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Denver Post sports columnist Mark Kiszla answered questions about all things Colorado sports during a live chat on Monday. Here are the highlights.

Good win for the Broncos and specifically for some beleaguered folks including Vic Fangio, Pat Shurmur and Drew Lock, but it’s more fun to discuss the negatives. So, what’s the deal with Phillip Lindsay?

Kiszla: Let’s start with the positives in 抖阴apountry. (Hey, they don’t call me Mr. Sunshine for nuthin.’)

After loss in Kansas City, and despite his decision to punt the ball from midfield to Patrick Mahomes in the fourth quarter, I thought Vic Fangio earned the right to return in 2021 last week.

And this week? While Carolina is considered to have an up-and-coming coaching staff, I think Matt Rhule and the Panthers were clearly out-coached by Uncle Vic and much-maligned offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Shurmur got buy-in from “Checkdown Drew.”

And the Panthers’ offensive strategy in the first half was beyond mystifying to me, when Teddy Bridgewater seemed to have trouble identifying weaknesses in an injury-depleted Denver secondary.

Quarterback Drew Lock has lots of work to do on his mechanics and his mentality. But this W was certainly a nice big baby step in the right direction.

Now, to your concerns about Phillip Lindsay.

I love Phillip. Everybody, includling Phillip, knows I love him as a player.

But I think it would probably be best for Lindsay and the Broncos if we called off this relationship and he found work with a another team in 2021. We shall see if that happens.

Drew Lock has played roughly a season (15 games) in the career so far with plenty of ups and downs along the way. Do you think he’s done enough to be the clear-cut starter for next year?

Kiszla: With every victory in 2020, the Broncos give fans a legit reason for optimism and do damage to their draft position. Young QBs require patience. But I don’t buy the 15 games argument, because I believe young QBs need to play early, as I’m sure even Aaron Rodgers would agree.Lock doesn’t have more than 15 games of experience because he has gotten hurt. That’s not his fault, but it is a concern. To repeat: He needs to work on his mechanics and mentality. He seems inclined to work on his approach to the game, which is a good sign. But in year three, do you expect him to play more like Josh Allen or Sam Darnold? If the Broncos feel there is a QB on the board when they pick in the first round that has clearly bigger upside than Lock, they’ve got to do it. But the possibility of that happening becomes less likely with each good Lock performance and Denver win down the stretch of this season. In this social media age, many of our discussions get forced into a lover vs hater argument. That’s silly. I do not love or hate Lock, though I do enjoy talking with him because he’s an interesting dude. I evaluate him as best I can.

With the way the Rockies GMs have been how does Dick Monfort really justify keeping them? I know he says they are like family, but sometimes even families need a little bit of tough love. Maybe he needs to kick his dead beat son out of the GM position and bring somebody in so Jeff Bridich can see exactly how be a GM. In essence, bring in Theo Epstein.

Kiszla: OK, let’s start by agreeing that Bob Gebhard is the best general manager in Rockies history and the franchise’s personnel choices have been hit-and-miss for much of the time since the Monforts and Gebby parted ways.

Fire Jeff Bridich? I think you could get Nolan Arenado to vote yes.

But here’s the deal: All indications from Dick Monfort are the financial impact of the pandemic are playing a large role in how the Rockies will conduct their baseball business in the near future. There was nothing wrong the idea of trying to create a more elaborate entertainment district in the immediate vicinity of the ballpark, but I don’t know if the timing of McGregor Square could’ve been much worse for the Monforts. I fear the Rockies are going to tear down the roster and rebuild while riding out the pandemic slump. I don’t know why Theo Epstein or any other aggressive GM would want to sign on for that project.

Kiz, I think your article about Lock hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately I think he鈥檚 just good enough to give us hope but not good enough to take the Broncos to the success we were used to with Nos. 7 and 18 under center. Yes; his game was great on Sunday, but we need to see that as more the norm and not the exception. And this is difficult because John Elway has an offense that appears loaded with talent.

Kiszla: As Lock showed against the Panthers, he can have dang good games as an NFL quarterback. But Trevor Siemian had his moments. Lock is better than Siemian. But is Lock elite? My Magic 8Ball sez: Outlook not so good. Here’s hoping Lock proves me wrong. Lock has convinced me he can be a competent NFL QB. But the pursuit of a great NFL QB needs to be relentless. Does Lock deserve more time to develop? Absolutely. But if John Elway finds a better option, in the draft or in trade, he needs to jump on it.

