Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Larry Bird, Wes Unseld, Otto Graham, Bart Starr, Norm Van Brocklin, Elgin Baylor, Larry Wilson, Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, Mike McCormack, Pete Retzlaff, Dick Szymanski, Mike Reinfeldt, Stew Barber, Bucko Kilroy, Matt Millen, Eddie LeBaron, Dwight Clark, Gene Shue, Mike Dunleavy, Phil and Tony Esposito help represent Group A.

Ozzie Newsome, Jerry West, Joe Dumars, Mitch Kupchak, Wally Walker, Danny Ainge, and even the influence of Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux can be put into the category of Group B.

Group A is a list of some of the greatest athletes ever to take jobs running professional teams via the front office, only to fail at finding any of the successes they did as players. Group B is the smaller more exclusive list of great athletes who won championships even after replacing their uniforms for a coat and tie a front office executive often wears.

National Football League legend John Elway is back as a Denver Bronco for the first time since retiring after the 1998 season when he became the oldest quarterback to even win a Super Bowl. Now he returns to a franchise that has been struggling to win consistently for several years, hoping his influence upon arrival can propel the franchise to the excellence it enjoyed when he played for them.


Elway's story up until now has been well publicized. The son of a successful collegiate coach, he attended college for four mostly exciting years that had little success. He was an All-American who won the Pac-10 Player of the Year twice and once finished second in the Heisman Trophy race despite never leading his school to a single bowl game.

The biggest moment in his career at Stanford would be in his last game. As Stanford kicked off leading California University 20-19 with little time on the clock, "The Play" transpired. With several laterals and the steamrolling of the Stanford marching band on the field, California returned the kick for a winning score. Ironically, Elway's father was named head coach at Stanford two years later and lasted five seasons. Jack Elway is the only Elway to lead his team to a bowl game.

Selected with the first pick of the 1983 NFL Draft, Elway refused to sign with the Baltimore Colts. He played summer baseball with the New York Yankees until the Colts buckled by trading Elway to the Denver Broncos.

The move worked out for Denver. The Broncos posted a .500 or better record in in six of the previous years, including four years with 10 or more wins. Elway started 10 games as a rookie and won four times. He would have just two more years where he posted a losing record until he retired after the 1998 season.

Elway led the Broncos to five Super Bowl's over his 16 seasons, winning twice in the final two years of his career. He went to the Pro Bowl nine times while throwing for over 51,000 yards and 300 touchdowns, chipping in over 3,400 rushing yards and 33 more scores before being the very first Bronco inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He has enjoyed a post-retirement life where he ran several automobile dealerships, restaurants, and even an Arena League football team successfully. Elway majored in economics while attending the prestigious Stanford University.

Now he is being asked the run the Broncos. Unlike several sports legends who failed trying to handle this type of job before him, Elway grew up breathing football almost daily because of the fact his father was so heavily involved in the game. He spent his childhood moving a few times as Jack Elway climbed the coaching ladder to build his resume by being an assistant at the University of Montana and Washington State University before becoming head coach at California State University, Northridge.

Denver is opening a new era, but still have luxuries in some respect despite such a poor showing last year. Quarterback Kyle Orton had a career year before being injured towards the end of the year. His replacement, Tim Tebow, was a first round pick last year and performed well in his few starts. Whether Denver trades Orton or keeps both will be a question that may not get answered until draft day.

Elway spent his rookie year learning from Steve DeBerg before taking over.DeBerg had served the same role for Hall of Famer Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers before moving on to Denver. After leaving the Broncos, DeBerg mentored future Hall of Famer Steve Young with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Elway knows the value of that type of learning but realizes moving forward is necessary.

If Tebow is handed the keys to the franchise by trading Orton for more draft picks on top of the draft picks they received by acquiring Orton for Jay Cutler, Denver could find themselves in the thick of a battle for the AFC West crown next year. If they feel it prudent to retain Orton, they keep a man who threw for over 3,600 yards and 20 scores in just 13 games during 2010.

Denver is expected to lean heavily on improving the defense now that John Fox has been named head coach. Fox is a defensive oriented coach who won a Super Bowl ring as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants before taking the head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers. In nine years with Carolina, he took the team to a Super Bowl and two NFC Championship appearances.

When Fox was a defensive backs coach with both the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers, as well as defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Raiders, Elway faced his schemes as a player and knows what Fox can give Denver. Most experts feel the Broncos will use their first pick, the second overall in the draft, on a defensive player. They also have two selections in the second round.


Though the task of rebuilding the Broncos may not be as difficult as some other NFL teams, Elway is expected to complete the task. The franchise has not made the playoffs since 2005, but "Captain Comeback" spoiled their fans when coming into town in 1983. Denver went their first 18 years of existence before making the playoffs in 1977 and had three total seasons of post season glory before Elway was drafted.

