Mile High Sports Daily insults people who watch practice...

[Taco John]

I started receiving this in my email. I thought it was interesting that these guys would put together a publication for big fans of Colorado sports, and then insult the most die hard fans for being interested in training camp. Talk about being out of touch with your readers.



Practice, Practice, Practice
What's the fascination with Broncos training camp
by Mark Knudson

The sound bite is priceless: “It’s practice, man. We’re talking about practice.”

It’s not true that when Philadelphia 76’ers star Allen Iverson uttered that famous line a few season’s back, he’d just spent the day at Denver Broncos training camp, which as we all know, is actually just football practice.Still, it would’ve fit.

We’ve reached the time of year that must make Iverson cringe. It’s football training camp time, when you begin to flock in droves to Dove Valley to watch the Denver Broncos practice. No games. No scoreboard. Very little physical contact.

It’s practice, man.

The radio and TV stations understand your obsession with practice. They do live reports every hour on the hour.

“Jake Plummer was 8-for-10 today in seven-on-seven passing drills. Film at 11.”

The camera crews aren’t there for there own enjoyment. They know you’re obsessed. Newspaper polls say that more than half of you view Broncos training camp as the most important sports story during the month of August, which is amazing and twisted at the same time.

Iverson and most other professional athletes who are doing the practicing can’t understand your fascination with watching practice. I certainly can’t. I’m a Denver native and a Broncos fan. I love to watch Broncos games, but I’ve never made the trek to simply watch practice. And I never will. Guess what? I haven’t missed a thing.

We’re talking about practice. What’s the big deal?

I can understand wanting to know who’s going to make the team. I can understand going to exhibition, err, preseason games to see the prospects play IN A REAL GAME, you know, when there’s actually another team on the field and they’re actually hitting each other and making tackles, and keeping score. What I can’t understand for the life of me is why people spend their valuable time watching a bunch of football players go through drill after drill after drill. It’s practice, man. I know you’re ready for some football, but practice?

Why?

“Darius Watts dropped three passes today. Coach Shanahan said he needs to catch the ball.”

I’ll watch a preseason game and I can stay pretty much on top of the position battles and injury situation. I simply won’t waste time going to watch practice.

Exactly what have I missed?

Before you say something like, “Oh, you’re a baseball guy,” let me make this clear: I would never recommend that anyone spend one second watching spring training drills, either. Visit spring training, see Tucson in March and catch a few Cactus League games? Yes, yes and yes. Watch the pitchers cover first base at 8:30 in the morning? No.

We’re talking about practice.

“John Lynch could have made several hard tackles today, except that the players were doing non-contact drills.”

Wow. I can’t believe I missed that.

To your credit, you don’t spend a lot of time at baseball practice, or basketball or hockey camps. You find better ways to spend your time because there are plenty of other things to do. Guess what? There are plenty of other ways to spend your time this month, too, instead of wasting it watching football practice.

You can start by going to see the Colorado Rockies playing some baseball games that matter during the second half of the season – yes, real games with a scoreboard and everything! Go to the health club (they have ESPN on the TV monitors so you can keep up on the latest from football practice), shoot some baskets with your kids, ride a bicycle or ride a motorcycle – wearing your authentic Ben Roethlisberger motorcycle helmet, of course.

Read a book. It can be a sports book. Terrell Owens’s new bestseller is still available. Read Mile High Sports Magazine, cover to cover. Rent “Remember the Titans.” That will get you ready for some football.

You can even – and I can’t believe I’m writing this – spend the time studying up for your upcoming fantasy league draft. Good idea to keep up with the other geeks, you know.

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll look back and be glad that you didn’t waste valuable time standing around in the hot sun watching football practice drills. Something tells me you’ll still be able to keep up on what’s happening. The media will make sure you know the latest on the backup offensive tackle’s nagging case of athlete’s foot.

“Film at 11.

To read more from Mark Knudson, check out "The Mark" in August's issue of Mile High Sports Magazine.

[UKBronco]

We're fans, he's a writer....

Thats the difference.