Can you provide any insight or comment on the Altitude dispute with Comcast?

Kiszla: Man, you had to go there, didn’t you?

I wish I could promise you this dispute will get settled soon.

But Altitude and Comcast seem to be entrenched in a spitball battle.

I don’t think most fans care which party is at fault here. Fans just want to see the games. And when I suggest getting the Avs and Nuggets out to their loyal fans is primarily the responsibility of the Kroenke family, it makes some of my friends that work at Altitude very unhappy.

I have YouTube TV at my Denver home. I slightly resent being told that if I truly loved the Nuggets and Avs, I would put a satellite dish on the side of my house. This too shall pass. Eventually. But I certainly understand your frustration in the meantime.

Just heard Washington is pulling out of the Pac-12 title game and now it’s going to be USC vs. Oregon. Did CU get screwed through this process?

Kiszla: Washington has pulled out of the Pac-12 title game. And I suspect conference leadership knew this was the most likely scenario when the slate of games for the upcoming weekend was announced.

This is just another example of why the CU Buffs were fools to believe a move to the Pac-12 would be good for the program. It’s not. And don’t give me that hooey about CU being more like Stanford academically than Kansas State. That might well be true. But the CU athletic department competes in football and basketball, not spelling bees and political debates.

I asked earlier this morning what would happen to CU in this scenario, when the Buffs’ tentative foe for this weekend (Oregon) was promoted to play in the conference championship game. The response I got: “That’s the $64,000 question.”

Here’s my $64,000 answer and one I put out on my Twitter timeline over the weekend: Colorado and Colorado State should play football on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Make it happen.

Now!

Kiz, what do you think of the Nuggets’ new guard Facundo Campazzo? I’m blown away from his highlights on YouTube. What do you think he can do for us this year?

Kiszla: How do you not like Facu? His nickname alone causes coach Michael Malone to chuckle with Beavis-and-Butthead delight. Malone is a defensive coach by nature. With the addition of Facu and more minutes in the offing for Michael Porter Jr., will Denver try to outgun foes more often?

RIP Pierre Lacroix. Do you agree that there should be a statue of Pierre outside the Ball Arena?

Kiszla: Yes. Build a statue to Pierre Lacroix. His influence on the Avs and sports in Colorado was huge. And, as further tribute to Father Pete, wear your mask, keep your social distance and get in line for a COVID-19 vaccine. This is not about politics. It’s about caring for your family and friends. And as everybody who dealt with Lacroix knows, he treated the Avs like his own family.

On to the Nuggets. Worst case, Harris plays poorly, Campazzo can鈥檛 replicate his Euro success and Dozier was a training camp wonder. Best case: Harris is a gorse on offense and a stalwart on defense, Campazzo is a great pick and roll PG, Dozier is so good Malone has to find time for him and Hampton proves to be another falling draft gem. Ok Kiz, which is it? If it抖阴ap the latter, doesn鈥檛 that give Denver the ammo to grab an elite guard by trading Harris and Morris as a way to perhaps give Denver a fighting chance to make the finals?

Kiszla: Gary Harris stinks on way too many nights. He could have a bounce-back year. But as a cornerstone of a blockbuster trade? Sounds like a fantasy to me.

Did John Elway pull a fast one on Rick Spielman by getting him to overpay for the services of Cousin Kirk? The guy’s a stiff.

Kiszla: I liked the idea of Kirk Cousins in a Denver uniform. I think his price went to high. I applaud John Elway for saying no to Cousins. But saying he pulled a fast one on the Vikings might be a little overexuberant.

Are the Nuggets still missing a consistent 3-point shooter? Their 3-point FG% was 15th last season.

Kiszla: MPJ is the answer. Or so the Nuggets hope. I hope so, as well.

I鈥檝e always felt that a team needs big playmakers to succeed. That抖阴ap why Broncos give me hope. But where are reinforcements most needed?

Kiszla: The Broncos have some very interesting decisions to make in the secondary, from how much they’re willing to pay Justin Simmons to how much safety Kareem Jackson has left in the tank to whether Bryce Callahan can stay healthy to trust issues with A.J. Bouye. The defensive backfield is going to provide some offseason intrigue.

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