McClain: Kubiak offense can work if Broncos had better QB play
Dec 20, 2016, 8:53 PM | Updated: Dec 21, 2016, 6:24 am
When searching for answers to the Denver Broncos offensive woes, at least one longtime NFL reporter familiar with the Gary Kubiak offense says to look less at what’s inside the playbook and more at who’s on the field.
John McClain, who’s covered the NFL for the Houston Chronicle for nearly four decades, told Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan’s “The Drive” on Tuesday that the issue with the club’s offense isn’t the scheme but rather the personnel — specifically at quarterback.
When asked if the Kubiak offense could still work in today’s league, McClain said, “Of course.”
Of why it’s not for Denver, he said:
“The problem is, they don’t have a quarterback yet. They’ve got a seventh-round pick, and they’ve got a young guy who’s not ready to play,” McClain said, referring to Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch. “It’s funny how that works, isn’t it?”
McClain, who covered Kubiak during his tenure in Houston from 2006 to 2013, also said Denver’s offensive strategy took a hit when running back C.J. Anderson went down with a meniscus tear following the club’s win over the Texans in late October.
“It’s a quarterback-friendly offense — relies on the bootleg, a lot of play-action. It hurt them when Anderson went on injured reserve after that Texans game,” McClain said. “So, (Kubiak) doesn’t have the running game, and he doesn’t have the quarterback. Other than that, it’s fine.”
Still, McClain said he was “kind of surprised” that the Broncos may not get into the postseason, even if through the wild card, though it did not come as a shock that the team was in this predicament with the offense’s struggles.
Said McClain, if the Broncos do not earn a spot in this year’s postseason: “That’ll just make them more motivated for next season.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
