Lonestar
12-01-2009, 06:34 PM
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/01/2009 03:01:31 PM MST
Updated: 12/01/2009 03:17:12 PM MST
Matt Prater, right, chats with Jason Elam last season. (The Denver Post | John Leyba)It took a year but the Broncos' controversial decision to allow Jason Elam to leave for free agency and replace him with Matt Prater has been vindicated.
Today, the same day Elam was released for the first time in his 17-year career, Prater was named the AFC special teams player of the week.
Where have you gone, Mike Shanahan?
Elam had been the Broncos' clutch kicker for 15 seasons when he and Shanahan, then the team's coach and personnel boss, couldn't agree on terms for a new contract. Elam wound up signing a more lucrative, four-year, $9 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Last season, Elam was terrific for the Falcons while Prater hit the second-half wall for the Broncos.
Through six games last year, Prater had 12 touchbacks and made 13 of 14 in field goals, including 6-of-6 from 40 yards-plus. In his final 10 games, Prater had only t seven touchbacks and was only 12-of-20 in field goals, including 4-of-11 from 40-plus.
This year, Prater has caught a second wind, while Elam was released today by the Falcons, only 17 points shy of his career goal of 2,000 points.
In contrast, Prater has made 11 consecutive field goals from inside the 50. In game 11, a 26-6 victory against the New York Giants on Thanksgiving night, Prater's leg made a big impact as he had five touchbacks and was 4-of-4 in field goals.
"I think the difference is having a year of knowing what to do," Prater said. "Coach (Mike) Priefer has really helped me out. He doesn't want me kicking as many balls in practice. Every little thing — coach (Rich) Tuten's offseason program is real good."
Prater said he had heard Elam had struggled at one point during the year, but had made it a point not to pay attention to any news, good or bad, this season.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13901792
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/01/2009 03:01:31 PM MST
Updated: 12/01/2009 03:17:12 PM MST
Matt Prater, right, chats with Jason Elam last season. (The Denver Post | John Leyba)It took a year but the Broncos' controversial decision to allow Jason Elam to leave for free agency and replace him with Matt Prater has been vindicated.
Today, the same day Elam was released for the first time in his 17-year career, Prater was named the AFC special teams player of the week.
Where have you gone, Mike Shanahan?
Elam had been the Broncos' clutch kicker for 15 seasons when he and Shanahan, then the team's coach and personnel boss, couldn't agree on terms for a new contract. Elam wound up signing a more lucrative, four-year, $9 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Last season, Elam was terrific for the Falcons while Prater hit the second-half wall for the Broncos.
Through six games last year, Prater had 12 touchbacks and made 13 of 14 in field goals, including 6-of-6 from 40 yards-plus. In his final 10 games, Prater had only t seven touchbacks and was only 12-of-20 in field goals, including 4-of-11 from 40-plus.
This year, Prater has caught a second wind, while Elam was released today by the Falcons, only 17 points shy of his career goal of 2,000 points.
In contrast, Prater has made 11 consecutive field goals from inside the 50. In game 11, a 26-6 victory against the New York Giants on Thanksgiving night, Prater's leg made a big impact as he had five touchbacks and was 4-of-4 in field goals.
"I think the difference is having a year of knowing what to do," Prater said. "Coach (Mike) Priefer has really helped me out. He doesn't want me kicking as many balls in practice. Every little thing — coach (Rich) Tuten's offseason program is real good."
Prater said he had heard Elam had struggled at one point during the year, but had made it a point not to pay attention to any news, good or bad, this season.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13901792