thedenverpost--2020-10-17--As budget tightens, Denver leaders count on tax increases for new programs

With Denver ’ s finances languishing , City Council members are increasingly turning to tax increases to find the millions needed to launch or expand city programs .
It was an effective strategy in 2018 , when Denver voters passed four such measures .
And now , in the middle of a pandemic and economic recession , it ’ s the strategy behind proposed sales tax increases on the 2020 ballot to tackle the city ’ s homelessness crisis and to combat climate change .
The money has to come from somewhere , said Councilman Jolon Clark , who sponsored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiatives within Denver .
If residents or city officials want to launch brand-new initiatives like that , or expand traditionally underfunded programs , there aren ’ t many options .
Even during a bullish economy , Clark said , Denver ’ s budget is stretched so thin that any new or increased expenditures will mean cutting services or staff .
“ Continuing even to find the money to keep up with what our citizens demand … is near impossible for our current budget , ” Clark said .
With the pandemic hitting Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Recession , the city ’ s budget is already short hundreds of millions of dollars between 2020 and 2021 , said Chief Financial Officer Brendan Hanlon .
Cuts , hiring freezes and furloughs are on the horizon , not expanded services .
Critics often point out that sales tax measures are one of the most regressive ways to collect money .
Lower-income families pay a disproportionate share of sales taxes compared with higher-income families .
And already Denver ’ s sales and use tax rate sits at 4.31 % , higher than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate is 3.12 % in Colorado Springs , 3.25 % in Grand Junction and 3.85 % in Fort Collins , respectively .
Commerce City ’ s rate is higher , however , at 4.5 % .
Should voters approve Clark ’ s measure and 2B , the tax proposal sponsored by Councilwoman Robin Kniech to fund services for the city ’ s homeless population , Denver ’ s sales and use tax rate would jump to 4.81 % , though the two measures do exclude some items from the increase .
Still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise millions for causes Denverites care about .
Hanlon pointed to the Parks Legacy Fund as an example .
In 2018 , voters approved a 0.25 % sales and use tax increase to create the pot of money for new land , improvements and renovations .
“ Otherwise , you would have to identify $ 30 million from somewhere else in your budget to satisfy that investment , ” Hanlon said .
Actually , that number is higher .
The Park Legacy Fund tax raised about $ 34 million in 2019 and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million annually this year and next , according to Mayor Michael Hancock ’ s proposed 2021 budget .
So far , the bulk of that cash appears to have been spent on park and trail renovations and improvements , with some going toward buying new land .
The park tax and two others approved by voters in 2018 appear to be well received and working .
The Denver College Affordability Fund collected nearly $ 12 million in 2019 and is expected to raise about the same this year and next , the budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Kids raised $ 11 million last year but is expected to collect $ 8.4 million this year .
But Denver Auditor Tim O ’ Brien published concerns Thursday about the fourth and final tax approved in 2018 : Caring for Denver .
It raised about $ 37 million last year and is expected to raise $ 34 million this year , the budget states .
Some of the cash has been used to launch the Denver Police Department ’ s widely lauded STAR Program .
However , most of the cash , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver Foundation for disbursement , remains unspent , O ’ Brien noted .
The auditor found almost $ 41.5 million unspent as of the end of May .
He pointed to grants the tax had funded — like the STAR Program — and asked city officials what that massive chunk of leftover money could accomplish .
“ Caring for Denver needs a plan and better oversight from the city to get the money out the door , so organizations can try new initiatives and do more good work , ” O ’ Brien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopeful the new tax measures have the backing they need to pass .
They ’ re blatant issues that stare city residents in the face when they pass by a park or notice that the sun is partially blocked by wildfire smoke , he said .
Denver didn ’ t always rely on tax measures for new projects , Kniech said .
There used to be much more state and federal money for transportation , housing and other areas .
But as those resources dried up over the last few decades , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with existing tax revenue .
In the meantime , Denverites ’ goals for their city have grown , she said : “ You see more ( tax ) measures because the challenges have become more complicated , but the visions for what we can accomplish have become bolder.
” While city officials should always look internally first to pay for new projects , new taxes are likely still the most effective way to create a dedicated cash flow , Kniech said .
She anticipates such a proposal for transportation improvements and projects in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money could come from raising parking meter rates and other fees , for example , Kniech said .
But that likely won ’ t cover the full need , so a proposed tax measure can be expected .
The limit to this approach to paying for new programs comes in whether a given issue is important enough to voters that they ’ ll agree to increase their own tax burden .
Because those priorities change over time , Clark said he anticipates voters will remove old and ineffective taxes in coming decades before @ @ @ @ @ @

With Denver’s finances languishing, City Council members are increasingly turning to tax increases to find the millions needed to launch or expand city programs.
It was an effective strategy in 2018, when Denver voters passed four such measures. And now, in the middle of a pandemic and economic recession, it’s the strategy behind proposed sales tax increases on the 2020 ballot to tackle the city’s homelessness crisis and to combat climate change.
The money has to come from somewhere, said Councilman Jolon Clark, who sponsored measure 2A, which would fund environmental initiatives within Denver. If residents or city officials want to launch brand-new initiatives like that, or expand traditionally underfunded programs, there aren’t many options.
Even during a bullish economy, Clark said, Denver’s budget is stretched so thin that any new or increased expenditures will mean cutting services or staff.
“Continuing even to find the money to keep up with what our citizens demand … is near impossible for our current budget,” Clark said.
With the pandemic hitting Denver’s tax revenue worse than the Great Recession, the city’s budget is already short hundreds of millions of dollars between 2020 and 2021, said Chief Financial Officer Brendan Hanlon. Cuts, hiring freezes and furloughs are on the horizon, not expanded services.
Critics often point out that sales tax measures are one of the most regressive ways to collect money. Lower-income families pay a disproportionate share of sales taxes compared with higher-income families.
And already Denver’s sales and use tax rate sits at 4.31%, higher than that of most Colorado cities. The rate is 3.12% in Colorado Springs, 3.25% in Grand Junction and 3.85% in Fort Collins, respectively. Commerce City’s rate is higher, however, at 4.5%.
Should voters approve Clark’s measure and 2B, the tax proposal sponsored by Councilwoman Robin Kniech to fund services for the city’s homeless population, Denver’s sales and use tax rate would jump to 4.81%, though the two measures do exclude some items from the increase.
Still, voter-approved taxes are an efficient way to raise millions for causes Denverites care about. Hanlon pointed to the Parks Legacy Fund as an example. In 2018, voters approved a 0.25% sales and use tax increase to create the pot of money for new land, improvements and renovations.
“Otherwise, you would have to identify $30 million from somewhere else in your budget to satisfy that investment,” Hanlon said.
Actually, that number is higher. The Park Legacy Fund tax raised about $34 million in 2019 and is expected to raise at least $37 million annually this year and next, according to Mayor Michael Hancock’s proposed 2021 budget. So far, the bulk of that cash appears to have been spent on park and trail renovations and improvements, with some going toward buying new land.
The park tax and two others approved by voters in 2018 appear to be well received and working.
The Denver College Affordability Fund collected nearly $12 million in 2019 and is expected to raise about the same this year and next, the budget says. Healthy Foods for Denver’s Kids raised $11 million last year but is expected to collect $8.4 million this year.
But Denver Auditor Tim O’Brien published concerns Thursday about the fourth and final tax approved in 2018: Caring for Denver. It raised about $37 million last year and is expected to raise $34 million this year, the budget states.
Some of the cash has been used to launch the Denver Police Department’s widely lauded STAR Program. However, most of the cash, which is funneled to the Caring for Denver Foundation for disbursement, remains unspent, O’Brien noted. The auditor found almost $41.5 million unspent as of the end of May.
He pointed to grants the tax had funded — like the STAR Program — and asked city officials what that massive chunk of leftover money could accomplish.
“Caring for Denver needs a plan and better oversight from the city to get the money out the door, so organizations can try new initiatives and do more good work,” O’Brien wrote.
Clark said he’s hopeful the new tax measures have the backing they need to pass. They’re blatant issues that stare city residents in the face when they pass by a park or notice that the sun is partially blocked by wildfire smoke, he said.
Denver didn’t always rely on tax measures for new projects, Kniech said. There used to be much more state and federal money for transportation, housing and other areas. But as those resources dried up over the last few decades, the city has had to cover more costs with existing tax revenue.
In the meantime, Denverites’ goals for their city have grown, she said: “You see more (tax) measures because the challenges have become more complicated, but the visions for what we can accomplish have become bolder.”
While city officials should always look internally first to pay for new projects, new taxes are likely still the most effective way to create a dedicated cash flow, Kniech said. She anticipates such a proposal for transportation improvements and projects in the coming years.
Some of that money could come from raising parking meter rates and other fees, for example, Kniech said. But that likely won’t cover the full need, so a proposed tax measure can be expected.
The limit to this approach to paying for new programs comes in whether a given issue is important enough to voters that they’ll agree to increase their own tax burden. Because those priorities change over time, Clark said he anticipates voters will remove old and ineffective taxes in coming decades before voting to approve new ones.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Denver mayor OKs more money for program pairing police, mental health providers

After the Denver City Council asked Mayor Michael Hancock to boost investments in police reform , inclusionary and housing programs , among other things , the city ’ s chief administrator gave a little .
Hancock released his draft budget for 2021 last month , which included millions in cuts as Denver faces historic tax shortfalls — including employee furloughs and smaller investments in social services .
It also included changes to law enforcement practices .
Council reviewed the document and recommended seven top-line changes , suggesting where the extra money could be found .
The mayor told the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget to meet some of their requests .
Council ’ s largest request was for a $ 3 million boost to the widely lauded STAR Program , which pairs mental health experts with police officers on certain calls .
The group also asked Hancock to transfer the operation out of the Department of Public Safety to the city ’ s Department of Public Health and Environment , which has better infrastructure and staffing to run the program .
Hancock and others within his administration have touted the STAR Program as a beacon of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police reform .
He repeated that praise again in his Friday letter , though he fell short of fully funding council ’ s request .
In his draft budget , Hancock penciled in a $ 1 million investment to the program .
Now he ’ ll ask for another $ 1 million from the Caring for Denver Foundation , which had a stockpile of $ 41.5 million of unspent cash in May , Denver Auditor Tim O ’ Brien said in a Thursday report .
Plus , Hancock said he ’ ll add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere in the budget and request a bit more from a funding match program .
That would bring the total investment into the STAR Program to about $ 3 million , he said .
However , it ’ s unclear whether he will move its operation to the city ’ s public health department .
While Hancock fell about a million short of meeting council ’ s request for the STAR Program , he did agree to add an extra $ 1 million in legal support for those facing evictions — an increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic recession .
He also agreed to add $ 391,800 for a rental registration and licensure program .
It will help ensure properties follow city code and are maintained in a safe and healthy way , council said .
Hancock also said he ’ ll approve $ 300,000 for the Denver Public Library or Office of Children ’ s Affairs to provide traditionally underserved , Black , indigenous and other people of color with better access to computer and internet services .
“ I want to reiterate my appreciation for your input and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We were able to make these changes while still maintaining our financial stability and staying true to our Denver values.
” Hancock will submit a revised budget next week , and council will hold public hearings on it .
If council members are not satisfied with Hancock ’ s budget , they can make changes with a simple majority , subject to the mayor ’ s veto power .

