Sore subject.
“What’s up with your prediction that if Kyle Orton is not on the field today against the San Diego Chargers, he’s done as the quarterback in Denver? Orton does have an ankle injury. He’s not going to be sitting out of the game because of a contract dispute. He’s hurt!”
Cathy, Denver
Kiz: OK, riddle me this: If there’s a severe ankle injury to be treated, why did Orton stand on it in his uniform and watch Denver lose to the Redskins? Was the Broncos’ training staff saving the bags of ice for soft drinks on the plane ride home? It made zero sense. I’m not questioning this quarterback’s courage or integrity, but Orton’s judgment was iffy.
Questionable.
“You implied Orton should be playing while injured and yet you don’t know the extent of his injury. Can’t take a position, can you? That’s OK. It’s a characteristic that defines subpar sportswriters. You must be vying for The Denver Post sports department’s answer to Glenn Beck. Do you — sniff, sniff — worry about your team’s future?”
Bill, Plano, Texas
Kiz: With a loss to the Chargers, there would be sniffling Broncomaniacs running to the doom room. My position is clear: Orton and the coaching staff played it safe with his injury against wretched Washington. Better safe than sorry? Not when the team is in the throes of a three-game losing streak. Sometimes, you gotta play hurt in the NFL. Is Orton going to stand on the sideline again and risk Denver throwing away its season against the Chargers without him? That would be a very bad play by a QB in his contract year.
Success story.
“You seem to forget the goals proffered when Dan Hawkins was hired as the football coach at Colorado. He is a success. I seem to recall regents, high-level administrators and many students saying the win-loss record is not important. CU just wanted a coach who shared the vision of good students and citizens first, with the record on the field secondary. CU dropped baseball. Maybe the school should drop football, or go to Division III. Or convert it to intramurals! CU is getting exactly what it wanted and deserved. The Buffs have better graduation rates and no apparent serious off-field issues. The Post needs to put an asterisk on the headlines to remind readers the win-loss record is not the record by which CU measures success. So the Buffaloes might as well keep Hawkins. It ain’t gonna make any difference. CU’s commitment destines it to second-tier performance, and that’s not changing in our lifetime.”
Rich, Denver
Kiz: Do I detect a hint of sarcasm? Hawk’s record at CU is 16-32*. What’s not to love?
Major decision.
“Would Dave Logan be a candidate for the CU football coaching job if the athletic director makes a change? Logan played for the Buffaloes and he seems to do an amazing job with the Mullen High School program.”
Alice, Englewood
Kiz: Count on loud and proud CU voices to argue Hawkins should be replaced by somebody from “within the family.” I disagree. Did Bill McCartney have ties to the Buffaloes when he arrived from Michigan? Eric Bieniemy and Jon Embree bleed black and gold, but don’t have the resume. As radio voice of the Broncos and the best prep coach in state history, Logan already has two dream jobs that he would be crazy to quit. Colorado needs to look beyond the usual list of suspects and consider somebody like Major Applewhite, the 31-year-old former Texas quarterback who already has risen to assistant head coach for the Longhorns after previously serving as the offensive coordinator at Alabama and Rice.
Backup plan.
“After Peter Budaj’s recent appearances for the Avs, it’s time to call up Tyler Weiman from the minor leagues. Craig Anderson has been great, but we can’t have him in the net every night. My confidence is all but lost when Budaj plays, so let’s see what Weiman can do. He can’t do any worse.”
Lou, San Diego
Kiz: I’m afraid it’s time for Budaj to go bye-bye.
Parting shot
Star of head games
And today’s parting shot sounds like a not-so-subtle suggestion that if the Zen Master looked any more relaxed on the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench, you might think he was taking a nap during NBA games.
“I sat behind Phil Jackson during a recent game between the Nuggets and Lakers at the Pepsi Center. I was wondering: Why is his chair so tall? Is it to support his back? Or his head?”
Lauren, Castle Rock
