When she was alive , my small extended family always celebrated birthdays together .
Since Mom died , we haven ’ t gotten together for birthdays , but we still exchanged cards and gifts .
I recently had a birthday .
Of course , with the restrictions in place now , we can ’ t get together anyway , but I thought a birthday card or two would come in the mail from someone in my brother ’ s family , and maybe a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what my husband and I sent to them .
But I got nothing .
They each sent me a “ Happy Birthday ” text , and that ’ s it .
I was hurt by that .
Should I tell them I was disappointed , or just wait until the next birthday comes up and send a text , saying , “ I guess we ’ re not doing cards and gifts anymore , so happy birthday.
” If that ’ s what they ’ re going to do from now on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and money on them , and get nothing in return .
Is that selfish of me ?
Dear Disappointed : You simply don ’ t know what other people are going through right now .
You are obviously disappointed , but I don ’ t think it helps for you to convey that .
My suggestion is that you send a warmly worded card to your family members .
Even if they reciprocate next year with a text , this is an opportunity for you to be kind and generous .
Dear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There are no White people in the Bible ” was outrageous and offensive !
It just shows how little you know .
Romans , for instance , are White , and they figure prominently in the Bible .
Please , don ’ t parade your ignorance and pass it off as fact .
Dear Upset : I was employing hyperbole to try to make a point – that ( in my opinion ) White Christians ( and I am one ) can not pretend that Christianity springs from or is about their @ @

Dear Amy: I grew up in a conservative Catholic family and went to 12 years of Catholic school. After, I decided to leave the Catholic faith. My husband was raised without a religious background.
Ten months ago, we welcomed our first child (my parents’ first grandchild) and have decided not to have her baptized. My family is very upset.
They say we don’t have to have her baptized Catholic, and that any nondenominational baptism would be OK with them, however my husband and I are just not religious and don’t see the point of going through the motions or making “promises” that we will raise our child Christian or with any religious ideals.
We want her to make that decision (if she chooses to) later in life.
My family’s disappointment is really weighing on me and now I’m feeling guilty and a little resentful for them not respecting our decision. The conversation keeps coming up.
Should we just do it and get it over with to make them happy and end the conversation?
— Catholic Guilt
Dear Catholic Guilt: My siblings and I were also never baptized; even though we were raised as church-goers, my independent mother let her children choose their own faith practice, including choosing none. When I decided to get baptized as a teenager, I was proud to make a choice about the course of my own life.
Baptism means different things to different denominations but yes, if you baptize a child with clergy present, you are participating in a Christian rite, and if you do not intend to have your child identify as a Christian, you should not do it.
For Catholics, baptism is connected with huge concepts, including original sin and the fate of the soul. If your parents believe that their grandchild’s very soul is at stake, they will continue to push.
You might mollify some by creating a “naming ceremony” for your child. You and your husband could design your own ritual, asking members of both families and special friends to pledge to watch after your child, celebrating your baby’s presence in the greater community and possibly naming “guardians” to be in a special relationship with your child, if something happens to you.
Will this satisfy the family members who are bugging and guilting you about baptism? No, it won’t. In fact, it might offend some. But you would be able to say that you have done exactly as much as you are prepared to do.
You should prepare yourself for more pressure in this regard, but you are the parents and you must act according to your own values.
Dear Amy: My mother passed away at 90 in 2018. When she was alive, my small extended family always celebrated birthdays together.
Since Mom died, we haven’t gotten together for birthdays, but we still exchanged cards and gifts.
I recently had a birthday. Of course, with the restrictions in place now, we can’t get together anyway, but I thought a birthday card or two would come in the mail from someone in my brother’s family, and maybe a gift card, since that’s what my husband and I sent to them. But I got nothing.
They each sent me a “Happy Birthday” text, and that’s it. I was hurt by that.
Should I tell them I was disappointed, or just wait until the next birthday comes up and send a text, saying, “I guess we’re not doing cards and gifts anymore, so happy birthday.”
If that’s what they’re going to do from now on, I don’t want to spend time and money on them, and get nothing in return. Is that selfish of me?
— Disappointed in Indiana
Dear Disappointed: You simply don’t know what other people are going through right now. You are obviously disappointed, but I don’t think it helps for you to convey that.
My suggestion is that you send a warmly worded card to your family members. Even if they reciprocate next year with a text, this is an opportunity for you to be kind and generous.
Dear Amy: Your recent statement that, “There are no White people in the Bible” was outrageous and offensive! It just shows how little you know. Romans, for instance, are White, and they figure prominently in the Bible.
Please, don’t parade your ignorance and pass it off as fact.
— Upset
Dear Upset: I was employing hyperbole to try to make a point – that (in my opinion) White Christians (and I am one) cannot pretend that Christianity springs from or is about their Whiteness.
(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--2020-11-08--No. 4 Notre Dame sacks No. 1 Clemson 47-40 in overtime

SOUTH BEND , Ind .
— Kyren Williams had a 3-yard touchdown run in the second overtime and No .
4 Notre Dame shut down top-ranked Clemson with a couple of sacks to seal a 47-40 victory Saturday night , the Fighting Irish ’ s first victory over a No .
1 in 27 years .
Clemson ( 7-1 , 6-1 ) had won 36 straight games and had not lost to an Atlantic Coast Conference team since 2017 .
The Fighting Irish ( 7-0 , 6-0 ) , playing in the ACC only because of the pandemic , snapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field in a celebration that most definitely did not meet the CDC ’ s social-distancing guidelines .
After Williams gave Norte Dame the lead on the first possession of the second OT , the Irish pushed Clemson back with back-to-back sacks on DJ Uaigalelei by Adetokumbo Ogundeji and Daelin Hayes on the first two plays .
The big freshman quarterback completed to passes after the second-and-39 , but the final one was way short of the line to gain and a couple of laterals didn ’ t help .
The Fighting Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 11-game losing streak against top-five teams and beat a No .
1 for the first time since taking down Florida State in 1993 at Notre Dame Stadium .
Uiagalelei , starting in place for Trevor Lawrence for a second straight week , passed for 439 yards , the most ever by an Notre Dame opponent .
Lawrence was on the sideline for this one , a few days out of isolation after having COVID-19 .
The biggest game at Notre Dame Stadium since No .
1 Southern California beat the Irish with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11,011 in attendance , mostly students , because of pandemic restrictions .
When it was over , they poured onto the field to celebrate with their team .
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly retreated to the tunnel to avoid the crowd .
“ I want to be able to coach next week , ” Kelly told NBC .
The Fighting Irish needed a two-week break earlier this season because of a COVID-19 outbreak , but it didn ’ t keep them from entering this showdown with Clemson unbeaten They might just see each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December .

