Quarterback Kirk Cousins Must Tell the Broncos Which He Values More: Money Or Winning by Mark Kiszla Denver Post Feb
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Quarterback Kirk Cousins must tell the Broncos which he values more: money or winning By Mark Kiszla Denver Post Feb. 25, 2018 Enough with the Olympics blah-blah. Let’s talk about something serious, like the Broncos quarterback situation. How about our first-round pick this year, second-round pick next year and cornerback Aqib Talib in return for Philadelphia’s Nick Foles? John, wheeler-dealer Kiz: The knuckleheads here at Kickin’ It Headquarters want a new Broncos quarterback in the worse way, but mortgaging the future for Nick Foles might the worse way to solve the problem. Here’s a better idea: Kirk Cousins is not a top-five quarterback in this league. But could Denver reach the Super Bowl with him? Yes. John Elway won’t overpay for Cousins. So if Cousins will offer a discount to play on the same team as Von Miller, let’s make a deal. I learned years ago how special Lindsey Vonn is when she inspired my now 24-year-old grad student. Back then, Genevieve was a 10-year-old skier at Team Summit. She met Lindsey, and in addition to a still-treasured, autograph poster, Lindsey gave Genevieve her cell phone number. While Gen only called three or four times, Lindsey always called back, chatted and encouraged Gen to keep skiing and, more importantly, to go after her goals. As a father, having Lindsey instill confidence in a little girl, who then blossoms into a truly special person, is gratifying beyond words. Mike, grateful father Kiz: Vonn has won 81 World Cup races, a record for female skiers. But she has done even greater things, as Gen could attest. Perhaps Vonn could leverage some of the goodwill in her heart to show a modicum of respect for the office of the president. We should keep in mind that a lot of hard-working, respectful, tax-paying Americans voted for our current president. Herbert, Castle Pines Kiz: If Steph Curry and Vonn don’t want to meet the president, perhaps the president should ask: Why? I’d like to point out Liz Swaney, the skier you criticized for participating in the Olympics, did several 180s in the air, above the halfpipe. Other low-ranking athletes are celebrated. Why is a white female being bullied by the media? J.R., defender of the underdog Kiz: The halfpipe is dangerous. Competitors risk their health on every trick. Swaney risked nothing. Even Eddie the Eagle hurtled off a ski jump and the Jamaican bobsled team flew down the track at 70 mph. Swaney took a stroll in the park. How do you do it, Kiz? Day after day, you write a column (or two) from the Olympics. They’re well- written, well-researched, informative and entertaining. You deserve a gold medal for your coverage. W.B., far too kind Kiz: I dreamed of going to the Olympics as a kid. I have now participated in 11 Games (if only as a typist). Not bad for a mediocre high-school track athlete. And today’s parting shot is a little hockey chirping. How wonderful to see the U.S. women’s hockey team win gold. For too long, we have had to endure Canadian smugness over their superiority in hockey, their tastier version of bacon and their adult-like prime minister. Dave, Colorado Springs Broncos’ Todd Davis treats Sacramento State football team, children from Big Brothers Big Sisters to “Black Panther” screening By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Feb. 25, 2018 Thanks to Broncos linebacker Todd Davis, 35 children from Big Brothers Big Sisters in Sacramento spent their Saturday morning in a movie theater watching “Black Panther” alongside players from the Sacramento State football team. For the better part of the past month, Davis had been planning an outing for the team and nearly three dozen children, allowing them a chance to see a movie that inspired him and others since its release in mid-February. “I just wanted to give back to my community, Sac State, that helped me become the man that I am today,” said Davis, a Sacramento State alum who signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2014. “I wanted to partner with Sac State and also partner with some young kids and that’s how the Big Brothers Big Sisters group got involved. It was an opportunity for me to let somebody forget about some of the problems that may be going on in their week and just relax and enjoy the movie.” The movie, directed by former Sacramento State receiver Ryan Coogler, smashed box office records and is said to have earned $520 million worldwide in its first week in theaters. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America pairs volunteer adults with children to provide mentorship and for more than 50 years has operated in the greater Sacramento area, according to the organization’s website. Davis, an impending free agent whose own future isn’t certain in Denver, has been a regular in the local community since joining the Broncos more than three years ago. With each season, and especially since he was elevated to a starting role in 2016, he’s continued to expand his outreach. This offseason, he made a point to give back to Sacramento, too, where he was a standout for the Hornets from 2010-13. “When I got to college, I was involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs and it’s only grown since I’ve gotten here in Denver,” he said. “Denver does a great job of a having their players reach out in the community and they partner with a Boys and Girls Club. So I spend a lot of time over there. “I feel like the blessings I’ve received in my life aren’t just for me. If I’m not doing my part in giving back and reaching out to touch someone else’s life, then what do I have (this platform) for? I definitely feel like there’s a purpose to go down and talk to young kids and teach them things so they can grow. Because I remember when people reached down and pulled me up and taught me some things. That’s why I was able to make it to where I am now.” After rare dearth of offensive linemen in 2017 NFL draft, combine to display more talent in this year’s group By Nick Kosmider Denver Post Feb. 25, 2018 The 20th pick in the NFL draft is rarely prime real estate for selecting the most highly regarded offensive linemen. In 2016, for example, five of them had already gone off the board by that point. Yet, last year, an unusually thin group of so-called elite prospects among the position group gave the Broncos an opportunity to select tackle Garett Bolles as the draft’s first lineman at that spot. Fast forward to the pre-draft portion of the NFL calendar this year, and it appears the run of offensive linemen — at all three positions — will come much earlier and more frequently. And that could be good news for the Broncos, who this year own the No. 5 pick and are still very much in need of help along the offensive line. Right tackle remains an unsolved problem. Menelik Watson, a free-agent acquisition for the Broncos last season, was injured much of 2017 and was inconsistent when healthy. Center Matt Paradis, who has played every offensive snap over the last three seasons for Denver, is a restricted free agent. Ron Leary, a free-agent pickup from Dallas, was a strong performer, particularly in the run game, before a back injury ended his season after 11 games. Though Broncos coach Vance Joseph credited Max Garcia‘s improvement down the stretch last season, left guard remained an up-and-down spot. And Bolles took his fair share of lumps during his rookie season at left tackle. Those synopses of last year’s starters say nothing of the depth the Broncos have struggled to cultivate along the offensive line. Whether Denver secures a new quarterback in free agency or in the draft, it will likely be on the early lookout for an impact player along the offensive line to help protect its new asset. Here are five prospects to watch at next week’s NFL combine: Quenton Nelson, guard, Notre Dame: Nelson’s tape at Notre Dame, his size and agility are all enough to shoot him up mock draft boards as a top-10 prospect. He was a bulldozer at Notre Dame who paved the way for the Irish’s run game, which was seventh in the country at 269.3 yards per game. Adding to the intrigue about Nelson is the possibility that he could play tackle. He is a mashing run blocker, but his overall competence on the line could make moving him into the tackle position, which he did play at times in college, an enticing experiment. Orlando Brown, tackle, Oklahoma: If you watched the Sooners play last season, you couldn’t have missed Brown. At 6-8 and 345 pounds he is the most massive tackle in the class. And yet, he was quick enough to handle the talented pass rushers in the Big 12 and keep them off prized quarterback Baker Mayfield. His length alone makes him a coveted prospect, and the Outland Trophy finalist is also regarded as a strong finisher of blocks. Brown comes from an NFL pedigree. His father, the late Orlando Brown, played in the NFL for 11 seasons. Mike McGlinchey, tackle, Notre Dame: The 6-7, 310-pound lineman, like his teammate Nelson, was excellent blocking for the run last season.