Elam wants $3 million per?

[silverwing]

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2008/whispers030108.htm

Our source in Denver said it was “surprising” that the Broncos and PK Jason Elam had yet to reach an agreement on a contract for next season. We hear Elam is seeking a deal worth $3 million per season, which would place him among the highest-paid kickers in the league, but Denver was not yet willing to sign off on that much of a cap hit.

[Kaylore]

If that is true (and their last story on the Broncos was way off on all counts) then that is ridiculous. I want Elam back, but if you aren't kicking off and are in the twilight of your career, how do you justify that? No other player would ask for that...outside of Deion Sanders when he stole money from the Redskins, but then that's Dan Snyder so you expect him to get hosed.

[Taco John]

See ya!

[bpc]

anybody wonder why he hasn't already resigned? HIS CONTRACT DEMANDS ARE INSANE.

Listen, we are in full rebuild mode. No reason to kick down 3 mill to player who is only used in one phase of our special teams. We don't need any sacred cows, we need to force this team to work harder and expect more.

[Taco John]

Elam has been a Bronco for a long time, and has been through ups and downs with us. But at the end of the day, he's a kicker, and this is a football team. We can get a kicker to fill his shoes for a lot cheaper than $3 million a year.

[Bronco LB 59]

Elam has been a Bronco for a long time, and has been through ups and downs with us. But at the end of the day, he's a kicker, and this is a football team. We can get a kicker to fill his shoes for a lot cheaper than $3 million a year.

And one that does kickoffs.

[peacepipe]

He has been our most consistant player, when hears broncos you think Elam.
Have we forgotten games 1 & 2 of this past season not mention every other close game he has won for us....... With that said I'm sure can find someone youger & cheaper.

[Vegas_Bronco]

I'm his adoptee....trust me....WE NEED THE MONEY!

Jk - even I can't defend him on this point...ridiculous!

[bpc]

Shoot, how many games did Javon Walker help us win over the past 2 years? I also count those first two games as he carried our offense along with Elam and Henry. That didn't stop him from getting cut.

Love Elam, thankful for his service but if we are paying a potential starting WR on the FA market 2 mill and Lynch is taking a paycut from 3 mill, no way we can sign Elam for that much.

[Vegas_Bronco]

Dear Jason,

Jesus is not greedy! I'm sure you will make the right decision, son.

Love,

Your OM Parent

[Ratboy]

Why do old vets who already have cashed in want more money? What the **** is there problem?

Lynch is one of them, I'm shocked he came back after he wouldn't take a pay cut. Does giving you a better deal make you feel wanted? Doubt it.

Elam, so long.

[Killericon]

Give to to him.

[BowlenBall]

Don't want him to go, but can't justify the expense....

If Elam wants to leave a lasting legacy with the Broncos, and/or bolster his candidacy for the Hall of Fame, he needs to drop that demand down to about $1 million per year, and keep kicking with Denver until he's in his 40s.

[fontaine]

Why do old vets who already have cashed in want more money? What the **** is there problem?

Lynch is one of them, I'm shocked he came back after he wouldn't take a pay cut. Does giving you a better deal make you feel wanted? Doubt it.

Elam, so long.

I think with some players you can't fault them. I mean when someone like Gibril Wilson is getting Champ Bailey money then a guy like Lynch with pride doesn't want to take a back seat to that.

But as they say it's a business and I'm sure Elam will get that kind of money from some team that was stung last year with their kicker missing crucial field goals.

[eddie mac]

The franchise tag was less than that.

[Paladin]

I think with some players you can't fault them. I mean when someone like Gibril Wilson is getting Champ Bailey money then a guy like Lynch with pride doesn't want to take a back seat to that.

But as they say it's a business and I'm sure Elam will get that kind of money from some team that was stung last year with their kicker missing crucial field goals.

One thing, though. He doesn't "ice" easily.....

[Hogan11]

Only members of his fan club will wanna pay that much for him.

3 frickin' million per season?? For a PK who only does FG's?? Oh Man.....

