Has Elway doomed Broncos to struggle?
Not worthy. Vic Fangio is a good defensive coordinator. He is absolutely not a worthy head coach. Fangio frequently struggles with clock management, replay challenges and strategic decisions ( like whether to punt or go for it on fourth down against the Chiefs).
— Mark, Loveland
Kiz: His resume made Fangio a worthy hire for the Broncos. But it’s his first NFL gig as a head coach. So mistakes are inevitable as Fangio learns on the job, just as the learning curve can often be cruel to inexperienced quarterback Drew Lock. My point? During the past four seasons, John Elway has paired an inexperienced head coach with an inexperienced quarterback. Although there are exceptions to every rule, that’s a dicey formula for NFL success.
Pointing fingers. Everyone I know is getting tired of fingers being pointed at Lock. He is almost always under pressure or having to throw on the run. This is probably because offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur runs the most predictable offense since Dan Reeves.
— Joe, Westminster
Kiz: I’m so old I remember when Lock’s problems were placed at the feet of offensive tackle Garett
Bolles. Now his interceptions are Shurmur’s fault? OK, got it. But pointing fingers is tiresome, right? Developing a young QB does require patience. So here’s the real nitty- gritty question regarding
Lock: At the conclusion of his third NFL season, do you see him playing more like Josh Allen or Sam Darnold?
Throwing scared. Lock is terrified of getting hit. Whenever Lock senses he is about to get sacked, he throws the ball anywhere, without a care about where it’s going. We had a quarterback like that in the recent past. Trevor Siemian went back to accounting.
— Dean, stands tall in pocket
Kiz: Have you ever been sacked by Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones, who is 310 pounds of mayhem? I have trouble balancing my checkbook. But given a choice between being sacked by Jones or doing something else for a living, I’d start a career as an accountant.
Fatherly advice. As my Dad would say: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This has never applied to any Rockets or Nuggets team.
— Charles, Denver
Kiz: Have you forgotten Calvin Natt? Here’s how tough he was: Coach Doug Moe liked to fill the calm before a free throw by screaming criticism at his players. More than once, I watched Natt, with hands on his knees as he took his place on the block to rebound, turn to the Denver bench and bellow: “Shut up, Doug.” Moe would not only shut up, he’d sit down, quiet as a sinner in church.
A little fan mail. I used to read The Denver Post every day on a free app. But I guess they figured that out, so I had to subscribe. Just wanted you to know, Kiz, you are a big reason why I did. Love your columns.
— Terry, tech savvy
Kiz: Humble thanks for starting your day by sharing a cup of coffee with me.
And a parting shot. And today’s parting shot gives my cheeks a rosy glow.
You wouldn’t know a good take if it slapped you in the face, Kiz.
— C. N., man of taste