-Drew Suppes
Ten years ago, the Denver Broncos and Colorado Avalanche were each at the pinnacle of their respective organizations. The Broncos were the team to beat in the NFL after winning back to back Super Bowl Championships. The Colorado Avalanche set an NHL record with nine consecutive division titles, in route to winning two Stanley Cups.
Ten years later, fans, journalists, and members of each organization are suffering from the worst condition in sports: they are all living in the past.
Comparing a current athlete to former athlete is the second laziest form of journalism (second to Charles Barkley’s NBA “expertise” on TNT), unless some creativity goes into it. Take for example, in today’s Denver Post, Lindsay H. Jones compares 1st round draft pick, Knowshon Moreno to Terrell Davis. In a lethargic article written about Moreno winning a touchdown celebration for NFL rookies, Jones couldn’t resist from drawing the obvious link between the two, that they both played at the University of Georgia, and tying it to the fact that T.D. was notorious for his Mile High Salute touchdown celebration. —I’m glad that the Denver Post is paying Jones’ to work around the clock to dig up some hard hitting facts and information on the Denver Broncos. I would have been more impressed if an article was written about the seven degrees of separation between Moreno and Kevin Bacon (Moreno won an autographed jersey of Michael Jordan, who starred in Hanes commercials with Mr. Bacon, himself…and that’s only three degrees). —Not only is it unfair for Moreno to draw comparisons to Davis, it is disrespectful to the greatest running back in Broncos history to compare him to a player that has yet to take a snap in the NFL.
Fans are the first to compare a young player to one of their favorites from the past. Take for example, John Elway. No one will argue that Elway is the best football player and biggest sports figure in Colorado sports history. No one in Denver will ever forget his nine Pro Bowls, two Vince Lombardi Trophies, and Super Bowl MVP award. But its time to move on. He took his last snap over 10 years ago. Must we, as fans, continue to compare every quarterback that suits up in the orange and blue to the great Elway? Brian Griese, Jake Plummer, and Jay Cutler all drew comparisons, and criticisms with Elway. I’m sure Kyle Orton will draw similar criticisms. When Broncos fans stop using Elway as the standard for quarterback play, it will be a step in the right direction in moving out of the 90s.
Fans and journalists are not the only ones living in a world of nostalgia. Earlier in the week, the Denver Post reported that former goalie Patrick Roy was offered the head coaching job for the Colorado Avalanche. Columnist Mark Kiszla responded in a column, advising Roy not to take the position. This is the first, and will probably be the last time that I agree with Kiszla. Since Pierre Lacroix stepped out of the General Manager role with the Avalanche, the organization has made little improvements or adjustments to the post-lockout, new salary cap era of the NHL. Take, for example, bringing Adam Foote, and Peter Forsberg back to Denver two years ago. While I was excited at the time, bringing back an older Foote, and oft-injured Forsberg at the end of their careers was a move that did not help the Avs long term. Bringing Roy back to coach the Avs would have a similar effect. They may sell a few more season tickets, but the team is just not as talented as it was in its glory days. The NHL has changed a lot since the Avs were winning division titles. In order to reestablish themselves as a legitimate threat in the league, they need to pay attention to the business model of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Redwings. They need to develop talent from within, instead of overpaying for players past their prime. They need to focus attention to the future, instead of trying to resurect the Avs teams of ten years ago. As much as it pains me to say, Coach Patrick Roy is not the answer for the Colorado Avalanche.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. As I sat having lunch in Tampa and read the Denver Post on my phone, I was perplexed as to the newsworthiness of Ms. Jones’ article.
He won a rookie touchdown celebration competition. WOW. Exactly what has Mareno done in the league that makes him minutely comparable to T.D.
Poor journalism, as far as I’m concerned Erin Andrews, because of her expertise not her looks, is one of the few that belong in this profession.
True sports fans and afficianados want facts, game stories and insight. Not the fluff and sensational stories that clog the sports pages.
Tell Jones, Julie Bowman and Maya Moore their applications should be directed toward entertainment tonight.
As painful as it is to hear… the Avs do need to follow the lead of Detroit, Chicago, etc. It’s was electrifying to see Forsberg and Foote back — it even helped for a few games, maybe the first round last year — but in the long run it got the Avalanche nowhere. It’s time to move on. If Roy himself is saying he isn’t sure if he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL yet, then maybe that should be respected by the management in CO and we should wait a few more years until he can handle it.
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