Farewell to Jason Elam, a standup guy
- Falcons kicker Jason Elam was 2 of 3 making this one in the first half, good enough to help the Falcons survive the Buccaneers 20-17 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
THE BRANCH – Farewell to Jason Elam.
He was a consummate professional to the media while with the Falcons. He didn’t run and hide in the cafeteria just because things weren’t going perfectly.
Even on Sunday, when he knew he’d played his last game for the Falcons, he talked the AJC’s Ken Sugiura.
“You always feel pressure,” Elam said. “I feel pressure in practice. If you don’t feel pressure, it’s a sign you don’t really care and you need to get out.”
During his slump Elam’s kicks were hooking to the left when the “operation” was not perfect. So when he lined up on the left hash mark to kick that 43-yarder on Sunday, you suspected that it was going to be wide. The offense could have helped him out by running something to the right side, but teams need their kickers to be near automatic from 48-yards on in, according to Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
“It’s been frustrating,” Elam said. “It really has been. I’m just trying everything I can, all these little mechanical things to make sure that I get the ball going straight and it didn’t happen again.”
Long snapper Bryan Pittman didn’t help Elam much. He was low on snaps and then he’d shoot a high and hard one back there. Long snapper Michael Schneck, who is out with cracked ribs, hit the same spot on just about every snap. He was near robotic.
“I didn’t notice the snap at all,” Elam said.
What about the timing?
“It was fine,” Elam said. “Again, it’s all about consistency and I’ve got to figure out a way to be more consistent, bottom line.”
- Chris Redman
THE BOOK ON REDMAN: Chris Redman was a longshot to make the team in 2007. A series of injuries had him out of football and he was selling life insurance back home in Louisville.
Most thought he was just in camp to help Bobby Petrino install his offense. But Redman finished out the 2007 season as the starting quarterback.
He was a survivor of the season from the brink that saw former starting quarterback Michael Vick sent off to prison and Petrino leave for a college head coaching job at Arkansas.
So it was understandable that Redman was elated that someone he had a history with, Mike Smith, landed the Falcons head job. Redman wasn’t deterred when the Falcons selected Matt Ryan with the third pick of the 2008 draft.
He made the team, but didn’t play one single snap last season. This season, he played at the end of the San Francisco victory on Oct. 11 and took a couple of kneel downs.
Redman looked liked he’d been playing all season when he entered the Tampa Bay game last Sunday.
“You just have to be ready,” Redman said. “That’s just part of being a backup. When you don’t have that many practice snaps, you just have to take mental reps. It’s definitely different than getting out there and doing it yourself.”
Every pass wasn’t on the mark. There were even a few clunkers.
“During the game I could tell that some of the patterns were a little off between me and Roddy (White) and some of the guys, but everybody hung tough with me and we pulled through,” Redman said.
Smith credited quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey for shifting to a workable offensive package in mid-game for Redman.
“Coach Musgrave is just so good on the sidelines,” Redman said. “He’s just so calming. He’s been there before. He knows what it takes to get a guy ready.
“We were just running through what we had been seeing and just staying positive. We knew that we had a chance.”
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128 comments Add your comment
washedup
December 2nd, 2009
1:23 pm
The Falcons just signed Elin Woods as starting safety. Said Thomas Dimitoff, “That girl can hit! Just look at Tiger’s knotty head!”
DK
December 2nd, 2009
1:28 pm
DOL – “TD and Smitty are particular about who’s in the locker room.”
They,re not particular enough from the looks of our current corners. One would think that they need to be more “particular” about corners that can cover, and less “particular” about how young the corners are.
Mary Wanna
December 2nd, 2009
1:28 pm
PLEASE DON’T FEED THE TROLLS
Choke is a joke
December 2nd, 2009
1:29 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
December 2nd, 2009
1:22 pm
HOW TO PROVE YOUR TOUGHNESS:
- Brett Favre played with broken finger
- Matt Stafford played with separated shoulder
- Joey Flacco played with high ankle sprain
- Kyle Orton played with ankle sprain
- McNabb played with 2 broken ribs
CHOKE, in the biggest game of the year for the Falcons leaves his teammates out to dry because of a big toe “pinky” injury.
What a TEAM PLAYER!
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
“ROPE THE DOPE”
“NUETER THE POODLE WITH THE ARM LIKE A NOODLE”
**No worthless stinking dogs were harmed in the making of this post
How to prove you’re an idiot: Post this same drivel over and over and over again.
