Horse Tracks: It's strictly business

I'm not a guy who likes to watch college football. I find it a lesser product and irritating in the lack of talent and ability shown in general on most college teams. So at this time of the year you get me waxing poetic about things I do know about and pay attention to and today I'm going to share some thoughts on how well our team is in the areas of finding and acquiring talent. I'll ramble a bit here, but hopefully it is some thought-provoking reading to get us going into our day as we close in on the weekend.

I am astounded by any and all critics of John Elway as a GM at this point. Haters are gonna hate, and I get that, but any rational being who looks at what he has done in the past handful of years to build this team and put them in position to compete for a title has to come to the conclusion that the guy is doing pretty darn well.

It isn't that he's a genius. It isn't that he has some secret trick that other teams haven't caught onto yet. It is a very simple and practical thing I've had the privilege of seeing done both well and poorly in my life - sound business sense.

I think one of the big hang-ups of a lot of team's management is that they fall into the trap of thinking that their jobs and moves have something to do with the actual winning of a championship. They think if they make just this one great trade or draft pick, they will earn their teams a ring.

That's not how it works, kiddos. GMs do one thing - make the business decisions required to bring in personnel that the coaches can help compete for a championship. Each move is a building block for the foundation of the team that is built out of dollars, talent, coaching, vision and faith. What happens after that is up to the coaches to build the mid-tier portion of the team as a whole and then the players to build the cap of the building.

Last year that cap was gilded in gold. Because of the play of the players backed by the direction and mentoring of the coaches who were given players that fit the skill set needed by the coaches acquired by the GM and on and on and on we get to be the Colossus of the NFL, the Statue of Zeus at Denver, Colo., or the Great Pyramid of Broncodom.

Let me bring this back home. Elway understands that he needs to make the best business decisions for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos value talent, ability, hard work, dedication, can-do attitude and the business side of life in the NFL.

We may as fans want to keep every player who represents our team well because we have so much pride in them, especially after this kind of season. That's not always the best business decision though. Look at this year's "former Broncos" list. Malik Jackson, Brock Osweiler, Danny Trevathan, Owen Daniels, etc. Those guys helped us win a friggin championship. Why in the world aren't we retaining those players!?

It isn't the best business decision. Whether we fans like it or not, there is a market for every position in the NFL. If the player wants to make a lot of money we may not want to pay while if they leave we get a compensatory pick, it makes for a very easy business decision: trust your ability to get more talent and your coach's ability to coach and let them go.

Meanwhile the really great players who want to call themselves Denver Broncos and don't mind losing out of a million here or there when they are going to be millionaires get signed to contracts and form a core of players and an example of excellence that our team is all about. Money drives a lot of these decisions, but it isn't everything to everyone.

It's not personal. It's strictly business.

Broncos News

Q&A with Floyd Little on role at Syracuse, new doctorate
In a Q&A, Pro Football Hall of Fame and Broncos Ring of Fame RB Floyd Little discussed his role in Syracuse's athletic department, shared some great personal news and reflected on the Broncos’ victory in Super Bowl 50 and what Owner Pat Bowlen means to him.

Draft Preview: Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz and Jared Goff are at the top of the class and are likely out of the Broncos' range, but there are plenty of other high-upside possibilities in this year's crop.

2015 NFL Losers News

10 NFL players still costing their old teams millions | Sporting News
Slideshow warning! Nevertheless, interesting read on bad business decisions / circumstances that cost teams a pretty nickel or two.

Greg Hardy no longer worth the risk for any NFL team
Just a short note from Captain Obvious. I told this to my Cowboy fan friends when they signed him.

Chiefs deny Justin Houston reinjured his knee in January playoff game - CBSSports.com
Did Justin Houston reinjure his knee in the playoffs? According to the Chiefs general manager, the answer is no.

Report: Chip Kelly alienated Eagles scouts, turned around draft board - CBSSports.com
According to a report, Chip Kelly alienated his scouts in Philadelphia and blew up the 2014 draft board.

Robert Griffin III thanks former Redskins coach Mike Shanahan for positive review
RG III called to thank Mike Shanahan after his former coach with the Redskins gave the Rams a good review, and in turn Shanahan gave him advice on his future.

Picking the worst-ever free-agent signing for all 32 NFL teams
NFL Nation reporters choose the most disastrous free-agent signings for each team, including Emmitt Smith's ineffective stint in Arizona and Washington giving Albert Haynesworth $41 million.

Steelers GM: Big Ben has '3 to 4' prime years in tank - NFL.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed a decade of elite play from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The team isn't expecting the train to come to a halt any time soon.

Thurmond rejected big offers as he ponders retirement - NFL.com
Walter Thurmond remains one of the top free agents on the open market. The versatile defensive back has turned down offers of $4 million-plus per year as he contemplates retirement.