Oh, and the fact he's a condescending little prick.

[Mediator12]

Yeah, he forgets that the little guys get much better access and views of the players in Camp than anywhere else being the doofus reporter that he is. Just check out the avatar *****!

[Conklin]

hmmm...wonder what his reply would have been to you flying from indy, socal flying from well...socal, and me driving 13 hours from missouri to watch "practice"

[DomCasual]

There was a Mark Knudson pitched for the Brewers and Rockies in the late-80's to mid-90's. I wonder if it's the same guy.

[Jason in LA]

I don't see what this guy's problem is. He doesn't sound like a big football fan.

My 10 year old son is playing tackle football, and they started practice last week. It's like my favorite time of the year. I love watching practice. The other fathers who are there everyday say the samething. We'll hang out and talk some football while watching our kids practice. It's great. And it's great to see my son dying to get into pads. The kid loves playing LB. He wants to play RB too. He played a little RB last year, but mostly TE. The coach is trying him out at QB right now. Close enough.

[Pezman]

Gee, there's a shock. Its the sheep-loving CSU loser Mark Knudson chiming in yet again about how he wishes he had a real life.

Seriously, if you work for the Coloradoan as your main newspaper, your chances of being taken seriously (or read) as a sportswriter go right down the crappper. I'll always remember Knudson's pathetic little website and how he melted down when U of Wyoming fans hacked it with pictures of him picking his nose a few years ago... Classic!

[Jason in LA]

This guy says that he'll watch a preseason game and be able to stay ontop of things. In my book preseason games are pretty much meaningless. Roster spots and position battles are won and lost in training camp practices. There have been many preseason Pro Bowlers who didn't who didn't do much in the regular season, or who didn't even make the roster. I would rather watch practice than a preseason game.

[Broncoman13]

That's hilarious!!! He obviously doesn't understand the fact that guys like Med, SoCal and KHAN don't just go to watch guys like John Lynch. In fact, that's a very small part of why they go. They go to see how the rookies and UDFA's, and 2nd year players are coming along... and then they report it back to us folks that can't get all of the local media coverage. Not to mention the reports are 10x more detailed than what Channel 7 could give! Khan, I hope you guys don't take offense to this. The dude simply does not get it. Keep up the good work and if you ever see this guy... PLANT A WORM IN HIS FREAKING EAR!

[MechanicalBull]

Especially with football being played only 8 times a year at home this is a great chance for people that can't get to the game to see their team and favorite players in person and up close. Then you also get the people that want to check out potential future players like Cutler, Marshall and so on.

I don't see anything wrong with people spending part of their summer seeing a team practice. My Uncle take my cousins to Met games and always gets their early so they can watch batting practice. My cousins love it cause they get upperdeck seats but during batting practice they are able to get right next to the field and take photos and possibly get an autograph or two.

[BroncoBen]

This guy is a tool, I’ve taken my family on vacation to attend training camp. Everyone loves it, it’s not just about watching the players practice, it’s about your kids smiles when they get a players autograph no matter if that player even makes the final roster.

It’s about spending time with other Broncos fans who want to talk about the upcoming season, or past seasons.

Its building memories that will last a life time, my son still talks about shaking Terrell Davis hand and getting his picture with him. Another year he was on a mission to get Ian Gold to sign a picture he had of Gold when he played at Michigan, Ian Gold saw him wearing his Bronco jersey and Michigan hat, came over and signed the picture and give him his practice gloves.
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[Archie]

There was a Mark Knudson pitched for the Brewers and Rockies in the late-80's to mid-90's. I wonder if it's the same guy.

Yep - pretty sure it's the same guy. He landed here after his career and I used to hear him occasionally on KOA but have not been listening to much radio lately so have no idea if he's still on the airwaves. But I'd be shocked if this is another Mark Knudson...

[Kaylore]

I'll tell you what his problem is. It's right here in his piece:
The camera crews aren’t there for there own enjoyment. They know you’re obsessed. Newspaper polls say that more than half of you view Broncos training camp as the most important sports story during the month of August, which is amazing and twisted at the same time.
He's mad because we care and when we care about something that means he has to work. He's essentialy pissed because we're making him do work. That's why he hates it.

