“Josh McDaniels will win a Super Bowl in Denver before Mike Shanahan does in Washington? I don’t think so. Why not? Draft choices Knowshon Moreno, Robert Ayers, Alphonso Smith, Richard Quinn, Demaryius Thomas and Tim Tebow. Everyone complained Shanny should step out of his personnel role with the Broncos. Look what we got instead.”
David, Parker
Kiz: As a crazy, true believer in McDaniels’ football acumen, gotta admit this pick of Tebow severely tests my faith. What I saw at Florida made me think Tebow would be a more suitable replacement for tight end Tony Scheffler than quarterback Jay Cutler at the NFL level. Selecting Tebow in the first round, however, was a masterstroke in the opinion of the more cynical minds here at Kickin’ It Headquarters. Think about it: If Tebow isn’t ready to be a full-time starter until at least 2012, how could Broncos owner Pat Bowlen even think of firing McDaniels before letting him coach the team’s QB of the future?
Blame game.
“With the trade of Brandon Marshall to the Dolphins, Cutler to the Bears and Scheffler to the Lions, it is evident McDaniels is systematically dismantling the Broncos, who will eventually fall beneath the Chiefs and Raiders in the NFL standings. Look at the 2010 draft picks, which left analysts scratching their heads. McDaniels is trading elite players and drafting projects. Case in point: Utah offensive lineman Zane Beadles. Bill Belichick and Shanahan must be chuckling at McDaniels’ antics.”
Doug, Castle Rock
Kiz: OK, let’s get real. It was Shanahan, not McDaniels, who gave the Broncos a chronic case of mediocrity. Take a look at the last 10 seasons of Shanny’s career in Denver. The number of AFC West championships won from 1999-2008: San Diego 4, Oakland 3, Kansas City 1, Seattle 1 and Denver 1.
No love for A.D.
“The Nuggets are a complete joke, just like their so-called coach, Adrian Dantley. They are not a team, but a collection of individuals.”
Pat, Loveland
Kiz: For seven seasons, Dantley sat on the Nuggets bench as an assistant. You would think A.D. should have learned more about being a head coach by osmosis.
It pays to be Nene.
“Sports are about character. You fight against opponents, referees and audiences. When I look at this coach of the Nuggets, he drives me nuts. No emotion, no excitement, no yelling. Who is this? This coach looks like he’s suffering, like he hates this place.”
Janusz, Colorado Springs
Kiz: Before we place all the blame on Dantley for the Nuggets’ struggles in the playoffs, let us remember that center Nene is getting paid an annual salary of $10.5 million.
Just a Tad excited.
“Tad Boyle will be absolutely great, not only for CU basketball, but for everybody in the state of Colorado rooting for a winner to cheer in March Madness.”
P.T., hoops fanatic
Kiz: With guard Alec Burks returning to the team, it’s not unreasonable to expect Boyle to make the NCAA Tournament in his first season on the job.
But he’s Boyle-ing mad.
“As a graduate of CU, I’m embarrassed and disgusted by the coaching choices in Boulder. This is all about being cheap. The Buffaloes won’t buy out football coach Dan Hawkins and now hire Boyle as basketball coach.”
Dan, Lakewood
Kiz: Money talks. Should Hawkins begin this season with losses to Colorado State and California, what would 15,000 empty seats for the first game at Folsom Field say to the CU administration?
There’s no eyetooth in team
And today’s parting shot reminds us how playoff traditions get started, no matter how painful those traditions might be.
“My son lost his first tooth just hours before the Avalanche’s victory in Game 3 of this NHL playoff series against San Jose. He did not lose a tooth before Game 4, and the Avs fell in overtime. With a nod to superstition, is it reasonable of me to expect my kid to donate a Chiclet before every playoff game?”
Steve, Centennial
