Because of the fight song playing in the background at Big 12 Media Days, Kyle Whittingham became Joe Pesci in “My Cousin Vinny.” The Utah football coach happily obliged when asked about his former players on the Denver Broncos.
But was he talking about youths or Utes? It was hard to tell because it was hard to hear. Whittingham was a good sport.
“We’ve got six of them on the Broncos,” Whittingham said proudly of linebacker Cody Barton, left tackle Garett Bolles, edge rusher Jonah Elliss, receivers Tim Patrick and Devaughn Vele, and tight end Thomas Yassmin.
My interest was in his evaluation of the youths — rookies Elliss and Vele. For the Broncos to rebound in a meaningful way, they need more impactful young players.
“Jonah is explosive. His best days are definitely ahead of him. When we recruited him, he was 6-2, 195 pounds as a running back. He got up to 250 pounds and just became a terror off the edge,” said Whittingham, who played linebacker for the USFL’s Denver Gold. “I coached his dad, Luther. And he was 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, so I knew Jonah had growth potential. He was leading the nation in sacks before an injury. I am positive Denver is going to be thrilled with him.”
As for Vele, Whittingham sees what I see. The receiver looks a lot like Patrick.
“You get a lot of the same things you get in Timmy. A big, tall receiver with a basketball background who goes up and gets the contested ball,” Whittingham said. “He’s a tireless worker. A great character kid. There is nothing not to like about him.”
And what about Patrick? Can he return to form? He dealt successfully with adversity at Utah.
“His track record shows he has come back from things before,” Whittingham said. “So, I have no doubt he will do it again.”
Everyone at Air Force knew Paul Skenes — the Falcons’ version of Shohei Ohtani before he transferred to LSU — was magnificent. Now, he’s historic. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo named the Pittsburgh Pirates ace the National League starter for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, the first rookie to receive the honor since Hideo Nomo in 1995. Skenes is dominating big league hitters like a 12-year-old who reaches puberty before his friends. He is only the second pitcher ever to post multiple games of six-plus innings, no hits and 11-plus strikeouts. The other? Nolan Ryan in 1973. …
The Big 12 is embracing the return of the CU Buffs because of the exposure and attention brought by Coach Prime and Shedeur Sanders. Last season, CU showed the advantage of the mantra: Talk good about me, talk bad about me, but please talk about me. However, in Year 2 it has left the quarterback a bit delusional. “I already know the expectations and what comes with it,” Shedeur Sanders said Wednesday. “I know we are everybody’s Super Bowl.” Teams like playing CU because of the number of eyeballs on the TV screen. Beating a 4-8 team is no one’s idea of the Super Bowl. The Buffs must win a lot more before their games carry such gravity. …
Coach Steve Kerr knows the stakes as Team USA chases its fifth straight Olympic gold medal. He will make rotation decisions with urgency, not sentimentality. He sent a message to Joel Embiid that he needs to take advantage of FIBA rules and camp out in the lane. Will Embiid follow suit? He is hard to watch at times. And if his health becomes an issue, the Americans must lean on Anthony Davis. …
Jamal Murray is playing for Team Canada for the first time since 2015. Coach Jordi Fernandez has welcomed him with open arms. “My expectation is for him to be an amazing player. That’s who he is. He can take over a game. And as far as physically, we have been in constant communication with the Nuggets. We have been on the same page with what he needs to do and where his value’s at. He’s felt great, and you can see how much he’s enjoying this and it’s refreshing for him.”
MAIL TIME
Does the Nuggets’ apparent desire to acquire Russell Westbrook play a role in Jamal Murray’s signing (of max contract)?
Dick Shehan, email
I don’t connect those dots. Westbrook would be signed to provide energy, edge and playmaking for the second unit. His addition would benefit Murray. The pause in Murray’s max contract likely is related, as I wrote Thursday, to the Nuggets mitigating risk, not liking the optics of giving him a new deal after his worst playoff performance and wanting more from him. I believe he gets the deal after the Olympics, and, as a max player, he needs to deliver an All-Star berth and return to Bubble Jamal in the postseason.
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Originally Published: July 12, 2024 at 4:11 p.m.
