After the preseason, I graded John Elway on his first eight months in office as executive VP of football operations for the Denver Broncos.

He was graded primarily on his communication and rebuilding skills where Bronco fans were concerned, as well as his hiring of John Fox as head coach, his first draft and training camp.

Elway celebrated his one-year anniversary on Tuesday, and with that—as his first playoff game approaches—comes my next report card given his body of work over his first regular season as the man in charge of the Broncos.

I cannot imagine another executive of the NFL experiencing any more of a tumultuous first season on the job than what Elway experienced.

The start of Elway's first regular season out of uniform was marked by the incessant continuation of loud calls by many fans for Tim Tebow to play.

The noise began reaching deafening levels as the early season losses mounted and QB Kyle Orton's play suffered.

Billboards screaming for Tebow to replace Orton, coupled with a never ending barrage of QB controversy questions, ensued. Elway was buried with an all-out media blitz.

During this time frame, I commend Elway for minimizing the responses and for keeping much of the turmoil fallout in house.

The decision to replace Orton with Tebow after the bye week, which Elway no doubt had a hand in, was a smart and well-timed move. The move was predicated on a desire to change the culture of the team as much as it was to infuse some much needed life and energy.

The QB change, of course, quieted those screaming for Tebow, but did not prevent further fallout.

Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, one year removed from an All-Pro berth, was jettisoned to the St. Louis Rams during the bye week.

Some say that since Lloyd was not a supporter of Tebow and he saw the passing game and his stats slipping away, that he had become a negative distraction. Others claim it was a salary dump for a season being written off.

Personally, I do not a buy the salary dump stance and a season being tossed away that early on. Furthermore, giving up on a season and changing QBs with an eye towards desired improvement does not jibe.

I do not believe that teams throw in the towel with a 1-4 record and change QB's just to get a look for the following season.

I credit Elway with taking the high road and ridding himself and the team of a talented malcontent.

I have always stated that Elway through his radio show is too available to the media as a VP.

He is hands on and passionate, but too accessible and too eager to speak on matters best reserved for the head coach.

Sometimes, the more powerful word is that which is unspoken.

In the midst of an impressive winning streak, there was absolutely no need to take the bait and get involved in discussion regarding Tebow and next year's plans. This move was blatantly foolish and lacked good sense and timing given the Tebow climate.

I was pleased with him for agreeing some time later that his discussion on this issue was ill advised, although his demonstrative about face was over the top for me and left me with a feeling of a lack of sincerity and of being genuine.

He seems to be in a better place now, but again, I wish he would talk more about specifics and advice behind closed doors.

Transparent communication is a wonderful tool when used judiciously.

Due diligence is an important aspect to the job description of being a VP, but Elway need not carry out all due diligence himself.

Given the sensitivity and timing of the Tebow phenomenon, it would have made more sense for Elway to have delegated the responsibility to scouting Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley to trusted advisers. His presence just served to increase the noise volume, and quite frankly, in this day and age of exposure and film, the live scouting is deemed somewhat less important prior to the combines.

Elway must realize and respect the boundaries and parameters of his position.

The late-season release of Kyle Orton was, for me, a very stupid and unnecessary gaffe.

There is an unspoken understanding in sports that you do not ever afford those opponents closest to you an opportunity to gain strength from any player move you make.

Translation: Never tempt fate and trade within your division.

Had the Raider scenario not come to fruition, the Broncos would be lining up tee times this weekend in warmer climates. Elway got lucky with a mulligan this time.

This first regular season was indeed a most challenging one for Elway, as was his first year in total.

Yes, there were certainly peaks and valleys as outlined, but all in all, I find the positives outweighed the negatives.

I believe the challenges he has faced, the mistakes he has made and the overall learning experience will be the foundation in making him a better VP in his second year.

I think he has the potential to make good with his promise to restore the Broncos to their glory days, and for this reason, I am buying in on John Elway.

As much of his legacy will be tied to that of Tim Tebow, what are your thoughts and how do you feel?

Regular season grade: B-