Comment on Renck: Aaron Rodgers-Nathaniel Hackett pairing may have delivered more Broncos wins, but would it have been worth it?

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — The Greenbrier Resort sits on 11,000 acres and features four golf courses, 20 dining options and one coach with an office. Sean Payton helped design the football footprint that led the New Orleans Saints to escape the heat, if not the internet, for three straight training camps here beginning in 2014. As Payton rode around in his golf cart surveying the grounds this week, often flanked by family and friends, it is clear why he loves West Virginia. But with apologies to John Denver, Payton’s “almost heaven” almost never happened.

Class 5A 1. Cherry Creek (3-1) vs. No. 8 Pine Creek, 7 p.m. Friday. Next week: at Cherokee Trail, 6 p.m. Oct. 5. 2. Mountain Vista (5-0) won at Overland, 55-6: The Golden Eagles returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, part of a 49-0 first half that triggered a running clock, and didn’t look back en route to their first 5-0 start in 10 years.

One day into training camp, the Nuggets now have two injured players. Peyton Watson did not practice Friday due to a soft-tissue hamstring injury that will likely keep him out for Denver’s first two preseason games. The team plays twice in Abu Dhabi next week against the Boston Celtics. “I think it’s really important that we’re smart about his injury, his rehab, his recovery,” coach Michael Malone said.

Broncos (1-2) at Jets (2-1) When: Sunday, 11 a.m. MT Where: MetLife Stadium Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/CBS Line: Jets -7.5 Broncos-Jets series: Denver is 21-18-1 in 40 regular-season games dating back to 1960; the Broncos lost 31-21 in the last meeting, on Oct. 8, 2023, at home and have dropped two in a row against New York. In the spotlight: Quinnen Williams, Jets pass rush pose difficult challenge Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett didn’t stand a chance against Quinnen Williams. In the third quarter of New York’s 24-3 win over New England, the Jets defensive lineman maneuvered around the center David Andrews before sacking Brissett for a loss of 12 yards.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Being a fast learner is great. Being a fast corrector, Vance Joseph says, is even better. That’s what the Broncos have in cornerback Riley Moss. “That’s part of being a good pro,” the Broncos defensive coordinator said this week. “You have to correct quickly in this league, especially at corner, because every play can be a touchdown.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Why bother putting a card in the mail when you can just deliver a thank-you message in person? That’s what the Broncos should do Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Tell the New York Jets thank you. If they spend a few extra bucks on one of those 3D pop-up cards, all the better. Thanks for the high-quality defensive lineman — among the scarcest resources in football — for the bargain-basement price. Thanks for helping transform a defensive front that last year was among the NFL’s worst and, through three games this year, is a disruptive group. Thanks for not only the player but for the ripple effect he’s had on Zach Allen, D.