Matt Prater wants to become a better field-goal kicker. Jason Elam has handled those duties for the Broncos since 1993.
You’d think that combination of circumstances would leave the incumbent thinking that an embargo on tips and tidbits about the craft would be advisable. But that isn’t the case with Elam.
Prater wants to learn, and Elam is more than happy to oblige, which is reason No. 732 why the longtime Bronco is one of the highest-quality individuals to pass through the Broncos locker room, whether it’s located on the north side of Denver off Logan Street or in the windblown high prairies of the southern suburbs.
Prater knows he needs the help; his 1-of-4 performance on field goals for the Falcons in Weeks 1 and 2 helped lead to his release in spite of his splendid work on kickoffs, which included a 75-percent touchback ratio and an average of 71.3 yards a kick.
Elam’s first lesson for Prater focused on controlled kicking, “because it’s a different swing from a kickoff,” the 15-year veteran explained. “You’re trying to kill the ball on a kickoff, it’s all out; it’s a driver. The average field goal’s 34 yards, so you’ve got to get your mind around only kicking as hard as you have to, using the 7-iron. So that’s more along the lines of what I was trying to tell him.
“I heard Jack Nicklaus one time, just trying to say that in a round of golf, 75 percent of his hits are mis-hits, but he’s trying to keep it going straight. That’s what I’m trying to get across to him.”
Prater’s attention is rapt when Elam speaks. He knows there might not be a finer moment for him to acquire the tools with which a lengthy NFL career can be constructed.
“I just think of it as an awesome opportunity to learn from him, because he’s done it for so long and he knows something I don’t know,” Prater said. “I hope to learn that from him and take it wherever.
“Then when it’s my time — I don’t know when, a couple of years from now, maybe somewhere else, who knows — I hopefully can learn from him and take it wherever I go.”
INJURY UPDATE:
Neither Daniel Graham nor Ian Gold practiced Friday as the Broncos took their work to the nearby South Suburban Sports Dome. Head Coach Mike Shanahan said he hopes to see what the two injured players can do on Saturday when the club reconvenes for a morning session. Gold is listed as doubtful for Monday night with a knee injury, while Graham is questionable due to a high ankle sprain.
Also listed as questionable is wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who practiced, but was limited in his work. Three Broncos are listed as probable: defensive end John Engelberger (shoulder), center Chris Myers (ankle), and wide receiver Javon Walker (knee). All practiced fully throughout the last three days.
In San Diego, fullback Lorenzo Neal (fibula) was ruled out. Defensive end Luis Castillo (ankle), outside linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee), and running back Michael Turner (shoulder) are questionable, while quarterback Philip Rivers (knee) is probable.
Tags: Brandon Stokley, Daniel Graham, Ian Gold, Jason Elam, Matt Prater, Mike Shanahan, San Diego Chargers, Special Teams
Thanks a lot Andrew, as for the injuries, how likely do you think Brandon Stokely is to play next week?
We’ll see … questionable is 50-50 … but Javon Walker has made it through the full work, and part of the reason Stokley played against Kansas City a couple of weeks back was because Walker couldn’t … it’s reasonable to say that it’s essential for the Broncos to have at least one of them in the lineup, so if Walker can go, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Stokley sidelined. Perhaps Saturday morning will reveal something further … we’ll find out then.
So is this a sign that Jason might not want to play for many more years? Or are we allowing Jason to train a kicker for a diffrent team? I am sure Jason has a few more years left in his leg, but it matters more about how much his heart is in it…
hey andrew,
i am a bronco fan in the philippines, can you help me direct on where to buy bronco films… please…. been searching for 2 weeks now…
thansk!
This raises a lot of good questions about our future. How will we handle getting younger? Will we be able to keep Kuper and Meyers when Hamilton and Nalen get back next year? Will they take a second team role? If they legitimately beat out the veterans will the veteran stay as a backup? Is there a significant drop off in performance from the younger guys? All good questions to ponder while waiting ’till next year.
dekrey:
I think it’s more a sign of Elam’s personal altruism … not that his successor is being groomed, so to speak. Elam is just the kind of fellow who always wants to help. Leg strength might decrease over time, but accuracy certainly doesn’t. When you see Morten Andersen kicking his age, so to speak — he hit a 47-yarder this year and hit that number of years on this earth in August — while also still drilling 87 percent of his attempts, you have to think that Elam might still be hammering home game-winners several years from now if he so desires.
I think Elam is smart enough to realize that having a kicker that can reach past the 10 yard line on kick-offs is to his advantage. He wants to win as much as (and probably more than) anyone else on the team. That’s why he has always been so reliable.
Also, even if the new kid has got great leg strength, he has a long way to go before he starts challenging Jason for accuracy and coolness under pressure.
And, if we ever have a reliable back-up to Jason, he probably thinks we’ll throw to him more often on fakes.
The truly great players are never afraid of competition. It’s what makes them better.
Go Broncos!
i don’t see where having three kickers on the team would be excessive if they all excel at their jobs. this year if we had some longer kickoffs and punts with more hangtime when would of probably had at least two more wins, maybe more. special teams need to be special it you want to compete in the nfl.
have a merry bronco xmas!
Andrew i left you a PM on the message boards, if you could respond to me I would greatly appreciate it !
Thank you,
I think Elam teaching Prater all his secrets is a good thing. Jason has been there for the duration and has taken the bad with the good! He is a great person and deserves a lot of respect! Who is better qualified than Jason to teach? His stats speak for him! YES?
go broncos kill the chargers