thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Air Force football sinks Navy in season opener

AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl tied a school record with four field goals , Air Force ’ s hastily reconstructed defense stymied Navy ’ s offense and the Falcons opened their season with a 40-7 win over the Midshipmen on Saturday night .
Sophomore QB Haaziq Daniels rushed for a score in his first career start as the Falcons ( 1-0 ) took a big first step toward capturing the coveted Commander-in-Chief ’ s Trophy between the service academies .
Schuettpelz-Rohl connected from 48 , 35 , 32 and 40 yards in front of a crowd that consisted only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
It ’ s the 11th time a Falcons kicker has made that many in a game .
There was no telling what the Falcons would resemble on the field with quite a few players taking military turnbacks ( an option a cadet has to leave the academy for up to two semesters ) .
A big portion of the missing personnel was on defense , but the Falcons didn ’ t miss a beat in shutting down Navy ( 1-2 ) .
They held the Midshipmen to 90 yards rushing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 yards rushing was at Air Force in 2016 when the team had 57 , according to Navy ’ s game notes .
In addition , Air Force forced two turnovers and had three sacks .
The Falcons improved to 14-0 in season openers under coach Troy Calhoun .
It ’ s the latest Air Force has kicked off a season — and the first time opening with rival Navy .
Daniels earned the starting quarterback spot in an extended fall camp .
The team is missing QB Donald Hammond III , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meaning he can practice but can ’ t represent the school .
Before the game , Navy announced starting quarterback Dalen Morris was out for health reasons not related to COVID-19 .
Tyger Goslin stepped in and had a 73-yard TD toss to Myles Fells in the second quarter .
But Navy never found its groove on offense .
The win puts Air Force in prime position during the annual round-robin Commander-in-Chief ’ s Trophy competition between the academies .
Should the Falcons win at Army on Nov. 7 , they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a visit to the White House to receive the trophy .
Navy : Coach Ken Niumatalolo and Navy haven ’ t won at Falcon Stadium since 2012 .
Air Force : The Falcons extended their winning streak to nine straight dating to last season .
It was Calhoun ’ s 99th career win at Air Force .
The pregame skydivers socially distanced by landing in the field adjacent to Falcon Stadium .
… Falcons CB Davide Eure was ejected on the second play of the game for targeting .
… FB Timothy Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 103 .
… Navy safety Kevin Brennan was disqualified for targeting early in the third quarter .
Air Force unveiled uniforms to honor the Tuskegee Airmen , a group of African-American pilots and ground crew from the U.S. Army Air Forces that fought in World War II .
The jerseys were gray with black lettering and a yellow strip on each shoulder .
A custom nameplate on the jerseys read Red Tails .
Air Force : At San Jose State on Oct. 24 to open Mountain West play .

AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl tied a school record with four field goals, Air Force’s hastily reconstructed defense stymied Navy’s offense and the Falcons opened their season with a 40-7 win over the Midshipmen on Saturday night.
Sophomore QB Haaziq Daniels rushed for a score in his first career start as the Falcons (1-0) took a big first step toward capturing the coveted Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy between the service academies.
Schuettpelz-Rohl connected from 48, 35, 32 and 40 yards in front of a crowd that consisted only of Air Force cadets given the COVID-19 restrictions. It’s the 11th time a Falcons kicker has made that many in a game.
There was no telling what the Falcons would resemble on the field with quite a few players taking military turnbacks (an option a cadet has to leave the academy for up to two semesters). A big portion of the missing personnel was on defense, but the Falcons didn’t miss a beat in shutting down Navy (1-2). They held the Midshipmen to 90 yards rushing. The last time Navy was held under 100 yards rushing was at Air Force in 2016 when the team had 57, according to Navy’s game notes.
In addition, Air Force forced two turnovers and had three sacks.
The Falcons improved to 14-0 in season openers under coach Troy Calhoun. It’s the latest Air Force has kicked off a season — and the first time opening with rival Navy.
Daniels earned the starting quarterback spot in an extended fall camp. The team is missing QB Donald Hammond III, who remains a cadet not in good standing, meaning he can practice but can’t represent the school.
Before the game, Navy announced starting quarterback Dalen Morris was out for health reasons not related to COVID-19. Tyger Goslin stepped in and had a 73-yard TD toss to Myles Fells in the second quarter. But Navy never found its groove on offense.
The win puts Air Force in prime position during the annual round-robin Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy competition between the academies. Should the Falcons win at Army on Nov. 7, they would steal the title from Navy and earn a visit to the White House to receive the trophy.
THE TAKEAWAY
Navy: Coach Ken Niumatalolo and Navy haven’t won at Falcon Stadium since 2012.
Air Force: The Falcons extended their winning streak to nine straight dating to last season. It was Calhoun’s 99th career win at Air Force.
THIS & THAT
The pregame skydivers socially distanced by landing in the field adjacent to Falcon Stadium. … Falcons CB Davide Eure was ejected on the second play of the game for targeting. … FB Timothy Jackson rushed for 118 yards. Brad Roberts had 103. … Navy safety Kevin Brennan was disqualified for targeting early in the third quarter.
LOOKING SHARP
Air Force unveiled uniforms to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American pilots and ground crew from the U.S. Army Air Forces that fought in World War II. The jerseys were gray with black lettering and a yellow strip on each shoulder. A custom nameplate on the jerseys read Red Tails.
UP NEXT
Navy: Host Temple on Saturday.
Air Force: At San Jose State on Oct. 24 to open Mountain West play.


thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Kiszla: Nuggets need one more piece to win NBA championship. Could Jrue Holiday be the answer?

If likability counted for anything in the NBA , Joker and Jamal would rule pro basketball ’ s next great dynasty .
Heck , Pepsi Center would have to be expanded to store all the Nuggets ’ championship trophies .
But hugs won ’ t get you hardware .
To build a legit title contender , the Nuggets need to add another big piece .
Maybe it ’ s New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday , who could fill a glaring hole in the backcourt .
Or perhaps the focus should be on a rim-protector , to have Nikola Jokic ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stop LeBron James ’ mad-bull drives to the basket .
So the big question going forward : Will president of basketball operations Tim Connelly be willing and able to trade Gary Harris or Wil Barton to improve a Denver roster that was three victories shy of beating King James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals ?
“ We ’ re starting to be recognized as a team you want to be around , ” Connelly said Friday , citing the Nuggets ’ steady improvement and solid ownership .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ year-plus , we ’ ve had a handful of calls from agents who ’ ve said , ‘ Hey , my guy wouldn ’ t mind being there ( in Denver ) .
He ’ d like to be there.
’ Four or five years ago , you ’ d get the call that said : ‘ Whatever you do , don ’ t trade for my guy.
’ As the team grows , our options grow.
” These Nuggets are easy on the eyes and good for the soul of anybody who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow ) as molasses , Jokic paints his game in all of LeRoy Nieman ’ s vibrant colors .
Jamal Murray turned heads by scoring 50 ( twice ! )
in the playoffs , then won hearts by paying tribute to Breonna Taylor and George Floyd .
The Nuggets are huggable .
But that won ’ t win them a knockdown , drag-out fight for the Larry O ’ Brien Trophy .
The core of this team is Jokic , Murray , Michael Porter Jr. , backup point guard Monte Morris and emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free agency will force the Nuggets to at least double his salary to $ 18 million .
Whenever coronavirus allows next season to begin , the Nuggets will take the court with new-found confidence .
No longer can Denver be content with a win-loss record that merely ensures home-court advantage for the first-round of the playoffs .
Going forward , Joker and Jamal must shoot to have the best record in the brutally tough Western Conference .
Here ’ s my theory : Their miracle of the NBA bubble , when the Nuggets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series deficit against Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers , doesn ’ t happen if Game 7 had been played in Los Angeles .
In order to make a deep playoff run again next season , general manager Calvin Booth said , the Nuggets probably have to be no worse than the No .
1 or No .
2 seed in the West .
There has been a refreshing collegiate feel to the Denver locker room .
They are young basketball brothers who have grown up together .
But the Age of Innocence for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eve of the Western Conference Finals , Jokic mused how this team will never be the same again , like a 25-year-old who knows he must get on with the rest of his basketball life .
Adulthood is about tough choices , forced compromises and learning not to take the business too personally .
Beyond Joker and Jamal , the starting five next season should have Grant and Porter at the forwards .
That ’ s obvious , right ?
Now for the tricky part : After two years of laudable but unfulfilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait for the form on Harris ’ jump shot to return .
Best-suited to be a super sub , is Will Barton willing to accept that role ?
Or does his absence from the bubble while rehabilitating a mysterious knee injury also indicate the relationship between Thrill and the team also needs rehab ?
While I might dream of Denver stealing the raw energy and sharp edge of power forward Montrezl Harrell from the Clippers in free agency , the pandemic has wreaked havoc with salary-cap projections and shopping plans for every team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boasts that either the NBA or the country is rounding the corner to victory against the virus and full economic recovery , is telling you a big , fat fib .
“ With so much economic uncertainty , there ’ s a lot of unknown , ” said Connelly , not yet able to establish a budget for next season .
If I ’ m catching the hint , it sounds like the best hope for a significant talent upgrade to the Nuggets is through a trade , because it ’ s easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
I ’ ll launch the discussion by presenting Holiday for your consideration .
Why Holiday ?
He ’ s capable of producing 20 points or 10 assists on any given night .
There ’ s a competitive tenacity I know the Nuggets love .
Holiday could form a versatile , mix-and-match , three-guard rotation with Murray and Morris that has been an NBA staple since the days of Detroit ’ s Bad Boys .
At age 30 , Holiday could bring to Denver not only the veteran savvy of Paul Millsap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had largely abandoned Millsap by the time he joined the Nuggets .
Would a future first-round draft choice , a young prospect with potential as big as Bol Bol and a proven veteran such as Harris or Barton be enough to engage New Orleans in serious trade negotiations ?
The Nuggets like to believe the depth of talent on their roster is the envy of the league .
Let ’ s see if Denver can actually leverage that faith into a trade that makes this team a legit championship contender .

