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Kiszla: From Elway to Joker, dusty old cowtown has grown into city of champions during course of 40 years

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

Forty years go by too fast to count, if you don’t keep score.When I stumbled into this dusty old cowtown 40 years ago as a clueless young reporter for The Denver Post, John Elway was a confused rookie who once sauntered to the line of scrimmage and stuck his hands under the rump of left guard Tom Glassic to take the snap, before the goosed Glassic shouted at his young quarterback: “Wrong guy, wrong guy!”Well, look at us now. Elway owns a bronze bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And I’m still holding down a seat in the press box, where I’ve kept score as Denver transformed itself from dusty old cowtown into a city of champions.During the past 40 years, we’ve seen some stuff, you and me. I was there when the CU Buffs needed five downs to win and couldn’t believe it when 184 points weren’t enough for the Nuggets in a loss. We’ve watched Mr. Big Shot and the Joker hold court, as well as witnessing football miracles during The Drive in Cleveland and The Miracle in Michig...

Broncos Journal: The 10 months between Jerry Rosburg and Sean Payton coaching at Kansas City show gulf between AFC West rivals

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On the first day of 2023, the Broncos rang in the new year right here at Arrowhead Stadium.They found themselves on that cold day in a full-on state of flux. Interim head coach Jerry Rosburg made his debut six days after Nathaniel Hackett had been fired. The initial contact with Sean Payton and other coaching candidates came soon after.At that point, the Broncos knew they had a big project on their hands, but thought perhaps a new face at the front of the team room would be the catalyst for swift change.On the 285th day of 2023, the Broncos returned to the home of their division rival and were served a reminder that not only is the gap between themselves and Kansas City wider than the Missouri River Valley, but also that it’s going to take more than Payton’s coaching resume in New Orleans to even think about narrowing the gulf.In the 10 months between the matchups, the Broncos traded away yet another first-round pick in order to hire Payton and an almost ent...

Broncos’ youth movement at OLB looks promising so far. But what about other positions if Denver ramps up its sell-off before trade deadline?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nik Bonitto grasped at Patrick Mahomes’ ankles and held on as long as he could. The Broncos outside linebacker got to Kansas City’s star quarterback at least enough to have his feet, but not with any way of getting him to the ground.Mahomes, though, was impacted enough that when he threw for the end zone, the ball wobbled end-over-end into the waiting arms of Denver safety Justin Simmons.A young guy and an old guy — OK, a veteran — teaming up to make a key play early in a turnaround game for the Denver defense Thursday night.Except the Broncos in the end lost, 19-8. They’re 1-5. There’s roughly two weeks before the NFL trade deadline. Denver is still short on draft picks for next spring. And the Broncos have several veteran players who could draw interest.The Broncos certainly look like trade deadline sellers and soon must decide whether to attempt to acquire draft picks, shed salary and jumpstart a roster rebuild that could land anywhere between a re-...

Nuggets Journal: Few recent defending champs have been this reliant on same starting five during repeat attempt

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

It’s surprisingly not too often that a team is able to win an NBA championship by deploying the same starting five for the majority of the regular season and the majority of the playoffs, and even less so that said team returns and uses the identical starting five the next season.Generally, the most common starting unit shifts at one or two positions between the regular season and playoffs, whether due to injuries or otherwise. Or a starter becomes a free agent the ensuing offseason. Someone new has to start out of necessity.But the Nuggets’ biggest salary cap casualty was their sixth man. They’re a somewhat rare case in that regard: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic were the five leaders in games started, in both the regular season (62 or more each) and the postseason (same five, all 20 games). And now they’re all back, reprising the unit that won the championship. That’s been difficult to achieve in recent years.From 20...

Even after 40 years at The Post, columnist Mark Kiszla rarely pulls his punches: “I must be in trouble — Kiz is here”

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

If local professional coaches and athletes didn’t know at first, they realized it pretty quick: When Mark Kiszla comes around, look out.The longtime Denver Post sportswriter, who is celebrating four decades at the paper and three decades as a columnist, always has a take. And those takes are often critical of, or at odds with, the people and teams he covers.“He was tough on me as manager, and he’s always been tough on everyone (in local pro sports),” said former Rockies skipper Walt Weiss. “I used to joke that during the years I was managing, when he would show up and be part of the media scrum, I’d start out the scrum by saying, ‘I must be in trouble — Kiz is here.'”Manager Walt Weiss waits for the start of the game in the dugout. The Colorado Rockies took on the San Diego Padres on Opening Day at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)Kiszla, 66, is known to pull no punches in his writing.In recent ye...

