Elam happy in Atlanta; Prater good fit with Broncos

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 10, 2008 at 11:07 p.m.

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Photo by Doug Pensinger © Getty

Broncos kicker Matt Prater kicks a 55-yard field goal during a game earlier this season. Prater is in his first full season as the Broncos kicker since the departure of Jason Elam.

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What's black and white and red all over?

Jason Elam.

It looked so strange the first time he saw himself in the color scheme of the Atlanta Falcons after 15 years in orange and blue that, after slipping into the new uniform in the spring at minicamp, he had a teammate snap a photo to mark the moment.

It will be a strange sight again Sunday for many others.

The Broncos, the only NFL team Elam had played for before leaving in free agency in March, are headed to Atlanta. And they'll see firsthand Elam in his new get-up, still sporting his familiar No. 1.

While he might have switched colors, he hasn't changed his stripes.

The player who holds Broncos records for career field goals made and attempted, field-goal percentage, extra points made and attempted and points scored still is booming the football through the uprights with consistency.

Elam, 38, is fourth in the NFL with 79 points, having missed only three kicks this season, and on his way to an unprecedented 16th straight year with triple-figure scoring for the surging Falcons (6-3).

Meanwhile, Matt Prater is proving to be the capable replacement for the Broncos that Elam predicted on his way out the door.

Prater already has succeeded on five 50-yard-plus field goals, has boomed his kickoffs and has 72 points, tied for 10th in the league. Pro Football Weekly recently named him to its midseason All-Pro team.

"I think it was the right thing for both sides," Elam says now of how events have unfolded with his departure. "It's kind of a win-win for everybody here."

Had Atlanta not come calling with a rich, long-term contract, though, Elam likely would be a former kicker right now.

Elam viewed a heavily backloaded offer from the Broncos in March as essentially a one-year contract that held with it the possibility of getting put on the chopping block, never to see the deal's final two years.

At this stage of his career, way past when Elam thought he'd still be playing pro football, he gladly would have packed up his helmet and donned his pilot's hat instead of accepting that structure.

"It wasn't a bad offer at all," Elam said of events leading to his exit. "I was never upset about the offer. It was a seven-figure signing bonus. It was fine. But I probably would not have done it. I probably would have retired. Honestly, not because I was pouting over the contract, but just because it didn't seem right.

"I even told them back in December or early January that maybe this is the time for the Broncos to make a switch."

Atlanta, located a stone's throw from the kicker's Snellville, Ga., hometown, went after Elam hard.

The Falcons ultimately secured his services with a four-year, $9 million commitment that included $3.3 million in guarantees.

Not only that, he also could reconnect with his mother, who still lived in the area, and his brother, who was returning from Iraq and would be stationed nearby.

"It's in my backyard, basically," Elam said. "They made a really strong contract offer that wasn't just a one-year deal. So there was an overwhelming feeling of this is where I'm supposed to be. And that's pretty much it."

Mutual admiration

Prater and Elam briefly worked together after the young kicker was brought to Denver in December last season to handle kickoffs.

Prater took note of the ease with which Elam attempted field goals in the 40-yard-plus range.

"He's stronger than people give him credit for," Prater said of working with one of his many mentors during stops in Detroit, Miami, Atlanta and Denver. "I still think he can hit a 60-yarder."

Prater certainly can. His leg strength always has been his calling card. It was that trait, among others, Elam noticed when Prater was with the Lions in 2006.

Before a preseason game at Ford Field, Elam approached Lions kicker Jason Hanson to discuss just who this kid was.

"I didn't even know what his name was at the time. But he was looking really good," Elam said. "And Jason Hanson said, 'Yeah, he is really good. . . . And I don't like it.' "

Kickers, especially ones with Elam's and Hanson's pedigrees, know other kickers. They noticed the way the ball jumped off Prater's foot.

"This is what I've done for an awfully long time, going back to when I was 14 years old," Elam said. "So it's been almost 25 years now. And I have a real appreciation for people who can do it and do it well."

Those feelings were only heightened once Elam worked alongside Prater, who, at 24, hasn't been alive as long as Elam has been kicking.

"The thing I especially like about Matt is he isn't cocky," Elam said. "There's a real humility about him."

It made it easier, then, for Elam to recommend Prater as his successor once he left.

The Broncos brought in veteran free agent Olindo Mare with designs of signing him, but Mare got a better offer from the Seattle Seahawks. Prater distinguished himself while competing against another youngster, Garrett Hartley, in training camp, and his 68-yard field goal in practice sealed the deal for anyone doubting Prater's abilities.

Now, he's the Broncos' first regular placekicker other than Elam since David Treadwell in 1992.