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Kyren Williams had a 3-yard touchdown run in the second overtime and No. 4 Notre Dame shut down top-ranked Clemson with a couple of sacks to seal a 47-40 victory Saturday night, the Fighting Irish’s first victory over a No. 1 in 27 years.
Clemson (7-1, 6-1) had won 36 straight games and had not lost to an Atlantic Coast Conference team since 2017. The Fighting Irish (7-0, 6-0), playing in the ACC only because of the pandemic, snapped both streaks and sparked fans to storm the field in a celebration that most definitely did not meet the CDC’s social-distancing guidelines.
After Williams gave Norte Dame the lead on the first possession of the second OT, the Irish pushed Clemson back with back-to-back sacks on DJ Uaigalelei by Adetokumbo Ogundeji and Daelin Hayes on the first two plays.
The big freshman quarterback completed to passes after the second-and-39, but the final one was way short of the line to gain and a couple of laterals didn’t help.
The Fighting Irish have won 13 straight games, snapped an 11-game losing streak against top-five teams and beat a No. 1 for the first time since taking down Florida State in 1993 at Notre Dame Stadium.
Uiagalelei, starting in place for Trevor Lawrence for a second straight week, passed for 439 yards, the most ever by an Notre Dame opponent. Lawrence was on the sideline for this one, a few days out of isolation after having COVID-19.
The biggest game at Notre Dame Stadium since No. 1 Southern California beat the Irish with the Push Bush in 2005 had only 11,011 in attendance, mostly students, because of pandemic restrictions.
When it was over, they poured onto the field to celebrate with their team. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly retreated to the tunnel to avoid the crowd.
“I want to be able to coach next week,” Kelly told NBC.
The Fighting Irish needed a two-week break earlier this season because of a COVID-19 outbreak, but it didn’t keep them from entering this showdown with Clemson unbeaten
They might just see each other again in the ACC championship game in December.


thedenverpost--2020-11-08--Keeler: Did CU Buffs coach Karl Dorrell just stick a fork in UCLA coach Chip Kelly?

BOULDER — The face was pure poker , stone and dissatisfied .
Karl Dorrell knew the question was coming , the narrative elephant in the room .
“ It wasn ’ t an emotional experience for me until the end of the game for our players , ” Dorrell said , matter-of-factly , after CU ’ s season-opening 48-42 win over UCLA on Saturday night before a lonely , near-empty Folsom Field .
“ I ’ m proud of the players .
For me , personally , you know , I haven ’ t been on the UCLA sidelines in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( had ) four or five stops since then , so there wasn ’ t any personal reaction from my standpoint because of me being an alumni out there.
” Yeah , but it felt personal .
The Buffs exploded for 525 yards of total offense , forced three fumbles , and had the favored Bruins throwing off their metaphorical back foot from the first play of the contest .
CU amassed 261 yards through the air with a quarterback who was toiling in the secondary at this time in 2019 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Dorrell said with a laugh when asked about senior Sam Noyer , one of the rare moments of postgame levity with the scribes .
“ Can you believe that ?
” Especially after this one .
No K.D .
Nixon as a safety valve at wideout ?
No worries — there ’ s Dimitri Stanley ( 66 receiving yards ) and tight end Brady Russell ( 77 receiving yards , one score ) .
No Alex Fontenot to carry the load at tailback ?
There ’ s Jarek Broussard , rushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 carries .
“ We knew coming in ( that ) against a third-year starting quarterback that they had , ” Dorrell said , referring to NFL prospect Dorian Thompson-Robinson , “ that we would have to put some points on the board.
” There were hiccups , too .
The three missed field goals , two of them blocked , might ’ ve proven fatal against a team that wasn ’ t coached by Chip Kelly .
And removing Noyer in the second quarter made no sense , other than keeping an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Buffs ’ quarterback derby .
Dorrell had said last week that both signal-callers would play , but that was before his 1A guy completed nine of his first 10 throws , three to Stanley , and had CU cruising to a 21-7 lead .
Kicking on 4th-and-1 at the UCLA 22 with 11:36 to go in the third ?
It won ’ t go down as his finest moment .
Especially as Noyer warmed up while the temps cooled , connecting on 13 of his first 19 .
For quarterback turned safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure as heck didn ’ t look like a guy who hadn ’ t thrown a pass in a college game for two years .
( The Oregon native completed 4-of-6 in mop-up duty in the snow on Nov. 18 , 2018 against Utah . )
They ’ d piled up 45 points and 445 yards of offense by the end of the third quarter with Nixon in street clothes .
If that says something about Kelly , it says something about offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini , too .
And his offensive line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely as we left them last November .
Salty in the trenches , swarming at the point of attack , the hallmarks of a defense that grew up so much over the course of 2019 that it was matching Washington and Stanford punch-for-punch .
They wasted no time swinging Saturday .
Derrion Rakestraw ’ s strip on UCLA ’ s first punt return of the night got scooped by teammate Alec Pell and set up the first of two short fields to open the contest .
The Buffs ’ 14-0 lead after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a perfect ambush .
And sweet irony , too , given that victory No .
1 for the Buffs ’ new football coach had come against his alma mater , against the last school to charge him with leading a collegiate program .
There ’ s going to be some revisionist history after this one .
Dorrell wasn ’ t terrible at UCLA .
He just wasn ’ t Pete Carroll , at a time when Pete Carroll was the talk of the nation .
The bar is lower here .
Especially this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of logistical hurdles .
A late hire .
A global pandemic .
No spring ball .
No summer camps .
No Steven Montez .
No Laviska Shenault .
A fall season taken off the table , then tossed back on again .
“ We ’ re going to be playing UCLA every year .
We ’ re in the South division , ” Dorrell said .
“ So it ’ s all about taking care of business , taking care of the things that are right in front of you and going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next one is Stanford and we ’ ve got to get ready for that one.
” As first impressions go , Dorrell didn ’ t have to say anything .
The scoreboard screamed .
For miles .

BOULDER — The face was pure poker, stone and dissatisfied. Karl Dorrell knew the question was coming, the narrative elephant in the room.
“It wasn’t an emotional experience for me until the end of the game for our players,” Dorrell said, matter-of-factly, after CU’s season-opening 48-42 win over UCLA on Saturday night before a lonely, near-empty Folsom Field.
“I’m proud of the players. For me, personally, you know, I haven’t been on the UCLA sidelines in over 13 years. I’ve (had) four or five stops since then, so there wasn’t any personal reaction from my standpoint because of me being alumni out there.”
Yeah, but it felt personal. The Buffs exploded for 525 yards of total offense, forced three fumbles, and had the favored Bruins throwing off their metaphorical back foot from the first play of the contest. CU amassed 261 yards through the air with a quarterback who was toiling in the secondary at this time in 2019.
“He was a safety a year ago,” Dorrell said with a laugh when asked about senior Sam Noyer, one of the rare moments of postgame levity with the scribes. “Can you believe that?”
It’s 2020, coach. We’ll believe anything.
Especially after this one. No K.D. Nixon as a safety valve at wideout? No worries — there’s Dimitri Stanley (66 receiving yards) and tight end Brady Russell (77 receiving yards, one score). No Alex Fontenot to carry the load at tailback? There’s Jarek Broussard, rushing for 187 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries.
“We knew coming in (that) against a third-year starting quarterback that they had,” Dorrell said, referring to NFL prospect Dorian Thompson-Robinson, “that we would have to put some points on the board.”
There were hiccups, too. The three missed field goals, two of them blocked, might’ve proven fatal against a team that wasn’t coached by Chip Kelly.
And removing Noyer in the second quarter made no sense, other than keeping an old promise to the 1B guy in the Buffs’ quarterback derby. Dorrell had said last week that both signal-callers would play, but that was before his 1A guy completed nine of his first 10 throws, three to Stanley, and had CU cruising to a 21-7 lead.
Kicking on 4th-and-1 at the UCLA 22 with 11:36 to go in the third? It won’t go down as his finest moment.
Especially as Noyer warmed up while the temps cooled, connecting on 13 of his first 19. For quarterback turned safety turned quarterback again, No. 4 sure as heck didn’t look like a guy who hadn’t thrown a pass in a college game for two years. (The Oregon native completed 4-of-6 in mop-up duty in the snow on Nov. 18, 2018 against Utah.)
They’d piled up 45 points and 445 yards of offense by the end of the third quarter with Nixon in street clothes. If that says something about Kelly, it says something about offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini, too. And his offensive line.
At the outset, they looked largely as we left them last November. Salty in the trenches, swarming at the point of attack, the hallmarks of a defense that grew up so much over the course of 2019 that it was matching Washington and Stanford punch-for-punch.
They wasted no time swinging Saturday. Derrion Rakestraw’s strip on UCLA’s first punt return of the night got scooped by teammate Alec Pell and set up the first of two short fields to open the contest. The Buffs’ 14-0 lead after the first eight minutes set the stage for a perfect ambush.
And sweet irony, too, given that victory No. 1 for the Buffs’ new football coach had come against his alma mater, against the last school to charge him with leading a collegiate program.
There’s going to be some revisionist history after this one. Dorrell wasn’t terrible at UCLA. He just wasn’t Pete Carroll, at a time when Pete Carroll was the talk of the nation.
The bar is lower here. Especially this season, given zero expectations and nine months of logistical hurdles. A late hire. A global pandemic. No spring ball. No summer camps. No Steven Montez. No Laviska Shenault. A fall season taken off the table, then tossed back on again.
“We’re going to be playing UCLA every year. We’re in the South division,” Dorrell said. “So it’s all about taking care of business, taking care of the things that are right in front of you and going on to the next one. The next one is Stanford and we’ve got to get ready for that one.”
As first impressions go, Dorrell didn’t have to say anything. The scoreboard screamed. For miles.