After the Denver City Council asked Mayor Michael Hancock to boost investments in police reform, inclusionary and housing programs, among other things, the city’s chief administrator gave a little.
Hancock released his draft budget for 2021 last month, which included millions in cuts as Denver faces historic tax shortfalls — including employee furloughs and smaller investments in social services. It also included changes to law enforcement practices.
Council reviewed the document and recommended seven top-line changes, suggesting where the extra money could be found. The mayor told the council Friday that he’d tweak his budget to meet some of their requests.
Council’s largest request was for a $3 million boost to the widely lauded STAR Program, which pairs mental health experts and emergency technicians with social services on certain 911 calls. The group also asked Hancock to transfer the operation out of the Department of Public Safety to the city’s Department of Public Health and Environment, which has better infrastructure and staffing to run the program.
Hancock and others within his administration have touted the STAR Program as a beacon of success in a city clamoring for sweeping police reform. He repeated that praise again in his Friday letter, though he fell short of fully funding council’s request.
In his draft budget, Hancock penciled in a $1 million investment to the program. Now he’ll ask for another $1 million from the Caring for Denver Foundation, which had a stockpile of $41.5 million of unspent cash in May, Denver Auditor Tim O’Brien said in a Thursday report.
Plus, Hancock said he’ll add another $500,000 to the program from elsewhere in the budget and request a bit more from a funding match program. That would bring the total investment into the STAR Program to about $3 million, he said.
The operation will also be moved to the city’s public health department, said Department of Finance spokesperson Julie Smith.
While Hancock fell about a million short of meeting council’s request for the STAR Program, he did agree to add an extra $1 million in legal support for those facing evictions — an increasing problem as the city slogs through an economic recession.
He also agreed to add $391,800 for a rental registration and licensure program. It will help ensure properties follow city code and are maintained in a safe and healthy way, council said.
Hancock also said he’ll approve $300,000 for the Denver Public Library or Office of Children’s Affairs to provide traditionally underserved, Black, indigenous and other people of color with better access to computer and internet services.
“I want to reiterate my appreciation for your input and proposals,” Hancock wrote. “We were able to make these changes while still maintaining our financial stability and staying true to our Denver values.”
Hancock will submit a revised budget next week, and council will hold public hearings on it.
If council members are not satisfied with Hancock’s budget, they can make changes with a simple majority, subject to the mayor’s veto power.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Brauchler: The partisan politicians in charge of Colorado’s elections must go. It’s time for nonpart

Brauchler: The partisan politicians in charge of Colorado’s elections must go. It’s time for nonpartisan elections.

No matter what happens on election night , a controversy will haunt this election cycle .
What is at stake is no less than the perception of a lack of trust and integrity in the outcome of our election at every level .
Ballots are on kitchen tables throughout Colorado in what is likely the most hyper-partisan , hotly-contested election cycle we can remember .
Despite Colorado having one of the easiest , most efficient , and safest election systems in America , there is one fact that creates instant skepticism and demands immediate reform .
Elected voting officials — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrity of our election system — with demonstrated allegiance to a specific political party will be counting votes for candidates from the “ other ” party and deciding which ballots do not pass muster .
RELATED : Colorado voter guide roundup : Stories , explainers and endorsements on candidates and ballot measures Metaphorically , the Dodgers will be calling balls and strikes while playing the Rockies .
Even if the Dodgers made all the right calls , there would be a level of distrust that would cripple the perceived legitimacy of the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better .
Over the past 20 years , 47 % of secretaries of state have run for higher office while serving or shortly after leaving office .
One-third of the secretaries have endorsed a candidate running for office .
And a secretary of state has served as the chief election official simultaneous to their appearance on the ballot 153 times .
A mere six months after being sworn in as Colorado ’ s current secretary of state , and only two months after coordinating a press release with Planned Parenthood , Jena Griswold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Senate .
She quickly raised over $ 200,000 to that end .
Later , her staff coordinated with national progressive activist groups on statewide legislation .
Last year , she appeared on stage with a Democrat presidential candidate just prior to Colorado ’ s presidential primary .
Recently , there has been significant tension reported by Colorado Public Radio between Griswold ’ s office and our state ’ s clerks and recorders over her perceived “ aggressive politicization ” of her office .
The problem extends downstream from the secretary of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-profile , most expensive district attorney race in the state this year — the race to replace me in the 18th Judicial District — includes a Democrat nominee who has contributed more than $ 1,300 to Griswold , including hundreds of dollars within the past several months … and Griswold will not be on the ballot for another two years .
The optics of that are horrible for trust in our election system .
To be certain , this is neither a Colorado , nor a Democrat issue .
In 2018 , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kansas and Brian Kemp of Georgia — appeared on the ballot for governor , while simultaneously serving as their state ’ s top election official , injecting steroids into any potential controversy from their election cycle decisions and rule-making .
America is the lone democracy on the planet that elects its senior election officials , and the only one that allows them to oversee elections in which they are on the ballot .
Of the 47 statewide election officials , the vast majority of whom are Republican , 35 are elected through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are appointed by other partisan elected officials .
In Colorado , the true Guardians of the Galaxy are the clerks and recorders who actually count the ballots we submit .
They are elected and re-elected through a partisan election they may oversee .
The vast majority of them are Republican .
Only three in Colorado are unaffiliated .
No state requires these critical positions to be non-partisan .
Colorado should again lead the way for America and do just that .
Upon conclusion of this election cycle , Colorado must seek to amend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of state and county clerk and recorders non-partisan .
We must also require anyone holding those offices to resign their position and engage in a reasonable cooling-off period before seeking election to a different , partisan office .
We must sever the bonds between political parties and the vote counters .
Colorado should insist on voting for its election officials at the local and state level .
Political appointments by governors or legislatures encourage partisan fealty to those politicians who may ultimately show up on future ballots .
The popular election of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is unless the path to the general election ballot runs through a political party .
Voter confidence is predicated upon the perceived and actual impartial administration of our elections .
Colorado must insist on election officials with monk-like celibacy from partisan political entanglements .
Once we tame this unnecessarily partisan position , Colorado should turn its attention to the attorney general , treasurer , sheriffs , coroners , and yes , district attorneys .
George H. Brauchler is the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District , which includes Arapahoe , Douglas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

No matter what happens on election night, a controversy will haunt this election cycle. What is at stake is no less than the perception of a lack of trust and integrity in the outcome of our election at every level.
Ballots are on kitchen tables throughout Colorado in what is likely the most hyper-partisan, hotly-contested election cycle we can remember. Despite Colorado having one of the easiest, most efficient, and safest election systems in America, there is one fact that creates instant skepticism and demands immediate reform. Elected voting officials — the folks responsible for the rules and integrity of our election system — with demonstrated allegiance to a specific political party will be counting votes for candidates from the “other” party and deciding which ballots do not pass muster.
RELATED: Colorado voter guide roundup: Stories, explainers and endorsements on candidates and ballot measures
Metaphorically, the Dodgers will be calling balls and strikes while playing the Rockies. Even if the Dodgers made all the right calls, there would be a level of distrust that would cripple the perceived legitimacy of the final score.
Colorado can and must do better.
Over the past 20 years, 47% of secretaries of state have run for higher office while serving or shortly after leaving office. One-third of the secretaries have endorsed a candidate running for office. And a secretary of state has served as the chief election official simultaneous to their appearance on the ballot 153 times.
Need more specific examples?
A mere six months after being sworn in as Colorado’s current secretary of state, and only two months after coordinating a press release with Planned Parenthood, Jena Griswold launched a committee to explore running for U.S. Senate. She quickly raised over $200,000 to that end. Later, her staff coordinated with national progressive activist groups on statewide legislation. Last year, she appeared on stage with a Democrat presidential candidate just prior to Colorado’s presidential primary. Recently, there has been significant tension reported by Colorado Public Radio between Griswold’s office and our state’s clerks and recorders over her perceived “aggressive politicization” of her office.
The problem extends downstream from the secretary of state too. For instance, the most high-profile, most expensive district attorney race in the state this year — the race to replace me in the 18th Judicial District — includes a Democrat nominee who has contributed more than $1,300 to Griswold, including hundreds of dollars within the past several months … and Griswold will not be on the ballot for another two years. The optics of that are horrible for trust in our election system.
To be certain, this is neither a Colorado, nor a Democrat issue. In 2018, two Republican secretaries of state — Kris Kobach of Kansas and Brian Kemp of Georgia — appeared on the ballot for governor, while simultaneously serving as their state’s top election official, injecting steroids into any potential controversy from their election cycle decisions and rule-making.
America is the lone democracy on the planet that elects its senior election officials, and the only one that allows them to oversee elections in which they are on the ballot. Of the 47 statewide election officials, the vast majority of whom are Republican, 35 are elected through a partisan process; an additional seven are appointed by other partisan elected officials. In Colorado, the true Guardians of the Galaxy are the clerks and recorders who actually count the ballots we submit. They are elected and re-elected through a partisan election they may oversee. The vast majority of them are Republican. Only three in Colorado are unaffiliated.
No state requires these critical positions to be non-partisan. Colorado should again lead the way for America and do just that.
Upon conclusion of this election cycle, Colorado must seek to amend our constitution to make the offices of secretary of state and county clerk and recorders non-partisan. We must also require anyone holding those offices to resign their position and engage in a reasonable cooling-off period before seeking election to a different, partisan office. We must sever the bonds between political parties and the vote counters.
Colorado should insist on voting for its election officials at the local and state level. Political appointments by governors or legislatures encourage partisan fealty to those politicians who may ultimately show up on future ballots. The popular election of officials encourages loyalty to the voters. That is unless the path to the general election ballot runs through a political party.
Voter confidence is predicated upon the perceived and actual impartial administration of our elections. Colorado must insist on election officials with monk-like celibacy from partisan political entanglements. Once we tame this unnecessarily partisan position, Colorado should turn its attention to the attorney general, treasurer, sheriffs, coroners, and yes, district attorneys.
George H. Brauchler is the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Grading the Week: Don’t blame Patriots for mess that’s clearly on Roger Goodell’s tab

