Bronco Owner Says Team Did Busick Favor by Taking Less

The Denver Broncos could have obtained more in trade for linebacker Steve Busick than seventh- and 11th-round draft choices, but spurned better offers to do Busick a favor, owner Pat Bowlen said.

Fans were critical of the terms of Busick’s trade to the Rams earlier this week, saying the Broncos virtually gave away a starting linebacker.

“There were other alternativess that would have been better for us, as far as what we got,” Bowlen said Thursday. “But we felt we should get him in a system where he would be happy rather than try to get a third- or fourth-round draft pick for him.

“And we certainly had some parties interested in doing that, two or three teams he wohave wanted to play for.”

Bowlen denied the report.