By Gabe Stein | Thursday August 31st 2006, 7:50 pm
Just a few weeks ago, I was still pining, hoping for a resurgance, and a playoff birth for our young Colorado boys. Now, unless the Rockies, who’s longest winning streak of the year is four games, win out, all hope is gone. Nonetheless, I think the season has been successful. For the first time this year, the Rockies have fallen ten games below .500 - but think about what that means for a team that was never close to ten games below after the first two weeks of last season.
Okay, so I’ve been trying to reconcile our late fade (or our ‘Hurdling to Rock Bottom,’ as a sign near me last night read) in my mind. I should be happy that we were in contention for so long. But what hurts is that this team should still be right there. If they had any clutch hitting at all in the last two months, they’d still be hunting for the Wild Card and the division. They’re only 15 to 20 clutch hits at key times away from being right where the Dodgers and Padres are. But that’s the problem with this team - somewhere in the course of 182 games, they’re missing 15 or 20 hits.
So like last year, Rockies fans are forced to turn to next year, which like the last, is a year that promises a lot. The only exciting thing about not being where we’d like to be is that we’re getting a glimpse of all those players that Rox Girl has been telling us to get excited about for years. Chris Ianetta made his debut behind the plate a few days ago against the Padres. He showed good defense, and called the game well, leading Cook to a 2-run, 8-inning effort. Ianetta also showed remarkable poise at the plate, where he got his first hit and RBI - against Jake Peavy, no less. It was exciting to see the kid play, but it’s more exciting to think about having him and Yorvit Torrealba, who has been one of the team’s few consistent clutch hitters, as our two catchers. Both call a good game, play good defense, and if Yorvit continues his resurgence at the plate next year and Ianetta hits as advertised, the Rockies will have the best catching tandem in the NL West. As much as I’ve enjoyed Danny Ardoin the person, and Danny Ardoin the defensive catcher, his hitting is obviously a liability. Nonetheless, I’m glad the Orioles have picked up his option. It’s been a good stint for the guy, who was supposed to be a career minor-leaguer, and I think he has a bright future in this league at some managerial level, even if it’s not as a major-league catcher.
Troy Tulowitzki, long touted as the team’s best prospect, also got his call-up in late August, this time against the Mets. He wasn’t as good at the plate as Ianetta was in his debut, going 0 for 4 with three K’s, but apparently the kid made Web Gems for a spinning throw he made from deep in the whole. You can certainly see why the Rox like this guy defensively, and even though he didn’t have a great night at the plate, I’m going be really extra nice and forgive him since it was his first Major League game. I mean hell, even 0-4 puts him at .000, which is better than Barmes’ -.236, right?
The other new-ish guy that I’m really excited about is Kaz Matsui. So far with the Rockies, Kazuo is batting .423 with a ridiculous OBP of .483. He’s also freakishly fast, and has yet to be caught in three attempts at stolen bases. Even my mother, who lacks any knowledge of baseball, and remembers only the Avalanche players she thinks are cute, was really excited by Kaz when she first saw him (her remarks on the subject were, ‘Ohh, that guy’s COOL!’). As I’ve already said, I’m also excited about Kaz. I know that the numbers he’s put up so far are in just a very few games, but in that time he’s had a big impact on the team, already scoring 8 runs. The Rockies have never really had a bonafide leadoff guy, and Jamey Carroll’s offensive numbers this year smell of a fluke…Does anyone else see a bright future with Kaz starting at the 2B next year? Because I think he’s just the sort of player who, with an established spot next year, could revitalize this team. And because of his weak numbers with the Mets, we have a good chance to get a real superstar on the cheap if it turns out that all he needed to return to his Japanese league form was a good change of scenery. Plus, he’s just SO COOL!
Over at Purple Row (third link this article, jeez), they’ve started a thread about the end of this season being the last call to jump on the bandwagon without it being a bandwagon, given the Rockies’ imminent success next year, which I whole-heartedly believe in. Rox Girl has graciously included me in the fans that pre-qualify for non-bandwagon-status, and I guess I feel honored by that. But I’ve got a word of advice for everyone while we celebrate next year prematurely: do not forget 2006. Regardless of where this team ends up in a few years, you’ll want to remember ‘06 in years to come when you realize that you had the unique opportunity to witness, and be involved in, the complete re-birth of a dead franchise. Very few fans ever get to see what we have the opportunity to be a part of, so don’t forget these old glory years that we’ve shared.
