The First Weekly Mailbag!

It's finally here! After gathering a week of your questions, it is about time they be answered. Thank you for your questions! Enough chatter, let's get it started.

Since Josh McDaniels has arrived, the Broncos have been through some highs and some lows. How do you think the Denver Broncos will perform in the 2010 season? What do you think will be their strengths and weaknesses? If you could give Josh McDaniels some advice, what would it be? - Mike from Aurora, CO

You're right about the high's amd low's. I mean, Denver went from a 6-0 team to an 8-8 team. They dominated San Diego on the road, only to be defeated 32-3 at home later in the season. They lost to both the Raiders and the Cheifs in back-to-back weeks.. at home. As far as next season goes, it's really up in the air. We added a great rookie class, including Demaryius Thomas, Tim Tebow and Zane Beadles (awesome name). But it's all going to depend on two things, can Denver deal with the loss of Brandon Marshall? And can they play defense like they did in the first half of 2009, not the last half? I do think that Demaryius Thomas will help the offense, but Denver did not make enough offseason moves on the defensive side of the ball to make a positive influence. My prediction: another 8-8 season. Advice to McDaniels- I understand you want to create a team of character, but that doesn't mean anything if you don't have the talent necessary to win football games.


The Nuggets overall had a great year in my opinion but fizzled out when it mattered. With that said, do you think that the nuggets peaked these last two years? Do we get better from here or worse? -David from Aurora, CO

You're forgetting all that the Nuggies battled last season. Injuries across the board, struggles off the bench, and especially the cancer of Coach George Karl. They got off to an incredible start, in fact, they had the best 50 game start in team history. But the minute George left for cancer radiation was the minute the Nuggets season went downhill. George gives the Nuggets an unmatchable basketball IQ, as well as a voice on the bence. When Adrian Dantley took over, he gave the Nuggets one of those two. His basketball IQ is out the roof, but Dantley didn't give the Nuggs the voice of reasoning off the bench. Although there were issues with our coaching, the glaring weakness in Denver's scheme is a consistent big man. Nene' emerged as solid Center this year, and K-Mart had his moments, but I don't believe they are what the Nuggets need. In terms of peaking, I believe the Nuggets have the potential to be a top-5 NBA franchise, but it depends on a couple of things- can they pick up a big man? And can they get their coach healthy once again? If both of those can happen, the Nuggets are far from their peak, and will get much better from here.

With De La Rosa (of the red) coming off the DL, he will most likely be placed back into the rotation. With this assumption, who do you think should be taken out of the line up, and who do you think will be taken out? I would think that your main choices are Hammel, Chacin, and Cook (stretch but maybe). Patrick- Zion Street, CO

I told you the second I read this, it was going to be a tough one. Fortunately for me, De La Rosa announced yesterday he will be out "about another month." But for me, it's between Chacin and Hammel. Both of these men had solid outings this season. Chacin is 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA - not too shabby for the pitcher currently 5th in the rotation. Hammel is 2-3, but allowed just one ER in his last contest. This is a tough one, Hammel is a starter, while Chacin is normally a reliever. If you are going with pure stats, Jhoulys is your man, but if you go for experience, take Hammel. I'll go with who is playing the best right now, and that's Chacin. But that could easily change by De La Rosa's return in July. Either way, the Rox are gonna love when they get "of the red" back in the lineup, especially considering his 3-1 record so far this season.

What are your thoughts on the Griffey retirement?- Patrick

This just breaks my heart. I remember being about 8 or 9 with my throwback in the backyard, pretending to be Griffey. The man did have one heck of a career. Once called the "Michael Jordan of his sport," Ken Griffey Jr. batted .284 over his 22 year career, finishing with 630 home runs- 5th in MLB history. He is a hall of famer- first ballot no doubt.

I also recieved a question about the botched call that costed Armando Gallaraga a perfect game. Myself and fellow writer JJ Jenkins will debate this issue- check it out next week! Remember, you can email me your questions to avsrock009@yahoo.com.