Here we go again .
It ’ s Saturday morning , and we still don ’ t know for certain whether or not the Broncos are playing a game against the Patriots this weekend .
Sound familiar ?
It wouldn ’ t be so ridiculous if it hadn ’ t been so easily avoidable in the first place .
Which brings the Grading the Week staff to… Because the NFL is the NFL , and it needs to project strength at all times , the league powers that be decided to release the 2020 schedule in early May — well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced schedules of their own that preceded the NFL ’ s September start by weeks .
Commissioner Roger Goodell was given the gift of time , and instead of using it to inform his decision on how the league constructed its season played amid a global pandemic , he opted to flex his muscles .
Had Goodell simply waited until July or early August to finalize a schedule , he would ’ ve seen what happened with MLB ’ s stop-and-start season .
At that point , it would ’ ve been abundantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do was stretch out the regular season by two or three extra weeks and give teams multiple byes for added flexibility .
Thanks to the NFL ’ s unnecessary show of strength , however , the Broncos have already spent their lone bye week a month-and-a-half into the season .
All wiggle room has been lost , and when an opponent like the Patriots has someone test positive for COVID-19 the week of a game , it puts the Broncos in an unfair position of having to bend over backwards to accommodate them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ample credit for an overall successful launch to its season , it must also be dinged for failing to plan for the foreseeable speed bumps the virus would lay at its feet .
After a very public battle with anxiety ( aka , “ the yips ” ) prematurely ended a promising career in Colorado four years ago , the 2009 first-round pick is once again giving Rockies fans something to cheer .
In six postseason appearances for Atlanta this month , the left-handed reliever has allowed just one run while striking out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That includes a pair of scoreless stints ( 3.0 innings total ) in Braves victories in Games 2 and 4 over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS .
( His first earned run came Friday night in Game 5 ) .
Granted , it isn ’ t the same as the left-hander delivering Colorado some Rocktober success .
But who doesn ’ t enjoy a little Dodger schadenfreude with their pumpkin spice latte ?
What not to do as the “ new guy ” who received a big , fat contract ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Publicly embarrass the employer who gave you all that money by ( allegedly ) treating Denver ’ s Speer Boulevard like the backstretch of the Brickyard after ( allegedly ) consuming an adult beverage or two ( or three ? )
.
Not going to win a lot of fans over with the one , Mr. Gordon .

Here we go again.
It’s Saturday morning, and we still don’t know for certain whether or not the Broncos are playing a game against the Patriots this weekend. Sound familiar?
It wouldn’t be so ridiculous if it hadn’t been so easily avoidable in the first place.
Which brings the Grading the Week staff to…
Roger Goodell — C-
Because the NFL is the NFL, and it needs to project strength at all times, the league powers that be decided to release the 2020 schedule in early May — well before the NHL, MLB or NBA announced schedules of their own that preceded the NFL’s September start by weeks.
Commissioner Roger Goodell was given the gift of time, and instead of using it to inform his decision on how the league constructed its season played amid a global pandemic, he opted to flex his muscles.
How’s that working out, Rog?
Had Goodell simply waited until July or early August to finalize a schedule, he would’ve seen what happened with MLB’s stop-and-start season. At that point, it would’ve been abundantly clear that the most prudent thing to do was stretch out the regular season by two or three extra weeks and give teams multiple byes for added flexibility.
Thanks to the NFL’s unnecessary show of strength, however, the Broncos have already spent their lone bye week a month-and-a-half into the season. All wiggle room has been lost, and when an opponent like the Patriots has someone test positive for COVID-19 the week of a game, it puts the Broncos in an unfair position of having to bend over backwards to accommodate them.
While Goodell and the NFL deserve ample credit for an overall successful launch to its season, they must also be dinged for failing to plan for the foreseeable speed bumps the virus would lay at its feet.
Tyler Matzek — A
After a very public battle with anxiety (aka, “the yips”) prematurely ended a promising career in Colorado four years ago, the 2009 first-round pick is once again giving Rockies fans something to cheer.
In six postseason appearances for Atlanta this month, the left-handed reliever has allowed just one run while striking out 13 over 7 2/3 innings pitched. That includes a pair of scoreless stints (3.0 innings total) in Braves victories in Games 2 and 4 over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. (His first earned run came Friday night in Game 5).
Granted, it isn’t the same as the left-hander delivering Colorado some Rocktober success. But who doesn’t enjoy a little Dodger schadenfreude with their pumpkin spice latte?
Melvin Gordon — F
What not to do as the “new guy” who received a big, fat contract ahead of a popular, underpaid incumbent:
Publicly embarrass the employer who gave you all that money by (allegedly) treating Denver’s Speer Boulevard like the backstretch of the Brickyard after (allegedly) consuming an adult beverage or two (or three?).
Not going to win a lot of fans over with the one, Mr. Gordon.
Phillip Lindsay can’t get healthy fast enough.


thedenverpost--2020-10-18--5A state cross country: Cherry Creek’s Parker Wolfe overcomes summer COVID-19 diagnosis, breaks cour

5A state cross country: Cherry Creek’s Parker Wolfe overcomes summer COVID-19 diagnosis, breaks course record to claim individual title

COLORADO SPRINGS — Cherry Creek senior Parker Wolfe received news early this summer that would make any cross country runner panic : You ’ ve tested positive for coronavirus .
“ I was really anxious for the season , ” Wolfe said , “ I didn ’ t know how it affected my lungs.
” Wolfe re-told his story Saturday afternoon , in between deep breaths beneath a mask , grateful for his extreme exhaustion outside the Norris Penrose Events Center .
The scrappy blonde distance runner had spent his entire high school career in the shadow of a legend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s pretty awesome , ” Wolfe said .
“ I never thought I ’ d be here.
” Wolfe beat COVID-19 , and a few months later , he beat the entire field of Class 5A cross country runners at the state meet .
Wolfe crossed the 5K finish line Saturday in 15 minutes , 10.4 seconds , for a new state meet record , eclipsing the previous mark set by Cole Sprout , a former three-time individual state champion ( 2017-19 ) with Valor Christian .
Wolfe , who is close friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state meet a year ago .
“ It ’ s definitely tough being in ( Sprout ’ s ) shadow .
He ’ s such a good runner .
It had always been that way since freshman year , ” Wolfe said .
“ I went up to the mountains with him a couple of weeks this summer and we trained at high altitude .
It ’ s always kind of been on my mind since then and even last year — just trying to beat his time.
” “ ( Wolfe ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Dusto said .
“ He ’ s the kind of kid who will stretch for 20 minutes when he wakes up in the morning or get 100 pushups in , because it ’ s going to help .
He ’ s great at doing all those little things.
” Wolfe told reporters on Saturday that he has “ been back to the doctor a couple of times ” since re-testing negative for COVID-19 .
He ’ s kept a close watch on his overall health .
“ I ’ m very up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , ” Wolfe said .
“ Overall , I think I ’ m pretty much back to normal and healthy again.
” Wolfe ’ s fears ultimately subsided back in September at the Heritage Distance Classic with pre-race plans to break the course record ( also held by Sprout ) .
But Wolfe didn ’ t stop there .
His ridiculous 14:30.1 finish broke Sprout ’ s mark and stands as the fastest high school 5K time in the nation this year , per milesplit.com .
“ I want to say he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mile , which is just insane .
It was amazing to watch , ” Dusto said .
“ He ’ s improved about 45 seconds in his 5K time every year , except this year , but that was because there ’ s just not 45 seconds to cut .
He got taller , stronger , and better at putting in distance miles .
He ’ s just continued to be able to make that next step and not hit that plateau.
” Wolfe fell short of his state meet goal to finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s name in the record books is a nice consolation prize for his final high school 5K .
Wolfe will join the distance running team at the University of North Carolina next fall .
“ With all the uncertainty earlier in the season , I was really nervous , ” Wolfe said .
“ I just kept grinding away.
” Cherry Creek kept the good times rolling on Saturday with a team victory for its girls program .
Junior Riley Stewart also repeated as the 5A girls champion for the Bruins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ All but one of our girls raced here last year and got second , ” Dusto said .
“ So , there was a little bit of fire .
They were really excited to get after it .
We were really pumped.
” 1 .
Kidus Begashaw ( Lotus School for Excellence ) , Sr. , 16:17.8 2 .
Micah Zeller ( Custer County ) , Sr. , 16:47.3 3 .
Connor Williams ( Crested Butte ) , Jr. , 16:50.0 4 .
Dylan Brush ( St. Mary ’ s ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Sr. , 17:33.4 6 .
Jodzuel Juarez ( Ellicott ) , Jr. , 17:39.3 7 .
Cole Thomas ( Lyons ) , So.
, 17:45.3 8 .
Rosston Sherlock ( Buena Vista ) , Sr. , 17:51.5 9 .
Nathan Schluessler ( Peyton ) , So.
, 17:52.1 10 .
Jackson Neppl ( St. Mary ’ s ) , So.
, 17:52.4 1 .
Riley Stewart ( Cherry Creek ) , Jr. , 17:33.8 2 .
Cameron McConnell ( Cherokee Trail ) , Jr. , 18:00.5 3 .
Emma Stutzman ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ava Mitchell ( Arapahoe ) , So.
, 18:13.2 5 .
Shelby Balding ( Cherry Creek ) , Jr. , 18:20.6 6 .
Taylor Whitfield ( Valor Christian ) , Sr. , 18:20.7 7 .
Brooke Wilson ( Valor Christian ) , So.
, 18:28.1 8 .
Emily Lamontagne ( Arapahoe ) , So.
, 18:34.3 9 .
Ella Johns ( Fort Collins ) , So.
, 18:40.4 10 .
Addison Price ( Cherry Creek ) , So.
, 18:41.7 1 .
Katelyn Maley ( Basalt ) , So.
, 18:39.0 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Jr. , 19:13.4 3 .
Allison Beasley ( Peak to Peak Charter School ) , Sr. , 19:20.3 4 .
Audrey Orstead ( Faith Christian Academy ) , Sr. , 19:23.8 5 .
Sierra Bower ( Basalt ) , Sr. , 19:24.4 6 .
Leah Hill ( DSST Montview ) , Jr. , 19:27.1 7 .
Kylie Simshauser ( Florence ) , Sr. , 19:32.1 8 .
Cassidy McDonald ( The Classical Academy ) , Fr.
, 19:35.1 9 .
Sophia Valentine ( The Classical Academy ) , Jr. , 19:37.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fr.
, 19:43.3 1 .
Ella Johnson ( The Vanguard School ) , Jr. , 19:34.5 2 .
Eowyn Dalbec ( Peyton ) , Jr. , 19:43.7 3 .
Mallory Salazar ( Buena Vista ) , Jr. , 20:19.9 4 .
Sophia Bull ( Denver Christian ) , Jr. , 20:21.5 5 .
Adele Horning ( Lake County ) , So.
, 20:25.7 6 .
Rose Horning ( Lake County ) , Fr.
, 20:30.4 7 .
Zaila Smith ( Buena Vista ) , So.
, 20:46.8 8 .
Quin Gregg ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hannah Thomas ( Lyons ) , Sr. , 21:08.9 10 .
Ruby Pendy ( Crested Butte ) , So.
, 21:09.7