By Gabe Stein | Sunday August 27th 2006, 10:02 am
I’ll bet you’re wondering where that flurry of that football coverage that we started a few weeks ago has gone. And I have the answer for you: our services have been acquired by AOL for a new and interesting blog experiment called the fanhouse. We’ll still be posting to the Zone about other sports, and will ocassionally have a really fresh article on something Broncos-related. But most of our stuff will be over at AOL.
Where can you find us? Easy: http://broncos.aolsportsblog.com. It’s still being set up, but since it’s supposed to go live tomorrow, and other people are doing it, I figured I’d let you all know. Please add this to your bookmarks, or feeds, or what-have-you, and get ready for a great Broncos season.
By Gabe Stein | Tuesday August 22nd 2006, 8:51 pm
This is gonna be a quickie, since I don’t have a ton of time on my hands (pfft, school!), but - are the Rockies done for the year, in late August? I know that they’re still mathematically in contention for a lot of stuff, and they still have a real chance at a lot of stuff, but it seems like the Rockies themselves are giving up. They can’t score runs and aren’t even making excuses for it anymore. They’re getting great pitching and should easily be 5-10 games above where they are right now, but it seems no one on the team wants to step up and give everyone a big smacking around for this BS lack of production.
A few days ago, Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com wrote about Mike Bell, runaway star of the training camp and Broncos’ starter, being pushed around by veterans for breaking the Broncos rule that they don’t run out of bounds unless forced. It seems to me that the Rockies might be missing this kind of a veteran leader, a guy who pushes the guys around when they act stupid and don’t produce with, oh, the bases loaded and no outs. You know Helton isn’t that type of a veteran, and it seems like Clint Hurdle is now just talking about the things they’re doing wrong in press conferences, instead of how to improve them.
What the Rockies need is to somehow pick up a veteran, leader guy who plays a good center field and hits .300+ with 40 HR a year…anyone who thinks someone like this is available, stand on their head. Putting a guy like that behind Matt Holliday would make it hard to pitch to this team, and getting a leader in the clubhouse to push the guys would really help. Of course, the Rockies also need experience and the time the Broncos have had to build this foundation of un-written rules, and the tradition of enforcing them hard. Give them the rest of the year, I think a lot of these woes will end by next season. But what the Rockies need to remember is that it’s not too late for this year, either - and their attitude and demeanor of late is very discouraging for a fan who saw so much promise for the team at the end of last year.
In other notes, Kaz Matsui was re-called from the AAA SkySox, and was with the team tonight against the Brwers. We’ll see how Clint decides to use him, though my guess is we won’t see Kaz much until later in the year, when he starts taking a few games a week from Carroll and/or Barmes.
By Sam Handler | Thursday August 17th 2006, 8:10 am
-Ron Dayne is most probably out for the next preseason contest versus Tennessee. He injured his toe during the Detroit Lions game and has been sitting out of practice this week. I’m dissapointed we won’t be able to get a look at Dayne, but with two more games to follow before the regular season opener, he’ll indubitably get a shot to prove himself.
-Tony Scheffler is learning how to block from an extremely hateful coach. That is what I like to hear. Top notch hatin’, (tight ends coach) Tim Brewster.
-David Terrell enjoys mauling children. No wait, that’s…defamation? There we go. Defamation. David Terrell does not enjoy mauling children, but in fact makes witty comments about when he bowled over a lil’ tyke during training camp: “I tried to slow down, and I hit her…I should have just stopped and jumped and then made the play on the ball and then let it go by. . . . I’m sorry about hitting her. She’s a tough girl, she needs to come out here and play some football.”
Even Shanahan showed his once-in-a-green-moon sense of humor. “Asked if there was a contract in her future, Shanahan said, ‘She might be owning the team here shortly,’”
reports Jeff Legwold.
