Columnist Mark Kiszla answered questions about everything Colorado sports on Monday during a Lunch Special live chat. Here are the highlights:
I know this gets asked every week, but is it time to fire Vance Joseph? I mean, can we convince Bill Cowher to come back to coaching? How about bringing back Mike Shanahan? Thoughts?
Kiszla: This is not the week to fire Vance Joseph. My theory: The best way for Broncos to get the best possible pick in the 2019 draft is to retain Joseph for the entire season. It’s tanking without really trying. But if you’re on the Joseph watch, I’d say look to December. Lose at home to the improving Texans and this could easily snowball into a four- or five-game losing streak for Denver. John Elway would have a tough time stomaching a 3-9 record without making a change. If Bill Cowher wanted to coach, he would have gotten back on the sidelines by now. And Mike Shanahan? Sorry, but I’m not big on retread coaches, especially second tours of duty with the same team. That’s way too much magic to re-create.
With the Broncos Super Bowls in the rear view, should the consider a complete rebuild. I can’t see a situation where they get a team good enough to compete while Von Miller is still the Vonster. Why not trade him and the other aging stars, let them have good careers at competitive teams and get some young blood?
Kiszla: The competitive nature of John Elway makes it difficult for him to concentrate on winning from now on rather than being obsessed with winning right now. So he has desperately tried to avoid a complete rebuild. Your proof of that can be described in two words: Case Keenum. It’s time to rip the Band-Aid off. I say Demaryius Thomas, Brandon Marshall, Shane Ray and other veterans should be up for grabs at the trade deadline. Stockpile draft picks. But you hit on the real big quesiton. Woudn’t Von Miller bring the most draft picks in trade? Yes. I don’t think either Elway or apountry is ready to go there right now. Let’s leave that really big move to be pondered in the offseason.
Will Elway eventually see that he needs additional help with personnel decisions for the team?
Kiszla: What’s the major issue Pat Bowlen would confront if he were still physcially capable of running the NFL team he owns? I think it would be telling John Elway to get more help in the front office. Adding Gary Kubiak was a good idea. But has Matt Russell run his course? And, if not, shouldn’t the Broncos be looking to beef up the brain power in their brain trust? This is the conversation that team president Joe Ellis needs to be having with Elway now … and next month … and when this season is over.
Excusing for the moment pathetic Broncos squad, the Nuggets look good this year, and the Avs are playing well. With the Rockies having made the postseason, which Denver/Colorado team stands to be the most successful over the next 5 years?
Kiszla: Now there’s a fun topic. I’m not ready to place a bet. But if I’m offering a guess, I say the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris all have legit all-star potential. And all are under age 25. Add one veteran piece (one better than Paul Millsap, please) and the Nuggets could start thinking about challenging the Warriors as that dynasty enters its inevitable decline.
Hi Kiz, Hopefully you haven’t covered it yet, but I agree with you that the Broncos should be sellers at this point. Other than DT, who else do you believe is a strong candidate to be playing elsewhere after the trade deadline?
Kiszla: I like Brandon Marshall. But I would trade him in a heartbeat. The problem? I think he’s playing hurt. And, somewhere down the line, it’s probably more likely he ends the season on injured reserve than in another uniform. Shane Ray is damaged goods, but he has shown flashes, Give me a draft pick for him. Trade Bradley Roby? I would. But don’t think the Broncos would.
I am just so tired of the mistakes and penalties. They always say they can’t do them anymore, but it seems no effort is ever made to coach these guys up. What gives?
Kiszla: The Broncos coaching staff makes a good-faith effort. I’m not certain, however, if this coaching staff is very good. But we’ve been over that turf in the past. Here’s a more delicate subject: Can a left tackle be too dumb to make it in the NFL? Garett Bolles puts forth a good-faith effort. But offensive lineman is a thinking man’s job. And I tend to doubt Bolles will ever be more than a C- student at left tackle.
What college quarterbacks should the Broncos be closely watching? And I’m thinking that if the draft were tomorrow, the priorities would be QB, CB and OL. You agree?
Kiszla: Well, the first college quarterback uttered by everyone wishing for an answer at the NFL level is Justin Herbert of Oregon. I’ve watched him. And am not sold. He can change my mind. But definitely has a ways to go. Here’s one college QB I encourage you to watch with me: Clayton Thorson of Northwestern. I don’t know how good he can be an the NFL level, but think he’s better than fellow Westie Trevor Siemian. Watch Thorson this week against Notre Dame. If Wildcats upset the Fighting Irish, Thorson will become buzzworthy. Remember where you heard it first. Please. And thanks.
