Columnist Mark Kiszla answered questions about the Denver sports scene during the Lunch Special on Monday. Here are some highlights:
What is your take on the Marquette King vs. the media situation?
Kiszla: Marquette King does not fit the mold of a football player. He’s into cartoons and video games and 1,000 things that he finds interesting. He’s good at punting the snot out of a football, but does not obsess with the game. That approach would not work if King were a quarterback. But kickers have a whole lotta free time … and football practice tends to be boring. King vs. the media? I’m in the media. But I’m with King.
Concerning , my recollection of his pre draft analysis in 2016 was that he was considered a multi-year project type pick. Do you think a 5 game sample is suffiicent to call him a bust, or is he just showing that little progess in practice? Also, your previous articles seemed to indicate he is not as dedicated to his own development as the team would like, can you offer more insight?
Kiszla: I love college football. (Blame the fact I was born in South Bend, and the Catholic university that was in my corner of town.) So, outside the duties of my job, the sport I watch with the most passion is college football. And I will admit again: I liked what I saw from Paxton Lynch at Memphis. I liked Lynch when a I did a one-on-one interview with him during week prior to the NFL draft. I like when picked Lynch in the first round. Now for the tough part … About a week into his first training camp, it was obvious to me that Lynch had zero clue how much it took to succeed at QB on the NFL level. He wasn’t — and isn’t — a bad guy. But he does not have what I call the unhealthy obsession with the game that many top-flight QBs do (, anyone?). did not like Lynch’s approach from Day 1 … and the rookie was in the doghouse from Week 1, if you ask me. He’s never escaped. The Broncos, with at the controls, never adjusted their playbook to Lynch’s skills. The responsibility to make it in the pros begins with the player. And Lynch not only missed his window of opportunity, he bumped into a wall and fell down the steps to the basement. I think Lynch would benefit greatly from watching and working alongside a veteran like for a year. He does show a flash of potential about every third practice. But I’m not certain if the Broncos — or their fans — have the patience to wait any longer on Lynch’s development.
Do you see staying here in Colorado for the long haul?
Kiszla: Short answer: No. I think Nolan Arenado will move on to a team that puts a top priority on being in the playoff hunt each and every year. I believe the Rockies commitment to winning baseball has increased. Might it be enough to sway Arenado into signing another contract with Colorado? Maybe. But, as of Aug. 6, 2018, I think it’s a long shot that Arenado will be playing baseball for Colorado in 2020.
What do you make of Vegas’ over-under for the Nuggets winning 47.5 games?
Kiszla: I’ve looked with great interest at the NBA win projections, by both hoops analysts and Vegas oddsmakers. And 47-48 victories is generally what’s expected from the Nuggets at this point. I think anything less than 50 victories would be a serious disappointment. Is that fair? If Paul Millsap is worth anywhere near $30 million, it’s fair. The wild card in the West is obvious: How much better does LeBron James make the Lakers. Without him, that’s a 35-win team. Does James make L.A. a 50-win team and a team that finishes ahead of Denver in the standings?
Hello Mark. Thoroughly enjoyed the article on Courtland Sutton yesterday. Nice Piece. I am so excited about his future with the Broncos. Do you think the Broncos will consider trading or due to his emergence as such a spectacular talent?
Kiszla: Everyone with eyes has seen Courtland Sutton make spectacular play after spectacular play during the first week of training camp. As I’m wont to do, I stuck my neck out there a bit and declared: 1) Sutton is the best draft pick since Von MIller, and 2) Sutton will be the No. 2 passing target on this team. I immediately heard a response from Emmanuel Sanders, who informed me that Sutton is a best, but to not count him out. Gotta like that competitive spirit. And here’s what I like better. The combo of Demaryius Thomas, Sanders and Sutton could give the Broncos as dynamic receiving corps as you’ll find anywhere in the league. So I would absolutely not trade Thomas or Sanders. This 3-headed monster at wide receiver should be the best part of the Denver offense … so good that it might scare foes (although Chris Harris Jr’s prediction of 30 points a game seems more than a little optimistic). If the Broncos average 25 points per game, they’ll make the playoffs.
Based on what you’ve seen in training camp so far, who do you think will lead the Broncos in catches in 2018?
Kiszla: Here’s the first thing I’m going to be watching for in the preseason games: Is the Denver offensive line solid enough at protecting the quarterback if the Broncos’ primary formation features Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton on the field at the same time. If the O-line can hold up its end of the bargain, this will be the most dynamic Denver offense since Peyton Manning was lighting up the scoreboard. I’m not saying the Broncos will lead the league in scoring, but if they can thrive in a three-wideout set, then the leaders in pass catches will go as follows: 1) Thomas, 2) Sutton, 3) Sanders and 4) Butt or the RB on the field most in 3rd-down situations.
Why not move into the closer’s role? Is it an ego thing — trying to protect ‘ psyche?
Kiszla: Closing games is a whole different animal than working the 7th or 8th inning. During the weekend, I told my Twitter followers (@markkiszla) that Ottavino had to be moved to the closer role. And then we saw what a (mis)adventure it was for Otto in the ninth inning, when the Rockies allowed the Brewers 5 outs and 3 runs with him in the closer’s role. I still think Otto should close games at the outset of this homestand at , but on a temporary basis to allow Wade Davis to hit the reset button mentally and give his arm a little much-deserved rest.