thedenverpost--2020-11-08--Jarek Broussard powers CU Buffs to victory over UCLA in Karl Dorrell’s debut

No problem .
The Buffs had Jarek Broussard .
The only hard-charging Buffalo required against UCLA wore No .
23 and rumbled past Bruin defenders all game long .
Time to formally introduce the next budding star in Boulder : Say hello to Broussard before he streaks into the opponent ’ s end zone .
CU began the Karl Dorrell era in style with a 48-42 victory over the program that fired Dorrell as head coach back in 2007 .
Broussard , a redshirt sophomore in his first career start , carried the football 31 times for 187 yards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the first Buffaloes running back to score three times in his starting debut since 1969 ( Bobby Anderson ) .
“ This really means a lot to us .
There were a lot of things we had to go through with the coronavirus … it really felt good to get the ( win ) tonight , ” Broussard said .
“ I ’ m a little nicked up , but if we had to go another quarter , you would have seen me out there.
” With senior quarterback Sam Noyer making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many as 28 points before holding off a fierce UCLA comeback .
The Buffs ’ early cushion was gifted through exceptional special teams and defensive play .
CU punted after its opening possession stalled , but regained the football on the ensuing return when Buffs safety Derrion Rakestraw forced a fumble recovered by CU inside the Bruins ’ 30-yard line .
CU scored three plays later on a Broussard rushing touchdown .
UCLA ’ s self-inflicted issues continued on its next series when quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was intercepted by CU outside linebacker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just before the goal line .
Broussard rushed for his second touchdown to put the Buffs up 14-0 midway through the first quarter .
Noyer threw his first career CU touchdown pass , a 12-yard strike to tight end Brady Russell , to give the Buffs a 21-7 advantage in the second quarter .
However , CU opted to play quarterback Tyler Lytle on its next drive , and the offense suffered its first three-and-out of the night .
Noyer replaced Lytle on the team ’ s following series and he remained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept cooking after a pair of second-quarter fumble recoveries , with the second leading to yet another Broussard rushing score .
The Buffs entered halftime with a commanding 35-14 lead .
UCLA didn ’ t back down after the break , scoring three touchdowns on their first three possessions , with each drive lasting fewer than two minutes .
CU placekicker James Stefanou also had a long field goal attempt blocked .
The Bruins trailed by just a touchdown , 42-35 , late in the third quarter .
But Noyer calmed nerves with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback sneak across the goal line .
The Buffs added two field goals from Evan Price to go up 48-35 .
UCLA scored its final touchdown with under 2 minutes left , but was unable to recover an onside kick before CU bled the clock .
“ They should feel confident they can win a lot of games , ” Dorrell said .
“ We won our first one and that ’ s a big bonus for us.
” Noyer finished the night 20-of-31 passing for 257 yards and two touchdowns ( one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) travel to face Stanford next Saturday .
UCLA ( 0-1 ) hosts Utah on Friday .

BOULDER — Ralphie couldn’t run Saturday night with coronavirus restrictions at Folsom Field.
No problem. The Buffs had Jarek Broussard.
The only hard-charging Buffalo required against UCLA wore No. 23 and rumbled past Bruin defenders all game long. Time to formally introduce the next budding star in Boulder: Say hello to Broussard before he streaks into the opponent’s end zone.
CU began the Karl Dorrell era in style with a 48-42 victory over the program that fired Dorrell as head coach back in 2007. Broussard, a redshirt sophomore in his first career start, carried the football 31 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns. The 5-foot-9 Dallas native is the first Buffaloes running back to score three times in his starting debut since 1969 (Bobby Anderson).
“This really means a lot to us. There were a lot of things we had to go through with the coronavirus … it really felt good to get the (win) tonight,” Broussard said. “I’m a little nicked up, but if we had to go another quarter, you would have seen me out there.”
With senior quarterback Sam Noyer making his first start, CU led by as many as 28 points before holding off a fierce UCLA comeback.
The Buffs’ early cushion was gifted through exceptional special teams and defensive play.
CU punted after its opening possession stalled, but regained the football on the ensuing return when Buffs safety Derrion Rakestraw forced a fumble recovered by CU inside the Bruins’ 30-yard line. CU scored three plays later on a Broussard rushing touchdown.
UCLA’s self-inflicted issues continued on its next series when quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was intercepted by CU outside linebacker Carson Wells, who got dragged down just before the goal line. Broussard rushed for his second touchdown to put the Buffs up 14-0 midway through the first quarter.
Noyer threw his first career CU touchdown pass, a 12-yard strike to tight end Brady Russell, to give the Buffs a 21-7 advantage in the second quarter. However, CU opted to play quarterback Tyler Lytle on its next drive, and the offense suffered its first three-and-out of the night. Noyer replaced Lytle on the team’s following series and he remained in the game.
CU’s defense kept cooking after a pair of second-quarter fumble recoveries, with the second leading to yet another Broussard rushing score. The Buffs entered halftime with a commanding 35-14 lead.
UCLA didn’t back down after the break, scoring three touchdowns on their first three possessions, with each drive lasting fewer than two minutes. CU placekicker James Stefanou also had a long field goal attempt blocked. The Bruins trailed by just a touchdown, 42-35, late in the third quarter.
But Noyer calmed nerves with a methodical 10-play drive capped by a quarterback sneak across the goal line. The Buffs added two field goals from Evan Price to go up 48-35. UCLA scored its final touchdown with under 2 minutes left, but was unable to recover an onside kick before CU bled the clock.
“They should feel confident they can win a lot of games,” Dorrell said. “We won our first one and that’s a big bonus for us.”
Noyer finished the night 20-of-31 passing for 257 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing).
The Buffaloes (1-0) travel to face Stanford next Saturday. UCLA (0-1) hosts Utah on Friday.


thedenverpost--2020-11-09--Rapids down Dynamo late behind Diego Rubio in 2-1 win

HOUSTON — Diego Rubio scored in extra time and the Colorado Rapids beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1 on Sunday night @ @ @ @ @ , which clinched a playoff berth with a 1-0 win over Portland on Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ first time since 2016 .
The Rapids are the Western Conference ’ s No .
@ @ @ @ @ 4-9-9 ) ended the season without a win its last seven contests .
Rubio took @ @ @ @ @ , started his run down the left , planted and fired across his right for @ @ @ @ @ Namli put the Rapids up 1-0 at the 61st minute before Mauro Manotas evened the @ @ @ @ @ later .

