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View Full Version : After 15 years, is the Elam era over?



Tned
02-25-2008, 06:50 PM
I just posted this on the Total Broncos (http://www.totalbroncos.com) blog:

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Jason Elam’s tenure with the Denver Broncos predates Mike Shanahan’s. Elam just finished his 15th season with the Denver Broncos and over that time has been one of the most prolific kickers in NFL History.

While Elam is most well known for his record 63 yard field goal, that is far from the only record he holds.

2007 marked his 15th straight season of 100+ points, a record both in total number of seasons and consecutive seasons. Prior to 2007, he was tied with the Anderson brothers (Morten and Gary) with 14 100+ point seasons, but neither of their records were consecutive. After 2007, Elam stands alone, both in total and consecutive streak, with 15 straight 100+ point seasons.

In 2002, a botched snap and hold ended his streak of 371 straight PAT’s (1993-2002), which is a record that still stands today. Entering 2007, he also held the highest PAT conversion rate (.995) in league history.

Pulled hamstrings, broken backs, nothing has slowed him down. Late in 2007, Elam passed John Elway (234) in games played by a Bronco, moving into first place in franchise history.

Only Morton Anderson has a longer consecutive streak of games scoring at least one point. Elam has scored at least one point in 236 straight games (every game of his career).

Elam has been to the Pro Bowl three times, and entered 2007 ranked seventh in NFL history in career field goals, 11th in field goal attempts, seventh in extra points made, eighth in extra point attempts and ninth in points scored.

Elam Holds Denver Broncos’ franchise records for career field goals (368), field goal attempts (459) and field goal percentage (.802) as well as extra points made (568), extra point attempts (571) and points scored (1,672).

Elam is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 1,600 points, by doing it in 211 games. He also is second in league history in converting 50+ yard field goals with 36.

And that isn’t even a complete list of his records and accomplishments. Elam has clearly been one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, and certainly heads and shoulders above any other Broncos kicker.

It’s very possible that come Friday morning, Jason Elam will be a free agent, and no longer a Bronco. If that happens, there is no doubt that the mark he has left on the Broncos will be lasting and not soon eclipsed.

In this day where players rarely finish their careers where they start them, we can only hope that Shanahan and Elam can work out a deal that will allow this possible Hall of Fame kicker to finish his career in Denver.

keithbishop
02-25-2008, 06:55 PM
Best of luck to Elam should he leave, but I'll be disgusted with Shanahan if a deal can't be worked out. This should have been resolved weeks ago.

dogfish
02-25-2008, 07:13 PM
After 15 years, is the Elam era over?


i certainly hope not. . . . he may not be in the very top rank of kickers anymore, but he's still very reliable-- i don't see where we're going to get a better option, at least in the short term. . .


the fact that morten "older than god" anderson is STILL kicking in this league should tell you all you need to know about how tough it is to find reliable kickers. . . sure, elam doesn't kick off, and his range isn't what it used to be (still adequate though)-- but he's still better than what a lot of teams are going with. . . hell, the G-men won the super bowl DESPITE the best efforts of their feeble kicker to blow the NFC championship game-- no way elam misses two kicks in a row with a trip to the big game on the line!

of course it's inevitable that we're going to have to get somebody new sooner or later, but the only justification i can see for letting elam leave is that we want to draft a potential long term replacement and let him work out the kinks over the next year or so, so that he's ready when the rest of the team is (hopefully) peaking. . . .

Day1BroncoFan
02-25-2008, 07:13 PM
If Elam leaves a part of me will die. I wish him the best and hope he sticks it out in Denver.

shank
02-25-2008, 07:16 PM
if he's not a career bronco, someone messed up.

Requiem / The Dagda
02-25-2008, 07:18 PM
I really like Jason, and as a Broncos fan you have to appreciate what he's done for our team. After 15 years though (even with Morten Anderson as an example of a guy who is older than dirt and can still kick) there comes a time where you have to start looking for a replacement.

Elam's a ROF, and seriously deserves HOF consideration; however - Denver has to find a replacement eventually.

Elam's been clutch for us. 99 times out of 100 when you call his number, he's going to get it done. However, Elam hasn't been doing the long distances (a fifty here and there) as often as he used to do them. His leg is still accurate, but isn't as strong.

What miffs me the most is that the Broncos could have found a way to get Crosby last year, keep him back for a year or two (have him to KO) and then replace Jason if the Broncos didn't intend on re-signing him.

