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The Greatest Broncos of All Time....By The Numbers -- #8

Mhrgoat_-_8_medium

The Candidates -

Matt Mauck QB 2004
Todd Husak QB 2001
Jeff Lewis QB 1996-97
Tommy Maddox QB 1992-93
Gary Kubiak QB 1983-91

Five different quarterbacks have worn the #8 in Denver, all five primarily backups during their careers.  Some have been vilified, one because he was drafted to replace a legend well before his time (Maddox), while another showed promise until a pickup basketball game got in the way (Lewis). 

However, one #8 stands out from the crowd.   From trusted teammate to respected coach, Gary Kubiak was the consummate professional.  Seemingly comfortable in the shadow of greatness, Kubiak was a calming influence both as a backup and a coach to John Elway. He later tutored a series of quarterbacks including Brian Griese and Jake Plummer.

Star-divide

A quick trivia question.  What quarterback was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1983? 

The Answer - Gary Kubiak.  Try it in a bar some night with your Broncos Fan friends.  You'll get someone to bite.  Kubiak was drafted in the 8th round that year, the same year the team acquired the rights to John Elway in a trade with the Baltimore Colts.  Destined to be linked forever, Kubiak relished in the role as a mentor and friend to Elway, especially in the early years when things didn't always go so well for #7.   While Kubiak didn't see all that much action in his time as a quarterback from 1983-1991(14 touchdowns and 1,920 yards in nine seasons), Broncos fans will always remember Kubiak's stellar performance against the Buffalo Bills in the 1991 AFC Championship Game. 

Appearing in his last NFL game as a player, Kubiak entered the game for an injured Elway with the Broncos trailing 10-0.  Kubiak quickly led the Broncos on an 85-yard TD drive.  After recovering the onside kick, Kubiak was moving the troops again before a Steve Sewell fumble ended the comeback.

After retiring, Kubiak returned to his alma mater, Texas A&M, to coach running backs (1992-1993).  He returned to the NFL in 1994 as the QB coach in San Francisco, working under then-49er Offensive Coordinator Mike Shanahan.  When Shanahan was hired as coach of the Broncos in 1995, Kubiak came with him, becoming the Offensive Coordinator and reuniting with John Elway.

In 11 seasons under Kubiak, the Broncos offense amassed 66,501 total yards and 465 touchdowns, the most in the NFL during that span. He has coached 14 different Broncos that made the Pro Bowl, including running back Terrell Davis, who was named the NFL MVP in 1998.  Three different quarterbacks earned Pro Bowl honors as well, with Elway, Brian Griese and Jake Plummer enjoying their best seasons under Kubiak.  Kubiak earned three Super Bowl rings in his time as an assistant coach, is one of just 15 NFL coaches to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises (San Francisco, 1994) and one of just nine to win a title with a team from each conference.

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via media.rockymountainnews.com

Kubiak left the Broncos after the 2005 season to return home to Texas.  As Head Coach of the Houston Texans, Kubiak again appears to have a team on the right track.  The Texans seemed prime to make a run at the playoffs in the near future, and from we have seen from Kubiak he'll have them there.

Whether it was his actions while wearing the #8 or his contributions after he hung his jersey up for the last time, Gary Kubiak has had a huge effect on the Denver Broncos.  For that, Gary Kubiak is the Greatest Bronco ever to wear the snowman.

3 recs  |  Comment 15 comments |

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I dunno

Lewis is the only one to win a Superbowl, while wearing #8……

lol, just kidding.
Man, I wish Kubes was around to mentor Jay, though McDaniels is pretty good at that from what I gather.

Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960

by Darin H on Mar 10, 2009 12:34 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Kubiak

Could have been the starter on half the teams in the NFL during the 80’s (IMO).

You can observe a lot just by watching. Yogi Berra

by bradley on Mar 10, 2009 12:41 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Nice writeup

I had no idea they drafted him the same year they acquired Elway. Wasn’t he also the primary holder for kicks during his time?

by appleshampoo on Mar 10, 2009 1:12 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

....

but who will be #9?

by Jezru on Mar 10, 2009 1:31 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I was always curious

How the hell did Kubes get injured, I remember he retired due to an injury. Does anyone know?

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"McDaniels must go!" - Broncoman

by Broncoman on Mar 10, 2009 1:34 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I think he hurt his back broncoman-----Great writeup Guru, loved Kub as a player & a coach

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Mar 10, 2009 2:17 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

That was my recolection, but I always wondered how

I don’t remember it in a game or anything like that, I just remember he came out and said he was injured and was retiring.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"McDaniels must go!" - Broncoman

by Broncoman on Mar 10, 2009 3:19 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I remember it being his back-----but I can't remember how,

my memory is getting faulty with age, I don’t have altimers—-just sometimers —lol

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Mar 10, 2009 4:01 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

My fondest Kubiak memory

was him beating the Raiders on the road in his 2nd season.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Mar 10, 2009 2:16 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

That was a great OT win

Especially when Marc Wilson had the faders on the Bronco 8 earely in OT and the faders decided to run the rock and Dennis Smith forced a Marcus Allen to fumble the ball. The teams went back and forth until Wilson threw a pick to Steve Wilson. Where as everyone was thinking Denver would tie the Raiders Wilsons pick led to a Karlis kick with no time left.

by daninsd on Mar 10, 2009 2:20 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

My vote is for Matt Mauck...

kidding of course, why is he even mentioned?

by Vandylaxn21 on Mar 10, 2009 3:52 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Great props for Kubes!!

I will always remember him as an unusually likeable backup. He knew Elway was the man and was always a complete pro about it. When I first saw him calling in plays from the sideline as a player, I felt there was something very distinctive and special about him. His implementation of Shanahan’s offense is SO fun to watch. Texans are very lucky to have him. And if coach McD doesn’t work out, I would take Kubes back with open arms.

"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy...Just solid guy not souper star break you bank. I turn guy." - Horvil Tiki

by broncosmontana on Mar 10, 2009 4:02 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

by "calling in plays"

I of course meant “relaying plays”… ; )

"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy...Just solid guy not souper star break you bank. I turn guy." - Horvil Tiki

by broncosmontana on Mar 10, 2009 4:03 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Who could say a bad word about Kubiak?

It was a sad day when he retired but not nearly so sad as when he left for the Texans! We could sure use him now!!

by Whidbey Bronco on Mar 10, 2009 7:01 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Kubiak is a genious

He made Plummer into a winner who took his team to the AFC Championship. It doesn’t make much to make Peyton Manning into a winner, but making Jake Plummer into one is quite a feat.

I have to admit that a part of me wanted to go after Kubiak when Shanahan was fired.

by gyldenlove on Mar 11, 2009 10:51 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

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