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
Marshall falls into the three year restricted free agent category, here are the rules:
Players with three years of accrued seasons of service are also restricted free agents (RFAs) and subject to receiving (or not receiving) a qualifying offer or tender from their old teams. NFL teams can tender their restricted free agents by offering a one-year contract at any one of five tender options based on a player’s number of accrued seasons. All restricted free agents have the right to negotiate with any NFL team through the April 15, 2010 deadline. If the restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet from a new club, his old club has “right of first refusal,” a seven-day period in which it may match the offer and retain him or choose not to match the offer. The top tender would cost a new team its first- and third-round draft picks to sign the player. Additional tender options include compensation in the form of a first-round or second-round draft pick or pick from the player’s original draft round if the old club don’t match the offer. If an offer sheet is not executed, the player’s rights revert to his old club the day after negotiations must end.
Meaning if an offer sheet is not executed by April 15 by teams like Seattle or any other, the Broncos retain his rights regardless. After April 15, the Broncos would be able to trade him to anyone for whatever offer they deem good enough, so the thought is since teams have not come forward offering the first round pick required, they might just be waiting to force the Broncos to trade him for less, and it might happen before the draft, but if his value is that low to other teams, they might wait until after the draft to see if they addressed their WR need there first before they make a move for Marshall. TO seems to be in that kind of boat now, I doubt Marshall’s value would fall that low, so I can see him traded between April 15 and April 21, just before the draft. And if Marshall doesn’t sign his tender with Denver he would have to sit out the season if he is not traded. At least that’s the way I understand it, please correct me if I’m wrong.
i wish elam could go to the HOF but kickers hardly ever go though
There is no way that washington trades their #4 overall pick for Marshall. That is just insanity.
I truely believe that Marshall is a changed man. Ever since his suspension for kicking the ball in practice he has come back with the right attitiude. He is a total team player and gave it his all week in and week out. There is no way we should trade a guy like that. And please for those of you who say “well he was late to practice”…..first of all it wasn’t a practice, it was a medical treatment session and it was olny 15 min late. Now seriously, how many of you can honestly say that you have never been late for anything in your entire life???? NONE OF YOU….Everybody is late to something time and time again. So you can’t hold that against him, or you are nothing but a hypocrite.
Anyone check out the story on Robert Ayers ? Theirs a comment made by the DC that sounds like he was reading this blog over the weekend
In a nut shell some were saying that Ayers was abust and the DC said
this is real football not fantasy football Which I completely agree with him. 1 point coach Martaindale.
I have one question for all you gerhart fans. Why draft a player who is basicly like a player we just traded away ? Just asking
By the way heisman winner from last year is not even in the draft.
It was me, and I’m glad to have gotten the attention from the Bronco brass. Though it is not my objective to ruffle the feathers of the players and coaches on my team. 18 tackles does not a success make.
I’m glad to hear how they are aiming for much improvement next year. I truly hope Ayers, Moreno, A. Smith all prove me wrong, and this should be just the kind of fuel needed to get it done….
I LOVE ME SOME DENVER BRONCOS!!!!!
Because just like everyone has said, McD hated Hillis with his personality and everything, not because of his talent, McD has said that he loved Hillis’s statement. Gerhart has the same type of talent and he is definitely a team player and a class act kind of guy!!
Robert Ayers didn’t get any sacks, but check out our season highlights, and he’s in the backfield a lot, much like Jarvis Moss, they just need to finish better, even though Moss has had ample opportunity to produce, Ayers gets the benefit of the doubt, being that he was a rookie.
I think Gerhart could be our power back, since we have two slash backs and no real short yardage guy, or we could take the risk on Oregon’s Blount.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/denver-broncos/09000d5d8174d10b/On-the-Beat-Broncos-No-11
check that! thats what we’re getting for our 11th pick
I don’t think we will take a center for our 11th pick just because I don’t think that will be the best available player. I would like an ILB like McClain for the first round and then pick up a center in the second.
Klis is a retard if he thinks thats going to happen! Going to make this short and sweet! Moreno will have over 1100 yards, Ayers will have at least 6 sacks, Smith will have at least 2 picks, and Mcclain will be the first pick! As far as Marshall IDK?!?! So I every time I post I have to come up with some kind of motto/calling card, so here it goes…..
ABRACADABRA BRONCOS 2K10!
