So what’s reasonable definition of success for Flacco?

Spirit of 2012 (season): What a story it would be to have the quarterback who knocked the Broncos out of the 2012 playoffs with an incredible pass at Mile High return to Denver and win the Lombardi Trophy with the team he vanquished. You can bring out the bandwagon. I’m ready to jump on board. Tom, soothsayer

Kiz: Easy there, big fella. Can we play at least one preseason game before declaring Joe Flacco the savior? I like his demeanor. Everyone likes his arm. But here’s a kindly reminder: As he enters his 12th year of NFL duty, Flacco has yet to throw 30 touchdowns or for 4,500 yards in a season. By definition, he’s a game manager. Since the day Peyton Manning retired, the Broncos have been stuck with the worst quarterback in the AFC West. If Flacco throws 24 TDS and 12 picks, while proving to be the No. 3 QB in the division behind Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Philip Rivers of San Diego, it would be an achievement worth cheering.

Bringing the heat. On the first day of training camp, you wrote a negative column on how few fans were wearing Flacco jerseys? Give it a rest! How about realizing 90-degree weather on a weekday as the reason for a low fan turnout? Sheesh! All my friends and I are optimistic.go back to writing women’s soccer and the U.s.-hating Megan Rapinoe, please. You’re better at that! Greg, Castle Rock Kiz: Hey, buddy. Stick to sports. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)

Make a new pitch. Kiz, I always enjoy your reporting and non-sugarcoated approach. Manager Bud Black’s standard line about Rockies pitchers “not getting the ball down in the zone” after losses is getting repetitive and isn’t satisfying. What is the team doing about it? Jon Gray, German Marquez and Kyle Freeland need better coaching. One of the of the organization’s blind spots is unfailing loyalty. Pitching coach Steve Foster is the latest example. What could it hurt to try a new pitching coach? Dave, frustrated fan

Kiz: Hate to break it to you, but I’m afraid the 25-man roster is more flawed than the coaching staff.

Staff objection: How do you keep pitching guru Black as the Rockies collapses? Defend him, if you can. Prior to the season, the Rockies pitching staff figured to be better than average, not the worst in baseball. Jim, issuing pink slips

Kiz: So Black leads the Rockies to playoff appearances in two straight seasons for the first time in franchise history, and now he’s a bum? Inhale. Exhale. And give the guy a break. Do I always have to be Mr. Sunshine around here?

It’s the time of the season. I love baseball. I love the Rockies. I’m tired, however, of ownership treating the team as a business rather than a serious winner. Buy this team better pitching. Now! And please stop making the Rockies a farm team for the New York Yankees. Thank you, Kiz, for allowing me to vent my frustrations. Mary Jean, Section 158

Kiz: Baseball season? It’s all over except the venting. Now back to our regularly scheduled: Broncos!

Playoff game!and today’s parting shot is a fearless prediction for the Broncos’ record in 2019.

Vic Fangio = 11-6. Jim, Colorado proud