HOUSTON — Diego Rubio scored in extra time and the Colorado Rapids beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1 on Sunday night.
Colorado (8-6-4), which clinched a playoff berth with a 1-0 win over Portland on Wednesday, enters post-season play for the first time since 2016. The Rapids are the Western Conference’s No. 5 seed.
Houston (4-9-9) ended the season without a win its last seven contests.
Rubio took a pass from Cole Bassett, started his run down the left, planted and fired across his right for the game winner.
Younes Namli put the Rapids up 1-0 at the 61st minute before Mauro Manotas evened the score for Houston eight minutes later.


thedenverpost--2020-11-09--PHOTOS: Car rally celebrating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ victory streams through Denver

Kennedy Montoya , holding the American flag , and Izzy Carabetta , right , sit on the roof of their @ @ @ @ @ they take part in a celebratory car rally on Nov. 8 , 2020 in Denver @

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Kennedy Montoya, holding the American flag, and Izzy Carabetta, right, sit on the roof of their car through a sunroof as they take part in a celebratory car rally on Nov. 8, 2020 in Denver.


thedenverpost--2020-11-09--Norm Crosby, comic mangler of language, dies at 93

LOS ANGELES — Norm Crosby , the deadpan mangler of the English language who thrived in the 1960s , ’ 70s and ’ 80s as a television , nightclub and casino comedian , has died .
He was 93 .
Crosby ’ s daughter-in-law , Maggie Crosby , told The New York Times that the comic died Saturday of heart failure in Los Angeles .
Early in his career , Crosby had realized he needed a gimmick to differentiate himself from the burgeoning generation of comedians who were achieving fame on the many network TV variety shows .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I kept hearing people misuse words , ” he told an interviewer in 1989 .
“ So I started to use it in my act.
” He called the famed baby doctor Benjamin Spock “ Dr .
Spook.
” With straight-faced sincerity , he said people “ should have an apathy for one another ; they should have rappaport for each other.
” Today ’ s kids , he said , “ got ta cut that umbrella cord and split.
” Crosby ’ s first steady work as a comic came at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which led to an engagement in the early 1960s at the prestigious Latin Quarter in New York .
In his widely read newspaper column , Walter Winchell gave the comedian a rave , and offers from Johnny Carson and other TV shows and club dates poured in .
Crosby became a favorite at the major Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos and played theaters , including many times at London ’ s Palladium , and concert halls .
He also was a regular guest on Dean Martin ’ s celebrity roasts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a syndicated TV show , “ Norm Crosby ’ s Comedy Shop.
” For many years he served as co-host with Jerry Lewis on the Labor Day weekend telethon for muscular dystrophy .
As a public performer , Crosby thrived despite having poor hearing .
During World War II , he served aboard a Coast Guard submarine chaser , and concussion from the depth charges damaged his ears .
He wore a hearing aid onstage .
“ I was never shy about my hearing loss , probably because I got it from military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1993 interview .
“ I got thousands of letters from people who had said they would never get a hearing aid but had changed their minds after they saw me being open about it.
” Crosby was a longtime spokesman for the Better Hearing Institute and hosted an annual golf benefit for the cause .
In 2009 , he was among those honored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation , which raised funds to distribute hearing aids to children in need .
Norman Lawrence Crosby was born in Boston in 1927 .
“ Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kid in the family and in the neighborhood , ” he explained in 1993 .
“ I was always told I should entertain.
” The war intervened , but after his discharge , he saw the practical value of a steady job over show business and enrolled at the Boston School of Art .
He worked as a commercial artist and for a while ran a small advertising agency .
But he still devoted evenings and weekends to honing his performing skills .
In October 2001 , Crosby appeared at a Friars Club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had been ailing with cancer .
Instead of his usual word play , the comedian performed a parody of the Gettysburg address in which he praised Spelling .
Crosby married Joan Crane Foley in 1966 .
They had two children .

LOS ANGELES — Norm Crosby, the deadpan mangler of the English language who thrived in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s as a television, nightclub and casino comedian, has died. He was 93.
Crosby’s daughter-in-law, Maggie Crosby, told The New York Times that the comic died Saturday of heart failure in Los Angeles.
Early in his career, Crosby had realized he needed a gimmick to differentiate himself from the burgeoning generation of comedians who were achieving fame on the many network TV variety shows.
“I was looking around for fresh ideas, and I kept hearing people misuse words,” he told an interviewer in 1989. “So I started to use it in my act.”
He called the famed baby doctor Benjamin Spock “Dr. Spook.” With straight-faced sincerity, he said people “should have an apathy for one another; they should have rappaport for each other.” Today’s kids, he said, “gotta cut that umbrella cord and split.”
Crosby’s first steady work as a comic came at Blinstrub’s in his native Boston, which led to an engagement in the early 1960s at the prestigious Latin Quarter in New York.
In his widely read newspaper column, Walter Winchell gave the comedian a rave, and offers from Johnny Carson and other TV shows and club dates poured in. Crosby became a favorite at the major Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos and played theaters, including many times at London’s Palladium, and concert halls. He also was a regular guest on Dean Martin’s celebrity roasts.
Starting in 1978, he starred in a syndicated TV show, “Norm Crosby’s Comedy Shop.” For many years he served as co-host with Jerry Lewis on the Labor Day weekend telethon for muscular dystrophy.
As a public performer, Crosby thrived despite having poor hearing. During World War II, he served aboard a Coast Guard submarine chaser, and concussion from the depth charges damaged his ears. He wore a hearing aid onstage.
“I was never shy about my hearing loss, probably because I got it from military service,” he explained in a 1993 interview. “I got thousands of letters from people who had said they would never get a hearing aid but had changed their minds after they saw me being open about it.”
Crosby was a longtime spokesman for the Better Hearing Institute and hosted an annual golf benefit for the cause. In 2009, he was among those honored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which raised funds to distribute hearing aids to children in need.
Norman Lawrence Crosby was born in Boston in 1927. “Like most comedians, I was the funny kid in the family and in the neighborhood,” he explained in 1993. “I was always told I should entertain.”
The war intervened, but after his discharge, he saw the practical value of a steady job over show business and enrolled at the Boston School of Art. He worked as a commercial artist and for a while ran a small advertising agency. But he still devoted evenings and weekends to honing his performing skills.
In October 2001, Crosby appeared at a Friars Club benefit honoring TV producer Aaron Spelling, who had been ailing with cancer. Instead of his usual word play, the comedian performed a parody of the Gettysburg address in which he praised Spelling.
Crosby married Joan Crane Foley in 1966. They had two children.


thedenverpost--2020-11-09--Nationals make their pitch to Joe Biden, invite him to throw 1st ball

WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals are making their pitch to President-elect Joe Biden .
The Nats have invited Biden to toss out the ceremonial first ball next season on opening day .
Washington is scheduled to host the New York Mets at Nationals Park on April 1 .
“ We ’ re excited to continue the long-standing tradition of sitting Presidents throwing out the first pitch at the home of the national pastime in our nation ’ s capital , ” the team posted on Twitter this weekend .
Biden last threw out a first ball as vice president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Yankees on opening day at Camden Yards .
The right-hander threw a high fastball that brought O ’ s catcher Chad Moeller out of his crouch .
Biden , a Little League shortstop who later played center , has frequently been around ballfields .
He saw the Phillies a few times in the postseason , including the 2009 World Series , watched Philadelphia play at Washington in 2012 , has visited the Yankees at spring training and attended the Little League World Series .
William Howard Taft began the tradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington in 1910 .
Since then , every sitting president except Donald Trump has thrown out a first pitch when Washington had a major league franchise .
Trump attended Game 5 of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park and was booed when introduced as Houston played Washington .
When there wasn ’ t a team in Washington , Gerald Ford , Jimmy Carter , Ronald Reagan , George H.W .
Bush and Bill Clinton tossed baseballs while in office at other big league parks .

WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals are making their pitch to President-elect Joe Biden.
The Nats have invited Biden to toss out the ceremonial first ball next season on opening day. Washington is scheduled to host the New York Mets at Nationals Park on April 1.
“We’re excited to continue the long-standing tradition of sitting Presidents throwing out the first pitch at the home of the national pastime in our nation’s capital,” the team posted on Twitter this weekend.
Biden last threw out a first ball as vice president, in 2009 when the Baltimore Orioles hosted the New York Yankees on opening day at Camden Yards. The right-hander threw a high fastball that brought O’s catcher Chad Moeller out of his crouch.
Biden, a Little League shortstop who later played center, has frequently been around ballfields. He saw the Phillies a few times in the postseason, including the 2009 World Series, watched Philadelphia play at Washington in 2012, has visited the Yankees at spring training and attended the Little League World Series.
William Howard Taft began the tradition of presidents throwing out the first pitch in Washington in 1910. Since then, every sitting president except Donald Trump has thrown out a first pitch when Washington had a major league franchise.
Trump attended Game 5 of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park and was booed when introduced as Houston played Washington.
When there wasn’t a team in Washington, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton tossed baseballs while in office at other big league parks.


thedenverpost--2020-11-09--Aurora police looking for Audi driver after road rage shooting incident with moped rider

Aurora police are looking for the driver of a white Audi who allegedly shot a moped rider during road rage @ @ @ @ @ shooting occurred at 3:30 p.m. by Colfax Avenue and Dayton Street .
The moped rider @ @ @ @ @ but has non-life-threatening injuries , Aurora police tweeted .
Anyone with information about this is @ @ @ @ @ at 720-913-7867 .
Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up @ @ @ @

Aurora police are looking for the driver of a white Audi who allegedly shot a moped rider during road rage incident Sunday afternoon.
The shooting occurred at 3:30 p.m. by Colfax Avenue and Dayton Street. The moped rider was shot in the leg but has non-life-threatening injuries, Aurora police tweeted.
#APDALERT: We are investigating a shooting that occurred at Colfax/Dayton. Started as a road race incident between the rider of a Moped & the driver of a White Audi. Driver of the Audi shot Moped rider in the leg. Victim has non-life threatening injuries. Suspect fled EB. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/dS0g9H808y — Aurora Police Dept 🇺🇸 (@AuroraPD) November 8, 2020
Anyone with information about this is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
This is a developing story.


thedenverpost--2020-11-09--CU Buffs quarterback Sam Noyer validates starting role in UCLA win: “He was a safety a year ago. Can

CU Buffs quarterback Sam Noyer validates starting role in UCLA win: “He was a safety a year ago. Can you believe that?”

BOULDER — CU quarterback Sam Noyer watched UCLA cut a four-touchdown deficit to just 7 points on Saturday night .
The Buffs needed to push back .
Inches from the end zone , on the 10th play of the drive , Noyer played the role of 6-foot-4 battering ram at Folsom Field .
Touchdown .
His rumble across the goal line and CU ’ s eventual 48-42 victory unveiled two truths : 1 .
The Buffs found their quarterback .
2 .
He wants to run you over .
“ I played safety last year , ” Noyer said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to the hitting at this point.
” A glance at the stat sheet from his quarterback debut — 20-of-31 passing for 257 yards and a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brady Russell on a perfectly executed play-action set — shows Noyer isn ’ t just a brute .
He also rushed for 64 yards .
He looked polished and confident .
He didn ’ t throw a pick .
The performance caused CU coach Karl Dorrell to make a full stop in his postgame news conference .
Did Noyer really just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety a year ago , ” Dorrell said .
“ Can you believe that ?
” Go ahead and blame Mel Tucker for the lapse of positional judgment .
Noyer played in four games at safety in 2019 .
The graduation of quarterback Steven Montez opened the door for Noyer , a redshirt senior , to take the reins at quarterback in 2020 .
The sample size is small , but early returns suggest CU is validated in its decision to roll with Noyer over junior Tyler Lytle .
“ I just wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally got it , ” Noyer said .
“ That ’ s all I could ask for .
I ’ ve got to continue to get better.
” Added Dorrell : “ With Sam , this is definitely a vindication for him .
He believed he was a quarterback but did a team , unselfish thing a year ago when he moved to safety .
Finally , he is back playing a position he has wanted to play from the very beginning .
For him to play the type of game he played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am very proud of him.
” Only 554 fans were in attendance on Saturday at Folsom Field with coronavirus pandemic restrictions in Boulder County .
But more eyes across college football will certainly be focused on Noyer after his stellar debut .
The Buffs are 1-0 to start the year .
“ Guys are just excited to be back out there playing ball , ” Noyer said .
“ A couple of months ago , we didn ’ t know if we would get this opportunity .
”

BOULDER — CU quarterback Sam Noyer watched UCLA cut a four-touchdown deficit to just 7 points on Saturday night. The Buffs needed to push back.
Noyer lowered his shoulder.
Inches from the end zone, on the 10th play of the drive, Noyer played the role of 6-foot-4 battering ram at Folsom Field. Touchdown. His rumble across the goal line and CU’s eventual 48-42 victory unveiled two truths: 1. The Buffs found their quarterback. 2. He wants to run you over.
“I played safety last year,” Noyer said, “so I’m kind of used to the hitting at this point.”
A glance at the stat sheet from his quarterback debut — 20-of-31 passing for 257 yards and a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brady Russell on a perfectly executed play-action set — shows Noyer isn’t just a brute. He also rushed for 64 yards. He looked polished and confident. He didn’t throw a pick.
The performance caused CU coach Karl Dorrell to make a full stop in his postgame news conference. Did Noyer really just do that?
“He was a safety a year ago,” Dorrell said. “Can you believe that?”
Go ahead and blame Mel Tucker for the lapse of positional judgment. Noyer played in four games at safety in 2019. The graduation of quarterback Steven Montez opened the door for Noyer, a redshirt senior, to take the reins at quarterback in 2020. The sample size is small, but early returns suggest CU is validated in its decision to roll with Noyer over junior Tyler Lytle.
“I just wanted this opportunity from the start and I finally got it,” Noyer said. “That’s all I could ask for. I’ve got to continue to get better.”
Added Dorrell: “With Sam, this is definitely a vindication for him. He believed he was a quarterback but did a team, unselfish thing a year ago when he moved to safety. Finally, he is back playing a position he has wanted to play from the very beginning. For him to play the type of game he played today in his first start, I am very proud of him.”
Only 554 fans were in attendance on Saturday at Folsom Field with coronavirus pandemic restrictions in Boulder County. But more eyes across college football will certainly be focused on Noyer after his stellar debut. The Buffs are 1-0 to start the year.
“Guys are just excited to be back out there playing ball,” Noyer said. “A couple of months ago, we didn’t know if we would get this opportunity.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-09--Broncos’ offensive line has been ravaged by injuries, COVID-19 — and it showed in Atlanta