I hope we get Royal more involved in the offense this year, between his two seasons, that had to have been the biggest disparity in stats to drop off that far in production, I always thought our receivers matched up with the Pats when McD was coaching them, and thought we would get some of the same production, but essentially those numbers are flawed because we threw a lot more last year, but still I think the coaching staff could of done more to put guys in positions to succeed. Hoping next year we get maximum production from a offense that has proven that it can play at high levels.
I have to agree that going center with the first pick would make very little sense since they are at least three other worthy center prospects outside of Pouncey who can be had in the second or even the third. Jeff Legwold lists some of them in an article in the DP this morning.
Broncfalls: “Once upon a time in a league very much run by money grubbing owners and shelfish players……”
You know when you’re younger and you got your first NES (Head Coaching job) (Nintendo Entertainment System for all those who don’t know what that is “Wikipedia” it) and it is totally AWESOME. Super Mario Brothers (Running game) and Dunk Hunt (Passing game) are just completely cool and you sit there and play for hours and hours. Then you get a little older and realize hey there are some bugs (bad playcalling) and that stupid dog laughs at you when you miss a duck (critics and fans skeptisism) so what do you do you go out and buy a Game Genie (FA). Now you have all sorts of cheats (or for the purpose of this analogy “skill players”) at your disposal. You have even more fun again but then you get tired of “blowing” in the cartridge. Then you hear of another kid that has some more cool games and he’s willing to trade you (Browns shopping Quinn). You’re really happy with your game on the outside but on the inside you’re like “why doesn’t this game work all the time, why do I have to blow in the cartridge, why does it freeze up right in the middle of the last level (Hillis being in the doghouse). However you know that you’re going to be getting your allowance soon (draft) and you know you could probably pick up another Super Mario Brothers 2 (which has a crazy similarity to an India version of the game) game (Gerhart). Same type of cartridge (same physical attributes), you don’t have to blow in the cartridge (actual power back instead of a FB), it doesn’t freeze up (high character and smart too), and now you have all your other games (other players) and your Game Genie (FA) and now you are going to get some new games at the store (draft). However you’re still not sure if you’ll like these games so you go rent them first (combine, workouts, interviews). Then you go back to the store with a list and you get the ones that you liked. Sure enough there is the Super Mario Brothers 2 (Gerhart) game and you really want it but you’re dad (Xanders and Bowlen) says “Are you sure that is the one you want” you look back at the games and notice “hey there’s Super Mario Brothers 3″ (Dan Williams) and you’re like well there is only one Super Mario Brothers 3 (Dan Williams) and it is more popular than Super Mario Brothers 2 (Gerhart) so I’ll get Super Mario Brothers 3 now (Williams in the first round) and then probably pick up Super Mario Brothers 2 later (2-3rd round). Then you’re the coolest kid on the block because you have all three Super Mario Brothers games and then you get the nice big controller (better playcalling) and the adapter to let “4″ players play (new coaches) and then you’re so cool you’re the coolest kid ever (winning the Super Bowl). The End.
But Daddy, what is a Nintendo Entertainment System? (This refers to people that hate McD and think he has no clue how to coach a team and I had to add this in for accuracy) LOL!!
I know its not “its like when your dad” but its what I have. LOL!!!
I wouldnt be mad in the least if Denver drafted Pouncey. But at 11, thats a stretch. Brass can easily trade down 6-7 spots, acquire another pick and still get their guy. Like I mentioned before, stockpile picks lol
GO BRONCOS 2K10!!!!!!!!!!
so brian, are you saying you LIKE McD and his coaching ability/playcalling????
Just like everything there are some things that I like and some that I don’t.
Brian’s imagination at work once again, next time try it in english, LOL/jk.
Me too- I like that hes young and, um, well, uh, er yeah thats about it! Oh his FA pickups. But daddies Bowlen and X-man have much to do with that aspect so….
You don’t like the fact that he holds his players accountable, you don’t like that he doesn’t care if NFL Newtork broadcasts him saying “all we’re trying to do is win the m************g game”, you don’t like that he isn’t afraid to try some things differently, you don’t like that the fact is players are becoming too greedy and maybe just maybe McD is willing to throw away his career on not resigning Marshall or Dumervil because of principle (I think Dumervil deserves it more than Marshall) but anyway I like that he has the balls to stand up to people like that. I don’t like some of the ways he handled himself this past season like at the end with the whole Marshall/Scheffler incident. Hopefully that’ll come with experience.
