Broncos set to ‘handle business’ until Kubiak’s return
Oct 11, 2016, 12:00 AM
As the Denver Broncos prepared Monday for its upcoming divisional game against the San Diego Chargers, head coach Gary Kubiak unsurprisingly was in the thoughts of not only many around the Denver area but especially those in the UCHealth Training Center locker room.
Thoughts and prayers filled the quote sheets, along with worry of the play caller’s health and relief about his prognosis.
Kubiak spent Sunday evening in an area hospital after leaving Sports Authority Field at Mile High by ambulance following Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons with what was described then as “flu-like symptoms.”
The team revealed Monday morning that Kubiak had been diagnosed with a “complex migraine condition,” which kept in the hospital overnight for evaluation and will keep him on the sideline this week for some much needed rest and recovery.
But, in the quickly moving world the NFL (made even quicker this week by a Thursday Night Football matchup on the road), Denver turned back to the practice field Monday with Kubiak in mind.
“We know that coach ‘Kube’ wants us to prepare the way that we’ve been all year,” said tight end Virgil Green. “Knock the bumps off from the last game and just get better and go out there and have fun on Thursday.”
Cornerback Chris Harris said the team needs to step up during this quick turn around and take on this ever-important AFC West challenge.
“We all know that we have a job and a responsibility that we need to do. We need to continue to handle our business for the season,” Harris said. “We know this is a championship game. Any time you play a divisional game, we treat these like a championship. We know this is a huge game for us.”
Denver will meet that task with special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis at the helm as interim head coach.
General manager John Elway said the club felt DeCamillis was the “least disruptive” option, championing the coach’s close involvement with Kubiak during game management situations.
“I really felt it was going to be a seamless transition with Joe stepping in,” Elways said. “With ‘Rico’ (Rick Dennison) on the offensive side and Wade (Phillips) on the defensive side, I didn’t want to load their books up any more than they’re already loaded up. After yesterday, we’ve got some things that we’ve got to get turned around and get ready to play on Thursday.”
DeCamillis said the team will need to have a “really short memory” to move on from the Atlanta game and focus on a San Diego (1-4) he believe could easily be 4-1.
“It’s a heck of a challenge for us going in. We have to strap up our boots and get ready to roll, quick,” DeCamillis said.
Several players Monday pointed to DeCamillis’ energy and fire that could serve as a boost in a short week for a team coming off its first loss season and the temporary loss of its head coach.
“I think it’s going to be great. ‘Joe-D’ has a lot of energy,” Green said. “It’s infectious, his energy. I think that’s going to rub off on a lot of guys and we’re going to go out there and play hard, regardless.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.