Separation serving both sides quite well

ENGLEWOOD • Jason Elam isn't vindictive. He said he wishes nothing but the best for the Broncos, his former team.

However ...

What would it mean for Elam, who signed with Atlanta this offseason after spending 15 seasons as Denver's kicker, to line up on the final play of Sunday's game with a chance to beat the Broncos

"That would be ... that would be ... ," Elam said, pausing to chuckle as he searched for the right words. "Pretty interesting."

Elam had 24 game-winning or game-saving field goals for Denver, but the Broncos would feel pretty good if Elam's replacement was the one kicking with Sunday's game at Atlanta on the line.

Matt Prater has had a fine season stepping into Elam's shoes. He's made 16 of 19 field goal attempts, including 7 of 8 from 40 yards or more and all five tries from 50 yards or more. At least a small part of Prater's success has to do with Elam.

Elam, who didn't practice Wednesday because of a sore hip but is expected to play Sunday, said he realized the Broncos brought in Prater with two weeks left in the 2007 season as more than just a kickoff specialist, although coach Mike Shanahan insisted otherwise. Elam handled the situation the only way he knew how - he befriended Prater and taught him what he could. Shortly after he signed with Atlanta, he called Prater to offer him the best of luck.

"A guy like Jason, a Hall of Fame kicker, saying that you've got a lot of potential, a lot of talent, means a lot," Prater said. "Coming from a guy that obviously knows what he's doing, what he's talking about, means a lot to me."

Elam said Prater's humility and talent made it easy to tutor Prater on the mental side of the game. Elam also said he thought it was the right thing to do.

"I feel like kicking is just kind of something that I do," said Elam, who is devoutly religious. "It doesn't consume me. It's not like I wish ill will on anybody. The other thing is, I have a real appreciation for how good he is."

When Elam became a free agent, he and his representatives thought the Broncos' offer was low on guaranteed money. Elam opted to sign with Atlanta, where he went to high school and where his parents reside.

Elam kept using the word "weird" to describe what it was like to be with a new team and what it will be like to face his old team Sunday, but he said the move has worked out well for him. He has hit 19 of 21 field-goal attempts this season, including a game-winneron the final play against Chicago.

The Broncos aren't looking back, either. Elam signed a four-year, $9 million contract with $3.3 million guaranteed. Prater's base salary is $370,000. He is 14 years younger than the 38-year-old Elam, can kick off and has a longer field-goal range.

Elam said he misses Denver, its fans and his friends on the team. He understood his departure was just the business of the NFL.

"I couldn't be the kicker for the Broncos forever," Elam said.

"This was bound to happen sooner or later. I couldn't think of a better guy, a more talented guy, to come in and take a shot at it. He's done a great job."

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Contact the writer: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com