He took the team to the playoffs in 10 separate years, and the team has experienced just four more years of such success since his retirement. He was used to such pressure as a player, as have most of the legends who later took over teams from the front office after retiring as players.

Though the list of failure is long for legends, those few who have succeeded prove one can find glory by pushing buttons behind a desk. Newsome won his Super Bowl ring as an executive while never getting the chance as a player. History might be against Elway in his quest, but he has generally spent most of his professional athletic career coming back when the chips were down with circumstances slightly crumbled around him.

While Denver fans brace for his moves to get the team better, Elway is also on the verge of possibly putting the NFL on notice by certain roster moves. Champ Bailey will soon be 33-years old and entering his 13th season in a career that will eventually find him in the Hall of Fame. While Bailey is still an excellent player opposing teams rather not challenge, he is a free agent and is is questionable Denver will offer him the $9 million salary he earned annually during seven years spent with the Broncos.

What Elway decides to do with Bailey and other free agents is certainly worth watching as much as his first draft as Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Broncos, which has him overseeing the general manager and head coach of the team. He is expected to have a prominent hand in who and how the team drafts and builds the roster even though he readily admits that "I don't have that kind of experience to be able to pick those players day in and day out and such".

What the team does will be credited to him much like other legends who went to the front office. As the AFC West improves in trying to be the powerhouse it once was, Denver is attempting to set a pace of their own as well. No one should discount John Elway or the impact he could have, but this has been said before when so many great athletes before. Which group Elway will join gets decided over time, but Broncos fans must thank their captain for once again coming back trying to win.

On with the picks :

Now that Mike Shanahan has shut down Donovan McNabb for the rest of the season, his critics grow louder. Critics who say the coach has done nothing more than follow Hall of Famer John Elway to two championships.

While Shanahan's very brief tenure as head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders was unsuccessful, he had a nice stint as a quarterbacks coach for the Denver Broncos and helped Elway develop. He then won a Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers before returning to Denver as head coach.

Shanahan's first year in Washington is nothing to be proud or even optimistic about. While heading the oldest team in the league this year. He walked in knowing he had a long rebuilding project in front of him with a franchise that has had sparse success since winning four Super Bowls over ten years starting in 1982.

The Redskins 2010 started with him butting heads with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in where both men looked ridiculous many times. After suspending Haynesworth for the season, murmurs came from Redskins Park that Shanahan lost respect in the locker room. Benching McNabb just increased the rift and puts the rest of the front office in a bind.

While owner Dan Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen remain quiet in their support of Shanahan, mostly due to the fact Snyder gave him $35 million over five years, there are problems that may plague Washington during his reign. Nepotism is the most prevalent issue.

Kyle Shanahan is not only the son of the head coach, but the inexperienced offensive coordinator's ego is as large as his dad's. The plays called by the younger Shanahan this year have come with mixed results, though he is quick to point the blame on his quarterback.

When playing the Indianapolis Colts this year, Washington was in the game because they ran the ball well against a team that has issues at defending the run. The younger Shanahan showed his inexperience by deciding to start passing, which led to defeat for the Redskins. Almost every pundit agrees Kyle Shanahan is overmatched and couldn't hold the position of offensive coordinator for any team other than the one his dad coaches.

While the Shanahan's egos have help ruin the team, the defense has had trouble adjusting to a 3-4 base defense with personnel best suited for a 4-3. This has led to a ton of yards allowed, thus forcing the Redskins in a position where they have match that offensive production. They have failed to do this for the most part, which allows the glare of the spotlight burn brighter on the play selection.

While McNabb has been mostly off target all year, he is easily their best option. Rex Grossman might be the worst backup quarterback in the NFC, and journeyman John Beck hasn't really seen the field since his rookie season in 2007.

Now with an irate locker room who has a good chance of turning a deaf ear to their head coach, the 2010 season cannot end soon enough for the Redskins. It doesn't hurt either Shanahan that there is an expected large roster turnover next season, as the team tries to get younger, but the coaching staff needs to soon show why they are initiating such abrasive methods to their players. It is hard to see a team be unhappy yet win.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Saint Louis Rams

The Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassell picked a bad time to have an appendectomy. Another loss will hurt Kansas City immensely. This bit of bad luck couldn't have happened at a worse time, as San Diego breaths down their necks.

The Rams need to win here, and hope Seattle loses, to have a shot at taking over the NFC West. Though their defense has been the big story all season, they must generate offense against an average Chiefs defense.

Cassell seems likely to miss his second straight game, so the Chiefs will be stuck with the horrible Brodie Coyle at quarterback. That might all the Rams need to win.

Rams 20   Chiefs 17

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans

When quarterback Vince Young had a meltdown a few weeks ago, he pretty much ended the Titans season. Now the only thing left to decide is if to bring him back or head coach Jeff Fisher. One has to go.