-Hoorah for www.broncos07.com, my preferred choice for Bronco and Bronco-related news.
By Gabe Stein | Monday August 14th 2006, 10:47 pm
That’s right - Vinny Castilla, a man who will for most be known as a Rockie, is back in town for his third stint in Colorado. Earlier today, the Rockies announced that they had agreed to terms with Vinny Castilla on a minor league contract, with the intent that Vinny will be called up this September once the rosters expand. Vinny has said this is his last year in the bigs, which also means he will retire right where he belongs, in a Rockies uniform. Cue the ‘awwwwww’ and heart-warming music and forget about it? Not so fast. As has been pointed out numerous times by even the likes of Jeff Huson, Castilla will do more for the Rockies than just add some fans to Coors Field and a feel-good story to tomorrow’s papers. Castilla will add a veteran prescence to the dugout, but he’ll also add a bat that’s alway dangerous. And with Rockies pinch-hitters batting below .200 before tonight, his .260-ish lifetime pinch-hit average will really help the bench, especially at Coors Field, which is a ballpark that Vinny basically owns. Castilla is also still a solid defensive third baseman, and will be able to come in late in ballgames and give Atkins an ocassional day off, which could come in handy if the post-season happens this year. Vinny should also be a step above Luis Gonzales, one of the few guys who’s replaced Atkins this year, since he’s a natural third baseman. All in all, a heartwarming, but potentially very solid move for the Rockies.
Skip forward to tonight’s game, and you have yourself a doozy. Let’s just say, YAY FOR TIMELY HITTING! Finally, finally, finally, the Rox managed to put a few hits together and have people come through with runners on base late in the game. Yorvit ‘Freaking Clutch’ Torrealba, who I remind you is only 28, came up big again with the game-tying RBI in the eighth, and Bradlee Hawpe singled home Jamie Carroll (Hairiest knuckles on the team) walk-off style in the ninth. If the Rox learn from this and keep up the hitting-when-it-counts, we might have ourselves a ball club.
By Gabe Stein | Saturday August 12th 2006, 5:14 pm
Update: Okay, the link should actually work now. Told you we’re new at this.
Well, we got really bored waiting for the Rockies game to start, so we decided to do our first DSZ podcast. Between ripping on Mark Kiszla, saying ‘jump the gun’ a lot, discussing the two Bells, making Todd Devoe jokes, mis-using preemptively, and discussing the future of Cutler and Scheffler, we think you’ll at least be entertained by the sheer stupidity of our foray into the world of podcasting. So without further adieu:
The First Ever Denver Sports Zone Podcast
Before you leave though, a quick post script from Sam:
Sorry for using preemptively wrong. I seriously need to get on top of learning the English language. www.swishahouse.biz. Leave comments as to whether or not we should continue this absurd endeavor. Also, I did the music, and if you want someone to make you a podcast intro, I’m your man. (or anything else).
By Gabe Stein | Saturday August 12th 2006, 2:43 pm
Clint Hurdle has finally taken the suggestion of the Rockies blogosphere and dropped Jorge Piedra from the lineup, calling up AAA star Ryan Spilborghs. This means the team will lose their best-dressed player (as voted by the players in the latest installment of ‘Rockies Weekly’ [if anybody can find a link to that, let me know]), but it’s okay, because that means the role of best-dressed will be taken by Choo ‘Besides me, Jorge Piedra’ Freeman, who is clearly the next-best-dressed on the team.
But apparently, Clint Hurdle should pay more attention to what bloggers say - because Ryan Spilborgh’s immediate impact was providing the catalyst for a 10-run effort to beat the Cubs in the first of three games. Way to go Clint! The main other suggestion I have to get this team back in track coincides with Mr. Mark Donohue’s comments a few nights ago.
