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
Like I posted the other day.As far as the draft goes,were like a kid in a candy store,all the candy but only one dime.LOL
Lol a dime? How old is that candy store?
With Marshall and Scheff traded, we get three more dimes, LOL. That’s seven dimes in the first 4 rounds, not too shabby.
With the 6th and the 7th, we nearly have a dollar worth, LMAO…
Tebow just signed a $300,000 deal with Nike BEFORE HE IS EVEN DRAFTED!?!?!?
That’s per year, not bad for chump change…
See, it’s always all about money as the last few posts attest, LOL.
Im all for Dan Williams. Depth and youth, and if Jamal goes down, then Bannan can move inside. Like he was originally signed for!
If Marshall is traded, then Dez and Gerhart can come on board. We will need the weapons.
Sorry OC, your hypnotic didnt work on me. Unfortunately we are closer to the 2-8 team then we are the 6-0 version.
McNabb to the skins with Shanny? At least we arent the only team losing pro bowl players. Although Reid is doing it the smart way. You know, at the end of their career! Instead of the prime of their career! Take notes McD.
Well, I though Scheff would eventually end up in DC, but I dont think Washington will part way with a 3rd rounder now. If McD really wants him gone, then a 4th and 5th maybe.
One more though. Stockpiling picks….how many teams are built with all first or second round draft pick???? Not many. And certainly not the good ones. Which is weird if you think about it. Teams like Detroit and STL and Buffalo seemingly are constantly picking top 10…..
BTW, Dan Williams with the 11th pick……….
Thought you might have had that grandchild baylin….with your layoff! lol
That was 6 weeks ago already, a little girl.
Looks like you worked on Easter week end, or you just took some time off.
Last year we got 3 RBs in FA, and ended up drafting another RB with the 1st pick. This year we stuffed the DL in FA, so, it’s still probable that our 1st pick goes to DL, hehe!
I think that we should draft Dan Williams with the 11th pick, and then try and get another 1st to get McClain. If we could get both, it would be a good draft.
Look guys, I know that A LOT of people feel like its stupid using a 2nd round pick on a running back but seriously think about it for a minute. How many times did we have 4th and 1 last year just to get shut down??? How many times were we in the red zone just to get shut out of it and take a field goal….
Toby Gerhart is the type of guy that can get it done all the time for you…No injuries, AMAZING stats, and the type of running style that gives defenses migraines whenever he goes heads up to them. He will be the unstoppable train…I’m telling you! Nominated for the heisman and we could get him for our second round pick??? Most heisman nominations go for 1st round. I think that us getting him 2nd round will be a bargain for us.
I think we should get Iupati/Williams/McClain with our first and Gerhart with our second and then fill in the OC need and the other offensive line needs!!
I just think that gerhart is the type of player that you can just about BET on that will have GREAT success in the NFL!!
The guy who won the heisman won’t even go in the first round.
3 rbs in free agency, one in the draft and rb is still a problem for the team? Seems to me they don’t have an eye for rb talent.
Worked overnight Saturday. Family functions and all that good stuff….
congrats btw.
Freak, Im totally on board with your opinion. Not many people are talking about it, but losing Bobby Turner as our RB coach will have more negative effects than positive, in the short term. We dont have the luxury to draft potential in the lower rounds any longer. Regardless of what other people may think, I am still not sold on Moreno being the everydown back.
And for the love of Denver Broncos football, can Spencer Larsen please get the chance to be our starting ILB!!!!!
Then, Marshall must be traded for a 1st. Nothing less. And apparently no team wants him that bad.
Last offseason I said it would be great to trade Marshall for what he thinks his real worth is. Now, no one is going to give that.
Question… what’s better to have…
A: Marshall and Dan Williams?
B: Marshall and McClainn?
C: Dan Williams and McClainn?
sndvl:
I’m all for Larsen to be ILB, if we had someone else to play FB.
whitebronco#1:
C.
A or b.
C hasn’t even played on an NFL field. You go with what’s a proven or a potential.
C could very well end up A crowder and moss.
Very true, DrunkenBronc, but Marshall could very well get himself suspended for the whole season from now till the beginning of the year.
Re: C, Shanny is now in Washington, LOL, he was a master at blowing it monumental on the D side of the ball with bad picks, a repeat of that is about as likely as us winning the SB this year.
Look Sndvl, I know you dont like McD at all, but think of it this way. under Shannahan when was the las time we made a run (Plummer’s last full season as a starter) at the playoff’s. Bobby Turner is an incredible coach but when was the last time that meant a championship calber team and running game? When was the last time we had a defense that was able to stop any other team from destroying us. The fact is (and it breaks my heart, I loved Denver Broncos Football under the Shannahan regime) that we just werent getting it done, we went stale. It was time for a change and that was a McD. When Shanny first came to Denver there were questions as to whether he could hang and he did and tore it up. All Im saying is give the guy a shot, when was the last time a team switched to somethin completly new and was a champion right away. So guys just wait alright. And none of us has a clue who is going in the draft so shut up sit back spark a bleezy crack some cold ones (Baylin open a bottle of wine lol old guys ya know) and just enjoy the ride namean
He hasn’t been in trouble with the law for a while now. I just would take a pro bowler over a draft pick anyday. How many times can you say a player looked incredible in college and amounted to nothing in the pros? Then how many wrs are in the NFL? How many of them are probowlers? Better yet how many of them caught more balls than Marshall last couple years? That’s talent that can’t be replaced by a draft pick, unless it a top 10 and your thinking about the 2013 season. Scary to think about orton without marshall. One hand grabs for over or under thrown balls can’t be replaced by gaffney
Age has nothing to do with drinking beer, broncosfolife88, real men drink beer at any age, this one does, LOL.
