The Long and Short of Denver

The Denver Broncos unveiled their highlight film Tuesday night.

The film, which includes the entire 99-yard fourth-quarter drive that beat the Cleveland Browns in the AFC championship game and sent the Broncos to Super Bowl XXI, is entitled, “Drive to a Dream.”

But Buddy Martin of the Denver Post, noting that the Broncos failed on three attempts to score from one yard out during a key possession in the second quarter of their 39-20 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants, suggests a name change.

He says it should be called “The Longest Yard.”

And His Phone Number? A young woman called the Seattle SuperSonics’ office in Seattle the other day and asked for some statistics on reserve forward Russ Schoene.

Such as?

“Is he single or married?”

Hold the Fries: Before Charlotte, N.C., was awarded an NBA expansion team Wednesday, the joke going around the town was that the only franchise the city could get would have golden arches.

Christian Okoye, the 260-pound former Azusa Pacific fullback who scored four touchdowns in the Senior Bowl, has been projected as a first-round NFL draft choice in some circles but is considered no more than a high-risk novelty in others.

Detractors point to the Nigerian’s age (26), his lack of football experience (three years), his stand-up style of running and the level of competition he faced at Azusa Pacific.

“I’ve got serious reservations on Okoye,” Reed Johnson, director of player personnel for the Denver Broncos, told the Denver Post. “We draft that guy, and the guy who signs my paycheck is going to have some serious reservations about me.”

Trivia Time: Who was the first major league baseball player to have his number retired? (Answer in column 2.)

For What It’s Worth: The Boston Celtics were 20-21 on the road this season, their worst road record in Larry Bird’s eight seasons.

Dentists, Take Note: Driver Elliott Forbes-Robinson, commenting on the condition of the oft-used but seldom resurfaced track at the Riverside International Raceway, which will be used again this Sunday for The Times Grand Prix of Endurance: “Oh, I’d say there are a few bumps left. Matter of fact, on my way home today, I’m going to go past a sporting goods store and get a mouthpiece for Sunday’s race to prevent my teeth from chipping.”

Would Glasses Help?: Pitcher Doug Drabek of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who never had to hit while with the New York Yankees, has misread the bunt sign from the third-base coach four times this season.

No Kidding: Phil Hubbard of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were 6-35 on the road this season and won only 2 of their last 28 road games, on the team’s record away from home: “It has been an uphill battle on the road for us all season.”

Manager Larry Bowa, who has been in a surly mood during the San Diego Padres’ slow start, wore a heavy warmup jacket in 80-degree weather while pitching batting practice before Tuesday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I was trying to have a stroke,” he said later, “but it didn’t work.”

Bird and Olajuwon on the same team? It could happen next year at Indiana State, where Larry Bird’s brother, Eddie, is expected to be joined by Akeem Olajuwon’s brother, Taju.

Trivia Answer: Lou Gehrig, in 1939.

Quotebook

Bobby Bragan, former Milwaukee Braves manager, on baseball’s reliance on statistics: “Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket? According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable.”