Kubiak may want Manning to watch more from the pine

Gary Kubiak may try to do the impossible in 2015; bench Peyton Manning.

Kubiak spoke during the AFC coaches meetings in Arizona about potentially asking Manning to rest his body more during the season. “I think as a coach you have to make those suggestions to players but sometimes with the great ones, the reason they’re great is you have to battle them on things like that because they’re used to being a part of it every day.”

Manning has already started missing practice time in recent years in an effort to save his body, but he hasn’t missed hardly any time on the field. When the Broncos have a substantial lead in the third or fourth quarter it may be time to set Manning down and let his potential successor finish games.

Kubiak also seems excited to work with Brock.

“He’s got a bunch of ability. He’s a big, strong kid. He’s smart, he can move around.” Kubiak said. “Now I’ve got a chance to get my hands on him and work with him. But what I’m so impressed with is how excited he is. Wanting to get going, wanting to play. I know he wants to be a part of the Broncos’ organization. He sees himself as a starter, that’s the most important thing, and that’s what you want. His opportunity is going to come at some point, and it’s our job to make sure he’s ready to go. And it’s his job. I always tell young players nobody knows if you’re taking care of your business until you’re thrown in the fire.”

Kubiak may know a thing or two about resting aging Quarterbacks. “I went through the same process with John (Elway) late in his career, and it was a battle for me and Mike (Shanahan) to do some things with him.”

Denver went 14-2 in Elway’s final season in 1998 when Elway only started 12 games for the Broncos. Elway’s backup Bubby Brister, threw for 986 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions leading the Broncos to a 4-0 record in the Hall of famer’s absence.

No one is advocating for Brock to start games over Manning, but you can’t argue the results the Broncos had in Elway’s Super Bowl MVP season.