[watermock]

The only problem is that OM is getting to critical mass in traffic yet again.

As noted, spots aren't decided in preseason. Polishing is the order of the day. That's why we have 3 fields I think...at least two.

Obviously this moron doesn't understand that an NFL team gets 4 preseason games and 16 regular season games. Baseball players not only play 162 regular season game, which is a full magnitude, but 25 or so scrimmages/preseason games? That doesn't include spring training either. Our training camps last about two weeks. Training camp lasts longer than that...then exibition games last weeks. Then a season lasts 162 games, then they might play as many as what, 21 more in the playoffs?

I think we should all e-mail in to demand that we get his press pass because he's obviously not very interest in "practice".

This article is just a jealous slap in the face honestly.

Preseason games are used to evaluate players yes, but certain players put themselves in position to make a surge in camp.

[WoodMan]

It appears that Mark Knudson should repeat grade school and get an understanding of the difference between "there" and "their". What a numbskull!

[watermock]

I'll tell you what his problem is. It's right here in his piece:

Quote:
The camera crews aren’t there for there own enjoyment. They know you’re obsessed. Newspaper polls say that more than half of you view Broncos training camp as the most important sports story during the month of August, which is amazing and twisted at the same time.


And what is the most important story? The Rockies two games out of a wild card with a losing record? Doesn't anyone think the Rockies have a shot at the wild card with 8 teams in the mix? The Twins have the hot team, I don't know if Liriano's elbow is shot or not. They keep winning tho. Sorry, I'm an old time Twins fan.

He's acting out because he came in here and saw the traffic. He's obviously been here and saw his work was inferior. He had three options. Get better, Cut Line, or attack our reporters. Like the true douchebag he apparently is, he chose the latter.

[Crushaholic]

Preseason games are the END of the evaluation process. Like Jason said, training camp is when roster spots are won or lost. It's amazing that certain "sportswriters" don't get that fact. Plus, he needs an editor...The cameras aren't there for THERE enjoyment...:rofl:

[Clockwork Orange]

Knudson is a moron. I remember listening to him when he had a brief stint on 950 The Fan and he wasn't any better then.

Stick to talking baseball, jackass.

[bpc]

Did he write a article wragging on spring training?

Probably just another baseball beat writer who is sad seeing that America's new pasttime is football... and America's old pasttime is dead.

Besides that his hobbies probably include collecting stamps or bugs.

F' this guy.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I have already made my position on the media known too many times on this forum. It's unfortunate that guys like this fellow had to resort to personal attacks on the reporters who are getting the job done instead of learning from them like he should.

I'm sure that Taco doesnt mind all of the clicks he's getting from the Kaylore Crew's annual camp reports. They are, in fact, the best Broncos camp reports in the world. It's cool to have seen this site experience growth because of them.

A little jealousy maybe?

I feel that after having access to daily reports, that I know who will be playing this season and what the roster will look like. I also feel that I have a decent grasp on what the strengths of the team are. I get nothing like that from the beat writers.

[Mediator12]

Great points guys.

Here is another thing about Socal/Khan's reports: They are completely impartial unlike the media that can have access denied by a player or Shanahan. Those guys will call a Spade a Spade and do not have to worry about drawing the wrath of a player or the organization since these are "unofficial".

Knudson can not make the same type of assessments since he is serving in an "official" capacity and is already not a football guy. I wonder if he could even explain the cover two to Bob ;D

[Blueflame]

Yeah, he basically says that he doesn't enjoy being at training camp and therefore doesn't want to do that assignment... then goes on to say that we should be watching baseball instead of caring an iota about our beloved Broncos. He shouldn't be assigned to cover football because he obviously can't handle being expected to do a job he doesn't "enjoy".

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Knudson is a moron. I remember listening to him when he had a brief stint on 950 The Fan and he wasn't any better then.

Stick to talking baseball, jackass.

