Not to get drug into this, but Elway was absolutely great, and an all timer, but he also never had to "carry" the whole team like Dan did.
Denver actually had several years with a top end defense. Sometimes in the top 3-5. When they would fall off into the 20's, those would be the "down" years for the Broncos. When they were in that top 5 range, those were the years they were great.
Dan's best defensive teams came when he was almost dead. By then it was too late.
John also had relatively decent run games, like Bobby Humphery to at least help him a little, again, Dan's run game was beyond pathetic until Jimmy got there, and even then it was just marginal, not great or anything.
Elway def had the greater team success, no question at all, but in terms of "doing more, with less" no way Elway had less than someone else in the AFC, no way.
Dan's best chances were early 90's, but Buffalo was on that 4 year SB run and blocked them every time. Those games? Miami couldn't run the ball, or stop the Bills offense.
Denver actually had several years with a top end defense. Sometimes in the top 3-5. When they would fall off into the 20's, those would be the "down" years for the Broncos. When they were in that top 5 range, those were the years they were great.
Dan's best defensive teams came when he was almost dead. By then it was too late.
John also had relatively decent run games, like Bobby Humphery to at least help him a little, again, Dan's run game was beyond pathetic until Jimmy got there, and even then it was just marginal, not great or anything.
Elway def had the greater team success, no question at all, but in terms of "doing more, with less" no way Elway had less than someone else in the AFC, no way.
Dan's best chances were early 90's, but Buffalo was on that 4 year SB run and blocked them every time. Those games? Miami couldn't run the ball, or stop the Bills offense.
Last edited:
