Off Topic » Coach Rodgers couldn't do his interviews today

New York Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers is dealing with what coach Todd Bowles calls a "serious" illness and it's uncertain if he'll be on the sideline for the game against Denver.Bowles made the announcement Friday to end his news conference after the Jets' final full practice before facing the Broncos at MetLife Stadium on Sunday."He's a tough guy Womens Phillip Lindsay Jersey ," Bowles said. "It's a serious thing."Rodgers and the Jets' other coordinators usually meet with reporters every Thursday. But the team said Rodgers had an appointment with doctors and would speak Friday.However, a visibly concerned Bowles announced Rodgers was sick and wasn't at the facility."On a side note: because he is ill of a nature we can't discuss right now," Bowles said. "We'll see going forward where he is and go from there. He will not be here today, and he was not at practice."Bowles, a close friend of Rodgers, wouldn't go into details about what is ailing the 49-year-old coach. Rodgers is in his fourth season as the Jets' defensive coordinator.The players were told of Rodgers' illness when the team met Friday morning."I want to let his family know that they are in my prayers and we will do our best to step up in his absence," safety Doug Middleton said. "We all wish the best for him and we hope that he can make a strong recovery."It's unclear who would handle the primary defensive play calls if Rodgers is unable to, though it could be Bowles and assistant head coach/linebackers coach Mike Caldwell."Everybody's going to go about the game the same way, whether he's there or if Coach Bowles takes over or whoever is taking over," cornerback Darryl Roberts said. "I feel like everybody's going to come out and play the same and just try to focus on executing and winning the game."Rodgers played linebacker and defensive end at the University of Tennessee before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 1992. He also played for Shreveport in the Canadian Football League in 1994 before beginning his coaching career as the defensive line coach at Tennessee-Martin in 1994. He also had stints at Northeast Louisiana, Middle Tennessee State and Arkansas before getting his first NFL job with Dallas as the Cowboys' defensive tackles coach in 2003.Bowles and Rodgers first worked together in Dallas two years later, when Bowles was hired as the Cowboys' secondary coach. The two coached again in Miami from 2008-11 before Bowles left the Dolphins to join Philadelphia's staff.When Bowles was hired by New York in 2015, he reached out to his buddy to run the Jets' defense.Rodgers got a thrill during the offseason and training camp by coaching his son John Elway Jersey White , Kacy II , a defensive back who was signed as a free agent. The younger Rodgers was among the Jets' final cuts last month before the regular season began, but the two cherished working together on a football field."I think this is the first time I've seen my Dad more than once or twice in a year just because of our schedules and jobs and things like that, so it'll be special because of the fact we'll be together," Rodgers II told The Associated Press in June. "I really can't tell you the last time it was, probably 10 years at least. It's been a while. Conflicts in schedules, so we're going to just take advantage and hang out and just enjoy it." With both Phillip Lindsay and Emmanuel Sanders coming off of injuries, which offensive star is most critical to Denver to have when the season starts?" Denver Broncos PodcastsWhich skill player is most critical for Denver’s offensive success?New,33commentsWith both Phillip Lindsay and Emmanuel Sanders coming off of injuries, which offensive star is most critical to Denver to have when the season starts?MDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Which skill player is most critical for Denver’s offensive success?TwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailBoth of Denver’s top offensive players, Phillip Lindsay and Emmanuel Sanders ended the 2018 season on IR. Between the two of them, they compiled nearly 2200 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Broncos offense, so Denver will be hoping both can come back to full strength from day 1.While both players are progressing well and look to be ready for week 1 Womens Royce Freeman Jersey , Steve Atwater posed an interesting question on 1st & 10 at 10 on Orange and Blue 760 today. He and Andrew Mason were discussing Denver’s offense in the upcoming season with NFL insider Benjamin Allbright and Atwater asked the question, who does Denver’s offense absolutely have to have for the upcoming season between Sanders and Lindsay?I’d like to pose the same to everyone here, but open it up even more if you think one of the other skill players is more crucial to the offense’s success, obviously excluding the quarterback position.I tend to agree with Benjamin Allbright that Emmanuel Sanders is the most irreplaceable skillset due to Denver’s lack of speed at receiver behind him. Sutton, Patrick, and Hamilton are all young, talented players, but none of them bring the speed that can take the top off a defense or scare the safeties back. While Lindsay’s specific skillset at the running back position is irreplaceable, Denver has Royce Freeman who I believe is more than capable of operating with success in Scangarello’s zone scheme. Obviously, the hope is that both are available and ready to go come September so hopefully we’ll never have to find out, but I think Sanders is going to be the most crucial cog to Denver’s offense at the skill positions.