This is my 36th year working for a team, my 33rd with the Denver Broncos, and one of the most frequently asked questions of me has to do with what the players are really like, who are the nicest guys, the most professional, and the best with whom to work.
First of all, every person has good days and bad, and each day is a variable in human relationships.
But yesterday the Broncos signed Jason Elam to a one-day contract so he could retire as a Bronco, and I was the MC for the press conference which included comments and a jersey presentation by owner Pat Bowlen.
The reason this happened was that Elam is in fact in a tie for best guy ever—not sure with whom he is tied, there are a number of eligible candidates, but plain and simple, there has never been anyone any better for me to deal with in my career.
From the moment he arrived here from the University of Hawaii, looked me in the eye, shook hands and said he would be available for whatever we needed, he has been.
A lot of guys say it, but sometimes they disappear when the times get tough.
Jason was not just available when he made the big kick, and every Bronco knows he has made as many of them as any kicker ( more of them, actually) in the history of the game, but he was available after the losses as well.
As the press can tell you, that is the real measure of availability—do you stand there and answer the tough questions. Do you stand there and say, “It was my fault, and there is no one else to blame..”
He did not have to do that too many times in a Hall of Fame career, but he always answered the call.
And beyond what he did not the field, Jason Elam was always a big time guy in the community, not just the city of Denver and surrounding Broncos Country, but he has made a legitimate and consistent contribution to Christian-related causes (regardless of any beliefs that one may or may not have, you can’t knock good works in a community) and a fervent support of American troops deployed overseas, particularly in combat zones.
This is a class guy, and it has been a pleasure to deal with him every day.
You never went up to him with a bad feeling in the back of your mind.
He was always cordial, polite, professional, and more often than not, accommodating, a model of ideal player conduct representing his team and city.
Jason Elam was great, and it was an honor to work with him.
Now, here are some Hall of Fame stats to consider.
His career figures in every department are higher than those of Jan Stenerud, who is in the Hall now.
He is third all-time in wins among kickers (combined regular and postseason), trailing only Gary Anderson and Morten Andersen—but Jason has a far better winning percentage at .608. Their combined percentage was only .532.
His 169 career regular and postseason wins rank behind only Gary (210) and Morten (192) in the history of pro football, but Jason Elam did something they never did—he kicked on two world championship teams. They combined for one Super Bowl appearance, no wins.
Winning matters, right?
Elam ranks third all time in field goal percentage on kicks of 50 plus yards, minimum of 30 such attempts—his percentage was 61.2 from the 50 and beyond, 41 of 67. He trails Jeff Wilkins and Josh Brown in percentage, with Jason having more than 50% more attempts than either guy.
So, how many kickers in history have connected on more attempts from the 50 or beyond? Only one kicker, Jason Hanson, who made 42 (one more), but in 79 attempts—so, Hansen went one for 12 more than Jason in making that one more kick.
Now, how many kickers have made 41 field goals from the 50 and beyond, AND played 17 seasons in the NFL, AND had a career field goal percentage of 80 percent or higher, AND had his team win over 150 games, AND win multiple world championships (and please, don’t even bring up Adam Vinatieri—he is not even in the top 25 in successful 50-yard field goal attempts, with a percentage from that distance under 50%, by the way).
Jason Elam is the only one who meets all of that criteria, and in fact Jason Elam is the only kicker who meets even HALF the criteria.
No other kicker, ever, has reached more than two of those five criteria.
Jason Elam, Jason Elam, Jason Elam. That’s the answer.
When you are the only player at your position in the history of your sport who is the answer to an extremely demanding set of standards, you are a Hall of Fame player.
