And if you've paid any attention to me in this space, then you understand why the Rockies will lose the Series to the Cleveland Indians.

So maybe I'm just feeling a bit too optimistic that everything will be fine in 2009.

There's going to be success, and there's going to be change. And somebody's going to slip up.

History says so. Just look back at the "nines" in recent Denver sports history.

There's success, as in the '89 Broncos finishing 11-5 and reaching the Super Bowl. There's rough times, as in the '69 Broncos finishing 5-8-1.

Or a bit of both, as in the 1978-79 Nuggets finishing 47-35 (after a 17-19 start) but having head coach Larry Brown leave before season's end to take a job at UCLA.

The Broncos won Super Bowl XXXIII in January 1999. In September of that year, they opened their first season of the post-John Elway era and finished 6-10. Jim Leyland stopped in town long enough to lead the Rockies to a 72-90 record before checking out.

And on the college scene, Colorado State crushed Colorado 41-14 at Mile High Stadium in '99.

OK, that was a brief look back in time. Now let's look at what the future could hold.

Here are nine story lines, from me to you, Denver Sports Fan, to follow in 2009.

1Finding Shanahan's replacement.

Ten long seasons have passed since John Elway's retirement - and Denver's last Super Bowl appearance. In those 10 seasons, Mike Shanahan led the Broncos to one AFC West title, one playoff win and only two playoff games at 8-year-old Invesco Field at Mile High. On Tuesday, Shanahan was fired. Is there someone who can come in and provide instant success? Bill Cowher offers a proven track record and defensive personality. He costs a lot of money, and he might decide to sit out another year. Or you might want a hot assistant such as New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. I hear that. Miami, Atlanta and Baltimore made the playoffs with rookie head coaches. But those coaches were not pressured with expectations to reach the playoffs. We'll see how they handle the expectations in '09. Meanwhile, Shanahan's replacement inherits high expectations to win now - and an atrocious defense. Maybe someone with head coaching experience is better. How about former Broncos assistant Jim Fassel? He knows owner Pat Bowlen, has ties with Elway and wouldn't mind leaving the radio broadcast booth to get back into the NFL. As for Shanahan, he should take some time off. Who knows? He could be the next coach at Notre Dame.

INFOBOX 1

2What's in your wallet, Mr. Bowlen?

The Broncos owner must pay for a new head coach and a new defense. For the first time since 1968 and 1969, the Broncos allowed 400 points or more in consecutive seasons. Denver finished a regular season with fewer than 20 takeaways for the first time since the strike-shortened, nine-game 1982 season. Significant defensive upgrades are needed, and those usually cost significant dollars to sign top-quality free agents. If four- time Pro Bowl selection Julius Peppers becomes a free agent, the Broncos ought to be waiting with a checkbook. If the Broncos aren't willing to spend for a Peppers (or Terrell Suggs) . . . well, let's just say their luck in drafting star defensive linemen had better change quick.

INFOBOX 2

3A comeback for Elway?

No. 7 knows football. And Bowlen probably needs him around now more than ever. Makes for intriguing speculation. Elway could decide to move home to California and get away from the Denver scene. Or he could come back to the Broncos in a working capacity and lift the spirits within the organization. Question is, would the latter guarantee instant success? We know Elway the player helped lure free-agent talent that enabled Denver to win Super Bowls. Can he close the deal on signing prime talent - and maybe a head coach, too - as a front-office exec? Stay tuned.

INFOBOX 3

4The Rockies won't suffer without Matt Holliday.

That's because, in Holliday's five seasons, the team lost plenty with him (a 375-436 record). "Big Daddy" averaged 26 home runs, 97 RBI, 170 hits and 13 stolen bases with the Rockies. Other than the phenomenal World Series run ignited by his mysterious touch of home plate in '07, what have the Rockies won with Holliday? The Rockies can't afford his market tag, so it was best to make a deal. Don't wince while Holliday puts up 46 homers and 147 RBI in Oakland this season. Remember, it's a contract year.

INFOBOX 4

5Clock's ticking on Hurdle.

If the Rockies get off to a rocky start, their manager could get the ax. There's no venom behind that statement. Clint Hurdle's a stand-up guy, before and after games. He's one of the nicest human beings you'll ever meet. But in this "win now or lose fans" business of sports (see Shanahan termination) clashing with today's slumping economy, the Rockies can't afford to lose games or patrons. The Rockies added two former big league managers to their coaching staff - Don Baylor and Jim Tracy. If the team pulls the plug on Hurdle, it would make sense that he's replaced by either one. The way to avoid this scenario? Start strong and finish with at least 90 wins out of 162 games.

INFOBOX 5

6What's realistic to expect from Todd Helton?

With Helton, there's definitely an "-istic" factor - realistic and optimistic. You can be optimistic that Helton comes back better than ever, but it's more realistic to hope he can just stay healthy an entire season. Like Peter Forsberg, Helton is 35. Baseball players aren't getting better as they get older - at least not like they used to. That doesn't mean Helton can't give you 20 home runs and 75 to 80 RBI. But I wouldn't look for more - especially when you consider Helton hasn't hit 21 or more homers since 2004 and hasn't knocked in 100 runs since 2003.

INFOBOX 6

7Peter Forsberg comes back to the Avalanche.

It has the making of a nice story, and really, my eyes are starting to get moist thinking about it. Forsberg overcomes another surgery, works himself into playing shape and adds passing skills and leadership to the young, playoff-bound Avs down the stretch. But when you look past the sentimental and stare at the reality, Forsberg is 35 years old and physically fragile. There was a time when we believed Forsberg on one leg was better than most NHL players on two legs. With that lingering ankle problem, we'd be watching Forsberg on one leg.

INFOBOX 7

8The Nuggets are good enough to reach Round 2 of the playoffs.

Isn't that something? No more first-round glass jaw. The Nuggets are good enough, with Chauncey Billups, Nene and Carmelo Anthony, to reach Round 2. But . . . there's still some missing pieces to this team, and those missing pieces, to me, might be the difference between home-court advantage as the No. 4 seed and playing on the road as the No. 5 seed. This team still could use help at shooting guard. And another big man is needed on the front line. Laugh if you want, but a guy such as the Indiana Pacers' 245-pound forward Troy Murphy really would fortify this team's lineup.

INFOBOX 8

9Will the University of Colorado football team win 10 games this year?

Let's see . . . coach Dan Hawkins is said to have predicted 10 wins in '09 and "no excuses" during the team's annual senior banquet. Hopefully, the room was filled with underclassmen. That season-ending loss to Nebraska was a heartbreaker, and it cost the Buffs a bowl berth. The '09 season promises to bring some interesting competition - especially at quarterback and running back. Better bring your "A" game, Buffs, if you want to win a league title and go bowling. This ain't intramurals. This is the Big 12.