The Broncos seemed to be running everywhere in Atlanta .
Except forward .
Tailback Phillip Lindsay only touched the ball eight times .
Running mate Melvin Gordon saw the rock for just seven .
The longest rush of Week 9 was by quarterback Drew Lock on a 16-yard scramble .
“ I just thought our whole offense , not just Drew , was out of sorts , ” Denver coach Vic Fangio said after his Broncos dipped to 3-5 with a 34-27 loss in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon .
“ ( And ) in the first half , in particular.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same script as the Broncos ’ breathless Week 8 home comeback against the Chargers — slow start , listless first half , furious rally late .
Only this one had a different ending .
Lock , the Broncos ’ second-year QB , was hit nine times by Atlanta defenders on the day , up from the six hits he took against Los Angeles , and regularly felt the squeeze of a leaky or constricted pocket .
In short , the Broncos ’ beat-up offensive line didn ’ t do its backfield — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that same quarterback , given a chance , refused to throw his linemen under the bus after a frustrating setback .
“ Quite honestly , I ’ m way more than willing to take the blame , ” said Lock , who was sacked only once but harried throughout , despite throwing for 313 yards and rushing for 47 more .
“ I should , I ’ m the guy who has the ball in his hand every play .
We get a drop , so what ?
I ’ m going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next first down on the next play .
“ You know , ( a defender ) busts a block , well get out of it , Drew .
Why didn ’ t you get out of it ?
I think I ’ m good enough to do that .
I always have .
And I always will.
” The 1-2 punch of injuries and the coronavirus have combined to bite the Broncos ’ offensive line hard at the start of November .
Graham Glasgow , Denver ’ s No .
1 right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while in quarantine after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Oct. 30 .
Starting right tackle Demar Dotson left Sunday ’ s game in the first half with a reported hip injury .
The Broncos finished Sunday ’ s game with a pocket that featured a rookie center ( Lloyd Cushenberry ) , a backup right guard ( Austin Schlottmann ) and a guy designated as their no .
3 right tackle ( Jake Rodgers ) at the start of the season .
• Jerry Jeudy posts first 100-yard receiving game , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taste in his mouth • Kiszla : After bad loss to Atlanta , Drew Lock lets frustration get best of him for first time as Broncos quarterback • “ Terrible ” first half defensively against Falcons sends Broncos to 3-5 at halfway point • Broncos game balls and gassers : Offensive line generates little push in loss to Falcons Lock ’ s reactions to the Falcons ’ pressure produced mixed results all afternoon .
The nadir came with 9:38 left in the fourth quarter , when the Broncos got the ball back at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , down 27-13 .
Facing heat from Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett , Lock elected to sling one off his back foot toward wideout Jerry Jeudy rather than eat the ball and take a sack .
The pass was intercepted by Ricardo Allen at the Denver 31 and returned to the Broncos ’ 12 , setting up Atlanta ’ s final touchdown of the afternoon and effectively sealing Denver ’ s fate .
Afterward , Lock did his pointing with a thumb instead of a finger .
“ Jerry was open , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a throw I can make .
It ’ s a throw I should make .
And it ’ s embarrassing that I didn ’ t .
”

The Broncos seemed to be running everywhere in Atlanta. Except forward.
Tailback Phillip Lindsay only touched the ball eight times. Running mate Melvin Gordon saw the rock for just seven. The longest rush of Week 9 was by quarterback Drew Lock on a 16-yard scramble.
“I just thought our whole offense, not just Drew, was out of sorts,” Denver coach Vic Fangio said after his Broncos dipped to 3-5 with a 34-27 loss in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon. “(And) in the first half, in particular.”
Sunday’s game followed much the same script as the Broncos’ breathless Week 8 home comeback against the Chargers — slow start, listless first half, furious rally late. Only this one had a different ending.
Lock, the Broncos’ second-year QB, was hit nine times by Atlanta defenders on the day, up from the six hits he took against Los Angeles, and regularly felt the squeeze of a leaky or constricted pocket.
In short, the Broncos’ beat-up offensive line didn’t do its backfield — or Lock — many favors. But that same quarterback, given a chance, refused to throw his linemen under the bus after a frustrating setback.
“Quite honestly, I’m way more than willing to take the blame,” said Lock, who was sacked only once but harried throughout, despite throwing for 313 yards and rushing for 47 more. “I should, I’m the guy who has the ball in his hand every play. We get a drop, so what? I’m going to find a way for us to get the next first down on the next play.
“You know, (a defender) busts a block, well get out of it, Drew. Why didn’t you get out of it? I think I’m good enough to do that. I always have. And I always will.”
The 1-2 punch of injuries and the coronavirus have combined to bite the Broncos’ offensive line hard at the start of November.
Graham Glasgow, Denver’s No. 1 right guard, missed a second straight game while in quarantine after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Oct. 30. Starting right tackle Demar Dotson left Sunday’s game in the first half with a reported hip injury.
The Broncos finished Sunday’s game with a pocket that featured a rookie center (Lloyd Cushenberry), a backup right guard (Austin Schlottmann) and a guy designated as their no. 3 right tackle (Jake Rodgers) at the start of the season.
Lock’s reactions to the Falcons’ pressure produced mixed results all afternoon. The nadir came with 9:38 left in the fourth quarter, when the Broncos got the ball back at their own 15 following an Atlanta punt, down 27-13.
Facing heat from Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, Lock elected to sling one off his back foot toward wideout Jerry Jeudy rather than eat the ball and take a sack. The pass was intercepted by Ricardo Allen at the Denver 31 and returned to the Broncos’ 12, setting up Atlanta’s final touchdown of the afternoon and effectively sealing Denver’s fate.
Afterward, Lock did his pointing with a thumb instead of a finger.
“Jerry was open,” Lock said. “It’s a throw I can make. It’s a throw I should make. And it’s embarrassing that I didn’t.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-09--Jerry Jeudy posts first 100-yard receiving game, but Broncos rookie wideout leaves Atlanta with bitt

Jerry Jeudy posts first 100-yard receiving game, but Broncos rookie wideout leaves Atlanta with bitter taste in his mouth

