The Denver Broncos are in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, it seems. Cornerback Aqib Talib is healing from a gunshot wound, outside linebacker Von Miller is still absent and unsigned to a long-term contract and the team’s signal caller is far from being declared on the field.
Despite all of that, there seems to be no panic from head coach Gary Kubiak. Maybe that is because they are used to distractions, distractions of all kinds.
“I think if you’re in this league and you’re in this business you are going to deal with distractions,”Kubiak said plainly on Thursday. “That’s part of it. I think the key is you deal with them openly and honestly with your players but you keep working. There are things going on and there are some guys out, this and that. We’d love to have Von [Miller] here right now. All those things are going on but have nothing to do with when the whistle blows and we go to work. Our work has been good. Our focus has been good.”
“Remember our team dealt with a lot to start the [2015] season? That’s what I remind them of. Derek Wolfe was out [due to suspension] for a month, T.J. [Ward] missed the opening game [due to suspension], our offensive line, hell we had all kinds of things going on so that’s part of football. You deal with it, you have confidence in what you’re doing, you keep pushing forward and don’t let things drag you down.”
As for the major distractions. Kubiak briefly commented on all three Thursday, starting with Talib. “I got nothing new for you today. He was evaluated yesterday,” Kubiak said. “As of now nothing has changed.”
“I got nothing new for you today. He was evaluated yesterday,” Kubiak said. “As of now nothing has changed.”
Yesterday, ESPN”s Adam Schefter broke the news that Miller had turned down a six-year, $114.5 million deal and while reports differ, it seems both sides are still working toward a solution prior to the July 15th franchise tag deadline.
“I’m still optimistic. I think both sides are working really hard,” the coach said of the attempts to sign Miller long-term. “Negotiations are a part of business.”
Lastly, the on-field distraction of a quarterback competition is new to the Broncos in the offseason following Peyton Manning’s retirement. Kubiak detailed his thoughts on the importance of progress, Mark Sanchez’ in particular, and how he expects the other two quarterbacks to fall in line.
“There is no time for leeway. There’s really not,” he said of the importance of each practice. “[Sanchez] has to play really good for this team and he is capable of doing that. We are going to hold him, Trevor [Siemian] and Paxton [Lynch] to that standard for our team and work the hell of them,” he said.
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips also echoed head coach and friend Kubiak’s sentiments Thursday afternoon and detailed how the roster, in particular, has proven that they can weather any amount of off-field storm in order to get better between the lines.
“No, we come out and practice,” Phillips answered when asked about if the team let’s off-field issues negatively impact play. “This is a great group that way. That is why they were successful last year. We had guys that didn’t play, we missed guys for four games last year. Those types of things came up. We just go forward, work hard, try to do the right things and good things happen.”
Although the Broncos are used to being in the spotlight, they likely are looking forward to the break coming up. The Broncos will finish up offseason workouts next week and despite the glowing confidence in his team’s ability to focus, Kubiak is undoubtingly looking forward to a quiet couple of weeks. They will reconvene for training camp and the “start” of the 2016 season.