[Popcorn Sutton]

I thought "Monday Night Jihad" was doing well?

[eddie mac]

Only members of his fan club will wanna pay that much for him.

3 frickin' million per season?? For a PK who only does FG's?? Oh Man.....

Inside 50 yds at home as well. There's a reason why this team had so many 4th down attempts this year inside the opponents 35 yard line.

[Hogan11]

Inside 50 yds at home as well. There's a reason why this team had so many 4th down attempts this year inside the opponents 35 yard line.

Hey now, whaddya mean?? The last two years have been his best!! He's been "clutch" during that time!! Tora, Tora Tora!!!

::)

3 frickin' million...must be Jihad was self-published and he wants to fund a paperback run or something..:spit:

[TheReverend]

If that is true (and their last story on the Broncos was way off on all counts) then that is ridiculous. I want Elam back, but if you aren't kicking off and are in the twilight of your career, how do you justify that? No other player would ask for that...outside of Deion Sanders when he stole money from the Redskins, but then that's Dan Snyder so you expect him to get hosed.

Are you trying to tell me Deion wasn't kicking off?

[Drek]

Why do old vets who already have cashed in want more money? What the **** is there problem?

Lynch is one of them, I'm shocked he came back after he wouldn't take a pay cut. Does giving you a better deal make you feel wanted? Doubt it.

Elam, so long.

FYI, Lynch did take the cap hit to come back.

And if this is true, which isn't 100% given the source, then there is no way he'll be back. Too bad this wasn't an issue last year when we could've pursued Mason Crosby as an all in one special teamer.

[Traveler]

Keep cleaning house! We're in full rebuild mode. Elam's been our only consistent offensive threat. But not at 3 million per if this article is true.

[Beantown Bronco]

He should fire his agent and lower the demand to $1.5 million, with performance incentives that would bring it to $2-$2.5 if he has a top 5-type year. The difference in take-home pay wouldn't be much if anything.

[MileHighMania]

Nobody wants to pay that $ until we see another instance with 9 seconds on the clock and the K is running out there to kick the game winner. I agree to a lower deal with lots of incentives, but to me - he's worth $3M a year. Sure, he's old and doesn't do everything... but unless there is a younger and just as accurate option out there, be careful of what you wish for with the K.

[Popcorn Sutton]

Nobody wants to pay that $ until we see another instance with 9 seconds on the clock and the K is running out there to kick the game winner. I agree to a lower deal with lots of incentives, but to me - he's worth $3M a year. Sure, he's old and doesn't do everything... but unless there is a younger and just as accurate option out there, be careful of what you wish for with the K.

The $3 million/year he is supposedly asking for would make him the highest paid kicker in the NFL and it doesn't even include the couple hundred grand the Broncos would have to pay kicker X to kickoff. Elam isn't the only kicker that can run on the field and kick a game winner! I'm very thankful for his years of service but I think he's a little off asking for number 1 money.

[That One Guy]

The $3 million/year he is asking for would make him the highest paid kicker in the NFL and it doesn't even include the couple hundred grand the Broncos would have to pay kicker X to kickoff. Elam isn't the only kicker that can run on the field and kick a game winner! I'm very thankful for his years of service but I think he's a little off asking for number 1 money.

Exactly. Who knows if any other kickers would've made that just the same. Elam doesn't do anything better than everyone else in the league. There's just too much sentiment floating around here for a freakin' kicker.

Elam didn't carry the offense in the first few games, just about any kicker (outside of KC) would have been reasonably expected to make those same FGs.

[backup qb]

Thanks for everything Jason but it is time for us to move on. Come back for 1.75 or so and we can have you retire a bronco.

[-Slap-]

A couple points. First, the majority of OM posters howled in outrage over Jason's last contract. As it played out, Elam's deal was surpassed by other kickers contracts over the years and he returned at least 100% of the value of his last deal. Anyone who would deny this is rewriting history to suit themselves.