With baseball over, Broncos trending poorly, what are the chances the Avalanche get some decent coverage? Have the top producing line in the NHL.
Kiszla: I love covering the Avalanche. Unlike many in the Broncos-obsessed sports media, I attended the Avs’ very competitive game against Tampa Bay last week and wrote a column advancing Matt Duchene’s return to Colorado, as well. So now for the interesting part: We track how often stories are clicked on the internet here at The Post, because that’s what all media organization’s do in 2018. The response to my Duchene column was under-whelming. So let’s put the blame on me for that. But here’s what I think is fair: If you want me to write more about the Avs, you and your fellow hockey lovers need to show my coverage more love on the worldwide web. How? It’s just a click away.
Hi Kiz, One more question, I agree that Bolles is cerebrally over-matched at left tackle. What are your thoughts of making him a left guard? He is aggressive and would likely be an upgrade over Garcia, and who knows how Leary recovers from the Achilles injury.
Kiszla: Bolles is strong. Bolles was built to block for the run. And he can be a plow horse. I think a shift to right tackle is in his future. I’d try him there before guard.
How disastrous was the loss in Boulder on Saturday? (pretty bad IMO) Anyway the Buffs recover or was this the beginning of the end for Mike Mac?
Kiszla: I’ve been covering sports in Colorado for 35 years. The Buffs’ second-half implosion against Oregon State has to rank near the top of the biggest collapses by a local sports team I’ve ever witnessed. CU was ahead 28 points with 29 minutes remaining in the game. And the Beavs are terrible. I was never in favor of giving Mike MacIntyre a contract extension after his fine 2016 season and caught a lot of grief for it from CU supporters. It was cool by me then. But some of those same supporters that gave me flak directed their ire at Mike Mac after this defeat. The Buffs really, really need a victory at Arizona on Friday night. They are certainly capable of winning that road game. But should they lose … please, don’t go there. Lose to the Wildcats and finishing 5-7 after a 5-0 start becomes a distinct possibility. That’s a collapse that could come down on MacIntyre’s head.
With Vance looking so inept every week. Seems everyone is shifting focus to Elway now. Is Bronco Country going to be over Elway as GM soon?
Kiszla: While waiting for my plane back to Denver, I grabbed a bit to eat Sunday night at the KC airport. I had some brisket at the counter that was pretty darn tasty for airport food. But the conversation at that counter was even juicier. Oh, there was no inside stuff being discussed. It was merely a conversation with a die-hard Broncos fan. He is a Colorado native. And he told me his parents have video of him as a toddler saying prayers for John Elway back in No. 7’s playing days. This fan, this unabashed Broncos supporter, said he is beginning to lose faith in Elway as the architect of this Denver roster. Man. How did we get here? There are signs Elway is slipping off his legendary pedestal with a disgruntled fan base.
Please give me the slightest bit of hope that the CSU Rams can be better than what they are this season as long as Bobo is the coach…
Kiszla: Sorry, can’t do it. I have sincere, deep sympathy for the brave battle Mike Bobo has fought with his health issues. Health is way more important than football victories. But, in a football sense, I offer my sympathies to the CSU fan base that has pinned its hopes of jumping to a Power 5 conference on Bobo. It ain’t gonna happen.
Ok Kiz, My last question. Thoughts on the Rockies and next year. Nolan going to stay? Is DJ gone? Are we getting a real first baseman?
Kiszla: My best guesses, two days before Halloween: Nolan Arenado will start for the Rockies on opening day in 2019. DJ will be playing for another team on opening day in 2019. The Rockies will probably go with Ryan McMahon as their opening day first baseman. All I want for my Rockies Christmas is a big bat at first base or in the outfield. But I’m not getting my hopes up.
Hey Kiz, any chance we can talk Tim Howard into hanging it up? It was painful to watch this season and he’s got a year left on his contract. Meanwhile, it was great to see a 17-year-old Colorado high schooler score a goal for the Rapids this weekend. How about that?!
Kiszla: It is time for Tim Howard to go home. Thanks for the memories. And it’s time to get excited about Cole Bassett. Kudos to him.
Mobile users, .
[scribble src=”/event/2827642″ /]The Denver Post needs your support.
.