"I couldn't be the kicker there forever," Elam said. "Somebody had to do it. And if I couldn't be the guy to do it anymore in Denver, then I couldn't have picked a better guy than Matt."

Elam forewarned Prater of his impending departure before it became public. The two since periodically have text-messaged and talked, with Prater seeking advice before the Broncos' opener in Oakland about how to best perform on a playing surface still sporting the baseball infield.

"The best thing Elam told me is, 'Just have confidence. You have God-given ability, a strong leg. Don't think about other things and just go out there and kick,' " Prater said.

Prater's abilities on kickoffs allowed the team to not carry a kickoff specialist or punter who could handle those duties. Punter Michael Koenen, not Elam, kicks off for the Falcons.

"Matt's shown that he can do the job," Broncos long snapper Mike Leach said. "There was a little, I don't know if apprehension's the right word, but we'll use apprehension, when Jason left because he's been here so long and been so consistent that you really didn't think about it. But Matt's shown he's great at what he does. His long kicks early opened some eyes. But he's been consistent. And he's shown everyone he belongs."

Mr. Dependable

With Elam, there were few worries.

"You knew exactly what Jason brought," Broncos special teams coach Scott O'Brien said. "He had learned it the right way."

On the other hand, Prater still has much to prove. He has yet to attempt a winning field goal after Elam made four such kicks last season.

The weather will get tougher. There are multiple road games left on the schedule, and that will require additional adjustments.

Prater carries himself with a low-key approach that allows him to seamlessly lift weights with the linemen and pal around with punter Brett Kern. He also appears to possess a focus that helps him block out distractions on game days.

"He's learning as it goes, and I'm sure he's got a lot more to learn," O'Brien said. "Adversity happens to everybody, just like prosperity. He has to do both."

Like Oct. 12, when Elam kicked a 48-yard field goal as time expired to beat Chicago just 2:43 after hooking a 33-yard effort that would have clinched the victory.

Prater has had similar moments testing his resolve. Jon Gruden still might be mumbling under his breath about the young kicker's 55-yard field goal that would have been good from 75 on Oct. 5. But Prater knocked a 49-yarder wide left and a 38-yarder wide right the past two weeks, accounting for two of his three misses this season.

"I don't think I've erased (concerns). I just think I've given people more confidence in what I can do as a kicker," Prater said. "But I think Elam's name will be pretty well known around here for 100 years. He's done a lot of things. He's doing well in Atlanta and keeping his legacy going."

Elam admitted he still watches for Broncos scores. He stays in touch with friends at Dove Valley through calls and texts. He feels he left on good terms with relationships intact.

And no one can take away the two Super Bowl rings he won with the Broncos.

He's often reminded of his time with the Broncos when he signs autographs. He's frequently pictured in his familiar Broncos uniform, sometimes even in their old gear, but often not the black, white and red of the Falcons.

That's OK, Elam said.

"I'm a Denver Broncos fan, and I'm sure I'm going to be that the rest of my life," he said. "I'm still getting to play. I get to finish things out here in my hometown. I'm just having a good time right now."

• November 11, 2008

  5:06 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jr_mcmillin writes:

  Nice to see Jason doing well in Atlanta. Hopefully the Broncs can keep him off the field this Sunday. Prater has been a nice surprise and I'm looking foreward to when the Broncs let him unload one from 60+. Jason is right, this is a win-win for both teams.

• November 11, 2008

  9 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  TominPhx writes:

  Jason Elam has to be the classiest player ever to change uniforms! I have to admit that I was stunned and a little mad when they let him go, but it sounds like everything worked out for the best for everyone! Good luck to Jason and his family! He is one of my favorite players and a great ambassador for the game of football!

• November 11, 2008

  9:05 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  TONE writes:

  It would be nice if Pratter get a chance at a 65 plus yarder once. It would be kind of nice to honar it to Elam for his great mentoring of Pratter.

• November 11, 2008

  9:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Bradonkadoncs writes:

  I hope Jason is on the field on Sunday - but for FGs (over 45 yards preferably), not PATs. All hail Jason, Matt, and especially Mike Leach.

• November 11, 2008

  10:28 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  slickwilly writes:

  You can't help but root for this guy. I think anyone else would have stomped off mad about the contract or this or that, but he handled it well, at least from what we can tell.

  I hope he does well (just not on Sunday) this season. It looks as if the Falcons are getting better each week too. They might make a run this year.

• November 11, 2008

  12:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  denmex writes:

  jason thanks for everything we cant forget all the memorys, u r a godd inteligent guy in a league full of idi..s god bles u and ur family
  matt u did have a greate teacher take care of ur things dont get ur feat of the ground and u will have a huge carrer.

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