Tags: Jason Elam, Pat Bowlen, Retirement
whoever we get in the first will be a star that’s all I can see this year.ah i sit here at 6 in the morning and wonder what number Brady Quinn will be so I can wear that awesome super bowl MVP jersey.when he got drafted I remember sitting with my friends who weirdly enough all cheer different teams and all we could say was wow this kid is going to win it all one day.bring Dez in remember when Randy moss was drafted how far he slipped and how good he was.think about it Marshall is Baby T.O. Dez is like Randy and Eddie is just plan awesome. add in Quinn who put in the right system(our system)will flourish.and to top it off we got Dawkins last year who said he prayed just like Reggie White and was told to go to Denver to win the Super Bowl.Well guess what I believe and the last time I felt this way was in 2005 and we went to the AFC championship game,I might have high hopes but we have the talent to do this
2011 super bowl Champions Period
DoomervilRocks92, no idea what you are referring to about the NT need thing, I may have told you to stop complaining during last pre season if all you did was complain about what McD was doing, as did all the Shanny lovers, but to imply that I said we didn’t need a NT is plain silly, even childish. As everyone knows, I have wanted a newly rebuild D line since McD took over and then he really upset me with last year’s draft picks, addressing none of it. Just clarifying blurr vision here…
It all comes down to if Fields or Baker can progress into a dominant 3-4 NT. We’ve seen what Williams can do and hopefully he has a couple of seasons left in his tank. Like every position there are little tips that the veterans pass down to the younger guys. I was hoping we’d get something accomplished on the d-line this offseason and we did with acquiring some proven veterans or as some say “old” I’m glad to see the improvement on the d-line but we do need to use some of our youth. This year there are some good NT in the draft. Its so hard because do we want to see if Fields or Baker evolve or just still take a NT in the draft? I still think that the o-line is the top priority now. We need to get a “big nasty” in the middle of our o-line.
I agree we need a big nasty in the O line, I would even venture out that we need two of them, a center AND a guard, because relying on Kuper and Olsen there is just too thin. But Dan Williams is the only big nasty worthy of the #11 pick and that’s why we need to trade Marshall so we can pick that center, guard and Power Back with the additional early picks. I still think we can get an early second and a fourth for Marsh, a third for Scheffler and it gives us two picks in each round 2 through 4. That’s the best way I see we can effectively address our needs in this draft, and if we get a first and a fourth for Marsh the better.
As far as Fields becoming a dominant NT, I think he has had plenty of chances to do so and has basically fallen short. Since he got drafted in 2005, that’s 5 years NFL experience, so to hope he can somehow find now what he hasn’t for 5 years is a stretch, as for Baker, the guy would be overcoming incredible odds if he could become a dominant NT considering he wasn’t even drafted last year, hence Dan Williams the more sensible option to be Jamaal’s replacement down the road, just my opinion.
If you ask me I still say we take Dan Williams at#11.What if 2 or 3 weeks into the season Jamal goes down,then the same guys that played NT last year will have to play again,ut oh,here comes the rest of the NFL running it down our throats again,I think McD knows Jamal is only a temporary fix,but also he is trying to save his job,if we don’t draft for the future for our Dline we will regret it,besides Walton and Olsen(both Centers) will be available in 2nd-3rd rounds.Just one man’s opinion,that don’t mean a helluva lot.
BFE, 2 opinions might carry more weight than one, if we band together McD might hear us all the way from the top of his tower, Dan Williams for our first pick!!!!
But it will probably be McClain, haha.
Huh, I really thought that was you, bay. Sorry to accuse you wrongly. But, I still remember, after the 1st preseason game vs. the 49ers, that I always said that we needed a NT, and finally someone said that we were fine, and that I should stop complaining, and that Fields would be the answer. LOL
Just a side note, it’s kind of weird that Andy Reid agreed to let McNabb go to a division foe, if I were an Eagle fan, that would make me hot under the collar, and that just a year after letting go of Dawkins, a lot of mad Eagle fans right now, and rightly so. Come to think of it it falls exactly in the same category of McD getting rid of Cutler and seemingly doing the same with Brandon a year later, unhappy campers in more than one NFL city, that’s for sure…
No problem doom92, so many bloggers, how can anyone keep up with what was said 6 months ago…
So, bay, I don’t get it. Do you want Marshall to stay or go?
