I can't speak to Elway's mental skills, but his scrambling ability is what set him apart from other QBs. He was ALWAYS a threat to run. No mobility? What league were you watching? Didn't run over linebackers? Did you miss the signature play from the 1998 Super Bowl? Didn't scramble for 15 seconds before finding someone downfield? That is just incorrect.
Personally I think Tebow has the potential to redefine the QB position and I would love to see it happen in Denver. Apparently Elway is not willing to take that on but I guarantee you that he wants to win a Super Bowl as team president.
Jim Harbaugh found a way to win with Alex Smith. He did not turn him into a great quarterback, yet.
Other than that, I agree with your post.
I went back to youtube to check the 1998 play you referred to. Seriously? That's Elway running over a linebacker? Bo Jackson knew how to run over a linebacker. So does Tebow. Elway took a chance with his life there, and survived. Courage, yes. Fullback, no. Peyton Manning can do that play, too.
Harbaugh didn't make Smith great in the sense of the classic definition of a QB. But he had a great season, played great, and his team was millimeters from the Super Bowl. Harbaugh made him great in that sense, he did not improve his skills, but he found a way to use his skills so that they and the team flourished. I think we agree, but you misunderstood my use of the term "great" when describing Smith. He's not Tom Brady, and never will be. What makes some coaches great is designing around the players that you have. What demonstrates others to be mediocre is the inability to do that. They have to find a player that fits within a system that they can understand.