Colorado sports in 2014: The good, the bad and everything in between

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In 2014, Colorado realized just how close (Broncos and Avalanche) and just how far away (Rockies and Nuggets) it was to glory. But what made 2014 a fascinating year in sports was that very little happened as we thought it would. And that's what makes us fanatical about sports.

We thought, for instance, the Broncos would steamroll through the playoffs, but it was the Broncos who were embarrassed in the Super Bowl.

We thought the Avs would be an adorable story of budding stars cracking the postseason. But suddenly, they won the division and were talking title ... only to get ousted in the first round.

We thought Rockies owner Dick Monfort would keep Dan O'Dowd in charge until 3014, but Dan finally resigned and Monfort promoted Jeff Bridich to general manager.

And we thought the Colorado State Rams would maybe win seven football games, but they won 10 in the regular season -- and little CSU made national news when Florida swiped its coach.

Unlike baseball, football's season isn't neatly placed into the baking pan that is a calendar year. As such, the last NFL season spilled into 2014. In the playoffs, the Broncos and Peyton Manning sent Philip Rivers back to San Diego with his silly tie, and Denver later sent Tom Brady back to Boston with his silly boots.

But from the moment Manny Ramirez sent the opening snap to Hackensack, the Super Bowl seemed doomed. Forty-three. Eight.

Still stings, doesn't it?

But John Elway approached free agency with the urgency of The Drive, yes sir. You know the story: DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib, an investment in nasty. And by December, Denver had one of the NFL's formidable defenses. Oh, and after the offensive line faced the wrath of Mark Schlereth, the Broncos' offense looked 1998-y, with a run game complementing a legendary gunslinger.

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Colorado sports in 2014: The good, the bad and everything in between