All I remember about him on the radio was his constant pimping of the Bugeaters and the dumping on CU.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I can almost guarantee that at least one of the local sports outlets will try to mimic the Omane's camp report period to tap into the demand that this site has revealed regarding Broncos camp.

[Clockwork Orange]

All I remember about him on the radio was his constant pimping of the Bugeaters and the dumping on CU.

I remember. He was paired up with that whiny little maggot, Jim Tatum. It's really not hard to figure out why their stay on the radio lasted about as long as Cop Rock.

[GonzoLays]

I think the guy missed the boat on that article. I would say a MAJORITY of fans who go to training camp to watch the team practice simply want to see their favorite players up close. Then you factor in the local yocals who don't have anything else better to do than, so they come and watch the big league team in their very own backyard. He fails to realize that people idolize these players, and the closer they can get to them, the happier they are. They could care less about the practice. They just want to see their favorite players. It's like fanfare, but free.

(Sprinkled in with a few hardcore geeks, of course :) )

[Los Broncos]

What does he care what other people do?

[Atlas]

People who go and watch practice really need to get a life. They should be more like me and just wait by the computer all day for the people that are giving reports from training camp.

[Mtbrncofn]

It appears that Mark Knudson should repeat grade school and get an understanding of the difference between "there" and "their". What a numbskull!


Agreed. Can't put a whole lot of stock into a writer that can't put the right form of there/their/they're in a freakin article.

[ward63]

So does he want people not to be a true fan? I mean, I love football so much, that I went w/my buddy that's a Bengals fan, to their training camp b/c we live in Ohio and I wanted to see some football. If I lived in the Denver area, like I do w/Cincy, I'd be at training camp every day. This guy is a complete MORON!!!

[bombquixote]

he's a writer....

Whoa there, cowboy. I once bought some throwing stars at the kitsch shop at the mall, but that don't make me a ninja. A writer this guy is not. He is most definitely a tool, though.

And I really hope he lurks here.

[Tredici]

I’ve never made the trek to simply watch practice. And I never will.

Yup. Sounds like the perfect guy to write an article about training camp. Duh..... I think I'll do an article about something I know absolutely nothing about.

Lazy ass. Just like most of what passes for "press" these days.

[-Slap-]

Its our shared curse that so many contemporary sports hacks have romanticized the curmudgeonly old sportswriter of lore and attempted to emulate that persona. Sardonic humor is the most difficult kind to master. In unskilled hands, you merely get hamfisted japes at misplaced targets.

[ZachKC]

People who go and watch practice really need to get a life. They should be more like me and just wait by the computer all day for the people that are giving reports from training camp.
Hilarious!

[ZachKC]

I like the practice because of the football. Being closer to the players is kind of cool but...not really what draws me in. I literally have zero intrests in autographs or things of that nature. But watching the team you like go to work and being able to see the little things is lots of fun. The way the players interact and the way coaches go about their business...

Getting to see the drills showing strengths and weaknesses...good stuff.

[Taco John]

Its our shared curse that so many contemporary sports hacks have romanticized the curmudgeonly old sportswriter of lore and attempted to emulate that persona. Sardonic humor is the most difficult kind to master. In unskilled hands, you merely get hamfisted japes at misplaced targets.


It's too bad that more don't emulate the greatness of Mike Royko.

[-Slap-]

It's too bad that more don't emulate the greatness of Mike Royko.
Indeed. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Royko, Jimmy Breslin, dying breed from a dying industry. It makes me sad to dwell upon it.

[Breck Bronc]

Knudson is too busy complaining that there's no more division-1 college baseball in Colorado anymore to actually comprehend why people enjoy going to training camp.

And he's got an ugly mustache.

[BroncoBuff]

He's writing for the wrong magazine .... he should try "Redbook."

what a condescending jerk.

[SureShot]

Well I'll be there tomorrow. What a loser I am.

V.I.P passes should get me pretty close. I hope.

[wabbit]

Man, hard to believe anyone writing sports in Colorado is so out-of-touch with the mind-set of the fan base.

