New Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase is 34 years old, and is calling plays for the first time.
The fact he’s calling them for a 36-year-old quarterback in Peyton Manning who has effectively been calling his own since Gase was in college doesn’t faze the recently promoted quarterbacks coach.
“I absolutely think I’m ready and I’m not nervous about calling plays,” Gase said Thursday, in comments distribute by the team. “You have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time as your quarterback — I’m excited. I’m thrilled to be able to have that opportunity.
“We’re looking to go pedal to the metal and play as fast as possible and be aggressive and score as many points as possible every game.”
The Broncos had enough confidence in Gase to promote him quickly, opting for continuity, and developing what was installed by former coordinator Mike McCoy and Manning this year.
And while he’s younger and not nearly as well-known as the guy he’s in charge of now, Gase doesn’t give the impression of being in awe.
“Peyton Manning wants to be coached,” Gase said. “He does a great job of, when you give him a play, if it needs to be better, he does a great job of putting you in that play. It’s the best situation possible for a guy calling plays. If you call something and it’s not good, he fixes it and puts you in a better play. That’s what he does that’s so great that I don’t think people admire enough. That’s why you don’t see a lot of bad plays with him.”
Asked if Manning ever ran out of questions, Gase replied: “That would be a firm ‘No.’
“When he asks questions, you’re sitting there going, ‘Gosh, that’s a great question.’ You’re sitting there thinking, you almost want to say to yourself, ‘Why didn’t I think of that? That’s a great question to ask.’ You’ve got to find answers. If you don’t know the answers that second, you better go investigate and find out what the answers are.”
The Broncos had opportunities to bring in more experienced coaches, but the trust they’re putting in Gase is a sign of the respect the young Gase has earned in a short time.