Gary Kubiak is in all likelihood , as one by one, other potential candidates see the writing on the wall and drop out.
He’s the right man for the job — regardless of what Peyton Manning decides to do.
This should be a long-term decision, based on the future, not simply the present.
If Manning returns to play quarterback at age 39, great. He’ll be just fine working side-by-side with Kubiak, who’s a terrific X’s and O’s coach and an excellent communicator. I can’t believe Manning would retire simply because Adam Gase is no longer in the film room with him. Manning will decide to come back or hang up his No. 18 jersey based on his physical and emotional state, not who the coach is.
And if Manning retires, Kubiak is the perfect man to help groom the next Broncos quarterback and instill a new offense.
If you saw the Baltimore Ravens’ game plan against the Patriots in last week’s AFC divisional playoff game, you saw a creative and gutsy offense. As offensive coordinator, Kubiak helped lead the Ravens to their highest offensive ranking in 17 years. Under Kubiak, the Ravens set a franchise record for points scored (409).
Kubiak’s ability to install and scheme a quality running game is his calling card. Remember those beautiful stretch running plays that helped make Terrell Davis a Hall of Fame finalist? Kubiak played a huge role in that.
I got to know Kubiak when I covered the Broncos during most of his tenure as offensive coordinator from 1995-2005. He’s usually a soft-spoken man, but that hides his ultra-competitive nature.
It was always my contention that the Broncos under head coach Mike Shanahan went south quickly because Kubiak departed. When Shanahan ran too hot, Kubiak was the buffer between Shanny and his players, particularly quarterback Jake Plummer.
I think Kubiak and John Elway share a common vision. They know what it takes to win a Super Bowl — with or without Manning.
Kubiak is the best man for the job. And it appears he’ll get it.
Chew on this
• In case you missed it: Buster Olney, ESPN’s fine national baseball writer, says the Rockies have the and the So, what’s missing? Oh yeah, a little something called pitching. Note to the folks at 20th and Blake: It’s kind of important.
• Is this the kiss of death? All-star first baseman Anthony Rizzo is talking up the Cubs — big time. Not only is he predicting a division title, he’s talking World Series.
According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com, Rizzo set the bar incredibly high when talking to some kids at Jacob Beidler Elementary School in Chicago.
“We’re going to play and we’re going to win the NL Central, you can quote me on that,” Rizzo said. “We should be the team, with all due respect to every other team, we’re going to do some things this year. That’s what we’re going to put our sights on and we’re not going to accept anything else.
“It (winning the World Series) will be fun. Once we do, we’re going to figure out how we’re going to do it again.”
Maybe someone should remind Mr. Rizzo of the Cubs’ history. They haven’t won a World Series since 1908, and having played in the Fall Classic since 1945.
• Can we finally, completely and totally put to rest rumors that Troy Tulowitzki will end up in a New York Mets uniform? Somehow the rumor keeps on living, usually linking Tulo with a deal that would send pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard to Colorado.
Here’s the final nail in the coffin, as reported by the at the Major League Baseball owners meetings in Arizona:
Even if the Mets want to trade Syndergaard, it has to be for more of something — let’s say, six years of Troy Tulowitzki if the Rockies relent on their asking price.
Which doesn’t seem likely, by the way.
When I told Rockies co-owner Charlie Monfort how much Mets fans would like Tulowitzki, Monfort responded, “It’s not happening.”
• Today’s birthday: Angels slugger Albert Pujols was born in 1980 in the Dominican Republic. That makes him 35 years old. There are many in baseball, however, who think Pujols is actually 37 or 38. And, truth be told, he played like a 38-year-old at the end of last season.
Patrick Saunders: psaunders@denverpost.com or
