Elway would have taken different approach to Marshall situation than Cutler

DENVER - John Elway didn't openly criticize Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler for taking receiver Brandon Marshall to task during a news conference last week.

But Elway said he probably wouldn't have taken that approach, given lessons he learned in 16 years as Broncos quarterback.

"I was surprised to hear it, actually," Elway said.

Elway, the chief executive officer of the Arena Football League's Colorado Crush, met with the media to promote Friday's game - and hopefully a new rivalry - with the Cleveland Gladiators and their co-owner, former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar.

As usual, Elway was asked about the state of his former NFL team, and his thoughts on Cutler. Elway said he would have handled the problem privately. Marshall suffered a severe arm injury last month, and an exasperated Cutler said Marshall needs to stay out of trouble because "it's always something with him."

"I've tried to settle things in the press, and looking back over the years that's not the right way to do it," Elway said. "Especially with teammates. Those are things you talk to him about."

Elway acknowledged it was probably the first step in Cutler becoming a vocal leader.

"I was also impressed with the fact that it means something to him enough to come out and say something about it, which I think is something the Broncos need," Elway said.

Another reason Elway said he might have handled the situation differently is he didn't think Marshall's injury, which is supposed to heal by training camp, was a major issue.

"To me, Brandon has had a little trouble, but him cutting his arm is not that big a deal to me," Elway said. "He was wrestling with his brother, he's still a kid. He's 24 years old. You're not supposed to wrestle at 24 years old, or 25, whatever it is - and who knows if that was the problem.

"To me it's a relationship and how you choose to relate to your teammates, especially in Jay's situation because they're obviously going to ask him to be the leader."

Elway also weighed in on the state of the Broncos, which has created some angst among fans. Since Denver finished 7-9, it didn't make any major acquisitions in free agency, fired general manager Ted Sundquist and had top assistants Mike Heimerdinger and Jim Bates leave.

"I just know, having been in that organization for 16 years, they're not trying to get worse," Elway said. "They're doing what they think is going to help, in the long run, to get them better."