Determined to be the type of receiver who can put a team on his shoulders and carry it to victory , Broncos rookie Jerry Jeudy burst out with a career day Sunday against the Falcons .
But in not accomplishing the second part of that onus , the frustrated wideout left Atlanta with a bitter taste in his mouth following the 34-27 defeat .
“ If we don ’ t finish with a dub , it doesn ’ t mean nothing , ” Jeudy said .
“ I ’ m tired of losing .
I want to do everything I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us better as a whole .
Going out there in practice ( every day ) , that ’ s what I remind myself of.
” Jeudy recorded his first career 100-yard game in the loss , setting career highs with seven receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown .
He and quarterback Drew Lock also left some catches on the table , as Jeudy was targeted 14 times .
The No .
15 overall pick this year has now caught less than half the passes thrown his way ( 49.2 % ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeudy ’ s uptick in concentration during practice the past couple of weeks is what ’ s propelling his growth on game day .
In last week ’ s comeback win over the Chargers , Jeudy was a spark , posting four receptions for 73 yards .
That performance , and the one Sunday , were more on brand for a wideout who embraced the role of game-changer at Alabama — where the Crimson Tide lost four games in his three seasons — and is now expected to fulfill that role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really good strides here the last couple weeks , and the last two or three games , ” Fangio said .
“ I really like the way Jerry ’ s been playing and I like where he ’ s headed .
He ’ s been practicing better and it translates to the game… His arrow ’ s definitely up , and he ’ s what we thought we got when we drafted him.
” Lock agreed , noting Jeudy ’ s “ hitting his stride and he ’ s asserting himself in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ ( Opponents ) are going to take a second look at him ( when game-planning ) , ” Lock said .
“ Jerry ’ s getting physical and he knows his job extremely well right now .
And he ’ s played really hard .
That ’ s one thing you ’ ll see when you watch his film .
If he does make a mistake , it ’ s never not at 100 miles per hour or at 100 percent .
I ’ m proud of him.
” Jeudy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his increasing production , have seemed to rub off on fellow wideouts KJ Hamler and Tim Patrick as Jeudy ’ s demanding more of the defense ’ s attention .
The rookie Hamler had six catches for 75 yards Sunday and also had a 15-yard rush on an end-around .
Meanwhile , Patrick had four for 29 with a touchdown , his third of the season , as the third-year pro continues to help Denver fill the void caused by the season-ending injury to Courtland Sutton .
Jeudy ’ s second touchdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his crafty route running .
With the Denver offense desperate for some life early in the fourth quarter , Jeudy sprinted down the right sideline in one-on-one coverage with Atlanta rookie cornerback A.J .
Terrell , then stopped on a dime to get wide open .
“ I just threw my hand up to make the DB feel like I was running the go-route , ” Jeudy said .
“ That ’ s something creative I ’ ve been thinking about with my route running.
” • Broncos ’ offensive line has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it showed in Atlanta • Kiszla : After bad loss to Atlanta , Drew Lock lets frustration get best of him for first time as Broncos quarterback • “ Terrible ” first half defensively against Falcons sends Broncos to 3-5 at halfway point • Broncos game balls and gassers : Offensive line generates little push in loss to Falcons But Jeudy would like to have at least one play back Sunday — a drop on the Broncos ’ final drive as Denver had 44 seconds to try to march the length of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has five drops on the season , including a couple game-changing ones in the Week 1 loss to Tennessee .
“ I ’ ve got to have stronger hands ( on that play ) , ” Jeudy said .
“ That ’ s it .
That ’ s a good football play ( by the defender ) .
A good throw by Drew and good play by the DB , but I ’ ve just got to finish the play and keep it in my hands .
”

Determined to be the type of receiver who can put a team on his shoulders and carry it to victory, Broncos rookie Jerry Jeudy burst out with a career day Sunday against the Falcons.
But in not accomplishing the second part of that onus, the frustrated wideout left Atlanta with a bitter taste in his mouth following the 34-27 defeat.
“If we don’t finish with a dub, it doesn’t mean nothing,” Jeudy said. “I’m tired of losing. I want to do everything I can to make the team better and us better as a whole. Going out there in practice (every day), that’s what I remind myself of.”
Jeudy recorded his first career 100-yard game in the loss, setting career highs with seven receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown. He and quarterback Drew Lock also left some catches on the table, as Jeudy was targeted 14 times. The No. 15 overall pick this year has now caught less than half the passes thrown his way (49.2%).
But according to coach Vic Fangio, Jeudy’s uptick in concentration during practice the past couple of weeks is what’s propelling his growth on game day.
In last week’s comeback win over the Chargers, Jeudy was a spark, posting four receptions for 73 yards. That performance, and the one Sunday, were more on brand for a wideout who embraced the role of game-changer at Alabama — where the Crimson Tide lost four games in his three seasons — and is now expected to fulfill that role in the NFL.
“He’s made really good strides here the last couple weeks, and the last two or three games,” Fangio said. “I really like the way Jerry’s been playing and I like where he’s headed. He’s been practicing better and it translates to the game… His arrow’s definitely up, and he’s what we thought we got when we drafted him.”
Lock agreed, noting Jeudy’s “hitting his stride and he’s asserting himself in that wide receiver room and in the NFL.”
“(Opponents) are going to take a second look at him (when game-planning),” Lock said. “Jerry’s getting physical and he knows his job extremely well right now. And he’s played really hard. That’s one thing you’ll see when you watch his film. If he does make a mistake, it’s never not at 100 miles per hour or at 100 percent. I’m proud of him.”
Jeudy’s rapid assimilation in the NFL, and his increasing production, have seemed to rub off on fellow wideouts KJ Hamler and Tim Patrick as Jeudy’s demanding more of the defense’s attention. The rookie Hamler had six catches for 75 yards Sunday and also had a 15-yard rush on an end-around. Meanwhile, Patrick had four for 29 with a touchdown, his third of the season, as the third-year pro continues to help Denver fill the void caused by the season-ending injury to Courtland Sutton.
Jeudy’s second touchdown of the season came largely due to his crafty route running. With the Denver offense desperate for some life early in the fourth quarter, Jeudy sprinted down the right sideline in one-on-one coverage with Atlanta rookie cornerback A.J. Terrell, then stopped on a dime to get wide open.
“I just threw my hand up to make the DB feel like I was running the go-route,” Jeudy said. “That’s something creative I’ve been thinking about with my route running.”
But Jeudy would like to have at least one play back Sunday — a drop on the Broncos’ final drive as Denver had 44 seconds to try to march the length of the field and tie the game. Jeudy has five drops on the season, including a couple game-changing ones in the Week 1 loss to Tennessee.
“I’ve got to have stronger hands (on that play),” Jeudy said. “That’s it. That’s a good football play (by the defender). A good throw by Drew and good play by the DB, but I’ve just got to finish the play and keep it in my hands.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-09--Kiszla: After bad loss to Atlanta, Drew Lock lets frustration get best of him for first time as Bron

Kiszla: After bad loss to Atlanta, Drew Lock lets frustration get best of him for first time as Broncos quarterback