I don't know what the deal is here. Jason is off to Israel soon with Nalen, Neil and I believe Lepsis to do some work over there. I wish something could get done, but I understand if we move on.

I'll miss Jason a bunch, but I have to understand that he won't be around forever.

#1 will always be the #1 kicker in Denver all time.

It'll be hard to fill those shoes, to whomever replaces him.

Requiem / The Dagda
02-25-2008, 07:18 PM
if he's not a career bronco, someone messed up.

People thought that with Adam in New England, but things happen.

frauschieze
02-25-2008, 07:21 PM
I will be seriously pissed if the boys at Dove Valley don't figure this out. Elam should be with the Broncos until he retires. Period.

NameUsedBefore
02-25-2008, 07:21 PM
Elam has been exceptionally accurate these past five years (besides one bump, I believe); no reason to release him when he consistently puts points up on the board.

dogfish
02-25-2008, 07:26 PM
Elam has been exceptionally accurate these past five years (besides one bump, I believe); no reason to release him when he consistently puts points up on the board.

i agree, but for clarity's sake, we wouldn't be "releasing" him-- he's a free agent. . . if they don't re-sign him, my best guess would be that it's mostly about money, not unhappiness with his performance. . . they might also feel that it's time to get a kicker who can handle his own kickoffs, rather than having to find a punter who can do it (and do it well) or using a roster spot for a guy who doesn't do anything more than kick off. . . .

Requiem / The Dagda
02-25-2008, 07:30 PM
I actually don't think money is an issue, I honestly think it might have to do with Elam not having the leg that he used to. 15 years is a long time to play in the NFL, but holding him up to Morten Anderson standards as if he was the average for kickers is a little lofty if you ask me. At some point in time, Elam won't be the kicker here in Denver. The question is, "Is now better than later?" -- Honestly, with the youth movement here on the squad and the number of players from the Super Bowl years dwindling, I'd have to say yeah.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that's really the question at hand. There's no doubt that Elam was the greatest in Broncos history, and perhaps one of the greatest to ever play the game; but I think we've seen many examples here in Denver, and league wide of people who got to stay longer than they perhaps deserved (not saying Elam has worn out his welcome) based on what they did for the team a few years ago, than what they're doing now.

Elam's still doing things for us, but I think the team would be interested in getting another "long-term" kicker like Jason (perhaps Mehlhaff is it?) and a guy who can kick-off as well.

*sigh*

Either way I'm fine, Jason or no Jason. I just refuse to go along with how a lot of fans feel saying that it's a big mistake to let him go.

People ridiculed me for two years saying Rod Smith was out of it, and now look. He spent all this year on IR; and half the season prior fighting injury because his body was wearing down. Sometimes you have to let the good ones go.

BANJOPICKER1
02-25-2008, 09:21 PM
Why drop him??Who is better and do we waste a draft pick on a kicker when we need all the picks for the D??Really.what has Elam done to not keep him??
He is Da Broncos and we need him!!!:D

Tned
02-25-2008, 09:23 PM
So, do I have a future as a writer/blogger?

BOSSHOGG30
02-25-2008, 09:24 PM
As a Georgia fan... I must say that Brandon Coutu is the real deal.... but I guess Denver really likes Taylor Mehlhaff because he has experience and success kicking in bad weather conditions.

tubby
02-25-2008, 09:27 PM
Relax folks. Elam goes nowhere. :cool:

frauschieze
02-25-2008, 09:30 PM
So, do I have a future as a writer/blogger?

IMO....yes. But I'd call you a writer. Too many bloggers are unintelligible.

Buff
02-25-2008, 09:32 PM
I was hoping we'd drop Elam last year and draft Mason Crosby-- a guy that has all the makings for another 10-15 year NFL career, and a cannon for a leg...

I have nothing against Jason, hell, I love the guy... But his range has significantly dropped. His longest FG was 50 yards last year, and that's playing half his games a mile high... There were a few games this year where our offensive strategy was altered as a result.

It'll be tough to replace him, but you've gotta have a 50+ type leg to cut it in the NFL... Can Jason come back an be an average, to mildly above average kicker? Probably-- but he can't hit the long one anymore, and his durability is starting to come into question.

aberdien
02-25-2008, 09:40 PM
*cries*

:bncry:

broncogirl7
02-25-2008, 11:26 PM
I think Elam still has the "power" to be a great force in the Denver Bronco organization, but I do think that maybe we should start grooming someone to take his place when the time is right.

