Football forums are the adult version of "My dad can beat up your dad."

Chicago Bears?

:D So true! ROFL

You obviously aren't aware of the love-hate relationship Rain has with Elway.

I only agree with half of that statement.

That's the best example, given they're #1 all time in win %. Baltimore is 6th but they're a bit light on years played. Browns are at 54% all time with a collection of complete garbage at the position.

Broncos were quite arguably, the worst AFL franchise started. From my understanding, they were kind of a throw in franchise when Clark Hunt was starting the AFL. Denver was not a big town back in that time, very much still a kindof cow town. The team had lousy ownership and no budget and hence could not afford decent coaches or players.

But the Broncos fans always filled the stadium. Win or lose (and a heck of a lot more losing than winning) the stadium was always packed and so the team had to keep adding on to it. It was originally called Bear Stadium (I think, might be wrong) because it fielded the minor league Denver Bears baseball team. It was later changed into Mile High Stadium after many more seats were added.

Its really amazing the franchise survived the 1960s and even the early 1970s because they were so inept. When Floyd Little was drafted by the Broncos it very much helped the team establish some legitimacy and hence, Little is referred to as the franchise savor.

Anyhow, I'm proud of the Broncos history because they've gone from the worst team in the AFL to one of the better teams in the NFL and that is pretty amazing when you think about all the teams that have moved away to other cities.

No doubt, it's become a great NFL franchise in a huge geographic market. But I do still ask what it would be without Elway. Franchises have iconic players but he might be the most iconic of any out there. You can't really name one great that stands above all others with most franchises, but Elway is certainly the "Horse Face of the Franchise"

Pat Bowlen bought the team in 1983 when Elway was drafted and Dan Reeves was hired as HC. Ever since that time the Broncos have been a very consistent team as far as winning. Before this, the team had some good coaches but they never stayed very long, and the team (I believe, could be wrong) was on it's 3rd owner? So I think Bowlen is the 4th owner and he bought the team for $25 million.

Now the team is worth like $750m? Not a bad investment for Pat.

My bad, Bowlen bought the team in 1984 right after Elway was drafted. But between Elway, Dan Reeves and Pat Bowlen, the team started heading in the right direction as far as winning consistently.

Yeah, Reeves was the HC in 1981.

Right Hunt, wrong person....

Both the Bears and the Browns have a significant team history prior to the advent of modern football with it's emphasis on QBs.

Dan Reeves with Elway: 98-60 (62.0%)
Dan Reeves without: 92-105 (46.7%)


We already discussed Bowlen without Elway. I give those two virtually zero credit for anything Elway did.

yep, my bad.