Darrent Williams Slayed, Justice Postponed

At 2:30 am on the morning of Jan. 1, 2007, Darrent Williams was pronounced dead.

An apparent altercation between some club goers and gang members would cost Williams his life.

The 24-year-old Williams had been at a New Year’s Eve party at a Denver nightclub.  He was there to bring in the New Year and celebrate the birthday of Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin.

Williams left the club around 2:00 in the morning.  Just 12 hours before, Williams had played the final game of the 2006 season for the Denver Broncos against the San Francisco 49ers.

As Williams and friends settled into their rented limousine, a second vehicle pulled alongside and fired shots into the limo.  Darrent Williams was struck by a single bullet to the back of the neck and slumped into the lap of then-Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker. At 2:10 am, Williams would take his last breath.

The Denver police department would impound the car of a known Crips gang member, Brian Hicks.  Hicks was already in prison and awaiting trial for attempted murder and drug charges.  Immediately, the police turned to known associates of Hicks for answers.

On May 30, 2008, the Rocky Mountain News posted a story claiming they possessed a letter in which Willie Clark had confessed to firing the shot that took the life of the Broncos defensive back. That October, a grand jury indicted Clark in the murder.

Clark was set to stand trial on July 6, but a judge in the case has postponed the trial until Oct. 13 as per the request of Clark’s attorneys.

The attorneys claim that Clark was influenced by police officers trying to force a confession and, therefore, the letter should not be admissible in court.  District Judge Cristina Habas will rule this week on the matter.

Handwriting analyses obtained by the Rocky Mountain News confirm that Clark was the author of the letter.  The letter was examined by an independent with certification from the National Association of Document Examiners.  The Denver Police also had the document examined and authenticated.

Clark’s letter was matched against 14 other samples, including a letter to the U.S. District Judge Wiley Y. Daniel.

Sources: Rocky Mountain News, ESPN

For Those About to Rock, Bronco Nation Salutes You!

For me, the best part about going to Investco Field and watching the Broncos play is the loud, testosterone-fueled music that pumps through the jumbo speakers.

A good song adds to the excitement of the game and really gets your blood going.  I have put together a list of my top 10 stadium songs that keep me rockin’ at Investco.

 

1.  “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w

This is my all time favorite song.  Not only do you get to hear this song after each touchdown, you can also hear it in the parking lot at every tailgate.

 

2. “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N Roses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtXN_EHPwSg

No game is complete without this song.  They play this before the other team enters onto the field.  Welcome to our house, losers!

 

3. “Let’s Go” by Trick Daddy Ft. Lil’ Jon and Twista    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrzGm4rd4pM

Good stuff.  Makes you wanna put on a jersey and take some hits—before hitting the snack bar again.

 

4. “I Put On (For My City)” by Young Jezzy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bHUE41uZlM

This is the player anthem.  Perfect song when you’re playing for city versus city bragging rights.

 

5. “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udEDlOZJmCc

Every player on that field is a gladiator.  This song tells their story.

 

6. “Sandstorm” by Darude

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSYxT9GM0fQ

This song is full of energy.  This will make any crowd member stand up on the third down.

 

7. “Thunder Kiss 65” by White Zombie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VELvq-faGk

Just a wicked tune.  Zombie created a fan in me the minute I heard this on the radio.  This song will always be a top 10 favorite for me at the football field.

 

8. “I’m a Playa” by N9ne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmlaDOCyS8I&feature=related

This was a great rendition of Falco’s Amadeus.  The first time I heard it was at a preseason game against the Lions.  Now I hear it every time I go see the Broncos in action.

 

9. “Let’s get Crazy” by PitBull Ft. Lil’ Jon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Lyka8Znes

This song embodies the raw emotion you feel at Investco when the Broncos score a touchdown.  Everybody is on their feet!

 

10. “Tom Sawyer” by Rush

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7DFsBcVMDA

This song is for blue collar fans and hard nosed players alike.  We are all there for one common goal—winning!

 

This is my top 10 list of stadium songs and I look forward to rockin’ out to them this season.  Share some of your favorite stadium songs with me!

For Those About to Rock, Bronco Nation Salutes You!

For me, the best part about going to Investco Field and watching the Broncos play is the loud, testosterone-fueled music that pumps through the jumbo speakers.

A good song adds to the excitement of the game and really gets your blood going.  I have put together a list of my top 10 stadium songs that keep me rockin’ at Investco.

 

1.  “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w

This is my all time favorite song.  Not only do you get to hear this song after each touchdown, you can also hear it in the parking lot at every tailgate.

 

2. “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N Roses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtXN_EHPwSg

No game is complete without this song.  They play this before the other team enters onto the field.  Welcome to our house, losers!

 

3. “Let’s Go” by Trick Daddy Ft. Lil’ Jon and Twista    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrzGm4rd4pM

Good stuff.  Makes you wanna put on a jersey and take some hits—before hitting the snack bar again.

 

4. “I Put On (For My City)” by Young Jezzy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bHUE41uZlM

This is the player anthem.  Perfect song when you’re playing for city versus city bragging rights.

 

5. “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udEDlOZJmCc

Every player on that field is a gladiator.  This song tells their story.

 

6. “Sandstorm” by Darude

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSYxT9GM0fQ

This song is full of energy.  This will make any crowd member stand up on the third down.

 

7. “Thunder Kiss 65” by White Zombie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VELvq-faGk

Just a wicked tune.  Zombie created a fan in me the minute I heard this on the radio.  This song will always be a top 10 favorite for me at the football field.

 

8. “I’m a Playa” by N9ne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmlaDOCyS8I&feature=related

This was a great rendition of Falco’s Amadeus.  The first time I heard it was at a preseason game against the Lions.  Now I hear it every time I go see the Broncos in action.

 

9. “Let’s get Crazy” by PitBull Ft. Lil’ Jon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Lyka8Znes

This song embodies the raw emotion you feel at Investco when the Broncos score a touchdown.  Everybody is on their feet!

 

10. “Tom Sawyer” by Rush

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7DFsBcVMDA

This song is for blue collar fans and hard nosed players alike.  We are all there for one common goal—winning!

 

This is my top 10 list of stadium songs and I look forward to rockin’ out to them this season.  Share some of your favorite stadium songs with me!

Jay Cutler Doesn’t Want To Sign Your Autograph: So What

As a long time Chicago Bear fan, I would like to issue a memo to Bears fans.

The memo reads: “Dear Meatball Bears fans, relax.”

Not even two full months after the much maligned and ridiculed (by me in particular) Jerry Angelo pulls the strings on perhaps the biggest trade in Chicago Bears history, I read that small pockets of Bears fans are “alienated by Jay Cutler” because he refused to sign 1,000 autographs at Wrigley Field while taking in a Cubs game.

The fact that he can endure an entire Cubs game without vomiting proves he has a great amount of intestinal fortitude and should endear him to Chicago fans forever. 

Hey, if he can win on Sundays, he can refuse to sign at Red Lobster after paying with a credit card for all I care. 

 

The Culprits

I can picture who the “small pockets” of Bears fans who are complaining are.  They are probably the “fire and passion” group.

You know the ones.

I am talking about the guys that call in to sports talk radio to complain that Lovie doesn’t have “the fire” and that they don’t believe there is anyone really on the other end of his headset. 

They also complain that Brian Urlacher doesn’t show an adequate amount of “passion” and that they want him to be “angrier.”

 

A Solution

Hey, I bet Rex Grossman will sign all of your autographs.  He will also fumble the snap from the center and often throw to people wearing jerseys that are not blue and orange (unless that week the Bears are playing the Broncos). 

Signing autographs is nice, but a laser-armed franchise quarterback who has yet to reach his prime is better.

Plus, Jay showed the “fire and passion” when he wanted out of Denver. 