COLORADO SPRINGS — Cherry Creek senior Parker Wolfe received news early this summer that would make any cross country runner panic: You’ve tested positive for coronavirus.
“I was really anxious for the season,” Wolfe said, “I didn’t know how it affected my lungs.”
Wolfe re-told his story Saturday afternoon, in between deep breaths beneath a mask, grateful for his extreme exhaustion outside the Norris Penrose Events Center. The scrappy blonde distance runner had spent his entire high school career in the shadow of a legend. Not anymore.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Wolfe said. “I never thought I’d be here.”
Wolfe beat COVID-19, and a few months later, he beat the entire field of Class 5A cross country runners at the state meet.
Wolfe crossed the 5K finish line Saturday in 15 minutes, 10.4 seconds, for a new state meet record, eclipsing the previous mark set by Cole Sprout, a former three-time individual state champion (2017-19) with Valor Christian.
Wolfe, who is close friends with Sprout, placed third in the state meet a year ago.
“It’s definitely tough being in (Sprout’s) shadow. He’s such a good runner. It had always been that way since freshman year,” Wolfe said. “I went up to the mountains with him a couple of weeks this summer and we trained at high altitude. It’s always kind of been on my mind since then and even last year — just trying to beat his time.”
Cherry Creek cross country coach Ethan Dusto never doubted his top runner’s fire.
“(Wolfe) had a lot of big goals,” Dusto said. “He’s the kind of kid who will stretch for 20 minutes when he wakes up in the morning or get 100 pushups in, because it’s going to help. He’s great at doing all those little things.”
The wild card in Wolfe’s preparation? Coronavirus.
Wolfe told reporters on Saturday that he has “been back to the doctor a couple of times” since re-testing negative for COVID-19. He’s kept a close watch on his overall health.
“I’m very up and down with good weeks and bad weeks,” Wolfe said. “Overall, I think I’m pretty much back to normal and healthy again.”
Wolfe’s fears ultimately subsided back in September at the Heritage Distance Classic with pre-race plans to break the course record (also held by Sprout). But Wolfe didn’t stop there.
His ridiculous 14:30.1 finish broke Sprout’s mark and stands as the fastest high school 5K time in the nation this year, per milesplit.com.
“I want to say he ran like a 4:35 for his last mile, which is just insane. It was amazing to watch,” Dusto said. “He’s improved about 45 seconds in his 5K time every year, except this year, but that was because there’s just not 45 seconds to cut. He got taller, stronger, and better at putting in distance miles. He’s just continued to be able to make that next step and not hit that plateau.”
Wolfe fell short of his state meet goal to finish in under 15 minutes. Supplanting Sprout’s name in the record books is a nice consolation prize for his final high school 5K. Wolfe will join the distance running team at the University of North Carolina next fall.
“With all the uncertainty earlier in the season, I was really nervous,” Wolfe said. “I just kept grinding away.”
5A girls: Riley Stewart repeats, Cherry Creek takes home team title
Cherry Creek kept the good times rolling on Saturday with a team victory for its girls program. Junior Riley Stewart also repeated as the 5A girls champion for the Bruins, crossing the finish line in 17:33.7.
“All but one of our girls raced here last year and got second,” Dusto said. “So, there was a little bit of fire. They were really excited to get after it. We were really pumped.”
Prep cross country
2020 CHSAA state championships at Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs
Distance: 5 kilometers
Boys
Class 5A
Teams: 1. Mountain Vista, 80; 2. Chaparral, 124; 3. Fairview, 144.
1. Parker Wolfe (Cherry Creek), Sr., 15:10.4
2. Ben Conlin (Rampart), Sr., 15:27.0
3. Caleb Boutelle (Pine Creek), Sr., 15:31.0
4. Henry Murphy (Fairview), Sr., 15:41.3
5. Lukas Haug (Boulder), Sr., 15:44.0
6. James Thomas (Broomfield), Sr., 15:47.4
7. Ryan Montera (Legacy), Sr., 15:57.8
8. Ty Garrett (Valor Christian), So., 16:06.3
9. Caden Smith (Cherokee Trail), Sr., 16:06.7
10. Jayden Nats (Mountain Vista), Jr., 16:11.0
Class 4A
Teams: 1. Niwot, 36; 2. Cheyenne Mountain, 63; 3. Centaurus, 96.
1. Zane Bergen (Niwot), Jr., 15:29.5
2. Jackson Shorten (Mountain View), Jr., 15:37.3
3. Zack Gacnik (Conifer), Sr., 15:40.7
4. Grayden Rauba (Niwot), Sr., 15:42.5
5. James Overberg (Centaurus), Sr., 15:43.0
6. Erik Le Roux (Cheyenne Mountain), Jr., 15:46.1
7. Curtis Volf (Niwot), Sr., 15:51.1
8. Scott Prieve (Palmer), Sr., 15:51.9
9. Keegan Caldwell (Mead), Sr., 15:53.0
10. Paul Knight (Durango), Sr., 15:59.0
Class 3A
Teams: 1. Frontier Academy, 48; 2. The Classical Academy, 76; 3. Holy Family, 99.
1. Alex Baca (Gunnison), Sr., 16:07.8
2. Joshua Medina (Alamosa), Sr., 16:09.0
3. Caden Schweer (Severance), Fr., 16:18.2
4. Abuzaid Fanning (Frontier Academy), So., 16:27.0
5. Logan Gullett (Eaton), So., 16:46.5
6. Sylas Chambers (Frontier Academy), Sr., 16:53.3
7. Benedict Siegel (Bishop Machebeuf), Sr., 16:55.8
8. Henry Ilyasova (Manitou Springs), Jr., 16:57.6
9. Gabe Heraty (Pagosa Springs), Sr., 16:58.8
10. Jack Culp (Holy Family), Sr., 16:59.6
Class 2A
Teams: 1. Heritage Christian Academy, 54; 2. Lyons, 59; 3. Peyton, 64.
1. Kidus Begashaw (Lotus School for Excellence), Sr., 16:17.8
2. Micah Zeller (Custer County), Sr., 16:47.3
3. Connor Williams (Crested Butte), Jr., 16:50.0
4. Dylan Brush (St. Mary’s), 17:30.7
5. Joel Schluessler (Peyton), Sr., 17:33.4
6. Jodzuel Juarez (Ellicott), Jr., 17:39.3
7. Cole Thomas (Lyons), So., 17:45.3
8. Rosston Sherlock (Buena Vista), Sr., 17:51.5
9. Nathan Schluessler (Peyton), So., 17:52.1
10. Jackson Neppl (St. Mary’s), So., 17:52.4
Girls
Class 5A
Teams: 1. Cherry Creek, 42; 2. Arapahoe, 82; 3. Valor Christian, 90.
1. Riley Stewart (Cherry Creek), Jr., 17:33.8
2. Cameron McConnell (Cherokee Trail), Jr., 18:00.5
3. Emma Stutzman (Pomona), So., 18:09.1
4. Ava Mitchell (Arapahoe), So., 18:13.2
5. Shelby Balding (Cherry Creek), Jr., 18:20.6
6. Taylor Whitfield (Valor Christian), Sr., 18:20.7
7. Brooke Wilson (Valor Christian), So., 18:28.1
8. Emily Lamontagne (Arapahoe), So., 18:34.3
9. Ella Johns (Fort Collins), So., 18:40.4
10. Addison Price (Cherry Creek), So., 18:41.7
Class 4A
Teams: 1. Niwot, 55; 2. Battle Mountain, 93; 3. Air Academy, 111.
1. Bethany Michalak, (Air Academy), Fr., 17:59.1
2. Mia Prok (Niwot), Fr., 18:02.4
3. Samantha Blair (Eagle Valley), Jr., 18:14.1
4. Ella Johnson (Glenwood Springs), Jr., 18:24.0
5. Aubrey Surage (Lewis-Palmer), Sr., 18:29.6
6. Elliot Pribramsky (Battle Mountain), Sr., 18:52.2
7. Hope Stark (Cheyenne Mountain), Jr., 19:04.0
8. Sophia Connerton-Nevin (Glenwood Springs), So., 19:07.2
9. Madison Shults (Niwot), So., 19:11.7
10. Kiera Shorten (Mountain View), Fr., 19:14.1
Class 3A
Teams: 1. The Classical Academy, 65; 2. Holy Family, 113; 3. Basalt, 121.
1. Katelyn Maley (Basalt), So., 18:39.0
2. Kennedy McDonald (The Classical Academy), Jr., 19:13.4
3. Allison Beasley (Peak to Peak Charter School), Sr., 19:20.3
4. Audrey Orstead (Faith Christian Academy), Sr., 19:23.8
5. Sierra Bower (Basalt), Sr., 19:24.4
6. Leah Hill (DSST Montview), Jr., 19:27.1
7. Kylie Simshauser (Florence), Sr., 19:32.1
8. Cassidy McDonald (The Classical Academy), Fr., 19:35.1
9. Sophia Valentine (The Classical Academy), Jr., 19:37.5
10. Andie Rasmussen (Eaton), Fr., 19:43.3
Class 2A
Teams: 1. Buena Vista, 31; 2. Lake County, 41; 3. Lyons, 93.
1. Ella Johnson (The Vanguard School), Jr., 19:34.5
2. Eowyn Dalbec (Peyton), Jr., 19:43.7
3. Mallory Salazar (Buena Vista), Jr., 20:19.9
4. Sophia Bull (Denver Christian), Jr., 20:21.5
5. Adele Horning (Lake County), So., 20:25.7
6. Rose Horning (Lake County), Fr., 20:30.4
7. Zaila Smith (Buena Vista), So., 20:46.8
8. Quin Gregg (Lyons), Jr., 21:07.1
9. Hannah Thomas (Lyons), Sr., 21:08.9
10. Ruby Pendy (Crested Butte), So., 21:09.7


thedenverpost--2020-10-18--Kiszla: Best outcome for Broncos in New England? Game isn’t super-spreader event for two NFL teams s

