The California-to-Colorado migration has produced plenty of anxiety in the Centennial State over the years.
But rarely have we seen it transpire quite like it did this week, when the newly arrived Californian was the one expressing a measure of dismay over his Denver relocation. Yes, it’s safe to say newly acquired Broncos inside linebacker Kenny Young won’t be purchasing a Colorado “NATIVE” bumper sticker anytime soon.
All the Grading the Week staff could think was, “Can you blame the guy?”
Kenny Young — A
Once upon a time, a trade to the Denver Broncos was a reason for excitement.
A beautiful city. A large, engaged fan base. And, of course, a chance to compete for a Super Bowl ring.
In the latest reminder of how much that reality has changed in the years since Super Bowl 50, Young said he had “mixed emotions” after being dealt by the Los Angeles Rams to the Broncos earlier this week.
Holding out hope there was a “light at the end of this tunnel,” Young was refreshingly honest when he lamented being traded to Denver.
“I’m not cool with it, but I have to respect it,” he said.
Anyone with even the slightest bit of empathy could understand why.
It’s not just that he’s a UCLA alum who had carved out a role for himself with the hometown pro club. It’s that he was a starter on a team destined for the postseason, playing for an innovative, young head coach and franchise with a clear vision for contention.
Suddenly, he was cast off to the NFL hinterlands to play for a longtime assistant desperately clinging to his first (and only?) head coaching job and a franchise crossing its fingers and hoping for 9-8 before a new owner comes in and scrubs the place clean.
There is a certain irony that Young’s first game will be played on the same day legendary quarterback Peyton Manning will be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame.
PFM was once the rising tide that lifted all boats in apountry. Now he’s a constant reminder of how the Broncos are living off glory days long since passed.
And we’re all waiting for a light at the end of the tunnel.
Steve Addazio — D
In the wake of the inexplicable ending to Colorado State’s 26-24 loss at Utah State a week ago Friday, Rams head coach Steve Addazio has put on a master class in how not to handle adversity.
Awful game management is one thing. (And to be clear, the fire drill that ended with Daz’s Dudes missing a rushed field goal attempt in the final 11 seconds of last week’s loss was a total disaster)
But to follow that up by not taking full ownership of the situation? Well, that’s making a bad situation even worse. Ditto closing your program off to reporters the following week — ahead of one of the biggest home games of the season.
So why not an “F,” you ask?
Well, technically Addazio did take the blame for those 11 seconds in Logan, saying “itap my responsibility.” Unfortunately, it came at the conclusion of a long explanation for how his players lost their cool amid the “emotion of the game.”
Poorly delivered? Yes. Exacerbated by the program going dark the following week? No doubt.
But at least Daz’s heart was in the right place … we think.