If likability counted for anything in the NBA, Joker and Jamal would rule pro basketball’s next great dynasty. Heck, Pepsi Center would have to be expanded to store all the Nuggets’ championship trophies.
But hugs won’t get you hardware.
To build a legit title contender, the Nuggets need to add another big piece. Maybe it’s New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday, who could fill a glaring hole in the backcourt. Or perhaps the focus should be on a rim-protector, to have Nikola Jokic’s back when the going gets rough and stop LeBron James’ mad-bull drives to the basket.
So the big question going forward: Will president of basketball operations Tim Connelly be willing and able to trade Gary Harris or Wil Barton to improve a Denver roster that was three victories shy of beating King James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals?
“We’re starting to be recognized as a team you want to be around,” Connelly said Friday, citing the Nuggets’ steady improvement and solid ownership. “I would say in the last year-plus, we’ve had a handful of calls from agents who’ve said, ‘Hey, my guy wouldn’t mind being there (in Denver). He’d like to be there.’ Four or five years ago, you’d get the call that said: ‘Whatever you do, don’t trade for my guy.’ As the team grows, our options grow.”
These Nuggets are easy on the eyes and good for the soul of anybody who loves hoops. As sweet (and slow) as molasses, Jokic paints his game in all of LeRoy Nieman’s vibrant colors. Jamal Murray turned heads by scoring 50 (twice!) in the playoffs, then won hearts by paying tribute to Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
The Nuggets are huggable. But that won’t win them a knockdown, drag-out fight for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The core of this team is Jokic, Murray, Michael Porter Jr., backup point guard Monte Morris and emerging three-and-D standout Jerami Grant, whose impending free agency will force the Nuggets to at least double his salary to $18 million.
Whenever coronavirus allows next season to begin, the Nuggets will take the court with new-found confidence. No longer can Denver be content with a win-loss record that merely ensures home-court advantage for the first-round of the playoffs. Going forward, Joker and Jamal must shoot to have the best record in the brutally tough Western Conference.
Here’s my theory: Their miracle of the NBA bubble, when the Nuggets’ came roaring back from a 3-1 series deficit against Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers, doesn’t happen if Game 7 had been played in Los Angeles.
In order to make a deep playoff run again next season, general manager Calvin Booth said, the Nuggets probably have to be no worse than the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the West.
There has been a refreshing collegiate feel to the Denver locker room. They are young basketball brothers who have grown up together. But the Age of Innocence for the Nuggets is over. On the eve of the Western Conference Finals, Jokic mused how this team will never be the same again, like a 25-year-old who knows he must get on with the rest of his basketball life.
Adulthood is about tough choices, forced compromises and learning not to take the business too personally. Beyond Joker and Jamal, the starting five next season should have Grant and Porter at the forwards.
That’s obvious, right? Now for the tricky part:
After two years of laudable but unfulfilled patience, the Nuggets can no longer wait for the form on Harris’ jump shot to return. Best-suited to be a super sub, is Will Barton willing to accept that role? Or does his absence from the bubble while rehabilitating a mysterious knee injury also indicate the relationship between Thrill and the team also needs rehab?
While I might dream of Denver stealing the raw energy and sharp edge of power forward Montrezl Harrell from the Clippers in free agency, the pandemic has wreaked havoc with salary-cap projections and shopping plans for every team, the Nuggets included. Anybody who boasts that either the NBA or the country is rounding the corner to victory against the virus and full economic recovery, is telling you a big, fat fib.
“With so much economic uncertainty, there’s a lot of unknown,” said Connelly, not yet able to establish a budget for next season.
If I’m catching the hint, it sounds like the best hope for a significant talent upgrade to the Nuggets is through a trade, because it’s easier to do the salary math in uncertain times.
I’ll launch the discussion by presenting Holiday for your consideration. Why Holiday?
He’s capable of producing 20 points or 10 assists on any given night. There’s a competitive tenacity I know the Nuggets love. Holiday could form a versatile, mix-and-match, three-guard rotation with Murray and Morris that has been an NBA staple since the days of Detroit’s Bad Boys. At age 30, Holiday could bring to Denver not only the veteran savvy of Paul Millsap, but spring in the legs that had largely abandoned Millsap by the time he joined the Nuggets.
Would a future first-round draft choice, a young prospect with potential as big as Bol Bol and a proven veteran such as Harris or Barton be enough to engage New Orleans in serious trade negotiations?
The Nuggets like to believe the depth of talent on their roster is the envy of the league.
Let’s see if Denver can actually leverage that faith into a trade that makes this team a legit championship contender.


thedenverpost--2020-10-04--PHOTOS: Action from the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship 2020 Thunder Valley National

The 90-minute faceoff played out in a makeshift debate hall with a crowd of under 100 people due to coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ atrium that previously was set up for use as a hospital for COVID-19 patients .

