End of an Era

I bet you don't have a Jason Elam jersey hanging in your closet. I know I don't. I have an Elway jersey, a really old Steve Atwater jersey, and designs on a Rod Smith jersey now that he's retired. But I don't have an Elam jersey, neither do you, and here's ten reasons why we should go out and get one:

1) In 1998, Elam kicked a 63-yard field goal against Jacksonville, tying Tom Dempsey's record for the longest field goal in NFL history. (I was working that day, and my "benevolent" boss, otherwise known as the Candle Nazi, let me slip out to watch the end of the half. I saw the kick, started screaming, and then my boss ran over to see, which meant I had to go watch the store. But I still saw it live. So there.)

2) Elam has reached 100 points in each of his 15 seasons. (I always like consistency, and Elam's the poster boy for consistency on the Broncos.)

3) He's played in more games than any other Broncos player ever, including Elway. (Take that you darn Republican and steak-house owner.)

4) He's been the one bright spot recently on a team known for special teams gaffes.

5) He wrote a book (though it is some weird form of proselytizing; but hey not many people are as literate in this day and age).

6) He's in the top five scoring leaders in the NFL, all time. (Consistency, baby, consistency.)

7) The Broncos would have been 3-13 last season if he hadn't won 4 games for them. (Damn, he won more than half our games for us. 2008 is not looking very good.)

8) He looks good with facial hair:

and without:

9) He won every Super Bowl he played in.

10) And the Broncos will sorely miss his scoring punch this season.

So go buy that Elam jersey as a form of tribute. Also hope that Neil Rackers suddenly demands a trade. I'd even take Jeff Wilkins, despite his dome-kicker reputation. But Olindo Mare is not acceptable.