Elam takes blame for missed field goal
FLOWERY BRANCH – Place-kicker Jason Elam took the blame for the missed 34-yard field goal Sunday that would have given the Falcons a late lead against the Carolina Panthers.
"I got going a little too early," Elam said Monday. "Bottom line is that when the ball was down, I didn't make it. I'm fine with taking the blame on that one."
The timing was clearly off on the play. Elam and holder Michael Koenen were playing just their second game with snapper Bryan Pittman. The trio had been flawless on two earlier field goal attempts.
The kick came off like a knuckleball and veered wide left. Elam would not say if Koenen failed to turn the laces away from impact in time. Koenen said he had to look at the film to see what happened.
"I just want to make it clear that I should be the one to take that blame," Elam said. "I started going a little bit too early and just couldn't quite get it back."
Elam said that he, Koenen and Pittman just need more work together to get their timing down. Michael Schneck was the team's snapper before he was placed on injured reserve with broken ribs.
Elam, who is in his 17th season in the league, has missed five field goals this season and one extra point. He missed just two of 31 field goal attempts last season. The missed PAT was his first in four years.
Must-win game
The Falcons missed an opportunity to keep pace with Dallas and Arizona in the NFC. The Falcons remain in the second tier of NFC teams trailing the undefeated Saints (9-0) and the Minnesota Vikings (8-1).
Sunday's game against the New York Giants will pit two 5-4 teams against. Other NFC 5-4 teams are Philadelphia and Green Bay.
"I'm sure they are going to give us their best," center Todd McClure said. "You'll have two teams in must-win situation. We have to go up there and get it done."
Etc.
Defensive end Chauncey Davis was credited with blocking a 51-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter against Carolina. ... Koenen, who is also the Falcons' kickoff specialist, had five touchbacks against the Panthers, tying a franchise record which he set in Week Two this year against Carolina. ... Cornerback Tye Hill's benching for Brent Grimes was a coaches' decision and not injury related.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