He hasn’t been in trouble ever since he has been on the clock waiting for a long term contract for the big bucks. What happens once he gets the big bucks is a totally different matter all together, just my opinion.
Good to know Baylin and congrats on the Grandaughter
People don’t change radically, they may smoothen out the rough edges over the years, but in essence most everyone remains what they are, I don’t see Marshall escaping that.
Thanks guys, it does make you feel softy again when you see that little girl.
People can change. I was a troublemaker now I’m a saint.
Baylin I respectfully disagree. Not too long ago I was on a one way path to prison or dead in a ditch, I was able to change, now the old homies cant believe where I am and what I am doing. People can change and I believe Marshall has. Look at the fact that he was or still is taking care of his nephew something like that changes a man as it did for me when I had to step up to the plate and take care of my brothers. Marshall has changed but it is a continual process. I have a lot of respect for Marshall and the changes he has made as aplayer and a person.
Yeah, but you’re still a drunk, LMAO…
Guys I hear you, that’s why I said “most everyone remains who they are”, I hope for his sake he is one of the few, like you guys, who can change, I don’t like the odds though.
On another subject, it is reported the Skins try to trade Haynesworth for McNabb, but to no avail, I think Shanny probably feels he’s got another Daryl Gardener on his hands, LOL. No good memories there…
tried
Lol bay.
Speaking of drunks I just got the first season of eastbound and down on DVD. Now Kenny powers, there’s a drunk!
Life88 good to hear you found your way in life!
time is the only testament to a mans change… Unfortunately that is something that is running out for the Marshall/Broncos relationship.
Anybody can get it together long enough to get through probation or keep their nose clean for a few months to get the new contract. Some guys it sticks with them for life.. Others not for 5 seconds after they get out from under thumb.. Lets not foget that BM isn’t trying to raise orphan brothers or change for the better of someone else… BM is doing it for the mula, dinero, frogskins…. $
I love me some BM, and also hate to love BM.. He’s a fantastically gifted athelete and hasn’t done anything really bad for a while but there were negative issues with his behavior just last December towards the last game of the year, when we needed him the most. Thats not very long ago in my book.
He needs to stay and sign his tender to play out the last year on his original contract with no b/s. Then, at the end of the season he will have proved “through time” that he has deffinetly changed for the long term and is worth investing $50 million for the Broncos or another team. jmho
ILMSDB!!!!
Check out the aftermath of this huge McNabb trade:
http://footballnjunk.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/mcnabb-the-aftermath/
So if Marshall doesn’t sign his tender is that the same as holding out? Then he won’t be elgible to play?
sndvl,
You won’t know if the hypnotic worked until you go to sleep and throw away your #6 jersey…. lol
5…4…3…2..1….
sndvl… you will also wake up feeling very refreshed and have an openly enamorite and uncontrolable love for Josh McDaniels…
1…2…3..4…5…
kdn
I think there may be something going on behind the scenes between Marshall and McDaniels. McDaniels said that he “reached out to Marshall and exchanged a message with him at the Pro Bowl”. Maybe they’ve setttled their differences and Marshall will actually be back next season; McDaniels just is using the issue as a way to disrupt other teams in the offseason. I mean, if Marshall really wanted to be gone that badly, don’t you think he would be making a lot more noise (especially when considering his reputation for making an issue known)? And if McDaniels really wanted Marshall gone that badly, don’t you think he would be willing to jettison him for a 2nd round pick if he couldn’t get a 1st? He just gave Marshall freedom to seek a trade, but if a great deal doesn’t come up, he won’t force it.
excellent point MANIAC,
what I don’t understand is why we never use Darius Walker he is on our practice squad,he did pretty good with the Texans
Is there a 6’4″ (or taller) WR in this draft? Anyone knows?
footballMANIAC,
I agree with you! Put #15 on the field in orange and blue again and let’s play football. Hopefully he has changed! Hopefully he and McDaniels will iron this out and we can go do what we need to do! I like where this is heading though.
I started to mentally tell myself #15 was going to be traded…hated thinking about it but I was beginning to see the business side of it. However, if it can be worked out and settled…I’m a happy Bronco fan!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
brian_schneider……
isn’t it about time for one of those…”it’s like when you’re dad……” analogies? LOL!
Come on! LOL …..put one together…..address the Gerhart draft situation!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Yeah, me too. I definitely want to see 15 in orange and blue again- and not as a Bear!
Actually I would rather see him in the NFC, Bears or whatever, than the AFC, and please not the AFC West, thanks.
now that shanny and washington have a qb do you think shanny would trade his no. 1 draft for marshall. has any one heard any thing yet. and if we do trade him dont we want to do it before the draft.