If I thought we had a legitimate contender on our hands this year, I would be fine with overpaying him a little bit. Another half a million bucks, for the piece of mind of knowing Jason won't clank a crucial game winner, would be money well spent.

In our situation, dropping big coin an a kicker might be analogous to a bad baseball team spending a lot of money on a closer. Of course, you could make the argument that a single win could mean the difference in a playoff spot for a team in our position. I don't want that riding on a Gramatica.

At the end of the day, I hope we can find some common ground. If not, I hope Jason breaks the bank with a Super Bowl contender.

[montrose]

Josh Brown got 5 years, $14.2 million; I'd imagine Jason feels entitled to the same amount.

[orinjkrush]

what percentage of NFL games are won/lost with a FG?
is that trending up or down?
considering that....i'd prolly try to pay it.

[Broncoman13]

Elam has been a Bronco for a long time, and has been through ups and downs with us. But at the end of the day, he's a kicker, and this is a football team. We can get a kicker to fill his shoes for a lot cheaper than $3 million a year.

I agree... If Mare can pass a physical, bring him in! He has a tremendous leg on kick offs too!

[Atwater His Ass]

Nobody knows what Elam demands are. But it's funny watchig you all take it like fact and run with it.

[HEAV]

The front office needs to bring in a few free agent kickers for a look. It would be wise to:
A: See the option's available.

B: Show Elam that he can be replaced and that maybe he should take the deal on the table.

[Bronx33]

how many games did he personally win for us last year?

[Broncoman13]

Elam is my favorite kicker without a doubt and I'll stand here and tell you firmly that at this point we're a lot more than a $3m kicker away from a playoff run. If I thought we were going to be in a lot of close games this year and that 3 pts would be the difference then I'd be all for the 3m and Elam. Make an offer to him, tell him he's our man and that we'd like to have him end his career 5-25 years from now as a Bronco... but no way in hell we're giving him 3m per season.

[ScottXray]

how many games did he personally win for us last year?

Jason did his JOB last year. He made 4 game winning kicks after Cutler and the rest of the offense got him in a position where he could make those kicks.

Clutch of him to do his job and not klank the kicks...but it took the rest of the offense to put him in the position. Seems I remember a few kicks that
went wide ...wasn't there one game where he missed one and then Cutler drove the team back into position in quick time so he got another shot?

If he wants #1 kicker pay he needs to do more than just close-in field goals...

I wish he'd take 1.5 mill and come back and retire with the Broncos. If he won't then maybe its time to say buhbye!

[Bronx33]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Elam

[Dudeskey]

Josh Brown got 5 years, $14.2 million; I'd imagine Jason feels entitled to the same amount.

I'd feel wary about giving that much money to an aging kicker... Bowlen's "cash management" talk leads me to believe he won't be wanting to shell out a lot of big money this offseason... so who knows

[Broncojef]

At this point I think the FO needs to gather information on players available either in FA or the draft and see if there is a viable alternative. I might be hijacked for a year to have Elam's services but I think this should send a real message to the FO they need to focus on the future and get Elam's replacement. Its a funny thing I think most of us on this board saw this coming last year and were calling for Mason Crosby. Shanny and company seem to like reactionary mode much more than proactive mode to build the team long term and it gets real frustrating. I definitely know why Bowlen is in the same state can you imagine even for a moment if some of the stupid pick-ups the last few years had been on your own personal dime....jeez I'd have fired Shanny by now from the GM duties.

[broncswin]

What sucks is we could have signed Josh Brown from Seattle, that guy has got a great leg and accuracy, not to mention he beat us in Denver with about a 50 yarder and is sitting in the prime of his career, I don't know who got him, but I doubt they paid 3 mil. for him.

[Los Broncos]

Thats a lot of money for someone who does nothing but kick a FG.

I love Elam but three mill per? hard to justify that when he is getting older.

But he has been our most constant player, i think we keep him somehow.

[BroncoBuff]

He should be paid among the top 5 kickers in the league, however much that is. He's earned it. Like Adam Schefter says, "teams always forget how valuable a good kicker is, until their inexpensive kicker misses a game-winning field goal." He was referring to Seattle letting Brown go ... but the point applies here, too.