Kiszla: Best outcome for Broncos in New England? Game isn’t super-spreader event for two NFL teams stung by COVID.

Before leaving on a jet plane Saturday from a state on fire , the Broncos joined the Patriots in a craze sweeping the NFL .
From Colorado to Massachusetts , everybody in the league is playing whack-a-mole with the coronavirus .
COVID-19 makes the rules in 2020 .
The rest of us adjust to its cruel whims .
“ We are getting good at it .
Every time it happens , we get better , ” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Friday , drawing a smiley face on a tough situation .
“ Every time you get a rep with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes perfect , but nobody can fully prepare for this virus ’ next mean trick .
On Saturday morning , Fangio and the Broncos departed for an already twice-delayed game in New England without running backs coach Curtis Modkiins , who tested positive for COVID-19 .
A pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 Americans forced the Patriots to skip practice again Friday .
The team has placed guard Shaq Mason , running back Sony Michel , center James Ferentz and defensive end Derek Rivers on the COVID reserve list .
While I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback Drew Lock fares in his expected return from a shoulder injury , the truth is this game should be recorded as a victory for both the Broncos and Patriots if playing football doesn ’ t turn out to be a super-spreader event .
Yes , every precaution will be taken to keep the Broncos and Patriots safe .
But every week , as the weather grows colder and new cases spike nationwide , the NFL ’ s game of whack-a-mole grows dicier .
Make the playoffs ?
I just hope Denver and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the COVID storm .
That commissioner Roger Goodell has threatened teams with forfeiture of games if they fail to adhere to health protocols is a joke .
His fingerprints are on every positive COVID test in the league .
Pushing this football season through a pandemic placed a higher priority on money than safety .
And that makes the NFL no better or worse than the grocery worker or bus driver that takes health risks every day of 2020 in order to pay the bills .
As smoke from the raging Cameron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue Colorado skies , I guess we ’ re lucky to have football as a distraction .
But no matter how many touchdowns running back Phillip Lindsay scores against New England , there ’ s no running from the fact COVID is now a real and present danger to both the health of players and the orderly completion of this NFL season .
You and I understand all too well the casualties of COVID extend far beyond the tears for loved ones killed to the jobs lost and wedding plans scrapped .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players and coaches , especially Fangio , whose grown daughter had a bout with the virus while working as a nurse at a military hospital .
“ I know a lot of people have had their lives interrupted in a very negative way , whether it be through the illness itself , losing their job , taking a pay cut , which I know some of you had to go through … Nobody deserves that .
Some small businesses — people who have worked their whole lives to establish a business — are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Luckily , here in the NFL , so far as players and coaches , we haven ’ t missed any paychecks .
We ’ re just going to keep fighting through and consider ourselves lucky .
Yes , we ’ ve been inconvenienced and there are a lot of protocols to follow .
Some of them can be a little overbearing at times , but they ’ re necessary .
I think in the big picture we ’ ve been lucky.
” We ’ ve all got to eat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the bed until a vaccine arrives and the pandemic passes isn ’ t an option .
Football is no different .
The Jaguars , Ravens and Falcons are dealing with COVID issues this weekend .
When will a player have the courage to say enough is enough , take his ball and go home ?
NFL ownership , which doesn ’ t have a great history of looking out for players that fans pay to watch , did everything possible to coerce every star quarterback and special-teams grunt along for the long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players were allowed to opt out prior to the opening of training camp in August , it ’ s harder to turn in the uniform now , unless a player gets a new diagnosis of a high-risk health condition or somebody in his family is hospitalized or dies from the virus .
Brandon Williams , the Ravens ’ massive 336-pound nose tackle , was put on the COVID reserve list Saturday .
He ’ s big and strong .
But Williams recently expressed the same anxiety about this pandemic many of us feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of a virus ?
“ Do as much as you possibly can to protect you and the family and the people you love .
Sometimes , if you catch it , you catch it , ” Williams told reporters in Baltimore .
“ Sometimes , it just is what it its , and it ’ s inevitable.
” As teams fall out of playoff contention and the virus spreads , will some NFL players decide their loved ones at home count more than football , even if it means breaking contractual obligations @

Before leaving on a jet plane Saturday from a state on fire, the Broncos joined the Patriots in a craze sweeping the NFL. From Colorado to Massachusetts, everybody in the league is playing whack-a-mole with the coronavirus.
COVID-19 makes the rules in 2020. The rest of us adjust to its cruel whims.
“We are getting good at it. Every time it happens, we get better,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Friday, drawing a smiley face on a tough situation. “Every time you get a rep with something, you get better.”
Practice makes perfect, but nobody can fully prepare for this virus’ next mean trick.
On Saturday morning, Fangio and the Broncos departed for an already twice-delayed game in New England without running backs coach Curtis Modkiins, who tested positive for COVID-19. A pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 Americans forced the Patriots to skip practice again Friday. The team has placed guard Shaq Mason, running back Sony Michel, center James Ferentz and defensive end Derek Rivers on the COVID reserve list.
While I’m intrigued to see how young quarterback Drew Lock fares in his expected return from a shoulder injury, the truth is this game should be recorded as a victory for both the Broncos and Patriots if playing football doesn’t turn out to be a super-spreader event.
Yes, every precaution will be taken to keep the Broncos and Patriots safe. But every week, as the weather grows colder and new cases spike nationwide, the NFL’s game of whack-a-mole grows dicier.
Make the playoffs? I just hope Denver and New England can stay one step ahead of the COVID storm.
That commissioner Roger Goodell has threatened teams with forfeiture of games if they fail to adhere to health protocols is a joke. His fingerprints are on every positive COVID test in the league. Pushing this football season through a pandemic placed a higher priority on money than safety. And that makes the NFL no better or worse than the grocery worker or bus driver that takes health risks every day of 2020 in order to pay the bills.
As smoke from the raging Cameron Peak fire puts an ugly smudge on blue Colorado skies, I guess we’re lucky to have football as a distraction. But no matter how many touchdowns running back Phillip Lindsay scores against New England, there’s no running from the fact COVID is now a real and present danger to both the health of players and the orderly completion of this NFL season.
You and I understand all too well the casualties of COVID extend far beyond the tears for loved ones killed to the jobs lost and wedding plans scrapped. These real-world challenges are not lost on NFL players and coaches, especially Fangio, whose grown daughter had a bout with the virus while working as a nurse at a military hospital.
“I know a lot of people have had their lives interrupted in a very negative way, whether it be through the illness itself, losing their job, taking a pay cut, which I know some of you had to go through … Nobody deserves that. Some small businesses — people who have worked their whole lives to establish a business — are really struggling right now,” Fangio said.
“Luckily, here in the NFL, so far as players and coaches, we haven’t missed any paychecks. We’re just going to keep fighting through and consider ourselves lucky. Yes, we’ve been inconvenienced and there are a lot of protocols to follow. Some of them can be a little overbearing at times, but they’re necessary. I think in the big picture we’ve been lucky.”
We’ve all got to eat. So for most of us, hiding under the bed until a vaccine arrives and the pandemic passes isn’t an option. Football is no different. The Jaguars, Ravens and Falcons are dealing with COVID issues this weekend.
When will a player have the courage to say enough is enough, take his ball and go home?
NFL ownership, which doesn’t have a great history of looking out for players that fans pay to watch, did everything possible to coerce every star quarterback and special-teams grunt along for the long ride through this COVID-clouded season. While players were allowed to opt out prior to the opening of training camp in August, it’s harder to turn in the uniform now, unless a player gets a new diagnosis of a high-risk health condition or somebody in his family is hospitalized or dies from the virus.
Brandon Williams, the Ravens’ massive 336-pound nose tackle, was put on the COVID reserve list Saturday. He’s big and strong. But Williams recently expressed the same anxiety about this pandemic many of us feel. How do you stay one step ahead of a virus?
“Do as much as you possibly can to protect you and the family and the people you love. Sometimes, if you catch it, you catch it,” Williams told reporters in Baltimore. “Sometimes, it just is what it its, and it’s inevitable.”
As teams fall out of playoff contention and the virus spreads, will some NFL players decide their loved ones at home count more than football, even if it means breaking contractual obligations?
Feels inevitable.


thedenverpost--2020-10-18--Corey Seager homers again, Dodgers force NLCS Game 7 with 3-1 win

ARLINGTON , Texas — Corey Seager homered again , Walker Buehler pitched six scoreless innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers @ @ @ @ @ to Game 7 with a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday .
The @ @ @ @ @ second time in less than 24 hours , and now have a winner-take-all game to @ @ @ @ @ third World Series in four years .
They haven ’ t won a championship since @ @ @ @ @ his first loss all year for the Braves , who were trying to celebrate manager @ @ @ @ @ birthday with the franchise ’ s first World Series since 1999 .
But the young @ @ @ @ @ without allowing another run after LA ’ s three-run first .
Game 7 is Sunday @ @ @ @ @ Gonsolin expected to go for the Dodgers against 22-year-old rookie right-hander Ian Anderson , who @ @ @ @ @ innings in his three postseason starts .