If that doesn’t appease Meatball nation I don’t know what will.

Jay Cutler Doesn’t Want To Sign Your Autograph: So What

As a long time Chicago Bear fan, I would like to issue a memo to Bears fans.

The memo reads: “Dear Meatball Bears fans, relax.”

Not even two full months after the much maligned and ridiculed (by me in particular) Jerry Angelo pulls the strings on perhaps the biggest trade in Chicago Bears history, I read that small pockets of Bears fans are “alienated by Jay Cutler” because he refused to sign 1,000 autographs at Wrigley Field while taking in a Cubs game.

The fact that he can endure an entire Cubs game without vomiting proves he has a great amount of intestinal fortitude and should endear him to Chicago fans forever. 

Hey, if he can win on Sundays, he can refuse to sign at Red Lobster after paying with a credit card for all I care. 

 

The Culprits

I can picture who the “small pockets” of Bears fans who are complaining are.  They are probably the “fire and passion” group.

You know the ones.

I am talking about the guys that call in to sports talk radio to complain that Lovie doesn’t have “the fire” and that they don’t believe there is anyone really on the other end of his headset. 

They also complain that Brian Urlacher doesn’t show an adequate amount of “passion” and that they want him to be “angrier.”

 

A Solution

Hey, I bet Rex Grossman will sign all of your autographs.  He will also fumble the snap from the center and often throw to people wearing jerseys that are not blue and orange (unless that week the Bears are playing the Broncos). 

Signing autographs is nice, but a laser-armed franchise quarterback who has yet to reach his prime is better.

Plus, Jay showed the “fire and passion” when he wanted out of Denver. 

If that doesn’t appease Meatball nation I don’t know what will.

Denver Broncos Linebacker Wesley Woodyard “Bulking Up” For New Role

As the Denver Broncos make the transition to the 3-4 defensive scheme, undersized linebackers are no longer in the picture.

In 2008, the Denver Broncos were fortunate enough to snag undrafted linebacker Wesley Woodyard after the NFL Draft.  Woodyard went undrafted due to the fact that he was undersized at 218 pounds, and NFL scouts did not know whether he would be a safety or a linebacker at the next level.

When D.J. Williams went down in 2008 with an injury, Woodyard filled in very nicely.

The undrafted rookie out of Kentucky started six games for the Broncos, recording 55 tackles in all including a 13 tackle performance against the New York Jets.

Now that the Broncos will be utilizing four linebackers, Woodyard figures to have a chance at more playing time, but not as a hybrid linebacker/safety, so he has added weight.

“I played last year at 218 pounds and right now I am 230,” Woodyard said. “I worked on my lower body in the offseason to pick up some weight, so I will be ready for everything because I added a few more pounds.”

Last year for the Broncos, Woodyard played a little bit of a rover or strong safety role at times, and while he would like to play safety again, he has not been working with the defensive backs thus far.

“Of course, I would love to play safety right now, but we’ve strictly talked about working at linebacker.”

It is typical for each linebacker in a 3-4 scheme to be near or over 250 pounds, and Woodyard is still checking in at 230.  His quickness makes him an attractive rush linebacker, but his coverage skills could give him an edge in the middle.

“That’s (my position) still to be determined. We still have the whole camp to go through,” Woodyard said about the position search. “The coaches are working on me at several positions so who knows what is going to happen.”

Right now, Denver’s first-team linebackers are Elvis Dumervil, Darrell Reid, Andra Davis, and the aforementioned D.J. Williams, so Woodyard is concentrating on finding his role in the Broncos’ new defense.

“We are just going through some different schemes on the defense,” Woodyard said. “Right now, where I’m going to be out on the field is still up in the air. Right now it’s just contributing on special teams like I did last year and basically having fun.”

Woodyard is an exciting prospect for the Broncos.  He brings a great intensity to the defensive side of the ball, and Denver coaches will have a tough time keeping him off the field.

Quotes courtesy of the Daily Camera

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