Andy Cross has been a staff photographer at The Denver Post since 1997. He grew up in Denver and studied photojournalism at both the Colorado Institute of Art and Metropolitan State College of Denver


thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Avalanche amateur scouting director has adapted to virtual world amid COVID-19

Preparing for next week ’ s 2020 NHL draft has been an imaginative process for Alan Hepple , the Avalanche ’ s director of amateur scouting .
Before COVID-19 , Hepple and his scouts across the globe attended games , interviewed players and met as a team to prepare a report for Avs general manager Joe Sakic .
But since the amateur hockey world shut down in North American and most other countries in March , Zoom calls have dominated the scouting business .
The NHL playoffs were the only hockey being played until recently , and the NCAA and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) aren ’ t scheduled to begin the 2020-21 season until next month or beyond .
The NHL draft centers on 18-year-olds , and this year that means players with 2001/2002 birth years .
“ I ’ ve had over 100 of these calls , whether it ’ s been with prospects , my ( scouts ) all over the world , calls from the Avalanche and things like that , ” Hepple said on a Zoom call Friday .
“ This became a big part of my life.
” Instead of watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewing video from pre-coronavirus games and monitoring the off-ice training methods of their prospects .
Many found ways to skate in small groups during the summer months .
“ The kids are in great shape .
That ’ s all they ’ ve done in the last five to six months , is to work out , ” Hepple said .
He added : “ We dealt with the hand we were dealt and we just dealt with it .
We figured it out — a way that we could watch ( prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been good about getting information and background stuff .
That was always going to be there and we interviewed every kid over a video call.
” The Avalanche has the 25th selection in Tuesday ’ s first round , then a pick apiece in rounds 3-7 on Wednesday .
Colorado traded its second-round pick to San Jose in the three-team deal that sent Washington forward Andre Burakovsky to the Avs in July 2019 .
Since Sakic took control of the club in 2013 , the Avs have done relatively well with high first-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
1 overall in 2013 .
Colorado also hit it big with Mikko Rantanen ( No .
10 in 2015 ) and Cale Makar ( No .
4 in 2017 ) , while 2019 draftees Bo Byram ( No .
4 ) and Alex Newhook ( No .
16 ) are two of the NHL ’ s top prospects , according to The Hockey News .
“ It ’ s always fun to see the positivity , ” Hepple said .
“ I always say , it ’ s tough picking from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy .
You got to pick the right guy , whether it ’ s Cale Makar , whether it ’ s Bo Byram .
We had to make a decision on Bo Byram .
We made the right decision .
Even Alex Newhook .
We made the right decision .
It ’ s good to see .
I want to see them all play , and I realize that ’ s a crazy dream , but it ’ s rewarding .
It makes you feel good .
It makes the job a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has only seen one selection outside of the first round make it big since 2013 , and defenseman Will Butcher ( fifth round , No .
123 overall ) has never played for the club .
Butcher used an NCAA loophole to sign as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils in 2017 after his four-year career at the University of Denver .
Outside the draft , Sakic and his staff have excelled in acquiring excellent prospects and current NHLers through trades .
Footnote .
Denver-born forward Ty Smilanic is ranked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skaters and should be available at No .
25 .
But when factoring in European skaters and all goaltenders , the former DU recruit who is now a freshman at Quinnipiac likely will slip to the second round .
“ Good skill , good speed .
A great kid , ” Hepple said of Smilanic , a former triple-A midget star for the Colorado Thunderbirds .
“ We interviewed him .
He was a fun kid to interview , especially knowing he ’ s a Denver kid .
Yeah , we like him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft day , we never know .
”

Preparing for next week’s 2020 NHL draft has been an imaginative process for Alan Hepple, the Avalanche’s director of amateur scouting.
Before COVID-19, Hepple and his scouts across the globe attended games, interviewed players and met as a team to prepare a report for Avs general manager Joe Sakic. But since the amateur hockey world shut down in North American and most other countries in March, Zoom calls have dominated the scouting business.
The NHL playoffs were the only hockey being played until recently, and the NCAA and the Canadian Hockey League (major junior) aren’t scheduled to begin the 2020-21 season until next month or beyond. The NHL draft centers on 18-year-olds, and this year that means players with 2001/2002 birth years.
“I’ve had over 100 of these calls, whether it’s been with prospects, my (scouts) all over the world, calls from the Avalanche and things like that,” Hepple said on a Zoom call Friday. “This became a big part of my life.”
Instead of watching live games, Avalanche scouts were left viewing video from pre-coronavirus games and monitoring the off-ice training methods of their prospects. Many found ways to skate in small groups during the summer months.
“The kids are in great shape. That’s all they’ve done in the last five to six months, is to work out,” Hepple said.
He added: “We dealt with the hand we were dealt and we just dealt with it. We figured it out — a way that we could watch (prospects train). My guys have always been good about getting information and background stuff. That was always going to be there and we interviewed every kid over a video call.”
The Avalanche has the 25th selection in Tuesday’s first round, then a pick apiece in rounds 3-7 on Wednesday. Colorado traded its second-round pick to San Jose in the three-team deal that sent Washington forward Andre Burakovsky to the Avs in July 2019.
Since Sakic took control of the club in 2013, the Avs have done relatively well with high first-round picks, beginning with Nathan MacKinnon going No. 1 overall in 2013. Colorado also hit it big with Mikko Rantanen (No. 10 in 2015) and Cale Makar (No. 4 in 2017), while 2019 draftees Bo Byram (No. 4) and Alex Newhook (No. 16) are two of the NHL’s top prospects, according to The Hockey News.
“It’s always fun to see the positivity,” Hepple said. “I always say, it’s tough picking from the top. It’s not easy. You got to pick the right guy, whether it’s Cale Makar, whether it’s Bo Byram. We had to make a decision on Bo Byram. We made the right decision. Even Alex Newhook. We made the right decision. It’s good to see. I want to see them all play, and I realize that’s a crazy dream, but it’s rewarding. It makes you feel good. It makes the job a little easier sometimes.”
The Avalanche, however, has only seen one selection outside of the first round make it big since 2013, and defenseman Will Butcher (fifth round, No. 123 overall) has never played for the club. Butcher used an NCAA loophole to sign as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils in 2017 after his four-year career at the University of Denver.
Outside the draft, Sakic and his staff have excelled in acquiring excellent prospects and current NHLers through trades.
Footnote. Denver-born forward Ty Smilanic is ranked 24th by Central Scouting among North American skaters and should be available at No. 25. But when factoring in European skaters and all goaltenders, the former DU recruit who is now a freshman at Quinnipiac likely will slip to the second round. “Good skill, good speed. A great kid,” Hepple said of Smilanic, a former triple-A midget star for the Colorado Thunderbirds. “We interviewed him. He was a fun kid to interview, especially knowing he’s a Denver kid. Yeah, we like him. Where he fits in, come draft day, we never know.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-03--WATCH: In video, Trump says he hopes to “be back soon”

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has released a new hospital video in which he says he ’ s starting to @ @ @ @ @ “ be back soon.
” In the four-minute video , Trump says he “ wasn @ @ @ @ @ ” when he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday after @ @ @ @ @ .
But he says that “ I feel much better now ” and that “ @ @ @ @ @ to get me all the way back.
” Trump sounds a little raspy in the @ @ @ @ @ to be in good spirits as he says he ’ s fighting for the millions @ @ @ @ @ the virus across the world .
He said that , while he could have stayed @ @ @ @ @ to protect himself from the virus , as president he couldn ’ t be “ @ @ @ @ @ upstairs.
” He also thanks the doctors and nurses treating him as well as well @ @ @ @ @ Americans who have sent their well wishes .

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has released a new hospital video in which he says he’s starting to feel better and hopes to “be back soon.”
In the four-minute video, Trump says he “wasn’t feeling so well” when he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday after testing positive for the coronavirus.
But he says that “I feel much better now” and that “We’re working hard to get me all the way back.”
Trump sounds a little raspy in the video, but he appears to be in good spirits as he says he’s fighting for the millions of people who have had the virus across the world.
He said that, while he could have stayed locked in the White House to protect himself from the virus, as president he couldn’t be “locked up in a room upstairs.”
He also thanks the doctors and nurses treating him as well as well as the world leaders and Americans who have sent their well wishes.


thedenverpost--2020-10-03--Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie hospitalized with “mild” COVID-19 symptoms

Former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie tweeted Saturday that he ’ s checked himself into a hospital , hours after he announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus .
Christie said that after consulting with his doctors , he went to Morristown Medical Center on Saturday afternoon .
He said he ’ s only experiencing mild symptoms .
“ Due to my history of asthma , we decided this is an important precautionary measure , ” he tweeted .
Christie , who has publicly struggled with his weight , is the latest in a string of virus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inner circle .
Trump ’ s former 2016 rival told The Associated Press on Friday that the last time he was with the president was Tuesday in Cleveland during preparations for his debate with former Vice President Joe Biden .
Christie had tweeted Friday morning that he had last tested negative ahead of Tuesday ’ s debate and was not having any symptoms then .
In 2013 , during Christie ’ s first term as New Jersey governor , he underwent lap-band surgery and lost a significant amount of weight .
Two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulty breathing .
The 58-year-old uses an inhaler .
He once called himself “ the healthiest fat guy you ’ ve ever seen.
” In addition to Trump and first lady Melania Trump , multiple people who have traveled with the president or attended events with him over the last several days have contracted the virus .

