Doubting Thomas, not Tebow. I heard Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas ripped former teammate Tim Tebow. During a radio interview, Thomas said: “Everything on ESPN was about Tim. That bothered some players, because they would say, ‘Tim Tebow Time.’ I felt like it was a team thing. If it wasn’t for the defense most of the time, there wouldn’t be no supposed ‘Tim Tebow Time.’ ” I cannot understand what made Thomas say this, and it makes me sick. I wonder how Thomas thinks he has the right to open his mouth. In Thomas, I watched a guy who was obviously out of shape early in the season. I watched a receiver who routinely dropped pass after pass, only to come to the sideline and have Tebow encourage him. I am hoping you or someone else is planning to slam this clown.
Josh, Butte, Mont.
Kiz: Way to stay classy, Mr. Thomas. Can you hear the booing for you echoing throughout the Rocky Mountains? But, right or wrong, Thomas was not alone in the Denver locker room with his thought that Tebow Time was more media hype than athletic skill. That’s why it was best for all concerned when John Elway traded Tebow after the acquisition of Peyton Manning. The circus needed to leave town. As much as Tebow supporters might not want to hear it, the calliope music that accompanies Tebowmania hinders his development as a quarterback, because football people don’t like dealing with the noise of distraction.
Dogging Fox. Receiver Steve Smith recently signed a contract extension with the Carolina Panthers. His comments about Broncos coach John Fox are not kind. So please allow me to throw caution into the wind: Coach Fox should speak softly when addressing the Denver offense.
Terry, Turlock, Calif.
Kiz: The feud between Smith and Fox goes way back, to a time when the receiver claims his conservative former coach blamed players rather than the plays for poor offensive production by the Panthers. The NFL schedule-maker, however, has a sense of humor. Fox will return to his old stomping grounds for a game at Carolina later this year. Have mercy. As they sometimes say in the South: Fox and Smith are gonna go to Fist City.
Sobering thought. I met Larry and Lana Eustachy for the first time when he was introduced as Colorado State’s new basketball coach. I introduced myself to Lana as a big fan who makes a ton of noise in Moby Arena. I also told her I was a recovering alcoholic who had been sober for 23 years. Her first question was: “Do you know a good AA meeting?” I had a brief chance to introduce myself to Larry, and he also wanted to know if I knew a good AA meeting. I think that speaks volumes to how important sobriety is to both of them.
Steve, Fort Collins
Kiz: Not sure the lightweights here at Kickin’ It Headquarters would have the stomach to hire a coach with a history of alcoholism. So here’s a tip of the hat to CSU for a bold move. What’s more, Eustachy has pledged to donate a set percentage of his annual salary to help college students deal with alcohol problems. That’s not only investing in his community, it’s a powerful motivation for Eustachy to stay sober.
Major punishment. I’m in total agreement with your column regarding Tiger Woods. I’ve lost all respect for him as a man and how he conducts himself. Despite his incredible achievements on the golf course, he always has had an incredibly foul mouth and treats his playing partners as if they have leprosy. Woods was caught multiple times swearing, followed by his infamous 9-iron kick at the 16th hole. There was a far better role model at the Masters: Rory McIlroy. He stunk and played himself out of contention during the third round, yet McIlroy kept his composure and walked off the 18th green arm-in-arm with playing partner Sergio Garcia, as both men laughed. McIlroy conducted himself as a gentleman with respect for the game, spectators and fellow competitors. That’s the complete opposite of the ever-more-boorish Woods.
Bob, Lone Tree
Kiz: While I’m rooting for Woods to put his life and game back together, it might not be a bad idea if the PGA Tour sent him the only message he’d understand about minding his manners on the golf course. Punish Woods with a suspension from a major tournament.
Insult to injuries. Hooray for you, Kiz! You have to be the only sports journalist in Denver with enough guts to call the Nuggets what they really are: not playoff-worthy.
James, Pueblo
Kiz: While whining about their own injuries, the Nuggets fail to mention they have played recent games against Chicago without Derrick Rose, against Orlando without Dwight Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers without Kobe Bryant. Thank-you cards are in order if Denver makes the playoffs.
That Schott(enheimer) hurts
And today’s parting shot compares one local coach to an old friend who used to do the Broncos favors while working in Cleveland, Kansas City and San Diego:
Nuggets coach George Karl is the Marty Schottenheimer of the NBA. He wouldn’t win the gold medal if he was coaching the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.
Anthony, furious at George
