The Broncos were criticized for not trying harder to re-sign Elam, the team's all-time leading scorer, this past offseason. Among the critics were cornerback Champ Bailey, who openly wondered if the Broncos were making the right move.

Behind the scenes, Elam was helping Matt Prater. The two will kick on opposite sides on Sunday in Atlanta, but were teammates for the last two games last year.

When Prater was signed, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said it wasn't because of Elam's upcoming free agency. Elam said he realized Prater wasn't just signed as a kickoff specialist, but the Broncos were making plans in case he left.

Elam did what he could to help Prater, teaching him nuances of kicking in the NFL, understanding he might be his replacement.

"I feel like kicking is just kind of something that I do," Elam said. "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."

Prater had the talent to become a successful kicker in the NFL, but getting tips from Elam didn't hurt. Prater was under a lot of pressure to replace Elam, so it meant something when Elam called him after signing with Atlanta and wished him 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."

Prater has turned in a season not many expected from him. He was 1-for-4 for his career going into the season, but is 16 of 19 this year. He has been at his best at long range, which wasn't one of Elam's strengths late in his Broncos career. Prater has made all five attempts from 50 or more yards.

Elam has no bad feelings toward the Broncos. He said he was pleased that all of his relationships with coaches, teammates and the front office were intact during the amicable breakup. Although the Broncos didn't increase their offer in a last-minute attempt to re-sign him, Elam said he understood that was the business.

"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."

SERIES HISTORY: 12th regular-season meeting. Broncos lead series, 7-4, Falcons lost the one postseason matchup -- a 34-19 Broncos win in Super Bowl XXXIII. The Broncos have not played in Atlanta since the 1997 season, when Denver won 29-21.