Can the Broncos succeed if Von’s past his prime ?
Readers talk and columnist Mark Kiszla responds
Feeling Von-derful? Broncos linebacker Von Miller is a great pass-rusher, one of the best in the NFL. Miller, however, is just OK against the run and takes too many plays off. I’m never against a player making tons of money. But Miller has not upheld his end of the contract the last two years. — Jim, keeping it real
Kiz: Did I miss the memo when Broncos Country issued Miller a free pass for life? He was an absolute Vonster in Super Bowl 50. But a critical question for the team’s playoff hopes that many seem afraid to ask: At age 31, can Miller ever again be that scary, dominating Vonster on a consistent basis?
Stranger danger. It will be hard to contain the virus in a football environment. But it might be good to see how it spreads among pro athletes. Statistics don’t seem to be getting the message through to many Americans, so maybe some high-visibility anecdotes from NFL players might be more effective. Those who are healthy and young, with strong immune systems, can get hit with cytokine storms. A few of those cases would illustrate just how dangerous COVID-19 is. — Jim, Highlands Ranch
Kiz: It’s easy to believe it can’t happen to us until we’re scared straight.
To die for. Thanks for calling out the disregard for player health the NFL has historically displayed, Kiz. But it sounds like you’re OK trading lives for football. Is that the case, so long as the right people die? — John, keeping score
Kiz: Maybe there are too many shades of gray in my little mind, but I don’t buy the notion our only two choices are between saving the NFL season and saving an elderly loved one’s life. I want to see sports in 2020. So do you. Anybody who loves sports or loves thy neighbor should wear a mask and slow the spread.
DNP-’RONA. Even if the NBA decides it can play through a pandemic, it’s going to be problematic for playoff competition if a star tests positive for the virus and is forced to sit out a week or two. — Sly, champion of fair play
Kiz: If, heaven forbid, Lebron James tested positive for COVID19 and his absence allowed Denver to beat the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, the Nuggets would gladly accept that asterisk and a berth in the championship round, don’t you think?
Taking attendance. I’m a retired teacher who subs at two local high schools. My doctor told me I would be safer going back to work in the fall than attending an Avs game. And I have season tickets. It’s a dilemma. — Bill, hockey guy
Kiz: Well, for safety’s sake, might I suggest you watch Nathan Mackinnon skate on Comcast cable or Youtube’s streaming service? Wait. What? Nevermind.
Cash flow. And today’s parting shot offers sympathy for Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who would have to settle for being paid $12.96 million, if major-leaguers agree to full pro-rated salaries for an abbreviated 60-game regular season.
Well, it looks like Nolan will have to survive on 10-cent ramen packs for the rest of this year. I just DM’D him the RTD light-rail schedule and will send him a rider pass. — Markus, Denver