What Does Jason Elam's New Deal Say About Loyalty and Respect for Kickers?

[SeanTaylor21]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I understand the Broncos not wanting to open the piggy bank for him, but this guy connected for 87.1% of his kicks last year (tied for second best of his career), and the year before he connected for 93.1% of his kicks (the best of his career). He also had 4 game winning kicks last year, the most since 1990. He has the most games played in Broncos history, how can they not keep him? He's still valuable.

He's valuable, but he's 38, and unless he stops doing kickoffs to give his leg a rest, he will probably retire and maybe comeback like Morten Anderson does.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SeanTaylor21

He's valuable, but he's 38, and unless he stops doing kickoffs to give his leg a rest, he will probably retire and maybe comeback like Morten Anderson does.

Well, he can still kick the long ball. He had a long of 50 last year, and is 2 of 3 from 50 or longer the last 2 years. 38 is nothing in terms of kickers.
This guy is absolute money from 20-39. He hasn't missed a FG from 20-39 since 2003 (minus two blocks). That's 68 for 70. He's also durable, missing only 4 games in his career.

I find your kickoffs comment puzzling though, he has only done 2 kickoffs in the last 5 years. He stopped doing them full time after the 02 season, and hasn't done a single kickoff in 2 years.

[SeanTaylor21]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Well, he can still kick the long ball. He had a long of 50 last year, and is 2 of 3 from 50 or longer the last 2 years. 38 is nothing in terms of kickers.
This guy is absolute money from 20-39. He hasn't missed a FG from 20-39 since 2003 (minus two blocks). That's 68 for 70. He's also durable, missing only 4 games in his career.

I find your kickoffs comment puzzling though, he has only done 2 kickoffs in the last 5 years. He stopped doing them full time after the 02 season, and hasn't done a single kickoff in 2 years.

Oh, I thought he was doing every kickoff, my bad.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SeanTaylor21

Oh, I thought he was doing every kickoff, my bad.

No sir...I know Saurbraun did them for a while...he had a huge leg.

[SeanTaylor21]

Originally Posted by jsarno

No sir...I know Saurbraun did them for a while...he had a huge leg.

Didn't Sauerbran get suspended for using steroids?

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SeanTaylor21

Didn't Sauerbran get suspended for using steroids?

Well, not exactly. He took a banned dietary suppliment back in 06 that got him suspended for 4 games. When he played in Carolina, they fined him for being over weight, then he started taking the dietary suppliment to control his weight. No one knows if he knew it was illegal or not. But that's the story. Supposedly it was ephedra. He was linked to a doctor that prescribed steroids and HGH to NFL players, but nothing was proven.
He is currently a free agent if I recall though. Shanahan took him back for 07 and he agreed to stay clean and out of trouble. Well he had a run in with a cabbie in december, and a week later was released. Sauerbrun has a history of alcohol abuse.