Singletary
December 2nd, 2009
1:33 pm
PHI has been in consistent at best. That being said, we have to play our best game to pull out a victory. Cheer for Mike Vick as he is introduced on the field but not when he’s playing against us? That’s probably a classy thing to do.
Brooking kicked your booty
December 2nd, 2009
1:33 pm
Former Falcon Fan
December 2nd, 2009
12:39 pm
Huge mistake letting Elam go. We all saw Pittman roll the ball back to the holder on the first PAT on Sunday. It’s a miracle Koenen and Elam got that one through. Jason’s early seaon misses were clearly a result of his hamstring and hip injuries. He could barely walk. But, it was clear that on the recent misses that Pittman wasn’t snapping the ball when Koenen and Elam were expecting it. Jason has kicked tens of thousands of balls in his career — and all of a sudden he doesn’t know when to start his kicking motion? He can’t figure out where his plant foot should be? Are you kidding me?! Jason is too classy to blame anyone else for anything. But, I’m not. Jason didn’t cost the Falcons those 3 games. Pittman did. There, someone said it.
The guy is right. The snapper was messing the timing of Elam off and everyone could see it except the coaches I guess.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 2nd, 2009
1:37 pm
I thought I smelled something……….Oh that’s just Mary
Cory
December 2nd, 2009
1:42 pm
Here’s to the greatest kicker, football player and Bronco of all time. Thanks for all you did. We wish you all the joy that you have given us.
Choke is a joke
December 2nd, 2009
1:46 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
December 2nd, 2009
1:37 pm
I thought I smelled something……….Oh that’s just Mary
I thought I smelled bull****…oh look, it’s Choke!
Scott Case
December 2nd, 2009
1:54 pm
Quit making excuses for Jason Elam – he’s not. Snapper, holder, blah blah blah. The bottom line is he’s a kicker. They are a dime a dozen.
However, solid backup QBs are not, and Chris Redman looks to be a good one. Glad we’ve got him!
Dahl, Clabo and Ryan out for Sunday… Turner probably out too. We get destroyed. Philly will blitz on every down
midnite
December 2nd, 2009
2:02 pm
Then how do you explain the ones he missed with Mike Schneck before he got hurt?
Najeh Davenpoop
December 2nd, 2009
2:05 pm
“Cheer for Mike Vick as he is introduced on the field but not when he’s playing against us? That’s probably a classy thing to do.”
Considering that Vick only gets in for about five plays every game, I don’t think it would be too difficult to cheer him on every play he’s in and have enough left to pull for a Falcons victory.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 2nd, 2009
2:10 pm
Oh yeah, and for those of you writing the Falcons’ obituary for this Sunday already and/or getting your excuses prepared, the Eagles will be without their two most explosive offensive playmakers this week as well. Brian Westbrook and DeSean Jackson are both sitting this one out with concussion-related symptoms, not to mention the Eagles are down to like their fourth starting middle linebacker this season.
bulldog bubba
December 2nd, 2009
2:13 pm
Call Morten Andersen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
midnite
December 2nd, 2009
2:17 pm
They don’t introduce opposing players(although they did the Redskins for some reason) at the Dome, especially a 3rd string QB. Sorry there will be NO introduction for Vick and you can take that to the bank.
TMoney
December 2nd, 2009
2:17 pm
Najeh Davenpoop, and also Brent Celek has a messed up hand. The Eagles are just about as injury bit as the Falcons at this point. Both sidelines will be filled with the walking wounded during this one.
Row 3
December 2nd, 2009
2:24 pm
Najeh..Sounds like the playing field is leveling out just a little bit. I’m sure they will test our corners, but without Jackson, and the screens to Westbrook, we should be able to game plan enough to blitz some.
E's Dirty Birds
December 2nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan has a serious man crush on Matty Ice!!! Hillarious!!
E's Dirty Birds
December 2nd, 2009
2:32 pm
Just to clear the air for the ignorant people (won’t name any names “Choke is a Joke”) that turf toes is serious injury, please educate yourself below……………….
“Turf Toe can be debilitating for athletes who need to accelerate, quickly change direction, or jump. Use of the toes is not possible during the healing process. Since the toes are necessary for proper push-off when accelerating, those sorts of athletic activities can be almost completely curtailed. A healing period of one or more months is often required.