Olindo Mare? :nono:

[Broncojef]

What sucks is we could have signed Josh Brown from Seattle, that guy has got a great leg and accuracy, not to mention he beat us in Denver with about a 50 yarder and is sitting in the prime of his career, I don't know who got him, but I doubt they paid 3 mil. for him.

The Rams signed Josh to just under $3 Mill per year..as Montrose posted earlier it was $14.2Mill over 5 years.

[montrose]

For those who say he's just a kicker, we can get someone else, dadadada... I think it's quite easy to make those comments in March. I'm interested to see what the reaction would be if Jay moves the offense down the field for a game winning field goal against San Diego and out marches Matt Prater, or even Olindo Mare for that matter. The first time a new kicker misses a GW FG, the topic will instantly move towards - was the $2 million we saved on not resigning Elam worth blowing that game? It reminds me of the annual discussion around late August regarding Mike Leach. Bronco fans across the nation mope that we're giving a roster spot to a guy that only snaps, and that we need to find a backup lineman or TE to do it; yet the guy has delivered nothing but perfect snaps since he's been here. It's been a very refreshing feeling to not have to worry about the snap as so many other teams do, a feeling that I'm willing to sacrifice some extra OL or LB who'd be inactive anyway for.

Now for someone who's been preaching saving money, this post may seem to go against the grain; but I simply see no reason to let a guy go who's been money in the clutch not just recently, but over a long term, simply to save what would amount to a small amount of money.

[SoCalBronco]

We missed the boat last year with Crosby. He was there until like the 5th or something. Ofcourse, we didn't have any picks at all on the 2nd day (except for the one we traded for from MIN) but that's Shanny's fault for pissing away our Day 2 picks on slugs like Kennedy etc.

[Wes Mantooth]

I have a gut feeling that he is as good as gone. I bet we lean towards a kicker in the draft that can do kick-offs as well.

[-Slap-]

He should be paid among the top 5 kickers in the league, however much that is. He's earned it. Like Adam Schefter says, "teams always forget how valuable a good kicker is, until their inexpensive kicker misses a game-winning field goal." He was referring to Seattle letting Brown go ... but the point applies here, too.

Olindo Mare? :nono:

Bronco fans would need about one month of Olindo Mare to fully appreciate how good Jason Elam has been all these years.

[MileHighMania]

Denver just gave Colbert $2.5M as a bonus... and he's done nothing in this league. Just saying... I get the sentiment about not wanting to pay a kicker $3M, but ...

[Bronx33]

Bronco fans would need about one month of Olindo Mare to fully appreciate how good Jason Elam has been all these years.

Great point having a good kicker is invaluable and you don't notice his absents until hes gone and all of a sudden your losing those 3 point games.

[broncos loveI]

Well, 3 million a year for a kicker that is at the end of his career. No thanks. Thanks for all the good memories Elam.

[Florida_Bronco]

Anyone have a reliable source for this?

[Florida_Bronco]

Bronco fans would need about one month of Olindo Mare to fully appreciate how good Jason Elam has been all these years.

I can remember back in the very late 90's and early 2000s when alot of lists had Olindo Mare ranked over Elam. I got in many debates over that one.

Guess I should feel vindicated now. 8')

[broncolife]

Denver just gave Colbert $2.5M as a bonus... and he's done nothing in this league. Just saying... I get the sentiment about not wanting to pay a kicker $3M, but ...

Everybody seems to want to pay Elam Nate Jackson money

[MileHighMania]

All I know is this... we've relied on a solid kicker more often than I have liked over the last few years. I've watched many teams curse the kicker when they've missed one when it was needed most. Denver fans have had the luxury of not dealing with that while Elam has been here.

I don't mind the team paying a premium for that peace of mind...

[Hogan11]

All I know is this... we've relied on a solid kicker more often than I have liked over the last few years. I've watched many teams curse the kicker when they've missed one when it was needed most. Denver fans have had the luxury of not dealing with that while Elam has been here.