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tweeted Saturday that he’s checked himself into a hospital, hours after he announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Christie said that after consulting with his doctors, he went to Morristown Medical Center on Saturday afternoon. He said he’s only experiencing mild symptoms.
“Due to my history of asthma, we decided this is an important precautionary measure,” he tweeted.
Christie, who has publicly struggled with his weight, is the latest in a string of virus cases connected to President Donald Trump’s inner circle.
Trump’s former 2016 rival told The Associated Press on Friday that the last time he was with the president was Tuesday in Cleveland during preparations for his debate with former Vice President Joe Biden. Christie had tweeted Friday morning that he had last tested negative ahead of Tuesday’s debate and was not having any symptoms then.
In 2013, during Christie’s first term as New Jersey governor, he underwent lap-band surgery and lost a significant amount of weight. Two years before that, he was hospitalized for difficulty breathing. The 58-year-old uses an inhaler.
He once called himself “the healthiest fat guy you’ve ever seen.”
Text messages were left seeking comment from Christie early Saturday evening.
In addition to Trump and first lady Melania Trump, multiple people who have traveled with the president or attended events with him over the last several days have contracted the virus.


thedenverpost--2020-10-03--Firefighters increase containment Saturday in Cameron Peak fire

Larimer County had reached 38 % containment Saturday as favorable weather conditions moved in .
Fire officials have issued a @ @ @ @ @ afternoon with wind gusts expected around 30-35 mph as well as low humidity and warm @ @ @ @ @ was moderated by the shade provided by the Mullen fRobert Garrisonire ’ s drift smoke @ @ @ @ @ said .
The good weather conditions helped decrease fire behavior and allowed for more direct @ @ @ @ @ .
Containment measures Friday allowed the Larimer County Sheriff to lift voluntary evacuation orders for @ @ @ @ @ to Pennock Pass .
Read more about this story at thedenverchannel.com .

Larimer County had reached 38% containment Saturday as favorable weather conditions moved in.
Fire officials have issued a red flag warning for Friday afternoon with wind gusts expected around 30-35 mph as well as low humidity and warm temperatures. However, weather was moderated by the shade provided by the Mullen fRobert Garrisonire’s drift smoke in the afternoon, officials said.
The good weather conditions helped decrease fire behavior and allowed for more direct work on the fire perimeter.
Containment measures Friday allowed the Larimer County Sheriff to lift voluntary evacuation orders for County Roads 44H and 27 to Pennock Pass.
Read more about this story at thedenverchannel.com.


thedenverpost--2020-10-03--Winning filly: Swiss Skydiver beats Authentic in Preakness

BALTIMORE — Filly Swiss Skydiver added another memorable moment to cap off a topsy-turvy Triple Crown season .
Jockey Robby Albarado made a power move to pass favored Authentic around the far turn , and Swiss Skydiver went head to head and beat him by a neck after a stretch duel in the Preakness Stakes run without fans Saturday .
She ’ s the sixth filly and first since Rachel Alexandra in 2009 to win the Preakness , which this year served as the third leg of the Triple Crown for the first time .
“ She ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trainer Kenny McPeek , who won the Preakness for the first time for his second Triple Crown race victory .
“ Just a real honor to be around a horse like this.
” At odds of 11-1 , Swiss Skydiver pulled off an upset of 3-2 favorite Authentic , who came in off winning the Kentucky Derby .
It became a two-horse race with the rest of the field 10 lengths behind .
Jesus ’ Team was a distant third at 40-1 and Art Collector fourth at 2-1 .
The 145th running of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Race Course came four weeks after the Kentucky Derby and 3 1/2 months since the Belmont as they were held out of order for the first time since the 1930s .
McPeek won a Triple Crown race for the first time since 2002 Belmont with Sarava , which was the biggest upset in the history of that race .
Swiss Skydiver was the first filly to run the race since 2014 , when Ria Antonia finished last .
“ I didn ’ t feel like that much tension , ” McPeek said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-prepared.
” Albarado got rid of any tension more than halfway through , taking the chance given to him by John Velazquez when Authentic ’ s Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez abandoned the rail .
“ I had an opportunity , ” said Albarado , who won his second Preakness after 2007 aboard Curlin .
“ I took advantage of the rail .
Johnny stayed off the fence there , made a conscious decision to move at that time .
Give or take now .
If I make that move now or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skydiver avenged her loss in her only other competition against colts , when she finished second to Art Collector in the Blue Grass Stakes on July 11 .
She since won the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga on Aug. 15 and finished second in the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4 .
“ She continues to get stronger , and it ’ s amazing , ” McPeek said .
“ I ’ ve been doing this for 35 years and you ’ re around horses and sometimes you run them and they come back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If anything , she makes me tried dragging me around the barn every day.
” Swiss Skydiver beating Authentic and Thousand Words denied trainer Bob Baffert what would have been a record-breaking eighth Preakness win .
Baffert was looking for his 17th victory in a Triple Crown race .
The Preakness was run with only owners , trainers and essential personnel in attendance , a far cry from the usual mid-May party with patrons in fancy hats and suits in some areas of the track and revelers in shorts and T-shirts in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infield concert and festivities , the Maryland Jockey Club and Stronach Group that owns Pimlico hoped back in the spring that moving the race to the fall would allow for the possibility of having fans .
Instead , all three Triple Crown races — run out of order for the first time since the 1930s — went on without them .
There was also no Triple Crown sweep for the 40th time in the past 42 years , when Authentic beat Belmont winner Tiz the Law in the Derby .
Trainer Bob Baffert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a rematch will have to wait for the Breeders ’ Cup Classic Nov. 7 after Barclay Tagg gave Tiz the Law a rest to point him to that $ 6 million race .

BALTIMORE — Filly Swiss Skydiver added another memorable moment to cap off a topsy-turvy Triple Crown season.
Jockey Robby Albarado made a power move to pass favored Authentic around the far turn, and Swiss Skydiver went head to head and beat him by a neck after a stretch duel in the Preakness Stakes run without fans Saturday. She’s the sixth filly and first since Rachel Alexandra in 2009 to win the Preakness, which this year served as the third leg of the Triple Crown for the first time.
“She’s just such a special filly,” said trainer Kenny McPeek, who won the Preakness for the first time for his second Triple Crown race victory. “Just a real honor to be around a horse like this.”
At odds of 11-1, Swiss Skydiver pulled off an upset of 3-2 favorite Authentic, who came in off winning the Kentucky Derby. It became a two-horse race with the rest of the field 10 lengths behind.
Jesus’ Team was a distant third at 40-1 and Art Collector fourth at 2-1. The 145th running of the Preakness at a mostly empty Pimlico Race Course came four weeks after the Kentucky Derby and 3 1/2 months since the Belmont as they were held out of order for the first time since the 1930s.
McPeek won a Triple Crown race for the first time since 2002 Belmont with Sarava, which was the biggest upset in the history of that race. Swiss Skydiver was the first filly to run the race since 2014, when Ria Antonia finished last.
“I didn’t feel like that much tension,” McPeek said. “I feel like we had her well-prepared.”
Albarado got rid of any tension more than halfway through, taking the chance given to him by John Velazquez when Authentic’s Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez abandoned the rail.
“I had an opportunity,” said Albarado, who won his second Preakness after 2007 aboard Curlin. “I took advantage of the rail. Johnny stayed off the fence there, made a conscious decision to move at that time. Give or take now. If I make that move now or I wait and get smothered.”
Swiss Skydiver avenged her loss in her only other competition against colts, when she finished second to Art Collector in the Blue Grass Stakes on July 11. She since won the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga on Aug. 15 and finished second in the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4.
“She continues to get stronger, and it’s amazing,” McPeek said. “I’ve been doing this for 35 years and you’re around horses and sometimes you run them and they come back tired. She never gets tired. If anything, she makes me tried dragging me around the barn every day.”
Swiss Skydiver beating Authentic and Thousand Words denied trainer Bob Baffert what would have been a record-breaking eighth Preakness win. Baffert was looking for his 17th victory in a Triple Crown race.
The Preakness was run with only owners, trainers and essential personnel in attendance, a far cry from the usual mid-May party with patrons in fancy hats and suits in some areas of the track and revelers in shorts and T-shirts in the infield.
Even after canceling the annual infield concert and festivities, the Maryland Jockey Club and Stronach Group that owns Pimlico hoped back in the spring that moving the race to the fall would allow for the possibility of having fans. Instead, all three Triple Crown races — run out of order for the first time since the 1930s — went on without them.
There was also no Triple Crown sweep for the 40th time in the past 42 years, when Authentic beat Belmont winner Tiz the Law in the Derby. Trainer Bob Baffert wheeled Authentic back for the Preakness, but a rematch will have to wait for the Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 7 after Barclay Tagg gave Tiz the Law a rest to point him to that $6 million race.


