Hole Punch Sports

Longtime Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith, a team leader and one of the last remaining links to the franchise's Super Bowl victories, is retiring . He leaves as the team's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. Smith was amazingly athletic and emerged as John Elway's go-to deep threat in the 1997 season, after which the team won its first championship. But I'll always remember him for his work ethic and attitude. Smith wasn't drafted, but he worked his way up through the Broncos' organization, going from the practice squad to the punt returner to the No. 1 receiver in just a few years. His rise was somewhat overshadowed by that of his running mate, Ed McCaffrey, who had a similar story, coming from nowhere into NFL stardom. Together they were the toughest tandem in the league, neither ever flinching over the middle, and both serving as outstanding run blockers. McCaffrey was a little more popular during Denver's fantasti...

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They haven't gotten rid of Carmelo Anthony—yet—but the Nuggets have begun the disassembly of their dynasty of okay teams that make the playoffs, then lose quickly. This ESPN.com headline says that the Nuggets traded Marcus Camby to the friggin' Clippers for a second-round draft pick, but the story seems to suggest that the Nuggets gain only the option to swap picks with the Clips in 2010. I can remember the last time the Clippers wanted to win more than the Nuggets did. It was just a few years ago. And it sucked. Camby is aging, but he's a solid center, a position very difficult to fill. Last season he averaged nine points, thirteen rebounds, and just over three-and-a-half blocks per game. His blocks average led the league, and his rebounds per trailed only Dwight Howard. At least we didn't let Camby get away for nothing, right? Except he's not a free agent, and a second-round pick is nothing. The option to trade for such a pick is even less, and if the teams...

I can't put into words how much it's going to bother me when Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination for president this year at Invesco Field, home of the Denver Broncos. Do what you want to the military, the tax code, and the health care system, Mr. Obama, but leave the Broncos out of it. I am a lifelong Republican, but I love the Broncos much more than I do any political party. And this isn't just about Obama being a Democrat. Sports are supposed to bring us together, while political parties—notwithstanding the Downy-soft coverage of Obama—often do little but tear us apart. I wouldn't be happy about John McCain doing this, either. The only candidate I could support in such a move is John Elway, if he ever makes the long-rumored move into politics, since he built the house anyway. Realistically I know the presidential race is more important than football, that the studium is publicly funded, and that there's no other venue in Denver that can match the new M...

I usually make this list right after the playoffs, but I keep putting it off this time. Unfortunately, now that I haven't watched football in months, I'm going to forget someone. (Peyton who? Oh, crap!) Anyway, for the third straight year, here are my top quarterbacks in the NFL. (Links to the lists for 2006 and 2007 .) Honorable mentions: There are few who deserve recognition, but 37-year-old Kurt Warner (Cardinals) and 38-year-old Jeff Garcia (Buccaneers) turned back the clock with very good performances last season. 12. David Garrard, Jaguars. Garrard completed just nine passes in his team's playoff upset over the Steelers and, like any decent former backup, got way too much credit last year. But he did put good numbers in the team's loss to New England, and threw just three interceptions in twelve games last year. He's also mobile enough to be a threat. I don't expect him to remain here long-term, and considered putting Warner in his place. 11. Eli ...