Fine line.
“Offensive tackle Flozell Adams of the Dallas Cowboys has been fined three games in a row. He likes to kick players. I always thought kicking in football should be done to start the game, or when attempting a field goal or punting.
Isn’t Adams an offensive lineman? That’s what his actions are. Offensive. To punish players with a fine will never stop this type of behavior. Make Adams sit out a game. Fining a player $7,500 when he makes a huge salary is like me having to pay a ticket for 75 cents. Where’s the actual punishment?”
Kathy, Castle Rock
Kiz: Let’s be blunt. When Dallas brings its top-ranked rushing offense to Denver, Adams should not be in the huddle. If there were any justice, he would be serving a suspension. Adams is the most offensive player in the NFL. At age 34, the 340-pound Adams ain’t what he used to be.
“Maybe he’s not as quick as he used to be,” Broncos defensive end Vonnie Holliday said.
So Adams has resorted to cheap- shot tactics. He was fined $7,500 for attempting to trip Carolina’s Julius Peppers, one week after incurring a $12,500 fine for injuring Justin Tuck of the New York Giants with a bush-league kick and two weeks after being punished with a $5,000 fine for illegally striking a Tampa Bay defender’s helmet. Oh, you bet the Broncos have noticed.
“If there’s something on the field that shouldn’t be done and your peers see it, you’ll be held accountable,” Holliday said. “If you do something that can jeopardize my career, I’m going to let you know I’m not happy.”
The NFL has warned Adams of a possible suspension. That’s insufficient. Commissioner Roger Goodell has taken a hard line against bad conduct off the field. The commish needs to throw the book at Adams before he wrecks a fellow pro’s ability to make a living on the field.
Real deal.
“Kiz, you are one of the first mainstream media guys to take the Broncos for real, and even ate a little crow while doing it. This team looks very promising. What a pleasant surprise for us after dealing with such a drama-filled offseason.”
Michael, Greeley
Kiz: Whether we’re talking football or politics, too many pundits comment on a story according to the way they wish things were, rather than dealing with how things really are. It will be far from easy for Denver to beat Dallas. But if the Broncos do win to go 4-0, this much I believe is true: They will make the playoffs.
Hey, not so fast.
“This town is whacked. Why is everybody getting so pumped up about these Broncos? In recent years, the defense has generally started well and fallen apart. Does anybody remember? I just don’t see the talent to support the theory that this is a top-10 defense.
But the defense is improved, and it turns my stomach to think the Broncos may have been able to compete for a playoff spot if they had Jay Cutler. With Kyle Orton and his limitations, this offense is dismal.
Coach Josh McDaniels sounds pretty happy on the airwaves. Does he have a clue? The truth will be revealed. Slow down this train.”
Bronco Bret, Denver
Kiz: Two words come to mind: 1) sour, and 2) grapes.
Talking tickets.
“I was terribly upset a couple from Virginia got Broncos season tickets by being on the waiting list for a scant five years. Are you kidding me? I have been on that list since 2002 and seem to get the same luxury box offer every year.”
Joey, Englewood
Kiz: I found tickets with a face value of $410 still available Saturday for the game against Dallas. Too rich for my blood. But do you wonder how many Cowboys fans will be found lurking in the luxury seats?
Parting shot
Looking back at the Holliday trade
And today’s parting shot insists I was a dummy to be disappointed when the Rockies traded a player who hit .352 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in his first 61 games as a member of the first-place Cardinals.
“I e-mailed you several months back after the trade of Matt Holliday and told you my belief Colorado was a better team. Baseball is a team sport and not about one individual who had decided he was worth more than the rest of the team. No way Holliday is worth the big money. Why not be the bigger man and admit you had no clue what you were writing when Holliday was traded?”
Doug, Colorado Springs
