Broncos’ fire and sole leader.
“Your ‘Genius of Turmoil’ column should be required reading for all Broncos fans, players, coaches and the owner. I have been a season-ticket holder since 1960. This is truly an organization in deep chaos. Its leaders must be accountable for decisions that have caused the downfall. There is no character on the team. Players are ‘scared’ of ‘the man.’ How can you feel comfortable in an organization that has had so much change? Who takes responsibility for the poor draft selections from 2000-04?”
Buz, Greenwood Village
Kiz: Not even Donald Trump says “You’re fired!” with the style of Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. Of course, Shanny has more practice.
Front office built for one.
“Come on now, Kiz. You should be ashamed to call yourself a journalist. Firing general manager Ted Sundquist should have happened years ago. He was more worried about his ego than getting the personnel we need.”
Gene, Pueblo
Kiz: The world headquarters of Broncos Nation might be known as Dove Valley, but it’s only big enough for one ego. As Sundquist found out. The hard way.
What has he done for us lately?
“Shanahan won us two Super Bowls, and those victories carry a lot of weight with me. But his behavior and actions over the past three or four years seem more and more wrong-headed. The Sund-quist thing seemed like a strange and unprofessional move.”
Jeff, York, Maine
Kiz: Sundquist worked 16 years for the Broncos. When he was dismissed, Shanahan released a statement shorter than a grocery list. Cheesy. Very cheesy.
Pupil passes teacher.
“Remember when Gary Kubiak was around and the Broncos were in the AFC title game? Has this team lost its way since his departure to Houston?”
Joe, Fort Collins
Kiz: This score just in. Number of NFL games won in 2007: Kubes 8, Shanny 7.
Sour big apples.
“I fear that Pat Bowlen and Shanahan are about to become the James Dolan and Isiah Thomas of the NFL.”
Bruce, Denver
Kiz: That’s cold, brother. When the Broncs start reminding folks of the Knicks, we’re all in a sorry New York state of mind.
Cheaters do prosper.
“Yes, we deserve the truth about the New Eng- land Patriots and rumors of cheating. But if the truth is going to hurt the NFL more than it helps, then I say hide the truth. It’s do-or-die time for commissioner Roger Goodell and the league he has to protect. His job is more important than a little bit of cheating. I, for one, cheated my way through college.”
Gregg, Quincy, Mass.
Kiz: Yep, what’s the big deal about cheating or a cover-up, so long as it serves the greater good? Let me guess, Gregg. Your two favorite U.S. presidents were Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon.
Postseason of their discontent.
“There’s a budding rivalry between the Rockies and Diamondbacks. Colorado baseball had always been discounted by Arizona, and conversations about the National League West always shifted to the West Coast. But all of a sudden, I’ve heard, ‘We hate the Rockies’ in Phoenix. I’ve heard more than one player say the D-backs should have been in the World Series. Whatever. The arrogance of Arizona has turned to bitterness in one winter — and it was the Rox who induced it. Beautiful.”
Dennis, Gilbert, Ariz.
Kiz: The first time Arizona hits town this season, there might be clear skies over Denver, but when D-backs outfielder Eric Byrnes steps to the plate, I predict a 100 percent chance for a purple rain of boos.
Parting shot
And today’s parting shot aims low against the Broncos coach once called “that little man upstairs” by former defensive lineman Daryl Gardener.
“Well, Shanny had better win now. Listen up, Bowlen. You can’t give the coach all he wants forever, unless he wins a lot more. What’s next? Will Shanahan want to make himself taller — or will he go back to standing on a box for team meetings (as he did as coach of the Raiders)?”
Mike, Switzerland