ARLINGTON, Texas — Corey Seager homered again, Walker Buehler pitched six scoreless innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers pushed the NL Championship Series to Game 7 with a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.
The Dodgers avoided elimination for the second time in less than 24 hours, and now have a winner-take-all game to try to get to their third World Series in four years. They haven’t won a championship since 1988.
Max Fried took his first loss all year for the Braves, who were trying to celebrate manager Brian Snitker’s 65th birthday with the franchise’s first World Series since 1999. But the young left-hander worked into the seventh without allowing another run after LA’s three-run first.
Game 7 is Sunday night, with right-hander Tony Gonsolin expected to go for the Dodgers against 22-year-old rookie right-hander Ian Anderson, who has thrown 15 2/3 scoreless innings in his three postseason starts.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--4A state cross country: Air Academy freshman Bethany Michalak wins individual title; boys race ends

4A state cross country: Air Academy freshman Bethany Michalak wins individual title; boys race ends in controversy

COLORADO SPRINGS — Bethany Michalak began the cross country season at Air Academy with no expectation to win a state title .
She ’ s just a freshman .
And the Class 4A girls ’ field was stacked .
However , as Michalak came down the final stretch toward the Norris Penrose Events Center here Saturday , she emerged as potentially Colorado ’ s next truly elite high school distance runner — crossing the finish line in 17 minutes , 59.1 seconds to claim the individual championship .
“ It ’ s incredible , ” Michalak said through her mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think I ’ ve fully processed it.
” Schwartz understood the sort of talent his team added when Michalak joined the roster .
Her love for cross country began at an early age , and when she joined a club team in third grade her dedication only intensified .
In December 2018 , at the USATF National Junior Olympic cross country championships , she placed first in the country among girls between ages 11 and 12 .
“ She came into our program with credentials , ” Schwartz said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethic .
We knew she had a shot ( to win state ) all throughout the season .
There ’ s such high-quality competition that you just never know until it ’ s race day .
“ She has a real competitive heart .
I see a level of maturity that you don ’ t always see with kids and just a natural instinct for it.
” Michalak backed up the hype in September at the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede meet , also hosted at Norris Penrose , when she clocked a blazing 5K @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have set a Class 4A state meet record by 12 seconds .
Michalak fell short of history Saturday .
No sweat : “ I have three more years , ” she said .
Michalak added that her teammates have been “ so supportive and they push me.
” The Air Academy girls placed third in the 4A team standings , behind runner-up Battle Mountain and state champion Niwot .
“ I ’ ve just been putting in the work to get to where I am today , ” Michalak said , “ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountain senior Graham Tuohy-Gaydos and Niwot junior Zane Bergen battled for position in the final 200 meters on Saturday when the pair collided during a controversial finish .
Tuohy-Gaydos led the race with Bergen directly behind him when it appeared Tuohy-Gaydos slowed down and collided with Bergen — who fell directly to the dirt .
Tuohy-Gaydos crossed the finish line first , but upon further video review by CHSAA officials , he was disqualified .
Bergen , who got up from his fall and finished the race in second , was later awarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team championship .
“ I knew it was going to be a little bit physical for the entire race , ” Bergen said .
“ I know Graham was trying to keep the front , and coming into that last little bit , I knew I was going to have to take a way around him .
It just didn ’ t work out.
” Bergen was in the medical tent following the race when informed that he actually had won .
“ It turned from sad to happy tears real fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of quarantine , we ’ ve been working hard every day .
It ’ s really paid off.
” 1 .
Kidus Begashaw ( Lotus School for Excellence ) , Sr. , 16:17.8 2 .
Micah Zeller ( Custer County ) , Sr. , 16:47.3 3 .
Connor Williams ( Crested Butte ) , Jr. , 16:50.0 4 .
Dylan Brush ( St. Mary ’ s ) , 17:30.7 5 .
Joel Schluessler ( Peyton ) , Sr. , 17:33.4 6 .
Jodzuel Juarez ( Ellicott ) , Jr. , 17:39.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , So.
, 17:45.3 8 .
Rosston Sherlock ( Buena Vista ) , Sr. , 17:51.5 9 .
Nathan Schluessler ( Peyton ) , So.
, 17:52.1 10 .
Jackson Neppl ( St. Mary ’ s ) , So.
, 17:52.4 1 .
Riley Stewart ( Cherry Creek ) , Jr. , 17:33.8 2 .
Cameron McConnell ( Cherokee Trail ) , Jr. , 18:00.5 3 .
Emma Stutzman ( Pomona ) , So.
, 18:09.1 4 .
Ava Mitchell ( Arapahoe ) , So.
, 18:13.2 5 .
Shelby Balding ( Cherry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Taylor Whitfield ( Valor Christian ) , Sr. , 18:20.7 7 .
Brooke Wilson ( Valor Christian ) , So.
, 18:28.1 8 .
Emily Lamontagne ( Arapahoe ) , So.
, 18:34.3 9 .
Ella Johns ( Fort Collins ) , So.
, 18:40.4 10 .
Addison Price ( Cherry Creek ) , So.
, 18:41.7 1 .
Katelyn Maley ( Basalt ) , So.
, 18:39.0 2 .
Kennedy McDonald ( The Classical Academy ) , Jr. , 19:13.4 3 .
Allison Beasley ( Peak to Peak Charter School ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orstead ( Faith Christian Academy ) , Sr. , 19:23.8 5 .
Sierra Bower ( Basalt ) , Sr. , 19:24.4 6 .
Leah Hill ( DSST Montview ) , Jr. , 19:27.1 7 .
Kylie Simshauser ( Florence ) , Sr. , 19:32.1 8 .
Cassidy McDonald ( The Classical Academy ) , Fr.
, 19:35.1 9 .
Sophia Valentine ( The Classical Academy ) , Jr. , 19:37.5 10 .
Andie Rasmussen ( Eaton ) , Fr.
, 19:43.3 1 .
Ella Johnson ( The Vanguard School ) , Jr. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Jr. , 19:43.7 3 .
Mallory Salazar ( Buena Vista ) , Jr. , 20:19.9 4 .
Sophia Bull ( Denver Christian ) , Jr. , 20:21.5 5 .
Adele Horning ( Lake County ) , So.
, 20:25.7 6 .
Rose Horning ( Lake County ) , Fr.
, 20:30.4 7 .
Zaila Smith ( Buena Vista ) , So.
, 20:46.8 8 .
Quin Gregg ( Lyons ) , Jr. , 21:07.1 9 .
Hannah Thomas ( Lyons ) , Sr. , 21:08.9 10 .
Ruby Pendy ( Crested @ @ @ @ @ @

