The Broncos have made passing a kidney stone look easier than passing the football the past eight years. Only two quarterbacks since Peyton Manning boast a winning record – Trevor Siemian and Brett Rypien – and Russell Wilson is the only starter of the last 13 to eclipse 20 touchdowns in a season.
Coach Sean Payton thought so little of Wilson’s style that he decided he would rather take an $85 million cap hit than continue playing him.
He now has his guy in Bo Nix. He likes his size, mind, accuracy and spartan backpack. Nix opened rookie mini-camp Friday wearing No. 10 – Zach Wilson switched to No. 4 and Jarrett Stidham will don No. 8 – and began his journey to the starting lineup.
It presents an interesting question: What is a good rookie season for Nix? Statistically, I say 21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 3,100 yards in 15 games. If he starts fewer games, then I want prorated numbers on the same trajectory. Start, stay healthy, show flashes of toughness, magic, while possessing the hardware and software.
Currently, Nix represents hope. When the season ends, hope must evolve into belief. That will qualify as success that the quarterback, coach and franchise have reached an important mile marker on the road to redemption.
The Rockies remain haunted by Kris Bryant’s $182 million contract. It is becoming increasingly obvious that Bryant’s best days are behind him, something the industry suspected when the Rockies showered him with ridiculous money following the trade of Nolan Arenado. While giving the next four months to rebound, I believe the Rockies should cut him at season’s end, eating $108 million. …
There is so much fuss about the CU Buffs carousel of players moving in and out of the transfer portal. I don’t get caught up in the star rankings of players. My concern? Can the offensive line develop chemistry quickly enough to allow the team to run the ball? Different doesn’t mean better if CU throws 50 times a game. …
I did not have Shaquille O’Neal beefing with Broncos Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe on my bingo card, but here we are. Sharpe believes Shaq is jealous of Nikola Jokic’s three MVPs — Shaq won one — and that is why Shaq told Joker that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserved the top honor this season. Shaq explained that Sharpe wasn’t worthy of commenting because he was not Top 10 at his position all-time, citing a Gil Brandt list. I love Brandt. Sharpe is easily a top-five tight end, and O’Neal continues to look petty. …
Alexander Georgiev’s resurgence is encouraging, but Valeri Nichushkin’s rocket-fueled playoff run is inspiring thoughts of another Stanley Cup title. Nichushkin has scored in all seven games, matching Pat LaFontaine’s record set in 1992 as the longest streak to start the playoffs. …
Gladys Knight had the Pips. Jalen Brunson has the ‘Cats. The Villanova infusion on the New York Knicks has produced spectacular results with Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart teaming with Brunson. Brunson finished 11th in the Most Improved Player voting two years ago and fifth in the MVP voting this season. Hard not to admire his game.
MAIL TIME
Why the big secret on when the NFL schedule gets revealed? Why can’t it just be the second Thursday in May?
Jason Whitaker, via Twitter
The NFL creates drama better than the Housewives reality franchise. The league’s ability to drop news and hog attention remains unrivaled. In this case, there is a belief that it coincides with network programming announcements, making it a moving target in May. The NFL loves to tease with a few revealed games before dropping the full schedule, which happens on Wednesday. Again, it keeps the league in the headlines 11-plus months out of the year. There are three Broncos games of particular interest to me: home vs. Pittsburgh and at the Saints and Jets.
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