John Elway told something called The Pueblo Chieftain that he is “saddened” by the feud between his former team, the Denver Broncos, and their rising star quarterback Jay Cutler.

I wonder how sad he was back in 1983, when he refused to play for the team that drafted him?  Back in 1983, he used his status as a minor league baseball player in the Yankees organization to hold the Baltimore Colts, who had picked Elway first overall out of Stanford, hostage, because he felt they could not allow him to be successful.

The Colts got QB Mark Herrmann, the rights to OL Chris Hinton, and a first round pick–and remained a basement dwelling team for the better part of 15 years, until Peyton Manning came along.

While successful in getting his way, it was one of (if not THE) first example of what has become all too common in the NFL these days–players who, according to the collective bargaining agreement, should have little say in where they play (whether due to draft rights being held, or due to the fact that they already signed a contract) pissing and moaning until they force their way out.

The only situation in the NFL as galling (or more) than Elway’s situation was Eli Manning weaseling his way out of San Diego on draft day.  At least both of those moves appeared motivated by the talent on the team’s involved–neither of those situations is bad as Kobe Bryant demanding that the Charolette Hornets trade him to a team in a bigger market, simply so his star would shine brighter.

In this area, I tend to think that the owners need to take a stand.  Cutler is under contract–unless they get a king’s ransom of a trade offer for him, one that makes them a better team immediately, I think they should not move Cutler, and force his hand.  If the realationship is really damaged beyond repair, then I suggest that Bus Cook’s latest headline grabber make his way down to Mississippi, and help Brett Favre on the tractor.