KUBIAK HAS MORE ON MIND THAN JUST QBS

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak didn’t make a decision Thursday about who will be his No. 2 quarterback behind Trevor Siemian against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday in the Broncos’ third preseason game.

All three quarterbacks are likely to play. But the Broncos have 87 other players on their roster at other positions who need to be evaluated ahead of Tuesday’s first roster cuts.

“I know you guys are getting frustrated with me from the quarterback questions, but I’ve got a lot of things going on,” Kubiak said. “I’m trying to get this team to opening day here in two weeks. We have a lot of questions to answer and things to get done.”

There is competition at the offensive line, running back, wide receiver, tight end, defensive line, linebacker, returner and punter positions still yet to be decided. The Broncos still have to find a starting right guard, too.

“We have to go out there and play better than we did last week. We hurt ourselves as a team with a lot of negative plays,” Kubiak said. “I want to settle down. We still have to look at a lot of people. We can’t lose sight of that. I have to go and get some questions answered.”

Sharing the load.

Running back C.J. Anderson said the offense has put the onus on itself to be better than it was last season. Even with limited carries, the running backs room already sees improvements in all facets.

“We’re a lot better as a group,” Anderson said. “We don’t want to rely on the defense too much. I think we got comfortable with that last year. We want to do our part on this team also.”

The running game starts up front. On paper, the Broncos’ starting offensive line looks stronger than it did last season. Continuity is something it must develop to be effective.

“It’s huge,” Anderson said. “As long as we know what’s going on up there, it makes our job easier with the cuts.”

Experience optional.

Kubiak is well aware that two of his three quarterbacks, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch, have combined for one career NFL snap. So how much does that put them at a disadvantage compared to Mark Sanchez, who has 72 career starts?

“Zero,” Kubiak responded without hesitation. “I’m looking at what’s taken place the last six months. How they’ve handled themselves, how they’ve handled the team and how they respond to things. That’s what I’m looking at.”

Demaryius Thomas’ final word. Former Panthers

cornerback Josh Norman, now with the Redskins, started a brief feud with Demaryius Thomas when he said in an ESPN interview released Tuesday that “I shut him down” in reference to his Super Bowl 50 defense of Thomas. The Broncos receiver took exception and posted a picture of his Super Bowl ring, asking where Norman’s ring was.

“It wasn’t (talking) trash. It was just speaking facts. I don’t like talking trash,” Thomas said. “I got tired of it. I just said something.”

Footnotes.

Derek Wolfe was expected to return to Denver on Thursday night after missing the past three days of practice while dealing with a family issue. Kubiak was unsure whether Wolfe would play Saturday. … The Broncos and the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) invited 50 local military members to practice Thursday. The players and Kubiak signed autographs and took pictures with them. “The players really enjoy that. Hopefully it’s something that we keep going,” Kubiak said. “It looked like we had a little bit bigger group this year than we did last year. It’s good to see them.”