COLORADO SPRINGS — Bethany Michalak began the cross country season at Air Academy with no expectation to win a state title. She’s just a freshman. And the Class 4A girls’ field was stacked.
However, as Michalak came down the final stretch toward the Norris Penrose Events Center here Saturday, she emerged as potentially Colorado’s next truly elite high school distance runner — crossing the finish line in 17 minutes, 59.1 seconds to claim the individual championship.
“It’s incredible,” Michalak said through her mask after the race. “I don’t think I’ve fully processed it.”
Consider Air Academy coach Chuck Schwartz less surprised.
Schwartz understood the sort of talent his team added when Michalak joined the roster. Her love for cross country began at an early age, and when she joined a club team in third grade her dedication only intensified. In December 2018, at the USATF National Junior Olympic cross country championships, she placed first in the country among girls between ages 11 and 12.
“She came into our program with credentials,” Schwartz said. “She just has a real supreme work ethic. We knew she had a shot (to win state) all throughout the season. There’s such high-quality competition that you just never know until it’s race day.
“She has a real competitive heart. I see a level of maturity that you don’t always see with kids and just a natural instinct for it.”
Michalak backed up the hype in September at the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede meet, also hosted at Norris Penrose, when she clocked a blazing 5K in 17:27.5 — a time that would have set a Class 4A state meet record by 12 seconds.
Michalak fell short of history Saturday. No sweat: “I have three more years,” she said.
Michalak added that her teammates have been “so supportive and they push me.” The Air Academy girls placed third in the 4A team standings, behind runner-up Battle Mountain and state champion Niwot.
“I’ve just been putting in the work to get to where I am today,” Michalak said, “and even farther in the future.”
4A Boys: Niwot’s Bergen, tripped near finish, awarded first place
Green Mountain senior Grahm Tuohy-Gaydos and Niwot junior Zane Bergen battled for position in the final 200 meters on Saturday when the pair collided during a controversial finish.
Tuohy-Gaydos led the race with Bergen directly behind him when it appeared Tuohy-Gaydos slowed down and collided with Bergen — who fell directly to the dirt. Tuohy-Gaydos crossed the finish line first, but upon further video review by CHSAA officials, he was disqualified.
Bergen, who got up from his fall and finished the race in second, was later awarded first place. Niwot also took home the team championship.
“I knew it was going to be a little bit physical for the entire race,” Bergen said. “I know Graham was trying to keep the front, and coming into that last little bit, I knew I was going to have to take a way around him. It just didn’t work out.”
Bergen was in the medical tent following the race when informed that he actually had won.
“It turned from sad to happy tears real fast,” Bergen said. “Since the start of quarantine, we’ve been working hard every day. It’s really paid off.”
Prep cross country
2020 CHSAA state championships at Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs
Distance: 5 kilometers
Boys
Class 5A
Teams: 1. Mountain Vista, 80; 2. Chaparral, 124; 3. Fairview, 144.
1. Parker Wolfe (Cherry Creek), Sr., 15:10.4
2. Ben Conlin (Rampart), Sr., 15:27.0
3. Caleb Boutelle (Pine Creek), Sr., 15:31.0
4. Henry Murphy (Fairview), Sr., 15:41.3
5. Lukas Haug (Boulder), Sr., 15:44.0
6. James Thomas (Broomfield), Sr., 15:47.4
7. Ryan Montera (Legacy), Sr., 15:57.8
8. Ty Garrett (Valor Christian), So., 16:06.3
9. Caden Smith (Cherokee Trail), Sr., 16:06.7
10. Jayden Nats (Mountain Vista), Jr., 16:11.0
Class 4A
Teams: 1. Niwot, 36; 2. Cheyenne Mountain, 63; 3. Centaurus, 96.
1. Zane Bergen (Niwot), Jr., 15:29.5
2. Jackson Shorten (Mountain View), Jr., 15:37.3
3. Zack Gacnik (Conifer), Sr., 15:40.7
4. Grayden Rauba (Niwot), Sr., 15:42.5
5. James Overberg (Centaurus), Sr., 15:43.0
6. Erik Le Roux (Cheyenne Mountain), Jr., 15:46.1
7. Curtis Volf (Niwot), Sr., 15:51.1
8. Scott Prieve (Palmer), Sr., 15:51.9
9. Keegan Caldwell (Mead), Sr., 15:53.0
10. Paul Knight (Durango), Sr., 15:59.0
Class 3A
Teams: 1. Frontier Academy, 48; 2. The Classical Academy, 76; 3. Holy Family, 99.
1. Alex Baca (Gunnison), Sr., 16:07.8
2. Joshua Medina (Alamosa), Sr., 16:09.0
3. Caden Schweer (Severance), Fr., 16:18.2
4. Abuzaid Fanning (Frontier Academy), So., 16:27.0
5. Logan Gullett (Eaton), So., 16:46.5
6. Sylas Chambers (Frontier Academy), Sr., 16:53.3
7. Benedict Siegel (Bishop Machebeuf), Sr., 16:55.8
8. Henry Ilyasova (Manitou Springs), Jr., 16:57.6
9. Gabe Heraty (Pagosa Springs), Sr., 16:58.8
10. Jack Culp (Holy Family), Sr., 16:59.6
Class 2A
Teams: 1. Heritage Christian Academy, 54; 2. Lyons, 59; 3. Peyton, 64.
1. Kidus Begashaw (Lotus School for Excellence), Sr., 16:17.8
2. Micah Zeller (Custer County), Sr., 16:47.3
3. Connor Williams (Crested Butte), Jr., 16:50.0
4. Dylan Brush (St. Mary’s), 17:30.7
5. Joel Schluessler (Peyton), Sr., 17:33.4
6. Jodzuel Juarez (Ellicott), Jr., 17:39.3
7. Cole Thomas (Lyons), So., 17:45.3
8. Rosston Sherlock (Buena Vista), Sr., 17:51.5
9. Nathan Schluessler (Peyton), So., 17:52.1
10. Jackson Neppl (St. Mary’s), So., 17:52.4
Girls
Class 5A
Teams: 1. Cherry Creek, 42; 2. Arapahoe, 82; 3. Valor Christian, 90.
1. Riley Stewart (Cherry Creek), Jr., 17:33.8
2. Cameron McConnell (Cherokee Trail), Jr., 18:00.5
3. Emma Stutzman (Pomona), So., 18:09.1
4. Ava Mitchell (Arapahoe), So., 18:13.2
5. Shelby Balding (Cherry Creek), Jr., 18:20.6
6. Taylor Whitfield (Valor Christian), Sr., 18:20.7
7. Brooke Wilson (Valor Christian), So., 18:28.1
8. Emily Lamontagne (Arapahoe), So., 18:34.3
9. Ella Johns (Fort Collins), So., 18:40.4
10. Addison Price (Cherry Creek), So., 18:41.7
Class 4A
Teams: 1. Niwot, 55; 2. Battle Mountain, 93; 3. Air Academy, 111.
1. Bethany Michalak, (Air Academy), Fr., 17:59.1
2. Mia Prok (Niwot), Fr., 18:02.4
3. Samantha Blair (Eagle Valley), Jr., 18:14.1
4. Ella Johnson (Glenwood Springs), Jr., 18:24.0
5. Aubrey Surage (Lewis-Palmer), Sr., 18:29.6
6. Elliot Pribramsky (Battle Mountain), Sr., 18:52.2
7. Hope Stark (Cheyenne Mountain), Jr., 19:04.0
8. Sophia Connerton-Nevin (Glenwood Springs), So., 19:07.2
9. Madison Shults (Niwot), So., 19:11.7
10. Kiera Shorten (Mountain View), Fr., 19:14.1
Class 3A
Teams: 1. The Classical Academy, 65; 2. Holy Family, 113; 3. Basalt, 121.
1. Katelyn Maley (Basalt), So., 18:39.0
2. Kennedy McDonald (The Classical Academy), Jr., 19:13.4
3. Allison Beasley (Peak to Peak Charter School), Sr., 19:20.3
4. Audrey Orstead (Faith Christian Academy), Sr., 19:23.8
5. Sierra Bower (Basalt), Sr., 19:24.4
6. Leah Hill (DSST Montview), Jr., 19:27.1
7. Kylie Simshauser (Florence), Sr., 19:32.1
8. Cassidy McDonald (The Classical Academy), Fr., 19:35.1
9. Sophia Valentine (The Classical Academy), Jr., 19:37.5
10. Andie Rasmussen (Eaton), Fr., 19:43.3
Class 2A
Teams: 1. Buena Vista, 31; 2. Lake County, 41; 3. Lyons, 93.
1. Ella Johnson (The Vanguard School), Jr., 19:34.5
2. Eowyn Dalbec (Peyton), Jr., 19:43.7
3. Mallory Salazar (Buena Vista), Jr., 20:19.9
4. Sophia Bull (Denver Christian), Jr., 20:21.5
5. Adele Horning (Lake County), So., 20:25.7
6. Rose Horning (Lake County), Fr., 20:30.4
7. Zaila Smith (Buena Vista), So., 20:46.8
8. Quin Gregg (Lyons), Jr., 21:07.1
9. Hannah Thomas (Lyons), Sr., 21:08.9
10. Ruby Pendy (Crested Butte), So., 21:09.7


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--“Home Improvement” actor Zachery Ty Bryan arrested in Oregon

EUGENE , Ore. — Zachery Ty Bryan , the actor who played the oldest son on the long-running 1990s sit-com @ @ @ @ @ arrested in Oregon and faces charges of strangulation and assault .
The Eugene Police Department @ @ @ @ @ a North Eugene apartment Friday night on a report of a physical dispute .
They @ @ @ @ @ sitting outside and his girlfriend , 27 , at a neighboring apartment .
Bryan reportedly @ @ @ @ @ her breathing , and took her phone away when she tried to call 911 , @ @ @ @ @ declined medical assistance .
Bryan was booked into Lane County jail after 1 a.m. Saturday @ @ @ @ @ a possible agent for Bryan was not immediately returned .
It wasn ’ t immediately @ @ @ @ @ lawyer who could speak on his behalf .

EUGENE, Ore. — Zachery Ty Bryan, the actor who played the oldest son on the long-running 1990s sit-com “Home Improvement” was arrested in Oregon and faces charges of strangulation and assault.
The Eugene Police Department said officers were dispatched to a North Eugene apartment Friday night on a report of a physical dispute. They found Bryan, 39, sitting outside and his girlfriend, 27, at a neighboring apartment.
Bryan reportedly assaulted the victim, impeded her breathing, and took her phone away when she tried to call 911, police said. The victim declined medical assistance.
Bryan was booked into Lane County jail after 1 a.m. Saturday.
A message left with a possible agent for Bryan was not immediately returned. It wasn’t immediately known if he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Week 6 NFL Picks: Chiefs, Bills look to bounce back on Monday Afternoon Football

Before Kansas City travels to face the Broncos , it heads to Buffalo on Monday .
Both teams are coming off poor losses — the Chiefs allowed 490 yards to Las Vegas and the Bills were blown out 42-16 at Tennessee .
Losing quarterback Dak Prescott to a season-ending ankle injury has turned the Cowboys into a two-point home underdog .
Quarterback Andy Dalton is in for Prescott and the Cowboys going the veteran backup route could pay off .
The Giants are 0-5 , but are a 2 1/2-point home favorite because at least Big Blue has shown a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dallas .
Don ’ t expect many points — Washington and the Giants are 30th and 32nd , respectively , in yards gained .
Around the NFC : Injuries , schedule could continue San Francisco ’ s downward spiral A first for Seattle .
The Seahawks are 5-0 for the first time in franchise history ( 45th year ) .
Since 1978 , when the NFL went to a 16-game schedule , 62 of the 69 teams to start 5-0 have made the playoffs and 26 have reached the Super Bowl .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to figure out their defense , which is allowing 471.5 yards per game … and also thanking quarterback Russell Wilson for covering for them .
49ers in trouble .
San Francisco ’ s season has cratered thanks to consecutive home losses to Philadelphia ( which was 0-2-1 ) and Miami ( which was 1-3 ) .
The 49ers have 13 players on injured reserve , including Nick Bosa , Solomon Thomas , Richard Sherman and Dee Ford .
And things may get worse .
The 49ers host the Rams on Sunday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Seattle , vs. Green Bay , at New Orleans , at the Rams and vs. Buffalo .
Ouch .
Atlanta cleans house .
Let ’ s put the Falcons , Giants and Jets as the front-runners for Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and it doesn ’ t matter that those teams currently employ Matt Ryan , Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold .
Atlanta ( 0-5 ) fired general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn after its home loss to Carolina .
Falcons owner Arthur Blank mistakenly punted on 2020 way back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sweeping changes .
Rodgers vs. Brady .
Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers ( Green Bay ) and Tom Brady ( Tampa Bay ) face off for only the third time in their careers .
Rodgers won in 2014 ( 26-21 ) and Brady won in 2018 ( 31-17 ) .
Rodgers has 13 touchdowns and no interceptions during the Packers ’ 4-0 start .
Around the AFC : Measuring stick match-up for both Pittsburgh , Cleveland Measuring stick game .
The AFC North has emerged as a three-team powerhouse with Pittsburgh at 4-0 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steelers host the Browns on Sunday .
For the Browns , it ’ s a chance to prove they ’ re for real with first-year coach Kevin Stefanski .
For the Steelers , whose four opponents are a combined 3-15-1 , it ’ s a chance to prove they ’ re for real , too .
Texans need help .
Houston owner Cal McNair waved the white flag on leading a search for a general manager/coach last weekend by reportedly hiring Jed Hughes of Korn Ferry to run his search .
We want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up — make thousands upon thousands of dollars for merely making recommendations .
Back in January 2017 , Jacksonville owner Shad Khan hired Hughes .
Two weeks later , the Jaguars promoted interim coach Doug Marrone , signed general manager Dave Caldwell to an extension and brought back Tom Coughlin to run the football side .
Owners hire guys like Hughes so they can blame somebody when the pick doesn ’ t pan out .
Bell deal backfires .
The Jets gave up on running back Le ’ Veon Bell Tuesday , less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , $ 52.5 million deal ; he made $ 28 million for four touchdowns and signed with Kansas City upon his release .
“ For whatever reason , it didn ’ t work out , ” said coach Adam Gase , who added when asked if Bell was used the right way , “ It ’ s irrelevant at this point.
” The Jets are 0-5 and will continue with quarterback Joe Flacco at Miami on Sunday .
Ownership wanted to hire Gase immediately after he was fired by the Dolphins because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterbacks .
Bad move … again .