Hey Kiz, now that the Rapids have Kellyn Acosta is it possible they might play a brand of soccer worth watching?
Kiszla: At his best, Acosta is a player worth watching. The Rapids, however, have been telling fans for years that they are committed to playing a more entertaining, higher-scoring brand of soccer. And it hasn’t happened. So be hopeful, if you want, but as your sports doctor, I strictly forbid your to hold your breath in anticipation of Acosta changing everything for the Rapids.
Hey Kiz, you gave huge praise to Courtland Sutton in your column this weekend. Let’s say he has a big rookie season, does this mark the beginning of the end for Emmanuel Sanders in Denver?
Kiszla: When the Broncos selected Courtland Sutton early in the second round, it was a signal that Emmanuel Sanders was probably down to his final season as member of the Broncos. Sanders caught the hint. And has been a pro about the harsh financial realities of pro football, where young guys that make less money are always given every chance to succeed. Sanders also read my column. And he took exception to the idea that Sutton will force him to be the No. 3 passing target. Give this to Sanders. He might have some diva in him, but the dude also has as much competitive fire as any player on Denver’s roster. Let the drama begin.
What specifically seems to be Paxton’s problem?
Kiszla: I have no problem identifying Lynch’s problem as an NFL quarterback. It is a little more difficult to discuss the problem in the short space of a chat, because what I’m about to say will sound harsh. Lynch does not recover or respond well to the inevitable failure experience by every NFL quarterback, which is a job done under a microscope in every NFL city. A recent example I can offer: At practice on Friday, Lynch made one small (if clumsy) mistake, fumbling the football in the pocket while searching in vain for an open receiver. Hey, stuff happens. Lynch, however, let this stuff have an adverse effect on his play for the next 10 minutes. That. Simply. Cannot. Happen.
How does Paxton compare to Chad Kelly?
Kiszla: My media colleagues at Broncos camp will no doubt disagree with this assessment. Paxton Lynch has more football skill than Chad Kelly, but he does not have nearly the self-assurance (or swag) that Kelly does. To be an average NFL QB, so long as you possess baseline NFL skills, is probably more about confidence and calm under pressure than how well you spin the football. So Kelly has more moxie than Lynch. Kelly has moxie to the nth degree. But as an NFL QB, I think Kelly is aggressively average. I’m not sold on him. At all.
Who’s third in line as far as WRs go?
Kiszla: Might I guide you to my Sunday column on Courtland Sutton. My ranking of the top 3 receivers on the Broncos is: 1) Demaryius Thomas, 2) Sutton, and 3) Emmanuel Sanders.
Whats the deal with the Broncos RBs? I have a bad feeling about this.
Kiszla: It’s too early to have a bad feeling about the Broncos running backs. But I will give you this: is not a lead back in the NFL. And I’m not as enthusiastic about rookie Royce Freeman as the Broncos scouting staff was. Keep an eye on De’Angelo Henderson; he has more burst than any back on the roster.
If Case Keenum gets injured, then what?
Kiszla: If Case Keenum goes down in September, the Broncos finish last in the AFC West … and that’s would be the case (pun intended), even if John Elway goes out and signs a veteran, free-agent QB off the street.
Who’s the greatest Nugget? Who’s been your favorite to watch over the years?
Kiszla: The greatest Nugget is Dan Issel. My favorite Nugget, without question, was Fat Lever. The most under-rated Nugget (get ready to boo) is Carmelo Anthony.
I got Bradley Chubb’s autograph Saturday! Will he get 10 or more sacks this year?
Kiszla: If Bradley Chubb gets 10 sacks this year, you will have the autograph of a rookie that helped Denver get back to the playoffs.
Is King going to last with his attitude?
Kiszla: Marquette King has always had an attitude. Did you not see him dance as a member of the Raiders? His attitude, I’m guessing, is why Mr. Gruden did not want him on the Raiders. If the Broncos didn’t want a punter with attitude, then John Elway was dumb to sign King.
How likely do you think it is that Lynch gets cut?
Kiszla: Is it OK if I wait until Lynch plays one preseason game in 2018 to answer? And here’s my question for you: Why do so many fans in apountry seem to hate Lynch?
Is it too early to get excited about Case Keenum?
Kiszla: Define excited. Is Case Keenum far more prepared to be a starting QB than any of the three misfits the Broncos trotted out there last season? Yes, yes and yes. Is Case Keenum an elite NFL QB? No, no and no. Keenum needs Courtland Sutton to be a big impact rookie to help him shine as a QB.
Do the Broncos go primarily with the pass this season?
Kiszla: The NFL is a passing league. has again stressed he wants this Broncos team to run at will. Here’s what I’m hinting at: The three wideout set of Thomas, Sanders and Sutton could provide enough danger and draw nickel and dime personnel so frequently that the Broncos could be much more effective running the football.
The Rockies’ catching situation has been the evil of three lessers up to this point. How should they move forward?
Kiszla: is used for offense and one of the other two catchers is used for the defense. The third catcher should not be on a 25-man roster. But September is coming … and so are the expanded rosters that make carrying three catchers more feasible.
How do you see the NL West shaping out down the stretch? Can the Rockies go past the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks to claim their first pennant?
Kiszla: If the Dodgers don’t win the West, something’s wrong. Bud Black thinks the Rockies will be in the race for a playoff spot until the very end. If Colorado can figure out how to hold a lead late, he’s correct.
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