WARHORSE
02-25-2008, 11:33 PM
Elam is still clutch. When it comes to relying on players, a kicker is not somewhere you want to be thinking twice about.

They need to sign him, unless they got the next best thing in sight.

broncogirl7
02-25-2008, 11:37 PM
Elam is still clutch. When it comes to relying on players, a kicker is not somewhere you want to be thinking twice about.

They need to sign him, unless they got the next best thing in sight.

Definately need to sign him!

Tned
02-25-2008, 11:42 PM
Elam is still clutch. When it comes to relying on players, a kicker is not somewhere you want to be thinking twice about.

They need to sign him, unless they got the next best thing in sight.

I wonder how many kickers (and teams) could have pulled off that Toro, Toro play at the end of the Buffalo game. 13 seconds to get on the field, snap the ball, and make the field goal. The guy has been clutch for a lot of years.

Requiem / The Dagda
02-26-2008, 12:04 AM
But the question about moving on still needs to be made though. I mean. . . we'll be having this same talk a few years down the road if he stays.

Just like we've been having with Smith, Nalen, etc.

Tned
02-26-2008, 12:10 AM
But the question about moving on still needs to be made though. I mean. . . we'll be having this same talk a few years down the road if he stays.

Just like we've been having with Smith, Nalen, etc.

What's wrong with having the 'talk'? Would it have been better to replace Nalen several years ago, so we wouldn't have to worry about when the day would come that he was gone? I don't think so. The longer he is under center, the longer the young OL's on the team are learning.

As to Elam, I guess it all depends on what kind of team the Broncos are going to put on the field the next year or two. If they are likely to put a competitive team on the field, then the Broncos are far better off with Elam than some kid. If it will be several years before the Broncos are competitive again, then it's probably time to replace him, so the kid is experienced by the time it counts.

I just don't see the logic in "some day we will have to replace him (Nalen, Elam, etc.), so it might as well be today.

Requiem / The Dagda
02-26-2008, 12:16 AM
What's wrong with having the 'talk'? Would it have been better to replace Nalen several years ago, so we wouldn't have to worry about when the day would come that he was gone? I don't think so. The longer he is under center, the longer the young OL's on the team are learning.

As to Elam, I guess it all depends on what kind of team the Broncos are going to put on the field the next year or two. If they are likely to put a competitive team on the field, then the Broncos are far better off with Elam than some kid. If it will be several years before the Broncos are competitive again, then it's probably time to replace him, so the kid is experienced by the time it counts.

I just don't see the logic in "some day we will have to replace him (Nalen, Elam, etc.), so it might as well be today.

Well, the Packers drafted Mason Crosby, who was the NFL leader in points. *shrugs* He was a rookie.

I just think Denver has a habit of hanging on to players a little too long. I think it's pretty clear we're going through some drastic changes. If the Broncos were serious about keeping Elam, they'd of already done it already. This team is a ways away from being competitive again. Just looking down this roster makes me want to cringe. All the Bates players on defense and guards like PJ Alexander who were what, out of football as second stringers? It's just really depressing.

broncosfanscott
02-26-2008, 12:18 AM
Denver = Elam.

While I know that he isn't going to last much longer than one more season or so, I would love to see him stay till he retires. Getting a young kicker to replace him is fine because Elam can't kick forever, however getting some lesson from a HOF kicker before he leaves would be nice.

shank
02-26-2008, 12:23 AM
bring in a guy who can take over kickoff duties for a year and practice. he can also act as an insurance policy. if elam can do it well for another year, then the new kid can stand to sit for a while. i couldn't have said it any better man^ elam=broncos. it'd be like letting elway walk as an FA.

Requiem / The Dagda
02-26-2008, 12:23 AM
bring in a guy who can take over kickoff duties for a year and practice. he can also act as an insurance policy. if elam can do it well for another year, then the new kid can stand to sit for a while. i couldn't have said it any better man^ elam=broncos. it'd be like letting elway walk as an FA.

This is the situation I'd prefer, but we can't all act as if Elam's going to be kicking here until he's 83.

Tned
02-26-2008, 12:28 AM
This is the situation I'd prefer, but we can't all act as if Elam's going to be kicking here until he's 83.

