Both offer a knowledgeable on-air cockiness, sometimes bordering on arrogance, when reporting and offering commentary.

Such a style, while irritating to some, puts them at the top in their local venues — Vic Lombardi as a TV sports anchor and Sandy Clough as a radio sports talk host.

Lombardi is the key sports personality on KCNC-Channel 4, "the Broncos station," meaning the CBS-owned outlet shells out quite a few dollars for "exclusive" coverage in some areas and the right to promote the team through weekly TV specials.

And while Lombardi can be cordial to Broncos personnel on "feel good" interview shows, he seldom backs away during regular newscasts regarding the team's play.

Lombardi's direct style of praise and criticism doesn't end with the Broncos. He revs up enthusiastic coverage for other local pro teams and college and high school games.

On the Denver radio scene for 30 years, Clough (rhymes with tough and rough) has gradually eliminated his once loud, overbearing style to callers ("Sir, you're an idiot!").

Clough regularly uses a studied, thoughtful debate style — something almost foreign on guffawing sports talk radio. (Who else uses words like "analogous" when discussing the Broncos, or any other local team?)

For some, Clough's style is too erudite because it's normally free of the joking, laughing happy-talk comments so prevalent on sports talk in Denver.

While Lombardi thrives in his highly visible Channel 4 anchor role, Clough, on KKFN (104.3 FM The Fan), has been relegated to a sportstalk dead zone — 7-10 p.m. weeknights as a solo host. He's equally at home in a two-person format.