Falcons kicker Elam admits to technique issues

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Flowery Branch –  Falcons kicker Jason Elam was not stunned that the team gave tryouts to four kickers.

"To be honest with you, I thought they were going to do that a couple of weeks ago," Elam said on Wednesday before the team took the field for practice. "I really don't know what to say, I'm kind of at a loss for words. There is nothing I can say."

Former Georgia standout Brandon Coutu, Steve Hauschka, Sam Swank and Shane Andrus all worked out for the Falcons on Tuesday.

Elam has missed six field goals this season after making 29 of 31 attempts in 2008.

He had key misses in the last two games, missing a 34-yarder when the Falcons were trailing by two points against Carolina and missed a 35-yarder against the New York Giants. The Falcons were defeated in overtime 34-31 by the Giants.

"This is a result based business and I haven't been getting my part done," Elam said. "Your job is always on the line. I understand that completely."

Elam has been critiquing his kicks and even watched some film from earlier in his career.

"There are some technique issues that I've got to fix," Elam said. "I've gone back and looked at film from earlier in my career. I've looked at all kinds of stuff, trying to figure this out."

Elam didn't want to point the finger in the direction of holder Michael Koenen or new snapper Bryan Pittman, who was signed on Nov. 5.

"(Mike) Schneck is a tremendous snapper and so is Pittman," Elam said. "Again, both of them have been in the league for a long, long time and are successful at what they do. Again, I just need to look at myself and see how I can be better."