“Let me be the first in a line, which is sure to lengthen when the Broncos finish 8-8, to say it’s time for coach Mike Shanahan to move on. Familiarity breeds contempt. Shanahan goes through defensive coordinators like most folks go through clean underwear. The offense has lacked imagination since Gary Kubiak left for Houston. Mr. Shanahan, you’ve done a great job. But you’ve become too familiar.”
Don, Pueblo West
Kiz: Not sure if it’s possible to have a trap game on opening weekend of the NFL season, but shuffling off to Buffalo sounds like a stubbed toe waiting to happen. Nevertheless, I’m guessing Jay-C will wing a TD pass in the fourth quarter that allows the Broncs to sneak out of town with a win.
Rockies hurdle Broncos
“Why is it some egotistical sportswriter cannot admit the fact ‘the’ team around town in September is the Rockies, instead of the precious Broncos? Face it, Kiszla, the Rockies are good. Who gives a darn about what Clint Hurdle did in the past? Let’s focus on what he’s doing now. The reasons for team success are the results of good managing, whether you like it or not.”
Josh, Arvada
Kiz: OK, we’ll agree to erase the more than 500 losses Hurdle has sustained as Rockies manager, so long as the club refunds the money from the more than 10 million tickets it has sold since he became skipper. Deal? Or no deal?
Clint is no Leo
“If the Rockies make it to the postseason, it will be despite Hurdle, not because of him. If you take a poll of knowledgeable baseball people, you would find Hurdle is not held in high esteem as a strategist or handler of pitchers. I’ve seen managers going back to Leo Durocher, Walter Alston and Danny Murtaugh, and Hurdle is at best a by-the-book journeyman who’s best when he sits on his hands and lets the players play.”
Craig, Colorado Springs
Kiz: You’ve got to give Hurdle some credit. He has grown as a manager. Of course, should the Rockies ever make the playoffs, you’ve also got to wonder if this silly ownership would give him the title of manager for life.
Raiders on right road
“The signing of quarterback Daunte Culpepper by the Oakland Raiders might be the deal of the year. It will prove once again Al Davis can still pick winners. Another great trade was the acquisition of defensive tackle Gerard Warren. The Raiders are moving in the right direction. They are going to be a very competitive team this year.”
Larry, Encino, Calif.
Kiz: Oh, the Raiders are still in the NFL? Had not noticed. By the way: Is there any chance No. 1 draft choice JaMarcus Russell will actually dress in your team’s pirate gear and pretend like he really wants to be Oakland’s starting quarterback anytime before Halloween?
Parting shot
And today’s parting shot is directed at any fool, including your friendly neighborhood Kiz, who believes the greatness we witnessed from Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony at the recent FIBA Americas Championship was proof he is climbing toward elite status among NBA stars.
“Carmelo will never be ‘the man’ in the NBA, because he is a selfish, one-dimensional player. There’s a reason LeBron James took his team deep in the playoffs, and Melo can’t get past the first round. LeBron makes players around him better, Melo doesn’t.”
Steve, Evergreen
