Output can be lagging after tagging
Tagged out: How well do NFL players who have been franchised by their team perform in the season after getting tagged? I noticed Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas had a low-production season in 2015 after being franchised, and this year linebacker Von Miller is playing in locales across the country rather than focusing on his job in Denver. I’m thinking Miller might have only two sacks in the first eight games of this season, and it will lead to an 8-8 or worse record by the Broncos. Is there any data to back up my concern? Brad, worrywart
Kiz: You want data? You came to the right place, my friend. Kickin’ It Headquarters is filled to the brainiac brim with algorithms for every sports issue. After using all our fingers and toes to calculate every variable, we can bombastically declare: The Broncos suffer from the dreaded Franchise Tag Curse! Let’s review the poor saps that have been tagged in the past five years. Kicker Matt Prater (2012) spent so much time in the principal’s office that he was expelled from Broncos Country. Offensive tackle Ryan Clady (2013) became an accident waiting to happen. And Thomas (2015) morphed into a receiver with hands of stone. Tag, you’re it? In Denver, seems more like: Tag, and that’s it. You’re cursed. Let’s pray the same sad fate does not await Miller.
12 of one, 12 of the other: As a Big 12 Conference fan and reader who has noticed your comments on Colorado football experiencing real agony in the Pac-12, I’m wondering: In your honest opinion, do you think the Buffaloes would consider a return to the Big 12 as the rumors of league expansion rage on? Troy, hook ’em Horns
Kiz: For all the highfalutin talk about the Buffaloes wanting to play chess and sip cappuccino with the California cognoscenti in Palo Alto and Berkeley, it was really those pushy urban cowboys from Austin that caused CU to high-tail it out of the Big 12. The divorce was a mistake by both parties. Texas drove away Colorado and Nebraska. In the place of the Buffs and Huskers, you gave rise to the football monster named Baylor. Hope you’re happy now.
Oh, Man: And today’s parting shot is a relationship question. Yes, in addition to our incredible sports insight, operators are standing by at Kickin’ It Headquarters to deal with affairs of the heart.
Am I the only one who finds it odd Peyton Manning went to Miami to tutor Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill? Sure, Manning and new Dolphins coach Adam Gase developed a strong relationship in Denver, but Manning won the Super Bowl with Gary Kubiak. So why wasn’t Manning in Colorado helping Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch? It leads me to believe Manning’s retirement might not have been entirely his own decision, and he left Denver with a bad taste in his mouth. Todd, busybody in Wisconsin