Columnist Mark Kiszla on Monday answered questions from readers in a live Lunch Special chat. Here are the highlights:
Do you think the Broncos made a mistake not adding a quarterback? If not with the top pick, but maybe later in the draft?
:Here’s what I think I think: liked Sam Darnold and was intrigued by Baker Mayfield. Those quarterbacks were both long gone by the time Denver was on the clock at No. 5 in the first round. Elway just shelled out $25 million guaranteed for . Elway might be the last supporter at Dove Valley Headquarters that has. And seldom does a day go by when somebody (often from Mississippi) doesn’t ask me when Chad Kelly is going to be the next great Broncos quarterback? So do I think Elway made a mistake by not adding a QB in the later rounds. No.
No QB in the draft concerns me for two reasons. First, it seems the Broncos are one Case Keenum high ankle sprain from a five-game losing streak. Second, I don’t see a developing option to replace him in two or three years, and history says it’s rare to have a rookie lead a team. What’s happening in the braintrust(?) at Dove Valley?
Kiz: Here’s my theory: The Case Keenum signing has written all over it. Keenum is precisely the kind of QB that Kubiak loves. I call Keenum Matt Schaub 2.0. Is that a good thing? Well, if memory serves, Schaub did make a trip to the when he played for Kubiak in Houston. But can the Broncos get back to the Super Bowl with Keenum at the controls? The truth is: It’s doubtful. Keenum is a bridge. A bridge to where? That’s a mystery.
Who do you think will lead the Broncos in rushing yards this year?
Kiz: Somebody just asked if I wish the Broncos had added a QB in the draft. Well, I do wish Denver had traded up in the second round to grab a running back. I liked Nick Chubb of Georgia, which could’ve given us Double-Chubble (please forgive me.) I liked Ronald Jones of USC. I liked Kerryon Johnson of Auburn and Derrius Guice of LSU, both of whom were passed over in favor of SMU receiver Courtland Sutton, who does have a chance to be a very good player for the Broncos. So can you tell I’m stalling? I don’t know who will be Denver’s leading rusher in 2018. Neither do the coaches. Let’s hope it’s Royce Freeman, or else that was probably a wasted pick in the third round, because I’m not sure if gives apountry much to get excited about.
Do you think Phillip Lindsay will be on the Broncos 53-man roster in September?
Kiz: Phillip Lindsay! Been doing this sportswriting thingy in Denver for almost 35 years, and few athletes I’ve met have been as upbeat and fun to watch as Phillip Lindsay! So I was glad he decided to take the $15,000 bonus from the Broncos to stay in Colorado and try to make his NFL dream come true with his hometown team. So mark this down: Phillip Lindsay! is going to stick with the Broncos. And do not be surprised when Phillip Lindsay! scores his first NFL touchdown in 2018. Kick return? Punt return? Circle route? It will be fun to watch how Phillip Lindsay! finds the end zone.
Sorry if I missed the joke, but what is the reason you put exclamation marks after Lindsay’s name?
Kiz: Because I’m very, very excited about the Broncos signing Phillip Lindsay! And that’s no joke.
Do you think the Rockies hitters are in a slump or is this the new normal?
Kiz: I think the Rockies are extremely good at striking out. And that’s pretty normal throughout the major leagues, where swing trajectory is all the rage, which results in way more pitches winding up in the catcher’s mitt for strike three than in the bleachers for a home run. Bringing up David Dahl helped. His name has to be regularly written on the lineup card, even after Carlos Gonzalez returns from injury, don’t you think? While it’s early, I don’t think it’s too early for general manager Jeff Bridich to at least go shopping for a bat.
What did you think of the third round pick Isaac Yiadom? Broncos did the same thing by picking a raw CB last year – Brendan Langley – and did not play as expected.
Kiz: There’s nothing wrong with picking a raw talent in the draft. Here’s the dealio: You have to coach em up. Among the many problems of ‘s staff in 2017 was the fact the Broncos stunk at developing their young talent. That’s got to change. And change in a hurry. Or else there will be somebody else coaching the Broncos in 2019.