Game of the week
Kansas City at Buffalo
Before Kansas City travels to face the Broncos, it heads to Buffalo on Monday. Both teams are coming off poor losses — the Chiefs allowed 490 yards to Las Vegas and the Bills were blown out 42-16 at Tennessee.
Chiefs 38, Bills 27
Upset of the week
Arizona at Dallas
Losing quarterback Dak Prescott to a season-ending ankle injury has turned the Cowboys into a two-point home underdog. Quarterback Andy Dalton is in for Prescott and the Cowboys going the veteran backup route could pay off.
Cowboys 27, Cardinals 24
Lock of the week
Washington at N.Y. Giants
The Giants are 0-5, but are a 2 1/2-point home favorite because at least Big Blue has shown a pulse by losing a close game at Dallas. Don’t expect many points — Washington and the Giants are 30th and 32nd, respectively, in yards gained.
Giants 9, Washington 3
Around the NFC: Injuries, schedule could continue San Francisco’s downward spiral
Around the NFC
A first for Seattle. The Seahawks are 5-0 for the first time in franchise history (45th year). Since 1978, when the NFL went to a 16-game schedule, 62 of the 69 teams to start 5-0 have made the playoffs and 26 have reached the Super Bowl. The Seahawks should spend their bye weekend trying to figure out their defense, which is allowing 471.5 yards per game … and also thanking quarterback Russell Wilson for covering for them.
49ers in trouble. San Francisco’s season has cratered thanks to consecutive home losses to Philadelphia (which was 0-2-1) and Miami (which was 1-3). The 49ers have 13 players on injured reserve, including Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas, Richard Sherman and Dee Ford. And things may get worse. The 49ers host the Rams on Sunday night, followed by games at New England, at Seattle, vs. Green Bay, at New Orleans, at the Rams and vs. Buffalo. Ouch.
Atlanta cleans house. Let’s put the Falcons, Giants and Jets as the front-runners for Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and it doesn’t matter that those teams currently employ Matt Ryan, Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold. Atlanta (0-5) fired general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn after its home loss to Carolina. Falcons owner Arthur Blank mistakenly punted on 2020 way back in January, when he didn’t make sweeping changes.
Rodgers vs. Brady. Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) and Tom Brady (Tampa Bay) face off for only the third time in their careers. Rodgers won in 2014 (26-21) and Brady won in 2018 (31-17). Rodgers has 13 touchdowns and no interceptions during the Packers’ 4-0 start.
Around the AFC: Measuring stick match-up for both Pittsburgh, Cleveland
Around the AFC
Measuring stick game. The AFC North has emerged as a three-team powerhouse with Pittsburgh at 4-0 and Baltimore and Cleveland both 4-1. The Steelers host the Browns on Sunday. For the Browns, it’s a chance to prove they’re for real with first-year coach Kevin Stefanski. For the Steelers, whose four opponents are a combined 3-15-1, it’s a chance to prove they’re for real, too.
Texans need help. Houston owner Cal McNair waved the white flag on leading a search for a general manager/coach last weekend by reportedly hiring Jed Hughes of Korn Ferry to run his search. We want to be like Hughes when we grow up — make thousands upon thousands of dollars for merely making recommendations. Back in January 2017, Jacksonville owner Shad Khan hired Hughes. Two weeks later, the Jaguars promoted interim coach Doug Marrone, signed general manager Dave Caldwell to an extension and brought back Tom Coughlin to run the football side. Owners hire guys like Hughes so they can blame somebody when the pick doesn’t pan out.
Bell deal backfires. The Jets gave up on running back Le’Veon Bell Tuesday, less than 1 1/2 seasons into a four-year, $52.5 million deal; he made $28 million for four touchdowns and signed with Kansas City upon his release. “For whatever reason, it didn’t work out,” said coach Adam Gase, who added when asked if Bell was used the right way, “It’s irrelevant at this point.” The Jets are 0-5 and will continue with quarterback Joe Flacco at Miami on Sunday. Ownership wanted to hire Gase immediately after he was fired by the Dolphins because they were enamored with his reputation for developing quarterbacks. Bad move … again.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Kickin’ It with Kiz: Does NFL have guts to ever make Pats, Broncos or Chiefs forfeit for violation o

Kickin’ It with Kiz: Does NFL have guts to ever make Pats, Broncos or Chiefs forfeit for violation of COVID protocols?

If the NFL wants to get a handle on its schedule , all the league has to do is declare a forfeit when a team is unfit to play due to COVID .
The constant rescheduling of games , in addition to creating chaos , rewards teams that can ’ t control the virus by giving the opportunity to heal injured players .
Faced with a forfeit , teams might take virus protection more seriously .
Kiz : Hey , I feel the pain of Broncomaniacs that felt cheated when their fave team couldn ’ t play at New England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that matter ) .
I caught a plane to Boston last weekend , and all I got out of the trip was three slices of of pizza from Santarpio ’ s .
It was tasty .
But 1,980 miles is a long way to go for takeout .
While commissioner Roger Goodell has warned teams COVID protocol violations could result in forfeiture of games , I ’ d like to see Goodell actually enforce that threat against the Chiefs or Packers during the playoffs .
The dings to the integrity of his cherished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kiz , you are wrong .
The NFL brass are not clowns .
They are vile , disgusting , inhuman , greedy psychopaths .
Kiz : Hey , I don ’ t like all the ticky-tacky flags for roughing the quarterback , either .
But rather than letting the NFL raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels , you wan na help me rake leaves ?
One game of Brett Rypien > Blake Bortles ’ whole NFL career .
Kiz : The Broncos cut Bortles before he could finish a cup of coffee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whatever will he do with the rest of his life ?
Well , as Bortles once said when asked how he would fill his days if not for football : “ Working construction , ripping cigs.
” No , Drew Lock , you don ’ t take Melvin Gordon out for ice cream after he was cited for driving under the influence .
That would reward his reckless , lawless behavior .
You send Gordon to his room without dessert !
Kiz : But … but , mom !
Would it be OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the house , so we can share a quart of Rocky Road on the sofa ?
( At a safe social distance , of course . )
With or without Lock , the Broncos lose against the Patriots .
Kiz : The crew here at Kickin ’ It Headquarters will not be making the return to trip to New England for the third attempt to play Broncos-Patriots .
We ’ ve got pumpkins to carve here in Colorado .
And we ’ re going to save our next trip to Gillette Stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-game fisticuffs between Pats fans are again allowed in the parking lot .
And today ’ s parting shot is best read in a New England accent thick as clam chowder , while imagining a Bostonian irked at me for insisting the Standells sing “ Dirty Water ” as a paean to Dunkin ’ coffee .
Ehhh , Sully O ’ Sullivan — who works the second shift on the Blue Line and thinks Cam Neely is the best power forward the NHL ice has ever seen — might disagree with you , @ @

If the NFL wants to get a handle on its schedule, all the league has to do is declare a forfeit when a team is unfit to play due to COVID. The constant rescheduling of games, in addition to creating chaos, rewards teams that can’t control the virus by giving the opportunity to heal injured players. Faced with a forfeit, teams might take virus protection more seriously.
Steve, Aurora
Kiz: Hey, I feel the pain of Broncomaniacs that felt cheated when their fave team couldn’t play at New England last Sunday (or Monday, for that matter). I caught a plane to Boston last weekend, and all I got out of the trip was three slices of of pizza from Santarpio’s. It was tasty. But 1,980 miles is a long way to go for takeout. While commissioner Roger Goodell has warned teams COVID protocol violations could result in forfeiture of games, I’d like to see Goodell actually enforce that threat against the Chiefs or Packers during the playoffs. The dings to the integrity of his cherished NFL shield might be beyond repair.
Kiz, you are wrong. The NFL brass are not clowns. They are vile, disgusting, inhuman, greedy psychopaths.
Mike, Castle Rock
Kiz: Hey, I don’t like all the ticky-tacky flags for roughing the quarterback, either. But rather than letting the NFL raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, you wanna help me rake leaves?
One game of Brett Rypien > Blake Bortles’ whole NFL career.
Jeromie, saying goodbye
Kiz: The Broncos cut Bortles before he could finish a cup of coffee, much less take a snap. Whatever will he do with the rest of his life? Well, as Bortles once said when asked how he would fill his days if not for football: “Working construction, ripping cigs.”
No, Drew Lock, you don’t take Melvin Gordon out for ice cream after he was cited for driving under the influence. That would reward his reckless, lawless behavior. You send Gordon to his room without dessert!
Kathy, calling timeout
Kiz: But … but, mom! Would it be OK if I invited Lock and Gordon over to the house, so we can share a quart of Rocky Road on the sofa? (At a safe social distance, of course.)
With or without Lock, the Broncos lose against the Patriots.
Roy, kinda sassy
Kiz: The crew here at Kickin’ It Headquarters will not be making the return to trip to New England for the third attempt to play Broncos-Patriots. We’ve got pumpkins to carve here in Colorado. And we’re going to save our next trip to Gillette Stadium until after the pandemic has passed and pre-game fisticuffs between Pats fans are again allowed in the parking lot.
And today’s parting shot is best read in a New England accent thick as clam chowder, while imagining a Bostonian irked at me for insisting the Standells sing “Dirty Water” as a paean to Dunkin’ coffee.
Ehhh, Sully O’Sullivan — who works the second shift on the Blue Line and thinks Cam Neely is the best power forward the NHL ice has ever seen — might disagree with you, Kiz.
Chris, Cleveland