Horse Tracks: Kubiak is impressed with Falcons' offense

Good Morning, Broncos Country.

The NFL has a long lineage of coaching trees.  Like our genealogical records, you can trace back a long ways to see where coaches got their feet wet and who learned from who.

When the Denver Broncos square off against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend, two men calling the plays will be quite familiar with one another.

Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak was the tutor and mentor for Kyle Shanahan, who is the offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons.  Shanahan had the opportunity to learn from Kubiak and served in a myriad of roles under him during their time together with the Houston Texans.

Shanahan started off as a wide receivers coach, then was promoted to quarterbacks coach and eventually became the offensive coordinator the last three years of Kubiak's time in Houston before setting sail to unite with his father and former Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan with the Washington Redskins in 2013.

Shanahan's efficacy as a coach and play caller has grown tremendously over the years, and Kubiak couldn't be more impressed with what he has put together in Atlanta so far this season.

"Kyle is as sharp of a guy as I have ever worked with. He’s exceptional at attacking defenses and knowing what he wants to get done. We all know how he grew up and being around ball all the time," stated Kubiak.

Football is a part of Shanahan's blood and his knowledge of the game undoubtedly came from his father, who won two Super Bowls with the Broncos.  He was afforded the extraordinary privilege of getting to be around the game day in and day out.  Such is the life of a young man whose father, at the time, was considered the offensive mastermind of football.

"He’s great with players and knows how to get guys the ball. You see what he did yesterday. Obviously they’re off to a hot start. The quarterback is playing extremely well," added Kubiak.

The Broncos know that the Falcons' offense is extremely potent and powerful.  After getting home late after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Broncos will be preparing diligently throughout the week in order to stop one of the league's most prolific offenses, led by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, who are off to exceptional starts to the 2016 season.

"I know they’re really good. I know some guy had 300 yards catching yesterday, he’s pretty good. We have our hands full. [Falcons Offensive Coordinator] Kyle [Shanahan] is doing a great job with them. They’re exceptional right now, top of the league. We understand all that," said Kubiak.

After the Falcons' complete evisceration of the Panthers on Sunday, the Broncos will need to come up with a unique game plan that centers around putting pressure on yet another first-round draft pick at quarterback (Ryan), which can hopefully throw off the chemistry he has with All-Pro wide receiver Jones.

Denver can't afford to ignore their rushing prowess either, as Devontae Freeman and Tevin Coleman have solidified themselves as one of the league's best rushing duos.

It'll be a big test for the Broncos, but it certainly won't be anything they can't handle.  They have the home field advantage and the momentum of four consecutive wins behind their sails to help carry them to victory, and I look forward to them achieving yet another win this weekend.

As always, thank you for reading and here is today's offering of Horse Tracks.

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