Because of the anatomy of the distal foot and the unique use of the foot, it is often impossible to properly tape or brace the joint. Although difficult, it is not impossible to tape the toe to limit dorsiflexion (upward bend of toe). Additionally, wearing a shoe with a rigid sole and cushioned innersole will help. Anti-inflammatory medication as well as physical therapy is recommended.
Turf toe can often progress into a chronic problem, in which the joint(s) never really heals or heals too slowly to return to usual physical activities.
Turf toe can become more serious if left untreated, and may cause serious problems for the athlete.”
-Wikipedia
PitBull.....
December 2nd, 2009
2:37 pm
I know Vick was cruel to us, but he has said he was sorry, so can he come back home and help us in the playoffs
Rod
December 2nd, 2009
2:46 pm
WE WANT MORTEN ANDERSEN.
From 40 yards and in, it’s guaranteed! Koenen can kick the longer ones.
Manny
December 2nd, 2009
3:03 pm
How serious is Matt Ryan’s turf toe injury? Is there ligament damage, or is it just a sprain? I’m still scratching my head on pulling Ryan out on Monday, when there’s no way possible that the MRI came back that fast. And I’ve never heard of Coach Smith announcing that a player will not be in on a Monday, either. So either there’s clear torn ligaments that can be seen without an MRI, or there’s something else in the works that’s under the radar.
But since there’s no big dropoff in talents and abilities from Ryan to Redman- I think we’re OK from the QB position (well as good as we’re ever going to be this year.)
But what about Michael Turner’s ankle sprain? If he doesn’t play, we’re shot. We really need to be at full strength now at running back. If we can take some of the pressure off Redman by having a good running attack, Redman will do OK. He’s not a skittish as Ryan, so we shouldn’t have as many interceptions.
Oh, and lastly, if they don’t address our D-line issues this whole talk about our offense is for naught. We need to put pressure on the Eagles offense, period. If not, this game is over with.
SHOTYME
December 2nd, 2009
3:05 pm
My God! Matt Ryan is injured, not playing, out of the game for Sunday and this idiot who calls herself CHOKE, still can’t stop talking about Matt Ryan. It is obvious that this person is dangerously obsessed with
Matty, must be Matt Ryan’s ex girlfriend or something. Anyway, if any of these so called Falcon’s Fan comes to the Dome with their stupid Michael Vick aka ‘THE DOG KILLER’ jerseys on then who are you really cheering for, the Falcons or the Eagles, and are we still gonna be talking abouth this five years from now, when does it end. To all the real Fans, come to the dome and cheer for our Falcons, BOO THE HELL OUT OF VICK AND ANYONE WITH A VICK OR EAGLES JERSEY ON. GO FALCONS LETS END THE CURSE.
Jim Ragan
December 2nd, 2009
3:08 pm
Who knows……maybe Falcon Management can still track down either Mick Luckhurst or Tim Mazetti. They seemed to be pretty decent kickers!
pilgrim
December 2nd, 2009
3:16 pm
Vick on 680:
QB only on scout team. Wildcat role with regulars.
Trainwreck
December 2nd, 2009
3:16 pm
Yea but they still have McNabb, McCoy, Maclin, Avant,… plenty of playmakers. I hope we win of course but it is still going to be very tough to shut down their passing game… even their running game is mostly screens. McNabb throws it 40x a game… everyone knows that is our HUGE GLARING weakness so they definitely aren’t going to be shy about airing it out… hopefully their injuries on D will allow us to keep up with them… Again, I hope I am pleasantly surprised and our D steps up, but I do not see that happening
Tiger Woods
December 2nd, 2009
3:17 pm
What do me and Mike Vick have in common? Messin’ around with dogs always leads to trouble.
mj
December 2nd, 2009
3:19 pm
Shankapotmus miss to many give me’s. No matter who’s snapping and holding the 35 and in should be automatic. His mechanic’s were shot and now is not a time to be working on getting it right. We need every point we can get.
Ted Turner
December 2nd, 2009
3:19 pm
I kind of like Fox News. Oh and Elam has two Super Bowl Rings, three Pro Bowls and is co-holder of the longest FG record. I think he knows what he was doing right in wrong without all the high school kickers posting here telling him. Good luck Jason!
pilgrim
December 2nd, 2009
3:20 pm
Vick on 680:
To Atlanta fans- “I’m sorry. I wish I could have done it a different way.”
pilgrim
December 2nd, 2009
3:24 pm
Vick on 680:
To kids: “Don’t get involved in pointless activity. Do the right thing.”
