06 Spit: Top Colorado Sports Moments

1-Champ Bailey picks off Tom Brady and (almost) takes it to the house. In the AFC Divisional Playoffs, the defending champ are driving deep into Bronco territory for a go ahead score. Champ Bailey picks off a Brady pass and takes it back to the NE 1-yard line. The Broncos score a play later and cruise into the AFC Championship

2-The Answer comes to Denver. After an ugly brawl has the Nuggets on the front pages for a weekend, the front office brass pulls the trigger and brings Allen Iverson to town. The trade for Andre Miller and picks gives the Nugs the NBA’s #2 scorer to go along with #1 Carmelo Anthony, who is serving a 15 game suspension.

3-Bengals botch the extra point. In an exciting late season game, the Broncos allow the Bengals to seemingly tie the game at 24 late in the 4th quarter. However, the usually automatic point after goes awry as the snapper and holder bobble it away, allowing the Broncos’ an early Christams gift at 24-23.

4-For one afternoon, it was perfect. Dan Hawkins’ scheme, play-calling, and players finally click on a beautiful Fall day in Boulder, as the Buffs throttle a pretty decent Texas Tech team 30-6. Buff nation hope it is an indication of what is to come.

5-Rockies play in the pennant race. The Rox get off to a decent start, playing in the thick of the Wildcard and NL West race throughout most of the first half of the Summer. Their young pitching and players like Matt Holiday key wins until they start to trail off after the All-Star break.

6-Buffs drill Oklahoma. A rowdy Coors Events crowd watch the senior-laden CU hoops team beat Oklahoma to improve to 17-5. Coach Ricardo Patton openly talks about not only a Big Dance bid, but a “top” seed. With super-Soph Richard Roby slashing to the basket, it seems it could happen. However, the Buffs drop most of their stretch-run games, get walloped in the Big 12 tourney, miss the Dance, and suffer a humiliating home loss in the NIT.

7-Avs upset the Stars. The Avs see their division-winning streak snapped at 10 years, but sneak in the playoffs on the last weekend. They matchup versus a top seed in old rival Dallas and promptly dispatch of them in 5 games. New goalie Jose Theodore and old stalwarts Joe Sakic lead the way.

8-Buffs land state’s best. Dan Hawkins and his staff hit the recruiting trail hard and land the states top player, Columbine’s Ryan Miller. The five-star bluechip is the jewel in Hawkins’ first full recruiting class, which many analysts have penciled in the top 25.

9-Jay Cutler gets the start. After a Thanksgiving night loss to the Chiefs, Mike Shannahan decides to switch to rookie Jay Cutler, a first round draft pick, at QB. The Jake Plummer era in Denver comes to an end as Cutler starts the remainder of the season.

10-Melo becomes the man. At the Basketball World Championships, Carmelo Anthony becomes the top dog among the stars, leading the USA in scoring. The team wins bronze, as Coach K and the whole team rave about Melo’s work ethic, play, and presence in the locker room.

The not so top moments: Reggie Evans tries to steal Chris Kaman’s manhood, Buffs lose to Montana State in football, Kenyon Martin sends his goons into the crowd, Jose Theodore is spotted with Paris Hilton, Buffs lose by 40 to AFA in hoops, Rockies trade Jason Jennings, Fisher DeBerry retires, Rob Blake leaves the Avs, Broncos flop to the Steelers in the AFC Championship, Ashlie Lelie acts like a little girl.