I don't mind the team paying a premium for that peace of mind...

...or for a slew of more 4th down attempts from inside the opponents 35 yard line apparently.

[Muddled]

Elam is an exceptional kicker and no doubt some contender in dire need of help there would be quite wise to throw that kind of money at him, question is whether we're in a situation where it's wise to tie money up in a premier kicker, dunno, would suck to show a career Bronco the door while he's still performing though

[Broncoman13]

For those who say he's just a kicker, we can get someone else, dadadada... I think it's quite easy to make those comments in March. I'm interested to see what the reaction would be if Jay moves the offense down the field for a game winning field goal against San Diego and out marches Matt Prater, or even Olindo Mare for that matter. The first time a new kicker misses a GW FG, the topic will instantly move towards - was the $2 million we saved on not resigning Elam worth blowing that game? It reminds me of the annual discussion around late August regarding Mike Leach. Bronco fans across the nation mope that we're giving a roster spot to a guy that only snaps, and that we need to find a backup lineman or TE to do it; yet the guy has delivered nothing but perfect snaps since he's been here. It's been a very refreshing feeling to not have to worry about the snap as so many other teams do, a feeling that I'm willing to sacrifice some extra OL or LB who'd be inactive anyway for.

Now for someone who's been preaching saving money, this post may seem to go against the grain; but I simply see no reason to let a guy go who's been money in the clutch not just recently, but over a long term, simply to save what would amount to a small amount of money.


Without a doubt, but you also have to realize that should we pay Elam 3 mil per we're also a fanbase that will jump all over him for missing ONE FG!

Whether we bring Elam back or not I hope we bring in Mare... dude can kickoff better than anybody in the league. I don't care if he's kicking FGs or not... we've had KO specialists before. Pay Elam 3m per and let him punt as well, then bring in Mare to be the KO/backup man.

[SouthStndJunkie]

If the Broncos will pay Nate '156 career receiving yards' Jackson a million per year and Keary Colbert 2.5 million per year, then they can come to a deal for 2.5 million or so a year to keep Elam around.

If they pass and bring in some kicker off the streets and he misses the game winner against SD with the division on the line, then I can guarantee that the first thing Shanny will think of is wishing Elam was in there to kick the FG.

What value do you place on that missed FG?

[NFLBRONCO]

If we lost Elam last year it was a good possibility we'd have the 3rd pick right now.

[jacob2125]

Everybody seems to want to pay Elam Nate Jackson money

Exactly. Everybody wants to give Elam, who has been very clutch, the same amount of money that we give a bench warmer who is injured more often than not?

[MileHighMania]

Mare?

Elam has missed 14 FGs in the last 3 seasons - http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/elamxjas01.htm

Mare has missed 17 FGs in the last 2 seasons - http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/marexoli01.htm

[Broncoman13]

Elam 80.6% for his career

Mare 79.7% for his.

I never contended that Mare was a better kicker. Elam is much more clutch IMO, but Elam also wants a lot more money too. Last but not least, Elam is delicate. To the point of Shanny being afraid to have him Kickoff for fear of injury... not to mention the fact that he's fairly ineffective at kicking off as well.

People are comparing a kicker to a 3rd string TE... Get real people. Punters and Kickers, even the best ones, have been making less money than 95% of the players in the league! The Broncos are paying Patrick Ramsey more money than Elam too... There's a reason for that... the position is more important.

I'd like to see Elam come back at a lesser salary. If he's all about the bottom dollar then he can go and get that bottom dollar. IF he's a team guy, like a John Lynch or Ebenezer Ekuban, and he'll come back at $2m per... I'd be all for it! $3m for a kicker is just not right.

[MileHighMania]

I totally understand your point, but to suggest that Elam wouldn't be a team guy for taking less ... that's a bit over the top.

Players have to look out for themselves... the teams are all about their best interests.

Also - you simply can't throw that % out there for the two and suggest they're similar.