Me & My Car: Pleasanton man owns first-, last-generation Thunderbirds

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

Looking back, I think it’s fair to say that up until 1953-1955, the American auto industry was pretty bland.General Motors was clearly the leader, selling approximately twice as many vehicles as Ford, and Ford was selling approximately twice as many vehicles as Chrysler. All three companies built nice family cars — sedans and wagons, with the most glamorous always being a convertible.Then General Motors upset the apple cart when in January 1953 the first Chevrolet Corvette was introduced at GM’s Motorama Show in New York. It created a lot of excitement and interest around the world, and I suspect it also created some panic at the Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford set a goal for a true sports car for the 1955 model year.The idea for the Thunderbird came from George Walker and Louis Crusoe. Their concept was a two-passenger car with a convertible top using as many off-the-shelf parts as possible. It wasn’t to be a radically styled car but one that would have the Ford look so ...

More than 2 dozen DC-area schools ranked among healthiest in nation

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

More than a dozen Maryland schools and 10 Virginia schools are on a list that ranks the healthiest in the country.The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a nonprofit group that finds and scores the schools, unveiled the list last week.More than 780 schools across the country were deemed the healthiest, which is the largest number of schools in the program’s history.Virginia had 10 schools on the list and Maryland chalked up 15. D.C. wasn’t included in the list.“We get to say that we have the healthiest kids in the nation,” said Stephanie Kohout-Maguire, physical education teacher at Springhill Lake Elementary in Prince George’s County, Maryland.Montgomery County had seven designated schools that earned the title. Prince George’s County saw three of its schools selected, while Anne Arundel and Charles counties each had one school on the list.Schools are scored in nine areas, including:Social and emotional health and learningStaff well-beingFamily ...

Hurkacz beats Rublev to claim Shanghai Masters title

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

SHANGHAI (AP) — Hubert Hurkacz claimed his second Masters title in a dramatic final at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, saving a match point before prevailing 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8) against Andrey Rublev.Like he did in his impressive semifinal win over Sebastian Korda, the Polish player’s serve was again his strike weapon as he sent down 21 aces and won more than 80% of his first serve points.Hurkacz struck the first blow of the final with a forehand winner to break Rublev in the sixth game, which proved decisive in taking the opening set. It was the first set that the 25-year-old Russian player had dropped in the tournament but it seemed to spur him on, as the No. 7-ranked player found his range in the second, hitting 16 winners to force a decider.As the match tightened, Rublev saved one match point on serve at 4-5 before taking a 5-2 advantage in the third set tiebreaker. Hurkacz responded by firing back-to-back aces before forcing a Rublev error to level at 5-5. Rublev then earne...

F1 governing body FIA to review Hamilton’s actions after crossing track at Qatar GP

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

Formula One’s governing body is reviewing a penalty giving to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for crossing the track after climbing out of his car following a first-lap collision at last Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.Hamilton tangled with his Mercedes teammate George Russell after making a flying start and went spinning off into the gravel trap when trying to overtake him. He jumped straight out of the cockpit and crossed the circuit, which is a breach of regulations.Following a stewards’ investigation, he was issued his first reprimand of the season and fined 50,000 euros ($52,560), with 25,000 euros ($26,280) suspended pending any further breach this season.But given his role model status within the series, and the danger represented, governing body FIA feels this may not have been enough. Hamilton reached the inside edge of the Losail track shortly before Russell arrived at full speed having exited the pit lane.“The FIA notes that Lewis was apologetic during the ...

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie / Belkys

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:51 GMT

Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, melted¼ cup packed brown sugar2 tbs. granulated sugar1 egg1 tsp. vanilla extract3/4 cup + 2 tbs. all-purpose flour, fluffed and leveled¼ tsp. baking soda¼ tsp. salt¾ cup chocolate chips or chunksMethod of Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 6-8″ cast iron skillet.In a medium bowl with an electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugars together until creamed, about 3-4 minutes.Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing to incorporate.Add flour, salt, and baking soda, and mix on low until completely combined.Stir in chocolate and spread evenly into the prepared skillet (feel free to throw some extra chocolate chunks on top!).Bake for 20-22 minutes or until edges are crispy and center is just set (NOTE: if using a 6-inch pan, you may need up to 25 minutes of baking time; if you’re using individual skillets or ramekins, you may only need 12-15 minutes).Let the cookie skillet cool slightly. Serve by...