In his “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” poem, Franklin Pierce Adams immortalized teamwork precision of Chicago Cub infielders throwing double plays around the horn during the first decade of the twentieth century. “Tinker to Evers to Chance.”

What works around a baseball diamond may not play out as well over Denver Broncos coaching headsets.

During television broadcasts of games, you see head coach Gary Kubiak with a long play-calling sheet on the sideline. Typically he is talking to offensive coordinator Rick Dennison who is up in the coaches’ box.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak on the sideline during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 17, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Getty Images)

Yet it is quarterbacks coach Gregg Knapp, with headset on the sideline, calling in the plays to the quarterback via helmet speaker.

Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler talks to quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp. (Getty Images)

During the 2015 season Kubiak was among nine NFL head coaches doing their own game-time play calling. Philadelphia’s Chip Kelly and Tennessee’s Ken Whisenhunt were fired by season’s end. But five of these coaches made the playoffs with Arizona Cardinals Bruce Ariens joining Kubiak in the conference championship round.

The trio of Kubiak, Dennison, and Knapp have labored very hard developing players to execute zone-blocking/one-cut running schemes by the Broncos’ offense. These schemes carried Denver to two Super Bowl victories with Mike Shanahan as head coach, John Elway as quarterback, Terrell Davis as running back, and Kubiak as offensive coordinator.

The question is whether this triangle of play-calling communication impedes rapid in-game adjustments while the offense gathers in a huddle.

Kubiak to Dennison to Knapp does not have the same lyricism as Tinker to Evers to Chance.

Denver Broncos: from left Greg Knapp, quarterbacks coach, Rick Dennison, offensive coordinator, and head coach Gary Kubiak watch Peyton Manning during warmups prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers January 17, 2016 in the Divisional Round Playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. (Photo By Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Along the line of scrimmage quarterback Peyton Manning is a master of reading weaknesses in opposing defenses then making successful audible adjustments.

Manning orchestrated a late fourth quarter no-huddle scoring drive in a come-from-behind Thursday night win against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 17. After the game, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders told Mike Klis now of 9NEWS, “That no-huddle offense is something beautiful. I know I love it, because I don’t have to go back to the huddle … I know Peyton likes it, too.”

Giving Manning sufficient latitude for no-huddle audibles may be a difference maker in winning the AFC championship game against the New England Patriots on January 24 in Denver. The Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla and Woody Paige strongly advocate a varied-paced no-huddle offense. The no huddle limits substitutions by the opposing defense. This enhances the Broncos’ home advantage of mile-high elevation. Every-down defensive players are worn down by the fourth quarter.

Ironically Manning’s no-huddle series may help the zone-blocking/one-cut running schemes with C.J. Anderson. As evidence look to the only touchdown drive in the fourth quarter in the divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the 9:19 point, Manning was calling audibles under center. Left guard Evan Mathis and center Matt Paradis were effectively zone blocking creating an interior hole. Tight end Owen Daniels aided tackle Michael Schofield on the right.

January 17, 2016 – NFL divisional playoff game between Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High (CBS Sports)

C.J. Anderson started right and made one cut left into the gap. Anderson ran for 28 yards. Only an inconsequential, late hold by Schofield negated the play. Overall in the game Manning spend about equal time under center and in shot gun formation. Predictably running plays went better when he was under center.

“Sure,” Manning told Denver Post’s Troy Renck that the Broncos running game reduces pressure on him. “But I think in the playoffs everybody has to play their role. This team has won as a team all year, everybody doing their part to make a critical play at a critical time.”

Does the three-headed play calling contribute to wasted time outs? Look at the mixed results of the second-half time outs in the divisional playoff game against Pittsburgh:

No time outs left going into the second-half two-minute warning could have been problematic if Pittsburgh had regained the ball after its last score.

Will running more no-huddle series against New England will yield one or more additional touchdowns?

If so, the Denver Broncos will most likely win making this poem as forgettable as Baseball’s Sad Lexicon is indelible.

Broncos’ Play Calling Lament

These are the saddest of possible words:
“Kubiak to Dennison to Knapp.”
Trio of work horses slogging in mud,
Kubiak to Dennison to Knapp.
Talking from field to booth to field,
Helping Belichick force Denver to yield –
Another three and out tarnishing the Sheriff’s shield:
“Kubiak to Dennison to Knapp.”