The Denver Post

QB Lynch needs to best Siemian

- Mark Kiszla: mkiszla@denverpost.com or @markkiszla

Do you think if the Broncos didn’t lose running back C.J. Anderson to injury and the team had better offensive line play last season that Trevor Siemian would undoubtedl­y be the starter at quarterbac­k in 2017? Randy, eternal optimist

Kiz: No, no, no. A thousand times no. Folks think I have something against Siemian. Wrong. I predict Siemian will earn good money in the NFL for 10 years as a fine backup quarterbac­k. But if Siemian is the Denver starter in ’17, it will be an epic fail by the new coaching staff for the failure to implement an offensive system that allows Paxton Lynch to shine. John Elway did not use a valuable draft pick on Lynch only to have him stand on the sideline for years. We’ve seen that movie with Brock Osweiler, and it didn’t have a happy ending. If Lynch can’t beat out Siemian, Elway has made his biggest mistake in the draft since Osweiler.

Give him props. Let’s judge Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich by where the Rockies finish in the National League West standings. I was astounded to read Bridich thought his team’s games in August and September of 2016 were meaningful. By then they had no hope for even a wild-card slot in the playoffs and had a record of 23-32 in those months. I do hope the Rockies have a better season in 2017, but have lowered my expectatio­ns so they can be met. Steve, Centennial

Kiz: Bridich deserves props on two counts where he has refused to play it safe: 1) It’s refreshing to hear a Rockies executive set expectatio­ns for immediate postseason success rather than temper hope with the same yada, yada, yada about trusting the developmen­tal process; and 2) Any fan that pays hard-earned money for tickets to Coors Field is going to like Ian Desmond, who has risen with the sun and been on the field hours before his teammates to master the nuances of first base with extra tutoring from coaches.

Baby steps. Slow your roll on the Rockies, Kiz. Here is hoping to a record above .500. Baby steps. Amanda, Tampa, Fla.

Kiz: They don’t call me Mr. Sunshine for nothing. But I see the Rockies winning 80 to 85 games, which will fall short of making the playoffs.

Naptime Nantz. Is television broadcaste­r Jim Nantz as bad and overrated as I think he is? When he’s at the Final Four or the Masters, I’m not sure if it’s a game or a funeral. I don’t know whether to snooze or cry. Richard, allergic to vanilla

Kiz: The overworked and underpaid staff here at Kickin’ It Headquarte­rs likes Nantz. He’s magic. As soon as Nantz utters the words “Hello, friends” we’re all snoring on the sofa. In our dictionary, the first definition of Nantz is: Naptime!

Cutler is cash. And today’s parting shot applies some interestin­g logic to the question: Should the Broncos try to reacquire quarterbac­k Jay Cutler?

Absolutely. I still have his old Broncos jersey. Signing Cutler would save me a ton of cash. Bill, air traffic controller

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States