Couple years ago, you might remember, Elway wasn't comfortable with the idea of Tim Tebow quarterbacking the Broncos' offense. He went out and scored Peyton Manning. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie wanted more money. Elway showed him the door and grabbed a better player, Aqib Talib. DeMarcus Ware wasn't linked to the Broncos in free agency, until Elway decided he should be, and the Broncos signed the future Hall of Famer.
If Elway wants a guy, recent history suggests he will get him — no ifs, ands or buts about it. That brings us to Evan Mathis, the Pro Bowl offensive guard who spurned the Seahawks, among other teams, to sign with Elway and the Broncos. Here, let Mathis tell it:
"The Broncos were a team that throughout this process, they weren't really involved," Mathis said today at Dove Valley. "They kind of showed up late and showed some interest. (It was) a very enticing opportunity."
This is John Calipari spending the July recruiting period on his boat, only to swoop in on signing day and secure a 5-star power forward. What Elway wants, he usually gets.
"I knew I'd be somewhere," said Mathis, whose metrics and success in Philadelphia show a lineman who should immediately improve an offensive line that rates as Denver's concern.
"Nothing really surprises me anymore," Peyton Manning added. "But we're glad to have him."
This is a tough move for Air Force product Ben Garland, who had been playing at left guard during training camp. Max Garcia, the rookie guard out of Florida, had assumed the starting role, and now this. But it's a significant lift for the Broncos as a whole.
Asked if Mathis is the Week One starter, head coach Gary Kubiak said: "Yeah, I mean, that's why we brought him here."
Elway's penchant for getting his guy — quarterback, wide receiver, pass rusher, whatever — should make Broncos Country feel a tad more comfortable about life after Peyton Manning.
If there's a player he wants, Elway is probably going to get him, and that M.O. all but guarantees the Broncos won't be stinking up the AFC West any time soon.
Old news? Sure. Relevant news? That, too, for as long as Elway is in the Broncos front office.
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