Denver Broncos Greats ... By The Numbers - Behind Every Great Quarterback Is A Great Backup

by John Bena on Mar 25, 2011 11:01 AM MDT in Denver Broncos Greats...By The Numbers

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
Kyle Orton QB 2008-09

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.

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.

Perhaps the most dramatic numbers regarding Kubiak is the Broncos record with and without him on the coaching staff:

The Broncos were 114-62(.647) with Kubiak running the offense from 1995-2005.
From 1995-98, with John Elway at quarterback, the Broncos were 47-17(.734).
From 1999-2005, when Elway retired until Kubiak left for Houston, the Broncos were 67-45(.598) with Brian Griese Jake Plummer and a host of others taking snaps at QB.
From 2006-2008, with Plummer and Jay Cutler playing quarterback, the Broncos were just 24-24(.500)

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.

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Comments

Always Loved Kubes

Shame he and Shanny’s Ego couldn’t get along…He did amazing things with Jake Plummer!

Davis and Smith to the Hall!

"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 25, 2011 11:12 AM MDT reply actions

never heard that...

i always thought that shanahan and kubiak got along great. i even remember kubiak choosing to stay on a couple of years at denver rather than interviewing for HC jobs. not so much though?

I'm not sugarcoating this.

by oxmouth on Mar 25, 2011 11:44 AM MDT up reply actions

For the most part they did

Shanny got bent out of shape when he went to interview in Houston. I will find the link though and post it

Davis and Smith to the Hall!

"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 25, 2011 5:05 PM MDT up reply actions

Kubiak and Shanahan got along fine.

Kubiak left because at the time Shanny was likely the Broncos Head Coach for the next 30 years and Kubiak could not turn down the Texans offer to be a Head Coach. But if I’m mistaken I would love to see a link.

"If we cannot find a way, we will make one." -Hannibal

by AvalancheRescueDog on Mar 25, 2011 1:28 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm sure you're right

Plus, Kubiak always wanted the Houston job. That’s his home. All his family is there – Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters etc.

What I am truly interested in is whether God had any choice in the creation of the world.
Albert Einstein

by bradley on Mar 25, 2011 3:09 PM MDT up reply actions

Kubiak was and always will be

a professional. I have full respect for the man. Great choice for the #8 honors.

Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.

by Sean in Pa. on Mar 25, 2011 11:20 AM MDT reply actions

How is Matt Mauck a candidate

but not Kyle Orton?

follow me on Twitter!!: @MHR_Sayre and @BigTenBlogger

Also, if you ever want to lose at Madden or NBA 2k games, you can find me on XBOX at SayreB111589

by Sayre Bedinger on Mar 25, 2011 11:41 AM MDT reply actions

Hahaha

I knew something was wrong… How could I not catch that?? LOL

Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.

by Sean in Pa. on Mar 25, 2011 11:49 AM MDT up reply actions

lol

follow me on Twitter!!: @MHR_Sayre and @BigTenBlogger

Also, if you ever want to lose at Madden or NBA 2k games, you can find me on XBOX at SayreB111589

by Sayre Bedinger on Mar 25, 2011 12:13 PM MDT up reply actions

Can there really be any other choice?

Kubiak is the great eight.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Mar 25, 2011 11:50 AM MDT reply actions

Id put Orton at a solid 2nd

But Kubiak takes the cake

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"Leadership is like porn, you know it when you see it. In this case, Tebow is a pornstar."
-BroncoPH

by Calikula on Mar 25, 2011 12:24 PM MDT reply actions

We in Houston, Tx feel Orton got slighted

However there are some that hope Kubiak can exploit that friendship with Elway in an effort to trade up to #2 to grab Von Miller. I am not one of those people. I’m firmly in the camp of either drafting Julio Jones at #11 or trade back

Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid

by The Night Owl on Mar 25, 2011 12:44 PM MDT reply actions

I'd love to trade back with you guys and take Aldon Smith or Corey Liuget

You sure you don’t wanna trade… you could get yourself a dominant 3-4 pass rusher for your new DC (another former Broncos coach :p)

On a serious note though, how do you guys feel about the all the trade talks of the Broncos and Texans swapping Dumervil and Williams. I haven’t heard any rumors in a while but it still an intriguing option to me.

And now for something completely different

by AlbertaBronc on Mar 25, 2011 1:16 PM MDT up reply actions

We're not giving up Williams

Wade sees him as the next Bruce Smith, which works for his version of the 3-4

Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid

by The Night Owl on Mar 25, 2011 11:41 PM MDT up reply actions

Some of us aren't that high on Aldon Smith

I’m definitely not high on Quinn with the whole benign brain tumor issue plus other red flags. Has bust or broke written all over him. Truthfully, I’d rather take Julio Jones to give Andre a scary #2 WR (and his new apprentice) & push Walter into the slot (where he belongs & where he should be best at), then draft Dontay Moch in the 2nd, or trade back with the Patriots & grab Phil Taylor at #17 & get their #60 (plus more if possible).

Martez Wilson is another guy on our radar in the second round if they decide to move Cushing back out to SOLB or Bruce Carter in the third if they want to keep Cushing inside or add to depth. Alex Henery is a guy I see us going after in the 5th round cause of his usefulness & versatility, not to mention I don’t see him making it back to us in the 6th.

Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid

by The Night Owl on Mar 25, 2011 11:57 PM MDT up reply actions

I haven't watched anything on Smith personally

but I haven’t heard much bad either. The more I think about it though, I don’t like his size much and would rather reach for a tackle. Quinn I used to be high on but I’m not anymore. I’d go after Acho in the 2nd.

Moch is a great athlete but he’s not very polished and there’s a good chance he could be available in the 3rd anyways. As a 4-3 team looking for a MIKE, I’m not overly high on Wilson but he would be perfect as a MAC in a 3-4. I don’t think Carter can play SAM RUSH since he’s not a pass rusher. He seems better suited inside then outside in a 3-4. If you guys are looking for a RUSH in the 2nd or 3rd, one guy who might be interesting to check out is Chris Carter from Fresno State. He’s a small, speedy LB who would be perfect as a WILL in a 3-4.

And personally, I get the gut feeling that Jones will be a better receiver then Green in the NFL. When I sat down and watched tape of Peterson, I actually ended up falling in love with Jones as I watched him burn Peterson a fair few times. He’s gonna be special and I’d be shocked if he falls to you. I don’t think he’ll make it out of the top 10.

And now for something completely different

by AlbertaBronc on Mar 26, 2011 10:17 AM MDT up reply actions

We wouldn't be looking at Carter as a rush OLB, he'd probably be at SOLB more in a coverage role

Whereas we would love Wilson inside next to Demeco & Cushing back out at SOLB with Barwin & Anderson (and possibly Moch) competing or rotating at the WOLB. We also believe that Washington will be the only team before us that might draft Julio Jones, but they could have Newton or Gabbert fall into their laps leaving them with a tough choice between a top flight WR or a QB of the future. My gut tells me if Jones does fall to #11, Kubiak just might get a call from Belicheck looking to trade up for him, even though that’s not the Hoodie’s M.O., but that’s just my gut feeling. If that’s the case, we might gladly trade back to grab either Phil Taylor or Stephen Paea, not to mention stockpile some much needed picks.

Also we are firmly against anyone from Fresno State due to the the QB known to us as Mittens or Zoolander (you may know him as David Carr)

Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid

by The Night Owl on Mar 26, 2011 3:31 PM MDT up reply actions