Bledsoe caught in trade winds
Readers talk and columnist Mark Kiszla responds
No deal. This Nuggets trade for Phoenix guard Eric Bledsoe should have happened days ago. They will be out of the playoff race before you know it in a loaded Western Conference. If we need to sweeten the deal, please add coach Michael Malone and ship him off to Phoenix too.
Rich, Beulah
Kiz: Make Bledsoe the starting point guard, and you might like how Malone coaches a little better. But Bledsoe is pouting in Phoenix and wants out because the Suns have not given him a contract extension. Acquiring Bledsoe is tempting, but is he worth a long-term commitment by the Nuggets? Just say no. Add Bledsoe, and the Nuggets are still 20 victories worse than Golden State.
Passing judgment. I think Vance Joseph will show quarterback Trevor Siemian just enough patience to get to Paxton Lynch. I don’t believe the Broncos will play Brock Osweiler, because they want to avoid a potential controversy if Osweiler plays well. Steve, reads between the lines
Kiz: While Joseph professes loyalty to Siemian, he’s on shaky ground as the starting quarterback. Should Siemian flop in the first half at Kansas City, how could Joseph look Von Miller in the eye if Osweiler isn’t given a shot to provide a spark? And if the Broncos fall from playoff contention, it would make sense to give Lynch a late-season tryout as the starter.
Garbage men. So San Francisco is dangling offensive tackle Joe Staley in a trade, and even at 33 years old he’s an upgrade over the garbage the Broncos have playing on the right side. How are we supposed to take John Elway’s team seriously when it has Donald Stephenson and Menelik Watson, both a joke at blocking edge pass rushers?
Noel, grading the tape
Kiz: So you think 49ers general manager John Lynch is going to give Elway a hey-buddy discount on Staley? Don’t count on it. Here’s guessing Elway knows Staley can’t make the Broncos a Super Bowl contender and would rather save his nickels for a more-expensive acquisition in 2018, when veteran quarterbacks could be plentiful in the marketplace.
Write stuff. I’m a former tomboy who played baseball with my brother and the neighbor boys. I have admired your writing for years, Kiz. You have written more fine pieces for The Denver Post than I can count, but your column from Game 1 of the World Series in Los Angeles reminded me why we refuse to give up our subscription. I loved the elevator as time-travel metaphor and your description of Dodger Stadium, as well as Clayton Kershaw staring down his former missed opportunities in the playoffs. Our renewal envelope arrives in December … and The Post had me at your column.
Alison, loves the game
Kiz: While Wrigley Field sits in the middle of a rowdy block party and Fenway Park is cozy, my favorite old ballpark in the majors is Dodger Stadium, as midcentury cool as a 1962 Corvette.
No tip of Kaep. And today’s parting shot is evidence that when evaluating the football skills of QB Colin Kaepernick, some fans cannot stick to sports:
I would rather see the Broncos lose their remaining games than see Kaepernick in a Denver uniform. Mike, prefers Osweiler option