Just goes to show you how bad the Eagles really wanted McNabb gone. That would’ve been like McD really wanting Cutler gone so he just trades him to the Raiders.
doom92, that’s something we agree on, since last pre season I have been posting “Marshall must go” at the end of many posts, you must not be on very often to have missed that about me. I am all for integrity first, football talent second, that’s the old man’s life standards speaking, so yeah, the sooner he goes, the quicker the cleansing. Just my opinion, have to say that since I get blasted about it all the time, LOL.
When I spoke of unhappy campers, I am referring to the majority of the fans, not I personally, I see now where your confusion came from.
I definately agree with that, bay. If he can’t keep his off the field activities from affecting him on the field, then he doesn’t want to put the team first, and that affects the whole team, so he is more of a problem than a help, so we should try and get as much value for him as possible. I strongly believe that our recieving core will be fine without Marshall.
I do too, Gaffney at 6’2″ is the same height as Dez, the one who some say should replace Marshall if he is let go, Royal will hit his stride for sure, Stockley has still got a year or two left in him, Lloyd is better than adequate and McKinley has shown reason to be hopeful about his development, where exacltly are we hurting at WR, like you I don’t see it.
Its not our receiving core I’m worried about it is our QB core. Regardless if you love him or hate him, he bailed out Orton serveral times last season with some great catches on some poorly poorly thrown balls. Doesn’t matter if Marshall stays or goes, our QBs need to work drastically on accuracy with both long and short throws. Also we need to get our ground attack consistent and effective.
brian, obviously McD feels the same way as you do and that’s why he traded for another QB. That been said it is not a valid excuse on its own to keep a guy like Marshall, but the fact that McD shored up the QB spot tells you Marshall will no longer be here exacltly for the reason you stated. No Marshall to bail out Orton, bring in Quinn and hopefully we’re ok long run even if Marshall goes, that’s the way I read it.
That’s how I see it too, bay. We have another QB who is fluent in this system, so there won’t be a learning year like you could say for Orton, and that will be good.
Early in the morning is about the only time you can talk about a future without Marshall without being hounded by the Marshall fans, because they ain’t up yet, LOL.
Ya, no kidding.
One is.LOL
Haha, good one Baylin. I’m one of those guys who could go either way. I’m ok for trading Marshall as long as we get good value out of him. But honestly, I wish Marshall would wake up one morning and have the same attitude and character as Rod Smith and Eddy Mac. I do believe Marshall is the most talented wide out Denver has ever had, but he is one of the worst team mates. All I know is I’m sick of the Broncos being mediocre (sp?) and I’m sick of Charger fans thinking their team is God’s gift to the world.
GO BRONCOS 2010….
BFE, congrats on your restrain, LOL.
Big D 44 I don’t think the Chargers will have much to brag about this year.I think we win the division and they can shut-the-f-up.LOL
Also, I am very thankful that Mcnabb did not go to the Raiders.
Marshall fan walks in right on cue! Well we got exactly one week left, April 15th for teams to sign restricted free agents. Rams not interested.
Mcd has repeatedly told fans he’s completely happy with his backfield, yet has hardesty and gerhart coming to town. Another lie to the fans perhaps? No logic in wanting gerhart when he had hillis. Which means it was more of a personality clash than football in getting rid of hillis.
Bay,starting to mellow out a bit more,tired of all the drama,sick of all the Marshall trade talks,I hope he stays,but no sense arguing about it.It is what it is.LOL
I hope your right BFE. I live in southern california so I really feel the pain when the Chargers spank my Broncos in Denver. I’m still scarred. lol
But I do agree with you. I’m very optimistic that we will win the bring the AFC West crown back where it belongs, in Denver baby.
I think we all knew all along McD had Hillis in the doghouse for good, the proof was in the pudding, meaning anyone who saw last season would of had to know. Of course I am on board with the we need a power back, in fact I am probably the only one who stated we need TWO.