Hello Mark, how are you? We have a website about the Broncos in Brazil and we really like your work from The Post. Thanks for the excellent articles and opinions. Here’s my question: What did you think of Vance Joseph’s decision to move Bradley Chubb to OLB? I think we may be missing an opportunity to gain more strength inside the defensive line.
Kiz: I have the great good fortune to travel to Brazil for the first time in 2016, when The Denver Post sent me to cover the Olympics. And I must say: After traveling to 40-plus countries, I immediately fell in love with Brazil. Can’t wait to go back! (Hint: Invite me anytime). Now let’s talk football: I might be the knucklehead among Denver media that is most concerned with the Broncos moving Bradley Chubb to outside linebacker. Did Chubb get snaps in a two-point stance at North Carolina State? Yes, he did. Does he have the skill set to thrive at outside linebacker at the NFL level? I think so. But I believe Chubb would be more comfortable as a rookie if his primary job was defensive end in a 4-3 front. It’s on Vance Joseph and the Broncos coaching staff to get Chubb up to speed and comfortable so he can be a true impact player in 2018, not 2019. I think nothing less than Joseph’s job depends on it.
I keep hearing Paxton Lynch comes in late, leave early, just wants to play video games, is socially awkward, etc. Is this true? Have you been close enough to witness this kind of stuff firsthand, or is this merely radio chatter to create a story line? P.S. Really enjoyed your Olympics coverage.
:Thanks for the Olympics kudos. I know the Olympics have more than their fair share of problems. But I love nothing more than covering the Olympics. Paxton Lynch. I will admit: I loved him as a college player. I liked it when Denver drafted him. I met Lynch during the week Denver played in Super Bowl 50. Despite talking to him for 15 minutes for “The Sports Show,” I missed it. After Lynch had been in a Broncos uniform for about a month, I realized he was immature. He did not get what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. He could’ve really used a season where his only job was following around. Lynch was his own worst enemy in his development. And I fear he has fallen so far behind that Lynch might never catch up. We’ll see. It’s make or break for Lynch in 2018.
Michael Jordan or LeBron James as the greatest basketball player?
Kiz: The greatest basketball player of all time is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Let’s start with this: How many players in the history of the game were so dominant that the rules-makers outlawed the dunk? And then what happened in response? Mr. Abdul-Jabbar developed the sky hook, the most unstoppable offensive weapon in the history of basketball. I like the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate. I still like Mike in that debate, but it’s getting very close.
One of the big failings of the last two seasons is the Broncos’ inability to cover backs out of the backfield. Did they do anything in free agency or the draft to improve there?
Kiz: Before it became hip for draftniks to move Roquan Smith up the draft board, I was a big fan of the Georgia linebacker. (See, I have no anti-SEC sentiment.) In fact, I think Smith would have been a legit alternative for the Broncos to take with the No. 5 overall selection. That’s no dis of Bradley Chubb. But I think Smith, while perhaps a bit small to play inside backer, will be a sideline to sideline force in the pros. What did the Broncos do in the draft to get better pass coverage on running backs? Not much as far as I can see.
Do you see Su’a Cravens playing linebacker more than Safety? Not sure why we draft Jewell if he will never see the field since will be playing 1st and second downs
:Honest admission: I don’t have strong opinion on Cravens. I haven’t studied the tape. But I do feel very strongly in ability to evaluate a player after watching him work in person. So, unlike some gasbags on the radio, I’m not going to pretend I’m an expert on Cravens. Todd Davis? He’s a good man. Decent football player. I don’t hold him in as high regard as the Broncos do.
What are the expectations for the Rapids this season?
:I’d like to start with the Rapids averaging 1.5 goals per game. And go from there.
Are there any free agent guards still available? Is Menelik Watson an option?
Kiz: No offense to Mr. Menelik Watson, but I never understood why the Broncos saw him as a viable option to fixing their offensive line woes.
Find the full chat transcript below:
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