Slight exegeration, don't ya think?

Elam has said he feels he can kick for a few more years. Considering the fact his performance really hasn't tailed off, why not have those in Denver. Not to mention the bonus of having a player start and end his career with the same team, which doesn't happen much these days.

AlWilsonizKING
02-26-2008, 12:29 AM
I recall Shanny saying during TC last season that "The only player who's spot on the roster is certian is Elam. Until he tells me otherwise, the job is his!"


I didn't see much last year that should change that.


PEACE!!!

Requiem / The Dagda
02-26-2008, 12:33 AM
Slight exegeration, don't ya think?

Elam has said he feels he can kick for a few more years. Considering the fact his performance really hasn't tailed off, why not have those in Denver. Not to mention the bonus of having a player start and end his career with the same team, which doesn't happen much these days.

The story sounds great. Just an observation, Elam isn't kicking from 45+ much more though. . . wonder why?

sneakers
02-26-2008, 12:36 AM
What the heck?!? first we have no punter, and now no kicker.

Requiem / The Dagda
02-26-2008, 12:46 AM
What the heck?!? first we have no punter, and now no kicker.

Um, Shaun Rogers?

DenBronx
02-26-2008, 01:40 AM
dammit, we should have just picked crosby last year like i wanted! a pure STEAL in the 5th!

dogfish
02-26-2008, 01:55 AM
Um, Shaun Rogers?

i thought you said it wasn't about money. . . ?

:confused:


once again, i believe that it is. . . and if they think the money is better spent elsewhere, i'm okay with that-- as long as we're getting quality players, not sam adams and simeon rice. . . .



But the question about moving on still needs to be made though. I mean. . . we'll be having this same talk a few years down the road if he stays.

Just like we've been having with Smith, Nalen, etc.

so? a couple of years down the road is just that. . . and i hardly see any validity comparing a kicker to a skill position player, let alone a freakin' lineman. . . how many monster DTs does elam have to fight in the trenches? the guy plays about 6 snaps a game, and never has to take a hit as long as shenanigans doesn't run him on any more fakes. . . . :laugh:


if you don't like my morten anderson comparison, how about matt stover and john kasay, both older than elam and still playing? again, i'm not saying that it's the end of the world if we don't re-sign elam, but i sure don't see any justification in replacing him now just because he can't play forever-- if his play was in serious decline it would be one thing, but '06 was one of his best years, and '07 wasn't bad at all. . . range isn't everything. . . he was in the top ten last year in terms of accuracy, not counting guys with a dozen kicks or less, and he was 1-2 from 50+ and 9-12 from 40-49 (crosby was 9-14 from that range). . . . how may 50+ yarders do you ever attempt in a season, anyways? nobody besides rackers attempted more than 5 this past year (and he only hit 3 of 9), and nobody besides bironas made more than 4. . . . sure, ideally you'd love to have a guy with both (just like you'd like balanced players at every position), but most likely if we bring in a rookie kicker we trade range for accuracy. . . .


ah well, we shall see-- i just hope that if we let him go and replace him with a draft pick, the rook doesn't blow a couple of games for us. . . i can see both sides of the discussion, but not having a reliable kicker after all these years would make me nervous-- especially after seeing botched special teams plays cost the bengals a trip to the playoffs two years ago, and the cowboys a playoff game last year (bad snaps, i know, but the end result is the exact same as a missed kick). . . .

jrelway
02-26-2008, 02:01 PM
why let go of someone that won more than half of our games last year. i dont think elam is demanding a high paycheck either.

HolyDiver
02-26-2008, 02:04 PM
dammit, we should have just picked crosby last year like i wanted! a pure STEAL in the 5th!

Well, if we had a 5th round pick, I'm sure we would have considered it.

BOSSHOGG30
02-26-2008, 02:04 PM
Just so everyone knows.......Jonathan Stewart can kick field goals, punt, play runningback, kick return specialist, and he plays the banjo and washboard.

dogfish
02-26-2008, 02:36 PM
Just so everyone knows.......Jonathan Stewart can kick field goals, punt, play runningback, kick return specialist, and he plays the banjo and washboard.

can he long snap it to himself?

BOSSHOGG30
02-26-2008, 02:38 PM
can he long snap it to himself?

Only on punts because he would kill the holder on field goal attempts and Jay Cutler on offense when he goes back to catch his own snap.