The Broncos ’ game plan stunk .
Virus protocols messed with the team ’ s preparation .
The offensive line sprung leaks .
So agitated with a 34-27 loss to Atlanta he wanted to spit , Lock used a finger he could ’ ve justifiably pointed at Denver teammates and coaches to instead open a vein .
And the young Broncos quarterback let it bleed .
“ Everybody wants to be known for something and we need to stop being known for coming back , down three scores in the fourth quarter and almost winning a game , ” Lock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a soliloquy on the lonely suffering unique in the NFL to a quarterback with the weight of a franchise on his shoulders .
After this defeat , this was a Lock we had not previously seen .
The irritation was unmistakable .
The source of this vexation seemed to be more than the competitive nature of an athlete that hates to lose .
Something is not making sense to Lock , whether it ’ s the mentorship from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur or the inability to digest a game plan when COVID-19 precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks in a row .
While we like our sports stories to be as BAM !
simple and as POW !
dramatic as tales of comic-book super heroes , growing up as an NFL quarterback is harder and more nuanced .
Few QBs , young or old , dare to draw in more vivid oranges and neon blues than Lock .
But he does not color between the lines well .
Shades of gray in a game plan are not his thing .
“ I do think we ’ re getting better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that when we have a game like we did today.
” said Denver coach Vic Fangio , whose team fell behind by at least 10 points at halftime for the fifth time in eight games this season .
The frequency with which the Broncos have made a nasty habit of digging a big hole suggests Shurmur and Lock are having trouble reading from the same playbook , much less getting on the same page together , because starting slow is getting old for Denver .
“ Some points need to be scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Lock said .
“ Pick up a few first downs and you can ’ t be in third-and-longs.
” What furious fourth-quarter comebacks against the Chargers and Falcons suggest are Lock is more naturally suited to unleashing his cannon than reciting the script .
Denver has scored three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes of game clock in back-to-back weeks .
Maybe Shurmur would be wiser to go more uptempo with Lock .
Or would that only aggravate the young QB ’ s tendency to sling an interception off his back foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking for Jerry Jeudy with the Broncos trailing 27-13 with nine minutes , 36 seconds remaining in the fourth period against Atlanta ?
“ If anyone wants to discredit this , ” vowed Lock , challenging his doubters , “ but I will throw that ball 10 times out of 10 to Jerry on that pick.
” In a nutshell , that ’ s the challenge for Shurmur : How to teach the student the restraint to not scribble with all 64 crayons at once without breaking his artistic creativity ?
When Lock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brighter .
But when he can ’ t dance , Lock gets antsy in his pants .
“ I think every great quarterback at some point just comes to the realization that , with you all ( in the media ) and everybody else , ( quarterbacks ) are 100 % going to take the blame and then they are going to go in and talk to the guys that feel like they could have played a little better , ” Lock said .
Growing up in the NFL is hard for any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes .
But would Broncos Country or Lock settle for having the career of Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan , who has thrown for more than 50,000 yards and 300 TDs , while leading the Falcons to one Super Bowl during a distinguished 13-year pro career ?
Maybe it ’ s nothing more than a function of being 23 years old , but patience is not Lock ’ s thing , whether we ’ re talking about stepping up in a collapsing pocket or allowing the maturation process to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more talent than experience .
“ There ’ s no magical potion for that to happen , it ’ s going to come with work , ” Lock said .
“ I think we ’ re all ready to stop the ‘ It ’ s part of the process ’ hoopla .
Whatever you want to say : The process .
Young guys .
Whatever.
” • Broncos ’ offensive line has been ravaged by injuries , COVID-19 — and it showed in Atlanta • Jerry Jeudy posts first 100-yard receiving game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with bitter taste in his mouth • “ Terrible ” first half defensively against Falcons sends Broncos to 3-5 at halfway point • Broncos game balls and gassers : Offensive line generates little push in loss to Falcons That magical 4-1 record that put an exclamation point on the end of his rookie season was all roses and Hennessy .
What comes next for Lock smells like sweat and aches , like long days of hard work .
All the frustrations , the fits and starts of a young quarterback that festered inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a football version of Macbeth , baring his soul after this irritating defeat in Atlanta , will form the constant grind of tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow .
The sum of all those tomorrows will ultimately reveal whether Lock has all the right stuff to be the quarterback that can lift these Broncos back to glory .

ATLANTA — The frustration seethed from Drew Lock’s pores.
The Broncos’ game plan stunk. Virus protocols messed with the team’s preparation. The offensive line sprung leaks. So agitated with a 34-27 loss to Atlanta he wanted to spit, Lock used a finger he could’ve justifiably pointed at Denver teammates and coaches to instead open a vein.
And the young Broncos quarterback let it bleed.
“Everybody wants to be known for something and we need to stop being known for coming back, down three scores in the fourth quarter and almost winning a game,” Lock said Sunday.
His postgame interview was a soliloquy on the lonely suffering unique in the NFL to a quarterback with the weight of a franchise on his shoulders. After this defeat, this was a Lock we had not previously seen. The irritation was unmistakable.
The source of this vexation seemed to be more than the competitive nature of an athlete that hates to lose. Something is not making sense to Lock, whether it’s the mentorship from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur or the inability to digest a game plan when COVID-19 precautions rob the Broncos of valuable practice time two weeks in a row.
While we like our sports stories to be as BAM! simple and as POW! dramatic as tales of comic-book super heroes, growing up as an NFL quarterback is harder and more nuanced. Few QBs, young or old, dare to draw in more vivid oranges and neon blues than Lock. But he does not color between the lines well. Shades of gray in a game plan are not his thing.
“I do think we’re getting better, although it’s hard to see that when we have a game like we did today.” said Denver coach Vic Fangio, whose team fell behind by at least 10 points at halftime for the fifth time in eight games this season.
The frequency with which the Broncos have made a nasty habit of digging a big hole suggests Shurmur and Lock are having trouble reading from the same playbook, much less getting on the same page together, because starting slow is getting old for Denver.
“Some points need to be scored, that’s for sure,” Lock said. “Pick up a few first downs and you can’t be in third-and-longs.”
What furious fourth-quarter comebacks against the Chargers and Falcons suggest are Lock is more naturally suited to unleashing his cannon than reciting the script. Denver has scored three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes of game clock in back-to-back weeks.
Maybe Shurmur would be wiser to go more uptempo with Lock. Or would that only aggravate the young QB’s tendency to sling an interception off his back foot while backpedaling, as Lock did while looking for Jerry Jeudy with the Broncos trailing 27-13 with nine minutes, 36 seconds remaining in the fourth period against Atlanta?
“If anyone wants to discredit this,” vowed Lock, challenging his doubters, “but I will throw that ball 10 times out of 10 to Jerry on that pick.”
In a nutshell, that’s the challenge for Shurmur: How to teach the student the restraint to not scribble with all 64 crayons at once without breaking his artistic creativity?
When Lock dances, everything in Broncos Country seems brighter. But when he can’t dance, Lock gets antsy in his pants.
“I think every great quarterback at some point just comes to the realization that, with you all (in the media) and everybody else, (quarterbacks) are 100% going to take the blame and then they are going to go in and talk to the guys that feel like they could have played a little better,” Lock said.
Growing up in the NFL is hard for any quarterback to do. Lock is not Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes. But would Broncos Country or Lock settle for having the career of Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who has thrown for more than 50,000 yards and 300 TDs, while leading the Falcons to one Super Bowl during a distinguished 13-year pro career?
Maybe it’s nothing more than a function of being 23 years old, but patience is not Lock’s thing, whether we’re talking about stepping up in a collapsing pocket or allowing the maturation process to run its slow course for a Denver offense with more talent than experience.
“There’s no magical potion for that to happen, it’s going to come with work,” Lock said. “I think we’re all ready to stop the ‘It’s part of the process’ hoopla. Whatever you want to say: The process. Young guys. Whatever.”
That magical 4-1 record that put an exclamation point on the end of his rookie season was all roses and Hennessy. What comes next for Lock smells like sweat and aches, like long days of hard work.
All the frustrations, the fits and starts of a young quarterback that festered inside Lock until it all turned him into a football version of Macbeth, baring his soul after this irritating defeat in Atlanta, will form the constant grind of tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.
The sum of all those tomorrows will ultimately reveal whether Lock has all the right stuff to be the quarterback that can lift these Broncos back to glory.