thedenverpost--2020-10-03--Keeler: Investigation into CSU Rams, Steve Addazio starting to smell fishy

Don ’ t know about you , but Steve Addazio sure seems to be coaching like an innocent man .
Well , other than the fact that independent media aren ’ t allowed anywhere near the CSU football program until the independent ( wink ) investigation ( wink ) into said football program wraps up .
“ There was good effort , good attitude , ” Addazio said in comments released by the Rams athletic department Saturday following the team ’ s first preseason scrimmage .
“ But we need to scrimmage and tackle full speed a lot more .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
This is a new normal .
Normally you worry about how much tackling you ’ re doing , but we ’ ve got to tackle , play football , and get tougher .
We ’ ve got to be able to gain a couple yards when you have to run it for a couple of yards.
” OK. Great .
Here ’ s the thing , though : While the Rams get back to cracking skulls , the meter ’ s running .
As the Nuggets soared , the Avs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Broncos got hurt , the investigation into alleged violations of racist/abusive language and disregard for COVID-19 protocols at CSU has quietly rolled into … ( checks calendar ) … Week 8 now .
“ We ’ re not where we want to be .
We ’ re just not there yet , ” Addazio said about the scrimmage via comments released by CSU .
“ I don ’ t know how many days we ’ ve had in pads , but it just doesn ’ t work like that .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
In that week , we ’ ve got to have some real tough practices and scrimmages , and we ’ ve got to grind this thing out and raise our level of play.
” Gotcha .
Groovy .
Speaking of grinding , here ’ s the other thing : Investigators tend to not poke and prod pro gratis .
The legal eagles in this case , Husch Blackwell , reportedly charged the University of Iowa athletic department this summer as much as $ 675 per hour in rates , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City , the span from the announcement of Husch Blackwell ’ s involvement to the release of the firm ’ s final report was roughly six weeks .
We zipped past that little benchmark a while ago .
Iowa State University paid the Kansas City firm $ 120,325 for its services on three athletic department cases , the Iowa State Daily reported in 2018 , and it ’ s not hard to see this one landing in the same ballpark .
CSU athletics operated at a $ 4.1 million loss in the 2019-20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university announced $ 17 million in budget cuts because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Rams are already up to their cornibus in debt over a gorgeous stadium they couldn ’ t afford .
Now you ’ ve probably just sunk another six figures into Lord knows what .
“ It ’ s one down .
It ’ s the first one , ” Addazio said , also via the Rams athletic department .
“ We ’ ve got to have three more or so .
This was just one .
Thank God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant injuries .
We ’ ve been grinding pretty hard .
We ’ ve had a long stretch of practices , and they ’ ve all been physical.
” Oh , back off , you say .
Addazio can ’ t say anything until the investigation is completed .
The same goes for athletic director Joe Parker and university president Joyce McConnell , and you know it .
Who are you to presume anything ?
Me ?
Oh , I ’ m a schmuck .
But I ’ m also savvy enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation smells like a rigged job .
Don ’ t take my words for it .
Take McConnell ’ s .
The new CSU president told ESPN on Aug. 4 that her investigation would be “ immediate and objective.
” Later that month , after hiring a pricey legal firm to investigate the CSU athletic department , after demanding total fealty from all staffers and students toward that investigation , after vowing to punish intimidators and influencers , McConnell , according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan , got in front of the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Joe ( Parker ) is a remarkable partner for me .
I ’ m really , really fortunate to have him as the athletic director .
( Deputy director of athletics ) Steve Cottingham also has been incredibly helpful .
Shalani ( Shanker , senior associate athletic director for compliance ) is amazing in terms of the compliance piece .
I feel really supported by the athletic department and the professionals in place .
I want to share that with you because during times of stress there often is questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure you know that you have really good leadership.
” Objective , my patootie .
• Grading the Week : How weird are things at Colorado State ?
The football program is interviewing itself • CSU Rams 2020 football schedule out , new coach Steve Addazio starts Oct. 24 vs. New Mexico • After Broncos let him walk in free agency , Tampa Bay ’ s Shaquil Barrett returns to Denver as one of NFL ’ s best pass-rushers “ ( Saturday ) was a day that , for the first time out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department , “ we exposed a lot of our issues.
” Not all of them , coach .
Not even close .

Don’t know about you, but Steve Addazio sure seems to be coaching like an innocent man. Well, other than the fact that independent media aren’t allowed anywhere near the CSU football program until the independent (wink) investigation (wink) into said football program wraps up.
“There was good effort, good attitude,” Addazio said in comments released by the Rams athletic department Saturday following the team’s first preseason scrimmage. “But we need to scrimmage and tackle full speed a lot more. We’re not ready for that right now. This is a new normal. Normally you worry about how much tackling you’re doing, but we’ve got to tackle, play football, and get tougher. We’ve got to be able to gain a couple yards when you have to run it for a couple of yards.”
OK. Great. Here’s the thing, though: While the Rams get back to cracking skulls, the meter’s running. As the Nuggets soared, the Avs fell short, the Rockies flopped and the Broncos got hurt, the investigation into alleged violations of racist/abusive language and disregard for COVID-19 protocols at CSU has quietly rolled into … (checks calendar) … Week 8 now.
Thoughts, Coach?
Any updates?
“We’re not where we want to be. We’re just not there yet,” Addazio said about the scrimmage via comments released by CSU. “I don’t know how many days we’ve had in pads, but it just doesn’t work like that. We’ve got another week of camp coming up. In that week, we’ve got to have some real tough practices and scrimmages, and we’ve got to grind this thing out and raise our level of play.”
Gotcha. Groovy. Speaking of grinding, here’s the other thing: Investigators tend to not poke and prod pro gratis. The legal eagles in this case, Husch Blackwell, reportedly charged the University of Iowa athletic department this summer as much as $675 per hour in rates, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. In Iowa City, the span from the announcement of Husch Blackwell’s involvement to the release of the firm’s final report was roughly six weeks. We zipped past that little benchmark a while ago.
Iowa State University paid the Kansas City firm $120,325 for its services on three athletic department cases, the Iowa State Daily reported in 2018, and it’s not hard to see this one landing in the same ballpark.
CSU athletics operated at a $4.1 million loss in the 2019-20 fiscal year. In June, the university announced $17 million in budget cuts because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Rams are already up to their cornibus in debt over a gorgeous stadium they couldn’t afford. Now you’ve probably just sunk another six figures into Lord knows what.
Your take, Coach?
Coach?
“It’s one down. It’s the first one,” Addazio said, also via the Rams athletic department. “We’ve got to have three more or so. This was just one. Thank God we got out of here without any significant injuries. We’ve been grinding pretty hard. We’ve had a long stretch of practices, and they’ve all been physical.”
Oh, back off, you say. Addazio can’t say anything until the investigation is completed. The same goes for athletic director Joe Parker and university president Joyce McConnell, and you know it. Who are you to presume anything?
Me? Oh, I’m a schmuck. But I’m also savvy enough to read between the lines. And this investigation smells like a rigged job.
Don’t take my words for it. Take McConnell’s. The new CSU president told ESPN on Aug. 4 that her investigation would be “immediate and objective.”
Later that month, after hiring a pricey legal firm to investigate the CSU athletic department, after demanding total fealty from all staffers and students toward that investigation, after vowing to punish intimidators and influencers, McConnell, according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan, got in front of the entire athletic department in August and said this:
“Joe (Parker) is a remarkable partner for me. I’m really, really fortunate to have him as the athletic director. (Deputy director of athletics) Steve Cottingham also has been incredibly helpful. Shalani (Shanker, senior associate athletic director for compliance) is amazing in terms of the compliance piece. I feel really supported by the athletic department and the professionals in place. I want to share that with you because during times of stress there often is questions about leadership, and I want to make sure you know that you have really good leadership.”
Objective?
Objective, my patootie.
The football team’s back.
The meter’s still running.
“(Saturday) was a day that, for the first time out,” Addazio told the Rams athletic department, “we exposed a lot of our issues.”
Not all of them, Coach. Not even close.


