John Elway - Greatest NFL Player/GM In History?

[CanDB]

Hey gang....though I wanted to present a storyline that might be interesting "Greatest NFL Player/GM Of All Time", I did not want to take away from Ozzie Newsome. He is a legend to me. He hasn't played for at least 3 decades, starting back in the 70s, so he may not be a familiar player name for some here. But he had a great career as a Tight End....and what he has accomplished as an Exec is fantastic!! So comparing Elway to him in this dual role is a big statement in itself.

Interesting how Newsome and Elways' playing careers intersected....for some great wins for us, and some difficult ones for Ozzie.

[Capt. Jack]

Ozzie has done a great job, he was a great player and a great GM!
I just didn't like the Browns, and really don't like the Ravens.

[GiddyupGetEm]

Elway has been an Exec/GM for 9 years, whereas Newsome for 28. Same number of SB appearances. In his first 9 seasons Elway made the playoffs 5 times including 2 SB appearances, while Newsome only made the playoffs once (no SB appearances). Sure, Newsome's career as an Exec is better, partly due to longevity, whereas Elway was the more important player, plus he had a hand in 7 of our 8 SB appearances. Newsome has 2 including as a player and Exec.

I like Ozzie. He was a great TE and after a slow start, became a respected/successful GM. That's why this is a close competition thus far. But if Elway stays as GM for 5 or more years, I am convinced he will have the better overall career.....therefore the best player/GM in NFL history.

Five more years?!? Elway has missed the playoffs four straight years. If he doesn’t make the playoffs this year, I don’t think the Ellis and the Bowlens will extend Elway’s contract.

[CanDB]

Five more years?!? Elway has missed the playoffs four straight years. If he doesn’t make the playoffs this year, I don’t think the Ellis and the Bowlens will extend Elway’s contract.

You don't think this team is better? You don't think we have the building blocks in place to give us a real shot at the playoffs, if not this year, into the following years?

Hey, I can't convince anyone to see it the way I do, but I see UPSIDE, and this after a few years of concern. Again, if you check the data, I would say that Newsome must have been on shaky ground for those first 9 years in a leadership capacity. Happy he got the chance to move beyond, given it's not one person's total responsibility. Then again, it appears Elway is being assessed that way at times.

[Ear2dastreets]

Ridiculous thread.

Ozzie Newsome drafted 31 Pro Bowlers, 15 First Team All Pros, and three Hall of Famers (plus Suggs and Yanda will probably be in Canton within a decade).

Elway’s drafted just four Pro Bowlers (one of whom didn’t even make the PB until he left Denver) and just ONE All Pro (Von).

Agreed....can't believe this was posted...if manning chose S.F. over us we would not be having this conversation. But everyone view is different.

[Ear2dastreets]

Bronco fan first but Elway is not the goat. It took a run game to get him over the hump with a W when it counts the most on Super Bowl Sunday.

Montana and Brady should only be argued for the on field GOAT QB

Agreed. Elway is a very good player. But he had his struggle as a player too. Won 1st sb once TD got there.

[CanDB]

Agreed....can't believe this was posted...if manning chose S.F. over us we would not be having this conversation. But everyone view is different.

So it's not worth discussing? Just asking. I think that being a great player and NFL GM is worthy of recognition. So maybe Elway is 2nd for many. Is there a 3rd? When I posted I wasn't sure who else was in the running, but Lynch has potential.

I actually think this could be a good conversation. If you note, I added a question mark to Elway's status. I see him #1 for sure, if he continues to have reasonable GM success. Another SB would definitely seal it. Ozzie had a lot of suspect years, and Elway is way ahead of him in the initial 9 year comparison.

The question for me is....is this a reasonable topic to discuss here? I say absolutely. Sure, I initiated it, but without looking around, I am sure this will be written or even has been written about by far better analysts than me. So even if Newsome was deemed to be #1, what's the problem with discussing? That's what makes this board better.

[Hadez]

Bronco fan first but Elway is not the goat. It took a run game to get him over the hump with a W when it counts the most on Super Bowl Sunday.

Montana and Brady should only be argued for the on field GOAT QB

Think the point was made in terms of QB Elway is top 5 or top 3.

You seem to be agreeing to that with your post points but disagreeing with your comment?

Btw anyone who thinks Montana did not need his run game never saw Roger Craig and Rathman work the defense.

Elway needed his HoF team mates just like Montana needed Rice/Lott/Haley and Walsh.

[CanDB]

Agreed. Elway is a very good player. But he had his struggle as a player too. Won 1st sb once TD got there.

OK....like most players, Elway struggled a little, but the guy's in the top handful who ever played the game......5 SB appearances!!!

[Capt. Jack]

There was a lot of Bronco teams that Elway carried to the playoffs by himself.

[CanDB]

Think the point was made in terms of QB Elway is top 5 or top 3.

You seem to be agreeing to that with your post points but disagreeing with your comment?

Btw anyone who thinks Montana did not need his run game never saw Roger Craig and Rathman work the defense.

Elway needed his HoF team mates just like Montana needed Rice/Lott/Haley and Walsh.

There was a lot of Bronco teams that Elway carried to the playoffs by himself.

Yes....(even though this is not only about his playing career) forget about stats and things that look weaker than nowadays. The game is different. Ds back then hurt you and hurt you bad! The rules did not favour Os like they do now. Compare players to players from their respective eras. And then, when you want to truly compare all players, count the rings and the playoff runs. Elway is legend!

[Ear2dastreets]

OK....like most players, Elway struggled a little, but the guy's in the top handful who ever played the game......5 SB appearances!!!

I will give you player. I agreed with you. When I think of top gms for me elway isn't jumping off the page to me.

[Hadez]

Agreed....can't believe this was posted...if manning chose S.F. over us we would not be having this conversation. But everyone view is different.

but Elway did get PM and we are having this conversation because it did happen.

I liked the What If comics as much as anyone!

Maybe we should make a what if part of the forums so we can talk about what if Ozzie does not sign Sharpe and the Broncos did not have Rahim Moore which would leave Ozzie without a Ring.

[Capt. Jack]

but Elway did get PM and we are having this conversation because it did happen.

I liked the What If comics as much as anyone!

Maybe we should make a what if part of the forums so we can talk about what if Ozzie does not sign Sharpe and the Broncos did not have Rahim Moore which would leave Ozzie without a Ring.

Great post!!!

CP on the way!

[Hadez]

The funny thing about the PM argument against Elway is PM was carried to SB50 win by the epic defense.

PM played a role but he was hurt many games of the season and I think a lot of QBs could have led us to SB50 Ring.