Despite his diminutive stature, Alex Gibbs had a way of commanding offensive linemen – mountainous men who often outweighed him by more than double. “He was a short Napoleon,” former Broncos tight end Clarence Kay told Gil Whiteley on Mile High Sports AM 1340 on Tuesday. But despite that small size, Gibbs has a reputation that is alive and well today, just like his zone-blocking scheme, with the Denver Broncos.
Gibbs is currently a consultant for the team, but his real impact is seen on a day-to-day basis as new offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, who came up through the coaching ranks under Gibbs, employs Gibbs’ innovative zone-blocking scheme.
Kay, who himself played an important role in that scheme as a blocking tight end for the Broncos from 1984-92, told Whiteley that Dennison will have the offensive line – a line that has been the subject of much conversation and doubt – ready to go in short order.
“Alex is one of the best motivators that I ever played for,” recalls Kay. “He always got the best out of the talent that he had.”
Dennison is cut from the same cloth, and his offensive line – while young – is loaded with talent. If Kay’s logic holds, the Broncos offensive line could surprise some of their naysayers this year, and will certainly be a quality unit for the years to come. Gibbs may be small, but his legacy is large, just like the offensive lineman, upon whom much of this season depends.
Listen to the full interview with Clarence Kay, including who doled out the biggest hits of his career, in the podcast below.
Listen to Gil Whiteley every weekday from 11a-1p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or Listen Live anytime for the best local coverage of what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports.