Besides sndvl I know there isn’t anything you like about McD I’m just bustin your chops LOL!!!!
Yeah, sndvl not liking McD is like cats not liking baths, it’s a gimme.
NFL broadcast…no prob in my book. Comes with youth and fire. Already said I liked that. Everything else…he isnt doing thing differently. Hes doing things the Patriot way. How is that different? Players and greed…came way before McD started coaching at the NFL level. Holding players accountable??? That statement is laughable at best. He should start with himself first…
Look, its too early in the morning to get all fire and brimstone about why I dont like McD (and that list is long and continues to grow), because most everybody knows why. Truth is hes the coach. And he will trade, cut and belittle anybody to prove it. Ive come to terms with it.
Like I stated before, its up to him to field the winning/playoff/respectable football team…
baylin your point would have been better served had you said like dogs and their disdain for cats…lol
brian-loved the NES post, keep it up!!!
Sorry for trying to be a bit original…
Just throwing this out there-
Skins offered Haynseworth to Eagles in McNabb trade. Is it possible that he comes to Denver for Marshall and a swap of first round picks????
Haynesworth plays the 4-3, he carries what’s left of a 100 million dollar contract and seems to have a questionable attitude, other than that he would be perfect, LOL. No way McD goes for any of that, like I said earlier Shanny is trying to unload Haynesworth because he is a painful reminder to him of the 33 million dollar Darryl Gardener guy he traded for who turned out to be a nightmare for him.
In a funny twist, if I remember correctly, we acquired DT Gardener from the Skins.
Ever since Haynesworth signed that $100 million contract he’s been underachieving in my opinion.
I guess in respect for the elders here on the blog you could replace the NES with the Atari. LOL!! Didn’t have an Atari so I don’t know if you had to blow in the cartidges to make it work or not.
In my ears, that’s not english enough yet for me, LOL, you have to go back to board games, hahaha.
Several days ago I laughed at all the “expert” mock drafts and said that somebody would make a change and totally upset the draft and nothing would be the same. Tada!!!! McNabb to the Redskins. The whole draft picture is now officially in a state of upheavel. When are you “kids” going to listen to your elders? LOL
We get NO RESPECT I tell you !!! LOL.
I’ll listen to my elders when they stop pulling their pants up to their armpits. LMFAO !!!!!
Or grow hair out of their ears…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA baylinorcrush, I was going to put that one too. I’m sorry I don’t mean to make fun of old people but you know when I’m old I’m sure some young punk kid who thinks he’s All World will make fun of me.
Yeah, and that dude will have his pants riding on his upper thighs.
I’ve never been one to wear my “pants on the ground” and I don’t care you can wear your clothes however you want. I’m 26 years old and I wear my pants where they should be, but I see these poeple wear their pants on their upper thighs and yet they have a belt on. I thought the purpose of a belt was to hold your pants up, but in their case I think they’re using it to weigh their pants down. LOL!
B. Marsh will play for the Bronco`s in 2010. He`s gonna be orange and blue. No 1st round, no trade.
Ayers Will be ready,after playing backup for a year,I think he’s primed for a big year,and with Doom on the opposite side,opposing QB’s beware…He also played alongside Dan Williams for a couple of years,hopefully they’ll be reunited April 22nd.
Dan Williams NT pick #11.
Brian_Schneider,
That was hilarious!!!! LMFAO! seriously? duck hunt? LOL! The whole blowing in the cartridge thing was brilliant! LOL!
I’m sending this to JMac! Then…I’m going to send him a Duck Hunt T-Shirt and ask for his autograph!
It’ll go down as the day B*Schneider bridged Nintendo and McDaniels!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Brian_Schneider:
The funny (or maybe scary?) thing is that 1: I actually could follow your analogy pretty well, and 2: I’ve played pretty much all of the games you mentioned.
They won’t give dumervil guaranteed money no way they take on haynesworths contract.
“we went out and played as hard as we could to earn a contract”
-Kyle orton
Wow. And to think I always thought they played hard to win.
” we played as hard as we could to try and earn a contract ”
-Kyle orton.
I thought the purpose of playing hard was to win
lotomania…
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