The atomic clock actually says that we have just 7 days (that's a week) until the Ducks hit the blue turf (hard).
So, today we'll continue our countdown by briefly highlighting the Bronco player with the jersey number that corresponds with the number of days remaining till the opener. Sorry there isn't a more clear and concise way to explain that.
We're close, Broncos...we're close. Best start scoping out good tailgating spots.
#7 Mike Coughlin, QB
The verbal commitment of Dan Hawkins' son Cody overshadowed the signing of QB Mike Coughlin to the class of 2006. Of course, everyone knew Coughlin's name after Cody pulled the ole switcheroo and followed his pops to Boulder. Coughlin, by many accounts was a bigger "get" than Hawkins would have been that year anyway, and immediately made an impact for the Broncos, as he was named the 2006 Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year. After playing behind senior Taylor Tharp in 2007, a year that saw him get surprising 2nd team snaps, the 6'5" slinger from Mira Mesa looked like he may be a frontrunner for the job in 2008. Then Kellen Moore happened. It's not that Coughlin isn't a good QB...he's shown to be a capable backup and has competed well in camps...it's just that Kellen is, well, Kellen—and possesses intangibles that are simply off the charts for his age. So Coughlin, now a junior, and with little chance of unseating the incumbent underclassmen will likely play out his career in the two spot, but all of Bronco Nation knows that he'll keep competing...he'll need to be ready at a moments notice, and to bring his more unique skillset to certain situations the Broncos may face. Coughlin's still got some football left in him.
Coughlin was a standout QB at Mira Mesa High School in San Diego. He was a three-year letterman who was named third team All-State as a senior after tossing 25 TDs against just 3 INTs. That year he was named to the Union Tribune's All-CIF first team and was named the All-Eastern League Offensive Player of the Year. Mike tossed for nearly 1,800 yards in both his sophomore and junior campaigns and was a National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete. Coughlin has a cannon for an arm, but lacks the touch of Kellen Moore. He has made strides in the offseason and looked much more comfortable in the pocket in Spring and Fall Camps. He isn't forcing throws as much anymore and has a mobility dimension to his game that Kellen lacks (but makes up for in pocket awareness). Coughlin has been and will be a solid 2 man and should be a great mentor to the two true frosh currently below him. Coughlin is the kind of kid that any coach would love to have on their squad and we're secretly kinda happy that the Cody Hawkins scenario "worked itself out" in other ways (oops, secret's out). I'd be remiss if I didn't mention on last thing: Mike under no circumstances are you to grow a mustache again. Bronco Nation thanks you.