He will regret this for a lot a reasons, not the least of which may be the organizations willingness to yank credentials for even a 'perceived' slight.

The Broncos are #1 news in Denver...not just sports...news.

The Middle East can sort itself out.

[Mediator12]

Man, hard to believe anyone writing sports in Colorado is so out-of-touch with the mind-set of the fan base.

He will regret this for a lot a reasons, not the least of which may be the organizations willingness to yank credentials for even a 'perceived' slight.

The Broncos are #1 news in Denver...not just sports...news.

The Middle East can sort itself out.


Telephone ringing....

Knudson answers-"Mr. Knudson, this is Paul Kirk from the Broncos. Jim Saccomano has asked me to inquire about the return of your credentials in a timely fashion. In fact, he has also withdrawn your organizations for the next season as well. You and your organization should be eligible for reinstatement AFTER our next training camp in 2007. Thank You for your cooperation."

Knudson, "But, but I was just...."

Kirk, "Sorry we have reallocated your credentials to a legit message board called the Orangemane who actually does something but Bitch, Cry and moan about covering our team. I hear Peter Schaffer is looking for someone with effeminate skills to help with Ashlie Lelie's holdout though. Good luck!" Click!

[Dedhed]

I'll tell you what his problem is. It's right here in his piece:

He's mad because we care and when we care about something that means he has to work. He's essentialy pissed because we're making him do work. That's why he hates it.
I read that a little differently. I think his panties are in a bunch because football practice is so much more interesting than baseball; his pride and joy. Once football starts up, practice though it may be, baseball takes it's proper place in the back of the bus and Mr. Knudsen is page 12 of the sports section.

He's no different than Lelie, just crying because he can't compete for the starting job. Baseball writers are all little whiners when it comes to football. They know they don't cover a product near as interesting as football, and it grinds on them to no end.

[Kaylore]

I like the practice because of the football. Being closer to the players is kind of cool but...not really what draws me in. I literally have zero intrests in autographs or things of that nature. But watching the team you like go to work and being able to see the little things is lots of fun. The way the players interact and the way coaches go about their business...

Getting to see the drills showing strengths and weaknesses...good stuff.
That's pretty much where I'm at. I don't care about autographs or those kinds of things. I enjoy watching them play and seeing who is good, who is bad and whatnot.

[Willynowei]

That man knows nothing of football. -_-

[Hogan11]

I have already made my position on the media known too many times on this forum. It's unfortunate that guys like this fellow had to resort to personal attacks on the reporters who are getting the job done instead of learning from them like he should.

I'm sure that Taco doesnt mind all of the clicks he's getting from the Kaylore Crew's annual camp reports. They are, in fact, the best Broncos camp reports in the world. It's cool to have seen this site experience growth because of them.

A little jealousy maybe?

I feel that after having access to daily reports, that I know who will be playing this season and what the roster will look like. I also feel that I have a decent grasp on what the strengths of the team are. I get nothing like that from the beat writers.

I agree with this post. That article reads like a jaded hack who's upset that he's getting smoked on his assingment by "amateurs" from some fan's website.....c'mon, you know they all look here.

[Northman]

I'll tell you what his problem is. It's right here in his piece:

He's mad because we care and when we care about something that means he has to work. He's essentialy pissed because we're making him do work. That's why he hates it.


I think he is mad because you write a more informative report than he does. This guy truly has no clue about why people are fans of this team. What a idiot.

[youcandoit1687]

he also forgets that some bronco fans arent fans of the other denver teams or arent that big of fans of other sports. baseball still has 50 or so games left, football only has 20 left lol i bet this guy was saying mike who? the other day because he hasnt paid attention to training camp. i dont get how writers can be so complacent about the privilege they have.

[SJ Bronco]

Im not suprised that a writer doesn't appriciate the work and skill that goes into the chess match we call football. Keep in mind, these ass hats in the media are the same bozos that vote for things like the HOF and the colliegate polls. what a crock of monkey shyte. I've always hated the geeks writing about the game that they sucked too much to play.