DB I heard Hardesty was comin for a private workout,as everybody knows I’m a UT fan,watched Hardesty play a lot,he’s 225 lbs but runs like a Beast,if we could get him 3rd round,would be ok with me,I don’t think we need to take a RB any higher than 3rd round.IMO
If we “absolutely” have to get rid of Marshall, I like Baylins scenario. Bulk up the interior Oline, get another stud power back (Gerhart). Get another NT (D. Williams), or I would be happy with Mclain (sp?). If we could really make teams fear our running capabilities, the passing part becomes easy.
DrunkenBronc: In my opinion Hillis is not as good as Gerhart. While Hillis did well for us when 6 HB went on IR, he lacks the vision and some speed. While they both have similar physical attributes Gerhart has been running the ball and is a true HB, while Hillis is truely a FB. You can “be happy” with your backfield and still work on aquiring some skilled players or look to see how to better your team. I’m happy with my car but I still have to keep putting tires on it.
Problem with Hardesty is he is prone to multiple injuries, we already have two of them, Bucky and Arrington, I don’t see how in the world we need a third…
Bay I agree considering buckhalter will go down with an injury. I just don’t like being told by mcd that there’s nothing wrong with the backfield and he’s happy with what he’s got. Then uses the 11th for a running back.
I think Arrington may be used more for returning kicks. Therefore letting Royal kind of focus on the WR posistion. I don’t know but it seems like Arrington’s productivity is mainly returning kicks.
I like Gerhart and Dixon,but both will probably go in 2nd round,so I’d rather have Scott or Hardesty in the 3rd or 4th.
like to see us get
Williams NT
Spikes ILB
Walton OC
1st 3 round
Agreed, but obviously he has shown that that’s the way he operates, for tactical reasons or whatever, but he will usually do opposite of what he leans you to believe, so once you are used to it, he is actually easy to read, LOL.
I think that we need a power RB, because there is no one on our roster that can get it done right now.
I don’t want to “get on my soap box” again, but Gerhart would be a huge addition to our team. IMO he was “hands down” the best running back in college football last year. He is very poweful, smart, quick, and has zero issues off the field.
Brian hillis played against pro teams. Gerhart played against the PAC 10. I live in nor cal and he’s overrated here. Best is the better bay area running back.
I just have a hard time replacing players who proved they can produce on an NFL field for players who haven’t played an NFL down.
On the goal line, I mean.
Bay Hardesty had over 1300 yards and 13 TD’s last year and was healthy.Averaged over 100 yards a game in the SEC is hard to do,just saying.
No doubt Toby is a McD character guy, I hope we get him.
Gerhart 1,900 yards and 27 touchdowns. Best is a home run threat and is fast, but he is not better than Gerhart. Come on DrunkenBronc it’s too early to start hitting the bottle. LOL
DurnkenBronc: I agree, Hillis did prove he could produce. I think even though Hillis was in McD’s doghouse, I think the biggest thing that drove McD to trade Hillis was the low risk high reward he got with Quinn. If the Browns weren’t shopping Quinn, Hillis would still be a Bronco. I don’t think he strictly got rid of Hillis because he didn’t want a power back. It just make the decision easier knowing that there are some coming up in this years draft.
BFE, Legwold is the one who scared me about Hardesty, here is what he said:
But he has a long history of injuries, including having his knee drained last season (because of persistent swelling) on his way to 1,345 yards rushing. And that was his only “healthy” year.
During his Tennessee career, Hardesty missed practice time because of a sore shoulder, had a stress fracture in his lower leg, had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage and had surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. The torn ACL required a second surgery during his recovery.
But Hardesty, when healthy, finishes runs well and runs with an edge. Still, his health issues are red flags.
Lol big D. Just had too much gerhart shoved in our faces out in Cali.
Brian ya it was a good low risk high reward. At least they didn’t get rid of him for nothing!
Bay notes well taken,but he looked awesome last year,I see where injury issues are worrysom,but supposidly he’s healthy now,maybe someone we take a chance on in later rounds if we get extra picks,I like Gerhart but hate to use a 2nd round pick to get him,since we used a 1st to get Moreno last year.We definitely need to address Oline,Dline depth,and ILB 1st.IMO