SPORTS WEEKEND : AROUND THE AFC : WEST : Sharpe’s Tongue Strikes

Now is the time to find out if bulletin board ammunition really can lead to defeat. Walking to midfield after the Broncos’ playoff victory over Miami last year, Denver tight end Shannon Sharpe asked several Dolphins, “How does it feel to have the Super Bowl at your house and you’re not invited?” Super Bowl XXXIII, eventually won by the Broncos, was played in Pro Player Stadium at Miami.

Sharpe also let it be known that he thought Dan Marino should get his retirement papers in order. Funny stuff, but now the Dolphins will be at Denver to open the season Monday night.

“The things he said last year were a bunch of nonsense,” Dolphin defensive end Jason Taylor said. “He had no business saying any of that stuff. I’m sure we’ll talk about it during the game.”

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Marty Schottenheimer usually got the Chiefs to the playoffs and then lost. New Coach Gunther Cunningham apparently won’t wait as long. He’s starting Kimble Anders at halfback and Tony Richardson at fullback, which means Elvis Grbac had better be on target.

“I’m always a guy that, you run the horse until it drops,” Cunningham said.

Even if they are plow horses.

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File this one away: “I believe [Jon Kitna] has a chance to be a very fine quarterback,” Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren said.