Don’t take the wag out of the puppy’s tail.
When watching Broncos practice Thursday, my eyes shifted to Javonte Williams. He is entering his fourth season with the team. If you haven’t realized, running backs age in dog years. It is the nature of the position. There is only so much tread on the tire.
As Williams ran through drills, he showed the enthusiasm so common during his rookie campaign.
Williams is not like most running backs. He played linebacker until his senior year of high school. He split time at North Carolina. What has created uncertainty about his future is life after an ugly injury. Williams tore his ACL and suffered other damage in his right knee in 2022. He leaned on his faith, relied on his parents. He lost his independence at one point, needing their help in the grueling first days of recovery.
Mocking the calendar, Williams returned 10 months after surgery during training camp last July. It seemed early, and the way the season played out, it might have been. Williams rushed for a team-best 774 yards, but scored only three touchdowns and averaged 3.2 yards per carry over his final 10 games. It is why coach Sean Payton believes there will be competition for the starting job in training camp.
However, Notre Dame rookie Audric Estime had his knee scoped recently, and will not be ready until training camp. It creates a path for Williams to regain his status as a Batman back — Boom! Pow! Bang! He looks like he did in 2021, thicker, stronger, closer to his build when he ran through defenders.
When the Broncos drafted Estime, it put Williams on notice. But, if Thursday was any indication, Williams is ready to fight for his spot.
ESPN’s latest mock draft projects the Nuggets to take Dayton’s DaRon Holmes, a 6-foot-10 forward with three-point acumen (38% last season). Denver needs a player with offensive pop who can spell Nikola Jokic if they don’t acquire a veteran backup. …
Bronny James will likely go late in the second round. Hard to see the Lakers not trading up and taking the guard in the early 50s. The idea of Bronny playing with his father, LeBron, and podcaster J.J. Redick as coach sounds like a sitcom. Bring the popcorn. With movie theater butter. …
The Rockies entered Friday 13-10 against opponents over .500 and 7-25 vs. opponents .500 or under. It suggests there is potential to avoid 100 losses when right-hander German Marquez returns after the All-Star break. …
The Rockies are expected to draft in the top five. Names to file away include Georgia third baseman Charlie Condon — he looks like a healthy version of the player formerly known as Kris Bryant — Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana, Wake Forest starter Chase Burns and Florida first baseman Jac Caglianone, who is now viewed as a slugger not a two-way player at the next level.
Anthony Edwards conjures images of Michael Jordan with his athleticism. But it is Luka Doncic who is showing the cold-blooded traits of an all-time great entering the NBA Finals vs. the Celtics. Boston is favored, but Doncic and Kyrie Irving look like the most explosive playoff backcourt ever, making the Mavericks dangerous.
Mail Time
I can’t tell you how many ways sports have been involved in my life, from lifetime memories to lifelong friendships. Sports are the bonding element. Please reach out to your sons as well as anyone who might what to give back to sports through officiating. Former athletes can make some of the best officials as they have a passion for the game.
— Lawrence Chavez, via email
This response traces back to last week’s Renck&File column on my youngest son’s final college game. Lawrence brings up an interesting avenue for former athletes. I have long been critical of officials and celebrated MLB umpire Angel Hernandez’s retirement this week. Now, when I get a missed call on my phone I no longer have to think of him. But these jobs are difficult. And I have to agree with Lawrence that adding former players would improve performance across the board.
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