Sam Adams Sam Adams joined the Rocky Mountain News in 1996, first as the Denver Broncos beat reporter before taking his current role as sports notes columnist. The Colorado Association of Black Journalists voted Adams the Print Journalist of the Year award in 2003.

Former Dallas Cowboys personnel guru Gil Brandt knows a good running back when he sees one. He thinks the Broncos have found a good back in undrafted free agent Mike Bell.

"Why a guy like that doesn't get drafted in the sixth or seventh round, I don't know," Brandt said on Tuesday, after watching the Broncos' morning training camp session. "He went to Arizona and I think he played as a true freshman.

"You've got to get the organization credit for going out, finding a guy like (Bell) and bringing him in."

When asked if the NFL draft is overrated, Brandt spoke to the players' work ethic once he arrives at training camp.

"A lot of guys get drafted and it's their Utopia," said Brandt, who spent 30 seasons working in the Cowboys' front office (1960-89). "I drafted a running back (Bill Thomas from Boston College) in the first round (1972) that had the same printout in the computer as Calvin Hill. When we paid (Thomas) his $40,000 bonus, that was his Utopia.

"I think you have to get guys that come in and are willing to work no matter what round they are drafted in, and then you'll have a successful player. But the system comes into play a little bit too."

NOTEWORTHY

Quote, unquote: "I'd vote for him. Truth be known, I think you open up a whole other can of worms if you keep him out. I'm here to tell you, if you're going to come down on steroids, you have to do it with all sports." -- Former Detroit Tigers outfielder Kirk Gibson, talking about Mark McGwire's Hall of Fame chances during his appearance on FSN's Best Damn Sports Show Period.

Before the Rockies began their current seven-game road trip, we suggested in this space that the "Heat is On" All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday to wield a hot bat and lead the team against the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. Holliday's line through five games -- five hits in 20 at-bats (.250) with no home runs and, more important, no runs batted in from the Rockies' cleanup hitter.

"Got Your Number": 8 consecutive exhibition season openers played away from Denver for the Broncos. No. 9 will occur on Friday in Detroit.

The International's defending champion Retief Goosen will be the featured guest on The Golf Channel's broadcast of The Grey Goose 19th Hole (hosted by Vince Cellini ) from Castle Pines Golf Club. The show will air tonight at 8 p.m.

READER COMMENTS

Ummmm....I could have started in any offense.

I am really tired of so many people attributing the success on 'the System'. If the System was the only thing that deserves credit for our great running attack, then Tatum Bell would be the starter. Period. Tatum is fast. But can he pick up a blitz? Apparently not very well. Can he consistantly get the tough yardage, like Mike Anderson, on 3rd and 3? Apparently not. The Denver Broncos offense has a fantastic system for certain running backs. Backs that know how to hit the hole fast. And hit the defenders hard. It is a credit to the coaching staff to go find specific players with a running style that works within the needs of the way this offense is run. Could Barry Sanders succeed in the Broncos system? I doubt it. Barry Sanders danced around too much. That is soooo not allowed in our offense. If Mike Bell becomes the starter, he deserves credit for being a great running back, worthy of starting over veterans T. Bell, Cedric Cobbs, and Ron Dayne.

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