How’s that Blueberry Kush, or whatever Denver sports hacks like you are smoking these days? Can you try to describe in your next column to those of us who aren’t completely high exactly what it is you’ve seen these past two seasons that would justify quarterback Russell Wilson keeping his starting job?
— Brad, high on life
Kiz: During his first season, Wilson sometimes seemed more interested in being Mr. and Mrs. Instagram than a football player. And I ripped him for it. During this season, Wilson has often played like the QB he was in Seattle, best when improvising, limited in seeing the whole field, but throwing 26 TD passes against eight interceptions. Yet the Broncos tried to hammer him, threatening to bench Wilson after the victory against Kansas City if he didn’t surrender guaranteed money in a contract signed a little more than a year earlier. That’s bush league. But know what might be worse? Coach Sean Payton claimed Friday he was not privy to those awkward business discussions with Wilson. Say what? A conversation about benching your starting quarterback at midseason because of monetary considerations sounds like pretty serious football business to me. And the coach wasn’t in the loop? Either Payton isn’t telling the whole truth or this team’s management is an uncoordinated, incompetent mess.
I will remember Wilson for being one of the most embarrassing disasters in Colorado sports history.
— Aaron, Denver
Kiz: I advocated for the trade. My bad. But before the Broncos threw stupid money at him, I also screamed and shouted the team should not give Wilson a massive contract extension before he won a single game in a Denver uniform.
Kiz, you are right on the money about Wilson. And it’s all about money the Broncos throw into the air, as if it were confetti, to Wilson and Payton. But Wilson has had a good season, while Payton has had a stupid season, with blown playcalls, clock mismanagement gaffes and mediocre strategy. If Payton were a real teacher instead of an authoritarian coach, the Broncos would be in the playoffs.
— Steve, paper bag over head
Kiz: If Payton sincerely wanted a spark for a playoff push, wouldn’t it have been far smarter to bench Wilson after the loss in Houston, when the coach blasted his offense for late-game chaos in the red zone? For a guy who claims to be all about winning, Payton has wasted way too much energy this season scapegoating Wilson.
And today’s parting shot insists I have blasted Payton for mistreatment of Wilson to promote a nefarious agenda bent on destroying America.
Kiz, you went all in this time spouting Marxist talking points. I guess at this point in your career you don’t care who knows your politics. During Marxist brainwashing in the Kiszla household, did you ever tell your children the real reason you feign concern for Black culture is because your communist principles dictate they need to be led and manipulated into your way of thinking?
— O.W., freedom fighter