Elam headlines special teams changes

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- High-profile changes on special teams aren't the yearly norm for NFL teams, but the Falcons experienced a fair share of adjustments through the offseason -- from place kicker to coach.

Veteran kicker Jason Elam, who spent his first 15 seasons with the Denver Broncos, signed with his hometown team on March 21. The move ended more than a week of speculation that Elam would play in Georgia for the first time since high school and solidified a position that so often controls winning and losing in professional football.

Elam played at Brookwood High School, kept an offseason home in Georgia until 2003 and is is a self-described "Gwinnett County guy." He said he was surprised when the Broncos didn't move to keep him in Denver but he's happy to be a part of a new era in Atlanta.

“We’re extremely excited to add a kicker of Jason’s caliber,” said Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith. “He’s a proven winner in this league and we are happy that he chose to become a Falcon.”

Elam brings 1,786 total points, which ranks fifth among NFL kickers all-time. He has converted 395 of 490 field goal attempts (80.6) while splitting the uprights on all but three extra point kicks (601 of 604). He holds several Broncos records and left as the team's all-time leading scorer. His career success rate on turf is 80.3 percent.

Only 17 of his career field goal attempts from 40 or more yards have come in domes, of which he's converted on 58.8 percent of his tries.

He also hit four game-winning field goals last season.

"The Dome was a big factor," Elam said in an offseason interview. "I'm pretty excited to be able to sleep well the night before the game knowing it's going to be 72 degrees with no wind."

Elam will work under new special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong, a 14-year veteran of NFL coaching, who has a history of ranking special teams units in the top 10.

From 2001-2006, the Dolphins finished in the top eight in the NFL in punt return defense all but one season under Armstrong’s direction. During that same time frame, Miami opponents averaged 6.1 yards per punt return, including a 4.5-yard mark in 2001 when they led the League in the category. In 2003, the Dolphins ranked first in the NFL in opponents’ average starting field position with a 25.0-yard line mark and finished second in the same category in 2006 with a 24.9 figure.

Punter Michael Koenen, who finished 2007 with a net average of 38.8 yards per kick returns to the squad. He punted often (80 times) and placed 30 kicks inside the 20 a season ago. He continues to add versatility to the special teams group with the ability to handle kickoffs and -- if needed -- long field goals.

He's joined by Kevin Lovell, a young kicker signed in the offseason that spent 2007 training camp with the St. Louis Rams. The team also returns veteran long snapper Mike Schneck, who was added in the middle of last season and performed without error.

Finding quality return men and other players will be an ongoing priority for Armstrong once training camp opens. Stats are working in his favor, however, as nine of the top 10 special teams tacklers return from last season including leader David Irons (13 tackles).

The primary punt returner from last season, Adam Jennings (6.2-yard average), received work at the position during mini camp along with Jerious Norwood and Brent Grimes. Norwood returns as the team's leading kickoff return specialists, but General Manager Thomas Dimitroff expressed optimism that rookie Thomas Brown could contribute in that role.

All could be decided by the time training camp closes.

Corey McIntyre, last year's special teams' captain, just wants to get started.

"I'm just excited to get out there and work," he said. "I'm excited to work with the new coach and the new scheme to see where we can go. My job is to lead by example and show the guys what it takes to get a 'W.'"

MORE ON FALCONS SPECIAL TEAMS:

• BLOG: J. Michael Moore recounts his time with the Broncos and Jason Elam
• AJC.COM: Brookwood product returns to Atlanta
• WIKIPEDIA: Jason Elam Bio
• ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS: Elam reflecting on a different chapter his his life (October 2007)
• BRONCOS TV: Jason Elam 2007 highlights
• ELAM ON YOUTUBE.COM: Jason Elam reaches 1,600 points | Fake FG, punt | Game-winning FG
• NEWS: Koenen, Davis sign tenders
• FEATURE: Veterans spend afternoon fishing with Falcons
• NEWS: Falcons sign former Rams kicker Lovell
• ONE-ON-ONE: Corey McIntyre
• ONE-ON-ONE: Jason Elam  

Atlanta Falcons 2008 Specialists