thedenverpost--2020-10-03--COVID-19 spreads on panel handling Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett

WASHINGTON — Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus , raising questions about the timing of Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett and whether additional senators may have been exposed .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared the confirmation process was going “ full steam ahead.
” North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee both said Friday that they had tested positive for the virus .
Both had attended a ceremony for Barrett at the White House on Sept. 25 with President Donald Trump , who announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was later hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
Lee , who did not wear a mask at the White House event , said he had “ symptoms consistent with longtime allergies.
” Tillis , who did wear a mask during the public portion of the event , said he had no symptoms .
Both said they would quarantine for 10 days — ending just before Barrett ’ s confirmation hearings begin on Oct. 12 .
The positive tests come as Senate Republicans are pushing to quickly confirm Barrett in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 election .
There is little cushion in the schedule set out by Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham and McConnell , who want to put a third Trump nominee on the court immediately in case they lose any of their power in the election .
Democrats , many of whom have been critical of Barrett , seized on the virus announcements to call for a delay in the hearings .
“ We now have two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who have tested positive for COVID , and there may be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schumer .
“ I wish my colleagues well .
It is irresponsible and dangerous to move forward with a hearing , and there is absolutely no good reason to do so.
” Several other members of the Judiciary panel attended the White House ceremony , including Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley , Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse , Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo .
Blackburn said she tested negative after the event .
Crapo said he “ recently ” had a negative test and a spokeswoman said he would be getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be arranged .
A spokeswoman for Hawley said he was being tested Saturday .
Sasse tested negative , but said in a statement that he would work remotely from his home state and undergo further testing due to his “ close interaction with multiple infected individuals , ” his office said .
He said he planned to to return to Washington in time for the confirmation hearing .
Graham was not at the White House on Saturday but sees Trump frequently .
He said Friday that he had taken a test after interacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A spokeswoman for another GOP member of the committee , Texas Sen. Ted Cruz , said Saturday that he had also interacted with Lee and had also tested negative .
Still , Cruz ’ s office said he is remaining at home until the hearings out of an abundance of caution .
Confirmation hearings for Barrett , who would replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , are scheduled to last for four days .
McConnell on Saturday announced that he would seek to delay floor action for the next two weeks but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an event in Kentucky on Friday , he said he thought remote hearings could work if some senators couldn ’ t attend .
Graham also suggested the possibility of remote hearings , saying on Twitter that “ any senator who wants to participate virtually will be allowed to do so.
” In a statement Saturday , Graham said there would be “ no change ” in the hearings even if Senate floor votes were delayed .
It is not unusual for committees to meet when there is no action on the floor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so Republicans would need a full slate of committee members to approve the nomination shortly after the hearings and all of their senators on the floor for a final confirmation vote , which they hope will happen the last week of October .
After interacting with Sen. Lee , in consultation with the attending physician , Sen. Cruz is remaining at home out of an abundance of caution .
He feels healthy , hasn ’ t exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms , and has tested negative .
In accordance with medical advice he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court nomination hearings.
” Sen. Ron Johnson , R-Wis. , also announced Saturday that he tested positive for the virus and would not return until he was cleared by his doctor .
He is not on the Judiciary panel , but his presence would likely be needed for a floor vote .
Tillis is in a competitive reelection race against Democrat Cal Cunningham , and the two debated Thursday evening .
On Twitter , Cunningham said he wished Tillis a quick recovery and said he would also get tested .
Barrett , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday and met with Lee , Tillis and other members of the Judiciary panel this week , tested negative , the White House said Friday .
It was confirmed that she had a mild case of COVID earlier this year and has now recovered .
Trump , who has consistently downplayed the virus and often discouraged the use of masks , was flown to Walter Reed on Friday evening after experiencing symptoms .
The president tweeted Saturday that he was “ feeling well , ” though White House chief of staff Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be critical in terms of his care .

WASHINGTON — Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus, raising questions about the timing of Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett and whether additional senators may have been exposed. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared the confirmation process was going “full steam ahead.”
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee both said Friday that they had tested positive for the virus. Both had attended a ceremony for Barrett at the White House on Sept. 25 with President Donald Trump, who announced Friday that he had tested positive and was later hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Lee, who did not wear a mask at the White House event, said he had “symptoms consistent with longtime allergies.” Tillis, who did wear a mask during the public portion of the event, said he had no symptoms. Both said they would quarantine for 10 days — ending just before Barrett’s confirmation hearings begin on Oct. 12.
The positive tests come as Senate Republicans are pushing to quickly confirm Barrett in the few weeks they have before the Nov. 3 election. There is little cushion in the schedule set out by Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham and McConnell, who want to put a third Trump nominee on the court immediately in case they lose any of their power in the election.
Democrats, many of whom have been critical of Barrett, seized on the virus announcements to call for a delay in the hearings.
“We now have two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who have tested positive for COVID, and there may be more,” tweeted Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. “I wish my colleagues well. It is irresponsible and dangerous to move forward with a hearing, and there is absolutely no good reason to do so.”
Several other members of the Judiciary panel attended the White House ceremony, including Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo. Blackburn said she tested negative after the event. Crapo said he “recently” had a negative test and a spokeswoman said he would be getting another one as soon as it could be arranged. A spokeswoman for Hawley said he was being tested Saturday.
Sasse tested negative, but said in a statement that he would work remotely from his home state and undergo further testing due to his “close interaction with multiple infected individuals,” his office said. He said he planned to to return to Washington in time for the confirmation hearing.
Graham was not at the White House on Saturday but sees Trump frequently. He said Friday that he had taken a test after interacting with Lee and it was negative. A spokeswoman for another GOP member of the committee, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, said Saturday that he had also interacted with Lee and had also tested negative. Still, Cruz’s office said he is remaining at home until the hearings out of an abundance of caution.
Confirmation hearings for Barrett, who would replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, are scheduled to last for four days. McConnell on Saturday announced that he would seek to delay floor action for the next two weeks but that the hearings would proceed. At an event in Kentucky on Friday, he said he thought remote hearings could work if some senators couldn’t attend.
Graham also suggested the possibility of remote hearings, saying on Twitter that “any senator who wants to participate virtually will be allowed to do so.” In a statement Saturday, Graham said there would be “no change” in the hearings even if Senate floor votes were delayed. It is not unusual for committees to meet when there is no action on the floor.
Senators cannot vote virtually, however, so Republicans would need a full slate of committee members to approve the nomination shortly after the hearings and all of their senators on the floor for a final confirmation vote, which they hope will happen the last week of October.
After interacting with Sen. Lee, in consultation with the attending physician, Sen. Cruz is remaining at home out of an abundance of caution. He feels healthy, hasn’t exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms, and has tested negative. In accordance with medical advice he will return to the Senate for the Supreme Court nomination hearings.”
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., also announced Saturday that he tested positive for the virus and would not return until he was cleared by his doctor. He is not on the Judiciary panel, but his presence would likely be needed for a floor vote.
Tillis is in a competitive reelection race against Democrat Cal Cunningham, and the two debated Thursday evening. On Twitter, Cunningham said he wished Tillis a quick recovery and said he would also get tested.
Barrett, who was with Trump and many others on Saturday and met with Lee, Tillis and other members of the Judiciary panel this week, tested negative, the White House said Friday. It was confirmed that she had a mild case of COVID earlier this year and has now recovered.
Trump, who has consistently downplayed the virus and often discouraged the use of masks, was flown to Walter Reed on Friday evening after experiencing symptoms.
The president tweeted Saturday that he was “feeling well,” though White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said the next 48 hours would be critical in terms of his care.


thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Broncos at quarter pole: What’s working, what needs work during 1-3 start

The best way to get out of a hole , coaches in every sport have said for decades ?
Stop digging .
The Broncos started that process with Thursday ’ s 37-28 win over the New York Jets , ending the first quarter of the season at 1-3 .
Another 0-4 start would have sent the season off the rails , and it could still be headed that way because of the injuries to key players and overall concern points like too many turnovers , not enough red zone touchdowns and leaning on so many young players .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 27 were first- , second- or third-year players .
Young players in prominent roles , no matter how much they won in college , need success to lift their spirits .
That ’ s why the Jets game was crucial .
“ It just makes them feel better and it gives them confidence that they can go out there and win a game , ” Fangio said .
“ Hopefully we can build on it.
” Said receiver Tim Patrick : “ It ’ s hard to win in this league , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter how it happens .
You just have to get that win so you can get over that hurdle so you can keep stacking wins after that.
” Here ’ s a look at the Broncos through the first quarter of the season : 1 .
Big plays on offense .
The Broncos have 17 plays of at least 20 yards , which ranks fourth in the NFL entering Sunday ’ s games .
The offense has 33 explosive plays ( 25 passes of least 16 yards and eight rushes of at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tight end Noah Fant have seven explosive catches apiece .
2 .
Drawing penalties .
Either the Broncos are really disciplined in their behavior and technique or their opponents have none of the above .
Through four games , opponents have been called for 35 accepted penalties , 10 more than any other team entering Sunday .
An offense like the Broncos appreciates those free yards .
3 .
Receiver Tim Patrick .
When training camp started , Patrick was fourth in line behind Courtland Sutton , Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 and Hamler is on his second hamstring injury .
Patrick has five explosive catches , including four of at least 21 yards and has earned the trust of every Broncos quarterback .
4 .
Preventing big plays .
The Broncos are a bend-but-don ’ t-break defense — Thursday ’ s blitz-fest against the Jets confirmed Fangio won ’ t always sit back .
But they have done a nice job keeping things in front of them .
The Broncos are allowing 5.2 yards per snap ( eighth-best in the league ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushes ) .
5 .
Kicker Brandon McManus .
Fresh off his contract extension signed three days before the season opener , McManus has been lights out so far .
He is 5-of-6 on field goals ( makes of 49 , 28 , 56 , 40 , 54 and 53 yards ) and his only miss was from 58 yards .
He has 16 touchbacks on 21 kickoffs , including 8-of-8 on Thursday .
1 .
Turnover differential .
The Broncos beat the Jets despite being minus-3 in turnovers .
Since 2015 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are 8-91-1 when having a differential of at least minus-3 .
Entering Sunday , the Broncos ’ minus-6 differential was second-worst in the league and their eight turnovers tied with Philadelphia for first .
2 .
Third-down offense .
The Broncos are 19-of-50 on third down ( 38 % , 25th in the league ) .
The problem : Not good enough on third-and-short and too many third-and-longs .
The Broncos are 5-of-11 when needing 1-3 yards on third down ( 45.5 % — terrible ) and have faced 24 third downs when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversions — 16.7 % ) .
The sweet spot has been third-and-medium ( 4-7 yards ) — the Broncos are 10-of-15 ( 66.7 % ) .
3 .
Guard play .
The Broncos felt the combination of right guard Graham Glasgow and left guard Dalton Risner projected as a strength .
But they need to pick it up .
Glasgow is working between rookie center Lloyd Cushenberry and working-into-form right tackle Demar Dotson ( Elijah Wilkinson is injured ) .
Glasgow has been booked for three bad run plays and four pass-rush “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four bad run plays and 6 1/2 disruptions .
4 .
Red zone offense .
The Broncos have six touchdowns in 13 red zone trips ( 46.2 % ) .
We can throw out the final red zone possession against the Jets ( Brett Rypien kneel-down ) , but the other missed opportunities have been costly .
They were stopped at the 1 against Tennessee and sacked twice on third down at Pittsburgh , games that were winnable .
5 .
Outside linebacker depth .
The loss of Von Miller was obviously huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his replacements , outside of Jeremiah Attaochu , has been glaring .
The Broncos had six sacks , two knockdowns and seven pressures against the Jets … none by an outside linebacker not named Bradley Chubb .
Attaochu was inactive because of a quad injury .
His return will be important as well as getting more from Malik Reed and the recently-signed Anthony Chickillo .
A look at the second quarter of the Broncos ’ season : Week 5 at New England .
The Patriots were scheduled to play at Kansas City on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday ?
Tuesday ?
Neither ?
— because of coronavirus .
The Patriots could be starting Brian Hoyer or Jarrett Stidham and playing on a short week .
Week 6 vs. Miami .
A critical game .
Quarterback Drew Lock ( right shoulder ) could be back here after Fangio said he ’ s 50-50 to face the Patriots .
The Dolphins enter Sunday ’ s game against Seattle ranked 26th in yards gained ( 324.3 ) and 25th in yards allowed ( 399.3 ) .
Week 7 vs. Kansas City .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , 30-6 and 23-3 , so there ’ s nowhere to go but up offensively .
After this game , the Broncos go into the bye with their season crystallized — in the hunt for the final playoff spot ( 3-4 record or even 2-5 ) or playing for next year ( 1-6 ) .
Week 9 at Atlanta .
The Broncos should let the Falcons storm to a big lead — it worked for Dallas in Week 2 ( rallied from 29-10 to win 40-39 ) and Chicago in Week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .

