INDIANAPOLIS — Now that he’s has taken a year to learn the football operations’ business, John Elway is continuing to rebuild the Broncos’ front office in his own vision.
Two weeks after he promoted Matt Russell, the former University of Colorado linebacker star, to director of player personnel, Elway
made another significant move this week when he brought in a new salary cap guru.
The Broncos did not renew the contract of Mike Bluem, their longtime capologist, and replaced him with Mike Sullivan, who oversaw Octagon Sports agency football division, and has been negotiating player contracts for the past 25 years.
Bluem had been with the Broncos for 17 seasons working closely with general managers Ted Sundquist, Jim Goodman and Brian Xanders.
Bluem had been responsible for negotiating many of the player contracts and overseeing the team’s payroll budget.
In some of those contracts, Bluem talked with Sullivan, who will now be negotiating from the other side of the table.
Sullivan is an attorney and certified public accountant who has gained a reputation as a bulldog negotiator. He got his start in the sports business 25 years ago when he hooked up with then uber-agent Leigh Steinberg.
Sullivan created the option bonus — which is really a second signing bonus — and one-time playing time bonus in player contracts. They are now common part of the more lucrative NFL contracts, including almost every first-round draft pick.
Elway’s apprenticeship reminded him that football operations is not only about a player’s talent, but how contract structuring is vital in acquiring that talent.
The move comes as the Broncos held frequent meetings this week on the potential list of unrestricted free agents. The NFL’s 2012 free agency/trading period is scheduled to begin March 13.
Notable Broncos eligible for free agency include Matt Prater, Brodrick Bunkley, Brady Quinn, Daniel Fells, Marcus Thomas, Wesley Woodyard and Dante Rosario.
The Broncos are expected to be active in the free-agent market next month. A possible list of NFL free-agent quarterbacks who the Broncos might consider signing to back up Tim Tebow: Chris Redman, Shaun Hill, Chad Henne, Vince Young, David Carr, Kevin O’Connell and Josh Johnson. Elway has stated Tebow would be the team’s starting quarterback entering 2012 training camp.
