Lonestar
12-13-2009, 03:42 AM
Readers talk and columnist Mark Kiszla responds
By Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/13/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Real fantasy football.
"In theory, what would it take for the Broncos to trade up in the NFL draft to get Nebraska defensive lineman Ndam- ukong Suh? I know it would be an extremely costly trade, perhaps a 2010 first-round pick, plus a No. 1 choice in 2011. But I think Suh could be a great player in the league for 10-plus years. Any chance?"
Mark, Aurora
Kiz: Any chance? In a word: Fuhgettaboudit. All the sorry Lions, Bucs and Rams (oh, my!) are playing for is a shot at the No. 1 overall choice in the draft. Get that prized pick and not take Suh? Trade him? You must believe bad NFL teams are dumber than I think they are.
Coaching three-peat?
"I agree with you on Josh McDaniels as NFL coach of the year. Joe Sacco of the Avalanche is also right there in the NHL discussion. Along with Jim Tracy of the Rockies, wouldn't that be quite the hat trick?"
Joe, Highlands Ranch
Kiz: But, in salute of this hat trick, would we throw a Rockies cap, a hockey helmet or a hoodie?
Not so fast, my friends.
"It's nice for the Broncos to be 8-4, nice to have seemingly overcome the doubts and anger resulting from the offseason. However, after losing four straight, look at the last two opponents: the woeful Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Giants, who are on the downswing. McDaniels as coach of the year? He's way down the list. Don't let wins against bottom-dwelling opponents get the best of you. For all McDaniels' youth, success, controversy and stupidly egotistic garb, what he has done is no match for the coaches who have resurrected New Orleans, come back from the brink of death in San Diego or managed to make a goner like Brett Favre look great in Minnesota. We'll talk about coach of the year when Mike Shanahan comes back."
Alan, steely-eyed realist
Kiz: Guess what? Shanny ain't coming back. But I do
Ndamukong Suh: a nightmare for Texas and an impossible dream for Broncos fans. (Jamie Squire, Getty Images )understand old flames die hard, and there are loyal Broncomaniacs who won't believe Kid McD has truly grown up as a coach until he wins a championship. But tell me: Would you settle for an upset today at Indy?
Kids' play.
"I really appreciated the article you wrote about quarterback Austin Hinder from Steamboat Springs High School and what you had to say about private schools such as Valor winning state championships. It is common knowledge private schools are able to, and do recruit players, even if they say they do not."
Debbie, football mom
Kiz: Does the phrase "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mean anything to you? Of course, I could be wrong, but . . . it seems to me more talented young teenage players chase a spot at a high school known for winning championships than vice versa.
It's caring, not capitalism.
"To base Valor's victory in Class 3A on money and state that capitalism gives Valor advantages on the football field shows you don't understand team sports and what it means to work hard and sacrifice."
David, Castle Rock
Kiz: My nose does wrinkle to the odor of sour grapes when I hear private schools "bought" a championship. But let me also add: Sorry, Broncos. The coolest football stadium in Colorado is located on the Valor campus. And if an awesome facility doesn't help attract players, why make the effort to build it?
Kids' play.
"Thanks for covering the championship game between Valor and Steamboat. My son plays in the trenches for Valor and said the Steamboat kids were classy. The players accept the results. It's us adults who can't accept the results and begin the verbal shoving match. In the end, the kids are the adults and the adults are juveniles."
David, football dad
Kiz: The hardest lesson any parent, myself included, learns from a kid who competes in sports? It really is only a game.
Parting shot
Voice of reason in Steamboat.
And today's parting shot is a rock tossed back at glass houses.
"While Tiger Woods' transgressions are none of our business, we are entitled to make them so anyway. It's a pretty sad commentary on the state of American society when we feel obligated to bludgeon the super rich in an effort to drag a person down to our level, all the while carefully concealing the skeletons we all have hidden in our own closets."
Tim,Steamboat Springs
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13986871
By Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/13/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Real fantasy football.
"In theory, what would it take for the Broncos to trade up in the NFL draft to get Nebraska defensive lineman Ndam- ukong Suh? I know it would be an extremely costly trade, perhaps a 2010 first-round pick, plus a No. 1 choice in 2011. But I think Suh could be a great player in the league for 10-plus years. Any chance?"
Mark, Aurora
Kiz: Any chance? In a word: Fuhgettaboudit. All the sorry Lions, Bucs and Rams (oh, my!) are playing for is a shot at the No. 1 overall choice in the draft. Get that prized pick and not take Suh? Trade him? You must believe bad NFL teams are dumber than I think they are.
Coaching three-peat?
"I agree with you on Josh McDaniels as NFL coach of the year. Joe Sacco of the Avalanche is also right there in the NHL discussion. Along with Jim Tracy of the Rockies, wouldn't that be quite the hat trick?"
Joe, Highlands Ranch
Kiz: But, in salute of this hat trick, would we throw a Rockies cap, a hockey helmet or a hoodie?
Not so fast, my friends.
"It's nice for the Broncos to be 8-4, nice to have seemingly overcome the doubts and anger resulting from the offseason. However, after losing four straight, look at the last two opponents: the woeful Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Giants, who are on the downswing. McDaniels as coach of the year? He's way down the list. Don't let wins against bottom-dwelling opponents get the best of you. For all McDaniels' youth, success, controversy and stupidly egotistic garb, what he has done is no match for the coaches who have resurrected New Orleans, come back from the brink of death in San Diego or managed to make a goner like Brett Favre look great in Minnesota. We'll talk about coach of the year when Mike Shanahan comes back."
Alan, steely-eyed realist
Kiz: Guess what? Shanny ain't coming back. But I do
Ndamukong Suh: a nightmare for Texas and an impossible dream for Broncos fans. (Jamie Squire, Getty Images )understand old flames die hard, and there are loyal Broncomaniacs who won't believe Kid McD has truly grown up as a coach until he wins a championship. But tell me: Would you settle for an upset today at Indy?
Kids' play.
"I really appreciated the article you wrote about quarterback Austin Hinder from Steamboat Springs High School and what you had to say about private schools such as Valor winning state championships. It is common knowledge private schools are able to, and do recruit players, even if they say they do not."
Debbie, football mom
Kiz: Does the phrase "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mean anything to you? Of course, I could be wrong, but . . . it seems to me more talented young teenage players chase a spot at a high school known for winning championships than vice versa.
It's caring, not capitalism.
"To base Valor's victory in Class 3A on money and state that capitalism gives Valor advantages on the football field shows you don't understand team sports and what it means to work hard and sacrifice."
David, Castle Rock
Kiz: My nose does wrinkle to the odor of sour grapes when I hear private schools "bought" a championship. But let me also add: Sorry, Broncos. The coolest football stadium in Colorado is located on the Valor campus. And if an awesome facility doesn't help attract players, why make the effort to build it?
Kids' play.
"Thanks for covering the championship game between Valor and Steamboat. My son plays in the trenches for Valor and said the Steamboat kids were classy. The players accept the results. It's us adults who can't accept the results and begin the verbal shoving match. In the end, the kids are the adults and the adults are juveniles."
David, football dad
Kiz: The hardest lesson any parent, myself included, learns from a kid who competes in sports? It really is only a game.
Parting shot
Voice of reason in Steamboat.
And today's parting shot is a rock tossed back at glass houses.
"While Tiger Woods' transgressions are none of our business, we are entitled to make them so anyway. It's a pretty sad commentary on the state of American society when we feel obligated to bludgeon the super rich in an effort to drag a person down to our level, all the while carefully concealing the skeletons we all have hidden in our own closets."
Tim,Steamboat Springs
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13986871