Clint Hurdle is playing his starters way too long, and its cost us some ball-games. Granted, the starters have been nothing short of excellent of late - but that doesn’t mean a manager should ever be thinking twice about taking a starter out in the sixth or seventh inning if it seems batters are getting to him a little. Especially with the way the Rockies bullpen has been performing of late, and the way the offense has been not scoring, it makes no sense that Hurdle should be gun-shy about pulling his starters earlier than the eighth if they’re starting to be hit a little bit. And imagine the games we could have won if Hurdle had turned to the bullpen instead of allowing the starters to go too long - not to mention the wear and tear we could have saved the starters.
The moral of this story - don’t be afraid to make a good baseball move earlier than you’d like in the ballgame, even if Byung-Hyung ‘I was born to throw 127 every game’ Kim is on the mound.
By Gabe Stein | Saturday August 12th 2006, 1:21 pm
According to the Denver Post’s Mark Kizla, there is no quarterback controversy, because Jay Cutler has already won. Kizla then does what any columnist would do in a situation like this - he goes straight into prediction mode, and makes the following statements without reservation:
1. Jay Cutler will win the Broncos their next Super Bowl.
2. Jay Cutler will boost Mike Shanahan into the Hall of Fame.
3. Jay Cutler will be starting next season.
4. Jay Cutler will be the next Ben Roethlisberger.
To make it even more interesting, Kizla said all of this before Cutler even took a snap against the Lions. Now I’m not going to rain on anyone’s parade here - especially since I am myself still feeling a high after Cutler’s very good performance against the Lions. Jay Cutler is undoubtedly the future of this organization - but anyone who believes that Jay Cutler is ready to lead an NFL team is a chump.
Why? Because Cutler hasn’t won in a long time. Choosing a second-tier football school like Vanderbilt was almost certainly what landed Cutler in our lap, but it’s also the main reason why he won’t be playing this year, and maybe not even the first part of next year. Last year, the VU Commodores were 5-6 in the SEC, despite Cutler’s outstanding 3,000+ yard totals. Cutler is coming from a no-pressure environment where winning anything was an afterthought, and being dropped into one of the toughest markets in football to be a quarterback. And after an AFC Championship year, it’s Super Bowl or bust for this team and its fans. Think Cutler can handle that?
There’s no doubt that Cutler has the talent to take any team to a new level - but does he have the grit yet? Remember Brian Griese, who was asked to follow John Elway and a Super Bowl win? Remember how that turned out? And people said Griese had a great football mind…
My point is, if a Super Bowl is what you want, you won’t rush Cutler into the starting role. He’s got to spend a year or two remembering what it feels like to have something real to play for again. And with the Broncos looking like one of the AFC’s strongest teams, you can bet he’ll have a pretty good opportunity to do that even from the sidelines.
Meanwhile, I don’t feel it’s time to give up on Plummer. Jake brought us very close to a Super Bowl last year, and if he gets us even closer this year, it’ll be very hard to convince me that it’s time to let him go. Plummer’s youth may be behind him, but I believe that his best years are ahead of him, and that he’ll get better for each year he stays in the Broncos’ system. As long as Jake continues to lead this team deep into the post season, I won’t be ready to let him go no matter who’s set to fill his place.
By Sam Handler | Friday August 11th 2006, 11:33 pm
The first game of the preseason brought promise and peril to Denver fans as they watched the Broncos lose to the Lions 13-20.
Missing half of the line and top cornerback Champ Bailey, the Broncos’ first team defense surrendered a field goal in the only series it played. The Lions offense drove 63 yards downfield to set up Jason Hanson for the score. They were efficient in the run during the drive and ate up almost seven minutes of clock.
The Broncos responded with two field goals and a touchdown during the rest of the game, but not before the Lions had scored a TD of their own as well.
The Lions sealed the Bronco coffin with an Artrose Pinner goal line run to the right side in the third quarter.
With the obligatory summary out of the way, here are answers to the questions posed before the game.
1. How does Jay Cutler look? Is the guy comfortable in the pocket and is he on-target?
Jay Cutler performed exceptionally well in his first game minus one fumbled snap. I personally think he looks like a stoner, but that’s beside the point (although that’s not as bad as the combine pic). His touchdown pass to standout wide reciever David Kircus showed exceptional touch, as he lofted the ball over a defender right into his target’s arms. Cutler also was rifling shorter passes with great velocity, which makes the differently paced ball all the more encouraging and special. A+ for the rookie, who finished the game 16/22, with 192 yards and 1 TD.
