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With ghosts and night animals as witnesses, Broncos backup QB Kevin Hogan ready if called upon

"I've been in situations – last year (with the Cleveland Browns) I went in in three or four games and it's, 'Hey, throw your helmet on and go in,''' Hogan said. "It can happen. Quarterback is one of the greatest positions in sports. And it's my job so I have to make sure I'm ready.''
Credit: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Quarterback Kevin Hogan #9 of the Denver Broncos throws as he warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 4, 2018 in Denver, Colorado.

ENGLEWOOD – The ghost of Jim Rinker can attest to the diligence of backup quarterback Kevin Hogan.

So, can the hawks, rabbits, field mice, raccoons and other night creatures lurking around the Broncos’ UCHealth Training Center headquarters.

It was dark out Wednesday, a good half hour after sunset and nearly two hours after his teammates had gone home for the day when Hogan dragged the large passing tent onto a Broncos’ practice field.

“I didn’t think anyone had seen me,’’ Hogan said. “I thought everyone was gone by then.’’

Ah, but at Broncos’ headquarters, someone is always watching. There have been longtime staff employees who swear to the ghost sightings of Rinker, the Broncos’ former facilities manager who had his ashes buried beneath the flag poles planted outside the front lobby.

The ghost of Rinker, nocturnal varmints, an overworked staff member or two, chief executive officer Joe Ellis, and tight end Jeff Heuerman were watching Hogan work on his throws. At least Heuerman had a video of Hogan’s extra work.

“Sometimes, when practice doesn’t go like you’d like, you’re itching to get back out there,’’ Hogan said. “I just wanted to work on some things. We had come off the bye. Everybody did a good job of resting up and I didn’t get as many throws last week, so I wanted to make sure I was getting the work necessary.’’

Joe Gibbs, the Hall of Fame coach with Washington, once said backup quarterback is one of the most important players on an NFL team. It’s why he didn’t trade Doug Williams to the Raiders in 1987, even though the former No. 1 pick was disgruntled sitting behind Jay Schroeder.

When Schroeder got hurt, Williams came off the bench and went 3-0 in the 1987 playoffs, including a Super Bowl MVP performance in a 42-10 rout of the Broncos.

“I’ve been in situations – last year (with the Cleveland Browns) I went in in three or four games and it’s, ‘Hey, throw your helmet on and go in,’’’ Hogan said. “It can happen. Quarterback is one of the greatest positions in sports. And it’s my job so I have to make sure I’m ready.’’

A star at Stanford, Hogan hasn’t played since his final preseason game with the Washington Redskins on August 30. Claimed off waivers by the Broncos to take Paxton Lynch’s roster spot, Hogan gets his mental reps every week, but physical reps are hard to come by.

So, there he was rolling out the passing net with its three square holes – one colored red, another white and another blue -- on Wednesday night.

“I was working on some out routes, my mechanics, making sure my feet were right,’’ Hogan said. “You kind of pick and choose your target.’’

If it so happens the Broncos do have to call on their backup quarterback this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, Hogan will be as ready as possible. As witnessed by the ghosts and creatures that invade Broncos’ headquarters at night.

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