Houston is still hoping they can sneak into the playoffs, so the offense should be ready. Considering how Texans star receiver Andre Johnson and Titans star cornerback Cortland Finnegan fought a few weeks ago, tensions should be high.

Texans 31    Titans 20

New Orleans Saints @ Baltimore Ravens

The Saints have been on a roll, showing exactly why they are the defending champions the past few weeks. Baltimore has been inconsistent on both sides of the ball, mainly on offense.

Both teams are in second place in their divisions and need this to have a shot at a division title or home field advantage in the Wild Card round. Can the Ravens defense hold up to the Saints offensive onslaught, or will they tire out like last week? Will Baltimore play a whole game of offensive consistency finally?

This game is a toss up, because both could be Super Bowl bound. We will pick the cold weather as a deciding factor.

Ravens 24   Saints 21

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

It is amazing Peyton Manning keeps the Colts in the playoffs race despite no running game and a pretty mediocre defense. Jacksonville does one thing very well that the Colts cannot stop : run the ball. Maurice Jones-Drew might go for 200 here.

Jaguars 34    Colts 28

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys

This rivalry has seen better days. Jason Garrett went from one of the worst offensive coordinators in football to a head coach of an improving team the past few weeks because he finally decided to run the ball more. Some theorize he purposely sabotaged former head coach Wade Phillips with bad play calling. knowing he was next in line.

Mike Shanahan went from a respected head coach to an egomaniac who has no respect in his locker room. Some are guessing he is doing this in order to get fired so he can take the Dallas job because the rebuilding the Redskins need has overwhelmed him.

The only thing for certain is that it doesn't matter to many who wins this. Even the fans may be ambivalent. Redskins fans only want to beat Dallas, but it is hard seeing this occur with Rex Grossman starting at quarterback for them.

Cowboys 34   Redskins 10

Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers

Arizona blew out a terrible Denver team last week with a rookie quarterback making his first start. Defense was the main reason this occurred. They will try to duplicate this again against a Panthers team that might be even more terrible than the Broncos.

Cardinals 17    Panthers 13

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

Game of the Week

This might decide who wins the NFC East in 2010, because both teams are tied with identical records right now. Both teams have explosive offenses and solid special teams, but the Giants are much stronger in a key area.

The Giants defense has been stout all year, but Philadelphia has a tiny defensive line that has trouble stopping the run. They also lost their starting middle linebacker for the year because of an injury.

New York had both of their primary running backs get over 100 yards on the ground last week, and it should be expected to see them try to ground and pound the Eagles on their home turf.

Philadelphia needs quarterback Michael Vick to be special if they want to win. Though the Giants secondary has played well this year, the Eagles have three receivers that are hard to stop. This is a game that has all the markings of being decided late in the fourth quarter.

Giants 30    Eagles 28

Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Detroit is a hard working team of youngsters on their way to being a very good team. Next season is looking up for them.

Tampa Bay is pretty much the same way, yet they discovered winning this year and are very much in the hunt for a playoff berth. They need to win this to keep the dream alive.

Buccaneers 28    Lions 24

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals

Eric Mangini has had a roller coaster 2010 season as Cleveland's head coach. Starting out as a perceived lame duck, he seemed to have procured another season a few weeks ago until the team began losing. Part of the reason was having to start Jake Delhomme at quarterback.

Cincinnati might want this game because Terrell Owens ran his yapper again. He blamed everyone but himself, as usual, for the Bengals 2010 woes. We will see if it fires his team up enough to play 60 minutes, something they rarely have done this season.

Bengals 27   Browns 21

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins

Miami still holds onto faint playoff hopes, so they face a Bills team most interested in the first pick of next years draft. Expect the Dolphins to wear Buffalo down.

Dolphins 23     Bills 20

Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks

Atlanta has been on fire, which doesn't bode well for a Seattle squad needing to win on out to stay in the hunt for the NFC West title. Seattle has been winning with mirrors, something the Falcons should shatter along with their playoff dreams.

Falcons 31     Seahawks 17

Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders

Denver might start rookie quarterback Tim Tebow because starter Kyle Orton is hurting. Oakland needs to win this bad to stay in the playoff hunt.

Raiders 20    Broncos 17 

New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Jets are in a losing rut now and facing Pittsburgh will add to hurt feelings of a team that spent most of the year bragging how good they were going to be. Reality now has them on the cusp of maybe losing a playoffs bid.

Steelers 26   Jets 20

Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots

The Packers playoff hopes are fading fast. Quarterback Aaron Rogers is their primary offensive weapon since they have no running game. He won't play, so the red hot Patriots will dominate.

Patriots 23    Packers 9

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

The Bears timing here is perfect as they try to wrap up the NFC North crown. The Vikings are down to a third string quarterback with no experience to speak of. Chicago's defense should eat him alive.

Bears 27   Vikings 10

Overall Record 80-60