2. Can Elvis Dumervil play the run and moreover is he effective as a pass rusher?
Dumervil had one tackle, one assist and one quarterback pressure in the game. Not too impressive. D+
3. Is Mike really the better of the two Bells? How is he versus the Lions’ first-team D?
Mike Bell didn’t perform like a first teamer. He had 20 yards on seven carries, with a long run of eight yards. Not so hot. He also fumbled the ball, although it was due to great defense, not poor ball position. D-
Note: Tatum Bell averaged just over 5 YPC on five carries, though as usual, it was one yard gain, one yard gain, fifteen yard gain and so on. B for him.
4. Can John Lynch run at all? Sadly, he’s old enough that this is a question that must be asked every year.
Truthfully, I didn’t even notice his presence, although according to nfl.com, he had one tackle and one assist.
5. Is Brandon Marshall all he’s cracked up to be? Has Darius Watts actually improved?
Marshall was good in his limited time, with one catch for nine yards. He has excelent size and decent speed and hands too. A knee injury forced him to sit for most of the game, however (updates when available). C
Watts made some routine catches, which, considering his history, is a good accomplishment. Ol’ numb-in-one-hand had 4 catches for 35 yards. He could be the team’s third wideout this year.
6. Does the team have a true tight end recieving option, either in Stephen Alexander or rookie Tony Scheffler?
Tony Scheffler looked solid in his first effort. He caught four balls for 54 yards in the game and made a tough, heads up play to get out of bounds with the clock winding down in the second quarter. B
7. How many slants will Todd Devoe turn into 80 yard touchdown receptions?
Sadly, none. Todd Actually fumbled once on a reverse, although I think we can all agree that it was the rest of the team’s fault and not his. He also had two catches, and would have had more if Cutler had just given him the chance to catch them.
Other thoughts:
Roc Alexander can hit. He is back with a vicious vengeance.
Cedric Cobbs looked competent and strong and may be the tough counterpart to Tatum Bell if the Broncos go with the two-back system again this year. Dayne did not fare well.
The Lions are not good at football.
Ford Field is a good looking stadium.
Preseason football < regular season football < playoff football
By Sam Handler | Friday August 11th 2006, 9:18 am
Broncos football is here in less than 12 hours. Sure, the game is pretty meaningless and we’ll see the first team for twelve plays or so, butbut, football!
Line: Denver Broncos +1.5
Over/Under: 38
TV: CBS, 5:30 p.m.
Radio: AM 850
A few questions which will be answered in the game (not ranked in importance at all):
1. How does Jay Cutler look? Is the guy comfortable in the pocket and is he on-target?
2. Can Elvis Dumervil play the run and moreover is he effective as a pass rusher?
3. Is Mike really the better of the two Bells? How is he versus the Lions’ first-team D?
A note on number three: the injury bug bit the Lions defense badly. Training camp standout Cory Redding won’t play, and neither will Shaun “One of the Two Good Defensive Players on the Roster” Rogers. Plus, Boss Bailey (Champ’s brother who ran a 4.33 40 and is a linebacker ) is out along with MLB Teddy Lehman. Mike Bell’s performance won’t be against a true first team defense and won’t be a great gauge of future success.
4. Can John Lynch run at all? Sadly, he’s old enough that this is a question that must be asked every year.
5. Is Brandon Marshall all he’s cracked up to be? Has Darius Watts actually improved?
6. Does the team have a true tight end recieving option, either in Stephen Alexander or rookie Tony Scheffler?
7. How many slants will Todd Devoe turn into 80 yard touchdown receptions?
Lions-wise, there’s a bunch of questions. First, can Kitna or any other quarterback handle Mike Martz’s offensive scheme? Then there’s the ol’ which of the three first-round wideouts the Lions have drafted will step up? There are more, but who cares about the Lions?
A couple of things about who’s playing:
Rod Smith and Javon Walker are going to sit for injury reasons. Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren are out. Champ Bailey won’t play for security’s sake.
