Plan A has not changed. “Kicking and screaming” is still expected. Returning to and winning the is always the objective.
The Broncos have long held lofty goals that were instilled by owner Pat Bowlen and, over the last six years, carried out by general manager .
John Fox was shown the door after four consecutive AFC West titles. On Monday, when resigned after two seasons and left the Broncos hunting for his replacement, those expectations were implicitly raised again.
Over the past two seasons, playoffs included, the Broncos went 24-11, won a Super Bowl and had the league’s leading defense one year and the best defense against the pass in both years. They won with an injured , an inexperienced , little-known and a rookie at quarterback.
When Kubiak decided to step down after a 9-7 season in large part because of health issues, the Broncos lost more than a game-planner and a quarterback guru.
Ask inside linebacker : “He showed me how to be a man. He showed me how to be tough, how to fight through adversity with football and outside of football. And he taught me to cherish your family, to love your family. … I respect him a lot. A lot of love. I’ll never forget those things that he’s done.”
And Von Miller, the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 MVP, said: “With Coach Kubiak, he had this light, especially with me. It felt like he had confidence in me and that he trusted me. It felt like he wanted me to be the leader of this team. He came at a perfect time in my career.”
And cornerback : “He took care of us and made sure that everyone was accountable. Thatap whatap always going to stick out for me.”
And linebacker : “I’ve got all the love in the world for Kubiak. He chose me. I hope he finds what he wants to do now in his life and I hope he finds happiness.”
Ask safety , too: “He’s a great man and a true loyal guy. We’re going to miss him a great deal. Thatap our leader.”
And receiver : “Coach Kubiak always wanted for you to work hard for your brothers, the organization and he takes care of you. That was one of the big things; he made sure we were ready for the game health-wise. You just made sure that you went out and played for him and he took care of you.”
When players past and present speak of Kubiak, his work on the sideline isn’t mentioned first. And for coaches at any level of any sport, thatap a rarity.
The Broncos, have one of, if not the most, coveted set-up for head coach No. 16: Elway in the front office, a great defense that is still largely intact, and a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Thomas and .
But taking over for head coach No. 15 will be no easy feat.