The best way to get out of a hole, coaches in every sport have said for decades? Stop digging.
The Broncos started that process with Thursday’s 37-28 win over the New York Jets, ending the first quarter of the season at 1-3.
Another 0-4 start would have sent the season off the rails, and it could still be headed that way because of the injuries to key players and overall concern points like too many turnovers, not enough red zone touchdowns and leaning on so many young players.
Among the 48 Broncos who played against the Jets, 27 were first-, second- or third-year players. Young players in prominent roles, no matter how much they won in college, need success to lift their spirits. That’s why the Jets game was crucial.
“It just makes them feel better and it gives them confidence that they can go out there and win a game,” Fangio said. “Hopefully we can build on it.”
Said receiver Tim Patrick: “It’s hard to win in this league, and sometimes, it doesn’t matter how it happens. You just have to get that win so you can get over that hurdle so you can keep stacking wins after that.”
Here’s a look at the Broncos through the first quarter of the season:
What’s working
1. Big plays on offense. The Broncos have 17 plays of at least 20 yards, which ranks fourth in the NFL entering Sunday’s games. The offense has 33 explosive plays (25 passes of least 16 yards and eight rushes of at least 12 yards). Receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end Noah Fant have seven explosive catches apiece.
2. Drawing penalties. Either the Broncos are really disciplined in their behavior and technique or their opponents have none of the above. Through four games, opponents have been called for 35 accepted penalties, 10 more than any other team entering Sunday. An offense like the Broncos appreciates those free yards.
3. Receiver Tim Patrick. When training camp started, Patrick was fourth in line behind Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. Sutton tore his ACL in Week 2 and Hamler is on his second hamstring injury. Patrick has five explosive catches, including four of at least 21 yards and has earned the trust of every Broncos quarterback.
4. Preventing big plays. The Broncos are a bend-but-don’t-break defense — Thursday’s blitz-fest against the Jets confirmed Fangio won’t always sit back. But they have done a nice job keeping things in front of them. The Broncos are allowing 5.2 yards per snap (eighth-best in the league) and only 21 explosive plays (16 passes/five rushes).
5. Kicker Brandon McManus. Fresh off his contract extension signed three days before the season opener, McManus has been lights out so far. He is 5-of-6 on field goals (makes of 49, 28, 56, 40, 54 and 53 yards) and his only miss was from 58 yards. He has 16 touchbacks on 21 kickoffs, including 8-of-8 on Thursday.
What needs work
1. Turnover differential. The Broncos beat the Jets despite being minus-3 in turnovers. Since 2015, according to Pro Football Reference, teams are 8-91-1 when having a differential of at least minus-3. Entering Sunday, the Broncos’ minus-6 differential was second-worst in the league and their eight turnovers tied with Philadelphia for first.
2. Third-down offense. The Broncos are 19-of-50 on third down (38%, 25th in the league). The problem: Not good enough on third-and-short and too many third-and-longs. The Broncos are 5-of-11 when needing 1-3 yards on third down (45.5% — terrible) and have faced 24 third downs when needing at least eight yards (four conversions — 16.7%). The sweet spot has been third-and-medium (4-7 yards) — the Broncos are 10-of-15 (66.7%).
3. Guard play. The Broncos felt the combination of right guard Graham Glasgow and left guard Dalton Risner projected as a strength. But they need to pick it up. Glasgow is working between rookie center Lloyd Cushenberry and working-into-form right tackle Demar Dotson (Elijah Wilkinson is injured). Glasgow has been booked for three bad run plays and four pass-rush “disruptions.” Risner has been booked for four bad run plays and 6 1/2 disruptions.
4. Red zone offense. The Broncos have six touchdowns in 13 red zone trips (46.2%). We can throw out the final red zone possession against the Jets (Brett Rypien kneel-down), but the other missed opportunities have been costly. They were stopped at the 1 against Tennessee and sacked twice on third down at Pittsburgh, games that were winnable.
5. Outside linebacker depth. The loss of Von Miller was obviously huge, but the lack of production by his replacements, outside of Jeremiah Attaochu, has been glaring. The Broncos had six sacks, two knockdowns and seven pressures against the Jets … none by an outside linebacker not named Bradley Chubb. Attaochu was inactive because of a quad injury. His return will be important as well as getting more from Malik Reed and the recently-signed Anthony Chickillo.
Looking ahead
A look at the second quarter of the Broncos’ season:
Week 5 at New England. The Patriots were scheduled to play at Kansas City on Sunday but that has been postponed — Monday? Tuesday? Neither? — because of coronavirus. The Patriots could be starting Brian Hoyer or Jarrett Stidham and playing on a short week.
Week 6 vs. Miami. A critical game. Quarterback Drew Lock (right shoulder) could be back here after Fangio said he’s 50-50 to face the Patriots. The Dolphins enter Sunday’s game against Seattle ranked 26th in yards gained (324.3) and 25th in yards allowed (399.3).
Week 7 vs. Kansas City. The Broncos were routed twice by the Chiefs last year, 30-6 and 23-3, so there’s nowhere to go but up offensively. After this game, the Broncos go into the bye with their season crystallized — in the hunt for the final playoff spot (3-4 record or even 2-5) or playing for next year (1-6).
Week 9 at Atlanta. The Broncos should let the Falcons storm to a big lead — it worked for Dallas in Week 2 (rallied from 29-10 to win 40-39) and Chicago in Week 3 (trailed 26-10 and won 30-26).


thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Broncos Insider: Rookie wideout Jerry Jeudy is only beginning to unlock his dangerous NFL potential

Rookie wideout Jerry Jeudy checked off a couple notable achievements in the Broncos ’ first win of the season : First touchdown catch , and a shoutout from NBA superstar LeBron James .
King James ’ exclamation — “ JEUDY !
!
!
!
!
!
Moss ’ d , ” LBJ tweeted — came after Jeudy grabbed Brett Rypien ’ s second-quarter pass off the facemask of Jets cornerback Pierre Desir to give the Broncos their first lead on Thursday .
It was exactly the type of electrifying play that Broncos fans have been expecting to see since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall in April .
Jeudy finished with two catches for 61 yards on Thursday and has 15 receptions for 234 yards at the quarter pole of his rookie season .
And while he was admittedly geeked about the shoutout from James — “ That ’ s next level right there , ” Jeudy said — the scariest part for the rest of the league is Jeudy ’ s “ Mossing ” of Desir may be just the beginning of the speedster unlocking his dangerous NFL potential .
The former Alabama star hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — his high is 62 yards in Pittsburgh — but multiple 100-yard games aren ’ t out of the question for Jeudy throughout the rest of the season .
Courtland Sutton ’ s season-ending knee injury will undoubtedly lead to more opportunities , and starting quarterback Drew Lock ’ s imminent return from a shoulder injury should also help .
Jeudy ’ s been averaging a respectable 15.6 yards per catch this year to lead the Broncos in that category , and his elusive route-running ability has already grown on the professional stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur needs to find more ways to uncork a guy who appears primed to become an elite receiver .
Sure , though , there ’ s still things for the 21-year-old to work on .
No more drops — he had two in Week 1 , but afterwards vowed those blunders ( one of which potentially cost the Broncos a chance to beat Tennessee ) would set a no-drops tone the rest of his season .
Then he had another drop in Week 2 .
Plus , he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Brett Rypien thus far ) must develop better chemistry : Jeudy ’ s been targeted 28 times but has just a 53.6 % catch percentage .
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Rookie wideout Jerry Jeudy checked off a couple notable achievements in the Broncos’ first win of the season: First touchdown catch, and a shoutout from NBA superstar LeBron James.
King James’ exclamation — “JEUDY!!!!!! Moss’d,” LBJ tweeted — came after Jeudy grabbed Brett Rypien’s second-quarter pass off the facemask of Jets cornerback Pierre Desir to give the Broncos their first lead on Thursday. It was exactly the type of electrifying play that Broncos fans have been expecting to see since the moment Denver drafted Jeudy No. 15 overall in April.
Jeudy finished with two catches for 61 yards on Thursday and has 15 receptions for 234 yards at the quarter pole of his rookie season. And while he was admittedly geeked about the shoutout from James — “That’s next level right there,” Jeudy said — the scariest part for the rest of the league is Jeudy’s “Mossing” of Desir may be just the beginning of the speedster unlocking his dangerous NFL potential.
The former Alabama star hasn’t posted a 100-yard receiving game yet — his high is 62 yards in Pittsburgh — but multiple 100-yard games aren’t out of the question for Jeudy throughout the rest of the season. Courtland Sutton’s season-ending knee injury will undoubtedly lead to more opportunities, and starting quarterback Drew Lock’s imminent return from a shoulder injury should also help.
Jeudy’s been averaging a respectable 15.6 yards per catch this year to lead the Broncos in that category, and his elusive route-running ability has already grown on the professional stage through the first four games. Now, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur needs to find more ways to uncork a guy who appears primed to become an elite receiver.
Sure, though, there’s still things for the 21-year-old to work on.
No more drops — he had two in Week 1, but afterwards vowed those blunders (one of which potentially cost the Broncos a chance to beat Tennessee) would set a no-drops tone the rest of his season. Then he had another drop in Week 2.
Plus, he and the quarterbacks (Lock, Jeff Driskel and Brett Rypien thus far) must develop better chemistry: Jeudy’s been targeted 28 times but has just a 53.6% catch percentage.
— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post
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