Jason Elam Goes To Atlanta

by Dave Choate on Mar 18, 2008 1:57 AM EDT in Falcons News

My favorite thing about the kicking position is that you can have a full-on geezer battle. if old and still effective kicker Jason Elam ends up in Atlanta, the Falcons will still have ancient Morten Andersen on speed dial in case he's injured. Hell, maybe they can have wheelchair races around Flowery Branch. That'd be worth the price of admission.

But I was going to talk about something of substance. I really would like the Falcons to go young at kicker for the long term, but I'll be damned if I can say no to one of the game's better kickers for a year or two. Elam still converts a high-percentage of his kicks and hasn't lost as much leg strength as some have fussed over. I'm not saying he's going to take kickoff duties from Koenen (as a matter of fact, there's no way in hell), but he's certainly a nice option for field goals.

I'm just as much on board with the drafting of a young kicker like Brandon Coutu as the rest of you. I think if I suggested otherwise, you'd mutiny (is this a naval blog?), so I'm still very much in favor with bringing a kicker aboard in the later rounds. If the Falcons could someone keep two kickers on the roster, that would be the ideal situation for a youngster to learn from Elam/Andersen/Mighty Thor.

Still, let's see what happens Wednesday.

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Comments

Elam Still Has It

Dude kicked 4 game winning field goals last year. He still has it man. The only thing he might have to worry about is that we aren't a mile high. Actually does anyone think that actually affected his kicking? The fact that the air is lighter?

And of course there are weather considerations. Sure, he would be kicking in a dome, but after this past weekend, will whoever kicks in the Dome have to contend with the wind?

HEY-OOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Mar 18, 2008 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

Disclaimer

Alright, that last joke might have been in poor taste and I apologize if anyone takes offense.

BTW: Is everyone in Falcohlicland OK? I am in the burbs so we didn't get much of the storms/tornados.

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Mar 18, 2008 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions

No need for a band aid

On one hand, you really can't complain about possibly signing a guy who kicked the longest field goal ever. On the other hand, its not like the team needs a temporary stopgap at any position. There is some full blown, long term rebuilding going on in Flowery Branch at nearly every position. Its not having an inexperienced kicker will cost the team a Super Bowl over the next couple years. Like I said in the Irons thread, they would be better off going with youth for now so when the time comes, they will be experienced, in their prime, and ready to make a run at the playoffs.

by SG Standard @ The Falcoholic on Mar 18, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Meh

The kicker and punter positions are non-issues in my opinion. Sure, having a really good one is nice, but it's not a show-stopper, at least not at this point in our rebuilding process.

I thought your joke was great runningback, but I do wish all is well to any of our readers that were in the area, as there were a lot of events taking place at that very moment.

by Jesse @ The Falcoholic on Mar 18, 2008 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

Young Kicker

I've had high hopes from the time Couto started kicking at Georgia that the Falcons would draft him or sign him as a undrafted FA.
If Elam does sign with ATL then I would assume we would not draft a kicker given the obvious holes there are on the team.
I will say this having a kicker who could kick a FG longer than 40 yards would be a plus.How many times did the Falcons punt or go for it on 4th down when if they had a good kicker would have tried that long FG?.
I look forward to seeing the rewards of the new management system and as most every day Falcon fans know it will take a couple of years for their plan to take hold and grow.

by gasportsfan on Mar 20, 2008 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

Elam signed for $9M over 4 years

Includes $3.3M guaranteed. It's the 2nd highest amount of guaranteed money being paid to a kicker.

Does anyone know how much Andersen was paid last year? Think he made the minimum in 2006.

If Elam retains effectiveness, it doesn't sound like too bad a deal financially though. Apparently the Falcons won't be drafting kickers any time soon.

by tom slick on Mar 21, 2008 6:19 PM EDT reply actions