[Broncoman13]

I totally understand your point, but to suggest that Elam wouldn't be a team guy for taking less ... that's a bit over the top.

Players have to look out for themselves... the teams are all about their best interests.

Also - you simply can't throw that % out there for the two and suggest they're similar.


I'm not suggesting Elam is or isn't a team guy. I'm not suggesting that he should stay for less money. What I'm suggesting is that he way his options. If he is inclined to stay in Denver, a place where he has lived and played his whole career, there should be some middle ground. We should certainly pay him for his loyalty and increase his pay when compared to his last contract. But he should also consider that if he wants TOP Dollar, he's going to have to chase it... meaning it will likely be a place like KC or elsewhere.

The % wasn't to suggest they were similar. I openly admitted that Elam was a much better kicker than Mare. The #'s I threw out were to show that his last couple years (the #s you posted) were in direct relation to injury problems Mare has been suffering from.

The only thing Mare is better than Elam at... Kickoffs. The Broncos will likely search for a punter that can kickoff once again. IMO you either bite the bullet and find a kicker that can do it and carry three 'specialists', or really bite the bullet and bring in a new kicker to replace Elam that can do both FGs and KOs. We've been looking for a Punter to do both for 3 years now.

[KipCorrington25]

You know it's his gold digger wife driving all this anyway.

[Blueflame]

You know it's his gold digger wife driving all this anyway.

We "know" this? ??? Based on? ???

[SureShot]

Thank him for his service and show him the door. Dude can't get to the edge anymore.

[Atwater His Ass]

...or for a slew of more 4th down attempts from inside the opponents 35 yard line apparently.

You got the data on that? I'd like to see it.

[Broncojef]

You got the data on that? I'd like to see it.

I like Elam but if you watched the games this year there were key field goals he did miss and we did go for it on 4th down more than usual. Nothing against him he's just aging, it will continue to get worse, at some point we need a change and my guess is the $3 Mill tag may be the nudge we need to go another direction.

[Punisher]

Well, 3 million a year for a kicker that is at the end of his career. No thanks. Thanks for all the good memories Elam.

The guy has been there for us I'm not willing to turn my back on him just yet..I SAY PAY THE MAN8')

[telluride]

Shoulda drafted Mason.

[defenseman]

Incentive laden deal, reasonable gauranteed salary is all he is worth. When you cannot kick off consistently as well as the man on field goals, and are hurt at least once or twice a year, sorry charlie, time to give some back...dman

[Atwater His Ass]

I like Elam but if you watched the games this year there were key field goals he did miss and we did go for it on 4th down more than usual. Nothing against him he's just aging, it will continue to get worse, at some point we need a change and my guess is the $3 Mill tag may be the nudge we need to go another direction.

I watched every game last year just like I do ever year. I want to see the data on how many times we went for it inside the 35 as compared to previous years. I want that data also corrolated with the current game situation.

[bowtown]

I watched every game last year just like I do ever year. I want to see the data on how many times we went for it inside the 35 as compared to previous years. I want that data also corrolated with the current game situation.

I'd also like to know which "key field goals" he missed last season. Seeing as how 3 came in the first two games... which he won for us, and the 4th came in the Detroit game... so unless I missed 5 TDs that put it close in the fourth quarter after I turned that massacre off, I'm not exactly sure what he is refering to. Elam is not worth 3 Million, but he also doesn't deserve imaginary criticizm.

[TheDave]

For those that are willing to say goodbye to Elam, who do you replace him with?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

How about the Broncs sign that kicker from UCLA that the squaws drafted in the third round last year. Sign Elam - better safe than sorry.

[tonngo0]

The reason that Elam has been good the last two seasons, is that he does not have to kick off. All he praticed was kicking FG. So if he going back to KO and FG, I don't think he percentage on FO is as good as the last couple years. I believe Elam value should be his and the specialist KO salary combine. I think we asking 3 Mil a season is too much, the Broncos should move on and find a replacement since Elam is already old anyway.

[Paladin]

Until he reaches 50, he ain't old......