P. Bull Terrier
December 2nd, 2009
3:25 pm
Jason Elam is a classy individual and one of the greatest kickers in high school, college and NFL history. It’s sad to see his tenure with the Falcons end this way. I’m not knocking the Falcons, because when you’re barely hanging on to a chance to make the playoffs and scratching for every point you can get against the weaker teams in the NFL you have to have confidence you can put 3 points on the board when you get inside the 30, but Jason deserved better. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him retire and move on to some of the other projects he’s working on. Whatever he does, I wish him success.
Diehard
December 2nd, 2009
3:27 pm
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8147c551/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-mic-d-up
still unbelievable a week later
Divination
December 2nd, 2009
3:31 pm
Okay, so the Saints game plan was a little “off” for the first dirty bird game. They’ve been working on it though, tweaking here, nipping that, adding one or two pieces here and there according to the needs brought on by the injury list.
Good news though bird fans: We’re getting some of our walking wounded back, in time for our visit to your town next week. Saints promise to give you a better execution of the game plan. Not for your benefit as much as in preparation for our next big game, the following week against the cowboys on a Saturday night game on NFL Network. But, they will give you a better game than they did last time, count on it!
Hope you guys go 8-8 or 9-7, for a middle of the first round selection position. Just like we had last year, and let’s see how you do,…,next year!
As always, this won’t be just another game….Who am I kidding? Yes it will!
Morten Andersen
December 2nd, 2009
3:31 pm
NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!!
gdg73
December 2nd, 2009
3:31 pm
I have a feeling Andy Reid is going to give Atlanta a heavy dose of Vick on Sunday. Afterall, even I could shine at QB against this secondary. So just imagine what this man will do when given plenty of opportunities.
DrJ
December 2nd, 2009
3:34 pm
Let’s see: The Falcons were looking for a kicker and found Matt Bryant, who had been cut by Tampa after a hamstring injury. But they are going to give him a new snapper. I hope Elam is not offended that they didn’t offer him a new snapper. Anyway, the best of everything to Bryant!
MV7
December 2nd, 2009
3:34 pm
“And you kids don’t do drugs and stay in school, y’know? In other words don’t do what I did (or didn’t do)… BLAH BLAH BLAH
John
December 2nd, 2009
3:35 pm
Always tough to lost a job. Good luck partner.
tyger
December 2nd, 2009
3:36 pm
Falcoons will beat the Phillies err… Eagles!!!
Redman is cool as a cucumber – don’t forget he was 2-1 in the Emmit Thomas era and the one loss came on a very short week. Plus, he ran up 40 points on the Cardinals or 49ers, I forget which.
Turner is probably out – but Snelling/Norwood is a potent package. Westbrook is out too – so we’re all square in the running game. McCoy is a great lil’ rb but thumpers Peterson and Lofton will slow McCoy.
WR Jackson is definitely out, so they’re left with 2nd tier guys: Maclin, Kasper, etc…still dangerous but don’t have to worry about that long homerun ball each game.
Our secondary is resilient and keep your fingers crossed, hopefully, Chris Owens is growing up. DeCoud and Coleman have done an admiral job at holding that secondary together. Cant give’m enough credit.
Eagles have a great offensive line – but Abraham is overdue – we’ll get to McNabb at least twice. McNabb is injury prone and will turn the ball over. We’ve got to get to him, one way or another, if not, he will pick u apart.
X factor – Philly Defense
Not the Brian Dawkins secondary, but still very dangerous – you cannot make mistakes. Good thing here is safety valve, Tony Gonzalez. Mike Mularkey will give Redman a script he can master pretty quickly.
Falcoons 28 – 27 to stay alive!
Nativebird
December 2nd, 2009
3:43 pm
Nothing more demoralizing to a football team than for your kicker to miss chip shops to take the lead after you’ve busted your butt to get down there.
You get paid to do one thing and one thing at the highest level of the profession.
If you cannot be consistent, well, good luck in your new endeavors.
