To think — Jason Elam was “a little frustrated” on Sunday.
His miss from 45 yards out in the third quarter was the final bullet that killed a drive in which the Broncos got to the 20-yard-line but could not convert. It also was part of the moment that turned the game against the Broncos, as the Raiders capitalized and subsequently shrunk the Denver lead to one score on the ensuing possession.
But all was well that ended well. You can probably argue that it was his miss from 45 that allowed the Broncos to get a second consecutive dose of late-game comeback heroics from the offense, along with a second consecutive game-winning kick from the 15-year veteran who wears jersey No. 1. Elam hit the game-tying and game-winning field goals Sunday, and Wednesday will be named the AFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week.
Elam doesn’t know if he can take too many tense games, but is happy to provide the finishing kicks to them.
“I don’t want 16 of them,” he said, “but it’s been pretty fun so far.”
The Broncos’ elder statesman — who has been special teams captain for both games so far — has 20 points already this season and is on pace for his 15th consecutive 100-point season to start his career. That ongoing standard is a league record.
Elam becomes the Broncos’ first AFC Player of the Week since John Lynch carted home the defensive honors in Week 17 of the 2005 season for his two-sack, two-forced fumble, seven-tackle day in a win at San Diego.
Of course, Elam could have had a case for the award last week, when in spite of two misses, he drilled a hurried 42-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Bills. This week against the Raiders, his game-ending task was much easier and far more leisurely in nature.
“I like the 23-yard variety a lot better than the sprint-on-the-field for the 42-yard variety,” he said.
Tags: Jason Elam, Special Teams
Mr. Elam = very consistent !! On a team whose trademark has been inconsistency the last two - three years, #1 has been pretty consistent. He can always be counted on to tie or win a game if the need arises. The rest of the team can take Jason’s lead and gain more consistency. Once this happens, Super Bowl here we come. Go Broncos !!!!!
It’s good to see the Broncos get some recognition. Now, if we could only turn some of those 23-yard, 3 point varieties into the 19-yard, 1 point variety, I’d feel alot better!!!
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
How much truth is there to the speculation that having a new holder has been the main culprit in his 3 misses?
Bronco_Hyde is on too something, I think kickers are very sensitive and you need to treat them with kid gloves. Why not use Brandon Stokley he has great hands and is very athletic. I think Sauerbaun holding is the main reason for the misses.
Go Broncos!
Do you guys really think Todd is the reason for the misses? Maybe they should hire Jake just for that! I think Todd will do fine! Jason was named player of the week by the NFL!!! How great is that!???
There may be something to the change of holder, but I am also thinking that Elam is heading into the twilight of his career. I hate to see him go, but we had better start looking for next year. Its only a matter of time before he loses a game for us.
I agree with TSG…a few more 20 yard 1 pointers would be nice. Not only nice, but necessary with some of the teams coming up in the next few weeks on the schedule. Congrats to Elam though, no one could be more deserving!
Bronco_Hyde and Knuther i agree 100%. elam very directly said during training camp that he and todd sauerbraum were working on getting used to eachother, and that he hoped they would be good to go by the time the regular season came around. despite our most logical analysis, i really don’t think we can appreciate the nuance that goes into making a field goal work between all members of the squad, particularly the long snapper, the holder, and the kicker. elam stated that plummer was an exceptional holder…
alright… go broncos…
the broncos have been blessed to have two of the most masterful players in nfl history.John elway and jason elam…
go broncos
crush the jags
jason will get back on track, he’s his own worst enemy right now. hopefully once he realizes that he’s already made maybe the greatest kick ever made in the history of the nfl this year he will quit sweating the holder and get back to making it look easy like he has through out his entire career. heck, he may have another 10 years in that leg! gooooooooo jason!
goodkik
Jason Elam isn’t going anywhere for a long time… the only place he’s going is into the record books. He’s reliable, consistent & the best kicker (in my opinion) in the NFL… yeah he’s missed some but so has everyone else… for those who doubt him I’d love to see you try to do what he does especially kicking the record 63-yarder!!!!!
I’m glad he’s having fun, I’m having fun watching but I too would love to see more touchdowns with an extra point following up… those are what I care about the most but him & his talent saving our butts twice in a row is remarkable & shouldn’t go unnoticed. You rock Elam, keep ‘em coming!!!
Go out there Sunday & crush the Jags. GO BRONCOS!!!
Okay but the only thing that has put him in line for being a hero is him. He is a great kickier and I dont remeber anyone esle ever kicking for the broncos, but the time will come and its sneaking up here soon. If it wasnt for Jason we wouldnt be talking about the great coaching move by Mike to call that time out and allow us to win. He is a great and should be in the hall of fame, but who is next?
Elam is a legend! I still remember my FIRST EVER Bronco game in 2000, MNF at Mile High, against a Raider team who were 8-1. Under 1 minute to go, Raiders leading slightly, Griese passing, Broncos moving, and then a timeout with only 3 tics on the clock! Out comes Jason Elam, . . . BOOM! Orange and Blue mass-elation!
It always amuses me how Kickers and Punters seem to get further in the NFL based on their “additional” skills of either holding for FGs or being able to take Kickoff duties. But yet, the responsibility these players carry is so often overlooked, . . . until you do a “Romo”!
It seems like the chemistry between Elam and Sauerbrun is coming together though.
BUT are there ever any times when fans/outsiders are actually told what went wrong with a FG attempt? I mean it makes the kicker look bad when his stats say 1of4 and the holder is actually the person at fault. Or is all this kind of stuff kept “in-house”??
Great beginning this year……who would’ve guessed our “kicker” would again be the difference between a W and an L. Jason, you are Hawaii’s pride and joy when it comes to performing under pressure…GO BOWS and GO BRONCOS!
How about a little credit for the snapper?
Kickers are many times just looked @ as mere necessities but how many games are won & lost by the conversion or FG. Jason is one of footballnations best. Kick on, my man. Kick on…
JAGS ARE COMING!!!!! KICK ON JASON!!!!!
way to go jason. your the best kicker in the nfl. go broncos.
No Sweat Jason, you will break their will again with the 3 point win!!!
Jason, in my opinion, is the best kicker in the NFL… I’m so tired of hearing “Why is Elam your favorite Bronco? He’s JUST a kicker.” Jason has scored more points than any other Bronco… He’s been reliable and dependable just as much, if not more, than any other player on the team. He rarely gets the recognition he deserves… and I was so happy to hear that he’ll be with the Broncos for many years to come!
http://www.myspace.com/luvinelam