LuwellaThornton
December 2nd, 2009
3:50 pm
The Falcons MUST beat the Phillies in order to make the post-season, thus making sundays contest a must-win playoff contest. If Redman and the Falcons dont win, the season is over. Its imperative to beat the Eagles because if you dont and finish with the same record as the Eagles, cowboys and giants, weve lost to all three of those teams and each of them will hold the tie breakers thus keeping us out of the playoffs should we finish tied with them. Had Elam made all of his field goals this season, the Falcons record would have been 8-3, we would be in the catbird seat as far as the playoffs are concerned. None of this can be blamed on Matt Ryan. If Ryan hadnt slumped at all this season, our record would have been 11-0 right now. This season will always be remembered as the SEASON THAT COULD HAVE BEEN. Ok lets celebrate by toasting former jailbird mike vick and his eagles on sunday.
midnite
December 2nd, 2009
3:56 pm
Manny
Tell me why an MRI cannot evalutated within hours? Do you understand these are multi-million dollar players playing for teams valued at hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars? That conspiracy theory is just plain stupid. You do not have a clue as to what goes on behind the scenes. Ryan had the MRI and visited with orthopedist Monday morning in Charlotte. C’mon man…
Hamad Meander
December 2nd, 2009
4:03 pm
Good luck to Elam & Pittman – hope they find another team soon. Here’s my question though – if you kicker, snapper, and holder have trouble with timing, how is that not perfected by week’s end. One would think that with practice time, miscommunication would be the easiest thing to work out on kicks. It’s evident that all three of these guys have had plenty of experience in professional football.
What I worry about is a new set of problems with a different kicker and snapper. Why won’t they have similar problems adjusting to each others nuances?
TB
December 2nd, 2009
4:04 pm
He may have been a consummate professional, but Elam was so bad this year, it is amazing his foot actually connected with the ball because he sure couldn’t aim the kicks at all. All I have to say about Elam is: Nah, Nah, Nah,….Nah, Nah, Nah…Hey, Hey GOODBYE! It will be refreshing to know we enter a game with a chance of making crucial FGs. Don’t know a thing about the new kicker, but anyone is upgrade over Elam’s performance. Too bad it wasn’t a few weeks back so we could have pulled out a few more wins. Interesting though that they signed a different kicker than any of the 4 that they worked out.
Redman is a heck of a guy. Saw him at the Roam the Dome this year. Approachable and friendly happy to sign an autograph. Great positive attitude for a backup quarterback. He looked good at times in 07 despite a horrible year. He looks even better now. He’s carried over his strong preseason performance to the regular season. The only thing he needs to work on is throwing the ball away a bit more instead of taking a sack. But, man, as a guy who got limited snaps in practice and with the 2nd string team at that, he did a remarkable job for such limited preparation. I’m sure getting all the snaps in practice this week will make him even sharper. I have a good feeling about our offense.
Now, the defense is just plain frustrating. Though, Coach Smith pointed out, if you forget that 2 play scoring drive Tampa had, we only gave up 10 points (despite a ton of yards). Now, we know the cornerback play is average at best. Though I still point out those guys can make a good play once in awhile even though they get burnt from time to time. But watching the Saints Monday, I mean they just signed Chris McAllister and another CB who looked great out there. Makes you wonder why we didn’t on of these veterns for just one year when Brian Williams went down. I’m guessing Chevis Jackson and Chris Owens didn’t step up as quickly as they anticipated. Though, ok, the secondary is what it is and they are trying as best they can. But the same cannot be said about the defensive line and at least one linebacker (Mike Peterson). They looked like a force to be reckoned with at the beginning of the season and also in the Saints game and the Redskins game. We need to find out why the D-Line and Peterson are not playing up to the potential they displayed earlieer this year and get it fixed, now.
Hey, we have a game to win against the Michael Vick and the Eagles Sunday! Go Falcons!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 2nd, 2009
4:20 pm
HA HA HA
On ESPN NFL LIVE they just stated Vick is only the 4th player that the league personally marketed
HA HA HA Mr. NFL
Choke is a joke
December 2nd, 2009
4:25 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
December 2nd, 2009
4:20 pm
HA HA HA
On ESPN NFL LIVE they just stated Vick is only the 4th player that the league personally marketed
HA HA HA Mr. NFL
And also the first player to be dumb enough to blow a multimillion dollar contract running an illegal dog fighting ring.
HA HA HA ConVick.
MV7
December 2nd, 2009
4:40 pm
Hi, it’s Mike, y’know? Have you seen my career?
Clinton News Network
December 2nd, 2009
4:51 pm
CNN is the next great evil!!!
ElamGoodRiddance
December 2nd, 2009
4:53 pm
Elam’s first “problem” miss occurred in the 2008 Bears game. Only Matt Ryan’s pass to Jenkins with a few seconds left let Elam redeem himself in 2008. I thought he should have been released back then.