McManus or Prater

[cdumler7]

Since this is the last week of Prater's suspension what are people's thoughts on whether we go with Prater or keep the new guy? Now I know it is easy to think go with the pro bowl guy but there are some things definitely working in McManus' favor...

Few pluses for him
1) 14 of 16 kick offs have been touchbacks so far so he has the leg that the Broncos like to have
2) Has missed a field goal yet or extra point
3) This might be the biggest one but he is a whole lot cheaper than Prater and with the Broncos having so many other players to sign after the season every dollar is going to matter big time
4) Prater is one strike away from being suspended for a year if not longer. Do you want to risk losing a promising up and comer to only then possibly see Prater go have another beer and be gone for good?

Negatives so far though
1) Hasn't kicked a field goal over 30 yards yet so hard to really gauge his in game ability
2) Kind of like the one above but has yet to have to make that clutch kick
3) Can we really let the guy who was probably the best kicker in the league go over mostly money?
4) Part of Prater's being the best kicker is that he always seems to make the big kick. Usually one or two games a year come down to the kicker and it is always nice to have the Automatic guy in those situations.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Interesting situation. I think it probably comes down to money versus proven reliability. I wonder if McManus could go onto the practice squad for the rest of the year and then let he and Prater compete for the job in camp and preseason next year.

 

[cdumler7]

I think the issue with McManus is that the reason the Broncos had to actually trade for him is he is a hot commodity in the league. Quite a few teams were showing interest in him so if we cut him I don't see him making it through the waiver wire.

 

[TDs3nOut]

I think the issue with McManus is that the reason the Broncos had to actually trade for him is he is a hot commodity in the league. Quite a few teams were showing interest in him so if we cut him I don't see him making it through the waiver wire.

Makes sense. I didn't even realize we traded for him. What did we have to give up?

 

[cdumler7]

Makes sense. I didn't even realize we traded for him. What did we have to give up?

I think we traded a 7th round pick for him on the condition that he played I think most of the season with us. So if we cut him after this week the Giants get nothing in the trade and we got 4-weeks of a promising kicker. Not a bad trade.

 

[DragonfromTO]

Makes sense. I didn't even realize we traded for him. What did we have to give up?

Conditional 7th. I believe it kicks in if he plays more than 4 games actually, but I'd have to doublecheck that.

 

[randymon]

Might just see a long fg try this wknd by Broncos if the opportuity arises where it won`t matter too much ( like right befor half) .... just to help them make decision on their kicking dilema with Prater. Either way, tough one

 

[WalkerBoh]

I'd say if McManus proves to have the skills, hang with him. No need to overpay a kicker when that money/cap space is better utilized elsewhere.

 

[cdumler7]

I'd say if McManus proves to have the skills, hang with him. No need to overpay a kicker when that money/cap space is better utilized elsewhere.

This is kind of my mindset right now. McManus has shown to have a lot of potential to be that next great Bronco kicker and as good as Prater is his Cap Number is hard to swallow for a kicker when we have such a potent offense that honestly rarely needs a kicker to have a great game to win. I would rather have a little more money to keep a guy like DT than see him walk while we keep paying Prater big money for a kicker. As much as it sucks to see talent go out the door this game does come down at least a little to how a team spends their money.

 

[Broncosr0k]

If it were a money issue and it meant keeping Prater or Pot Roast, I would keep Pot Roast (or any other player).

 

[randymon]

Plus theres no quarantee Prater doesn`t comeback with his pych all out of whack. Ya never know. He could be damaged goods now.

 

[cdumler7]

Plus theres no quarantee Prater doesn`t comeback with his pych all out of whack. Ya never know. He could be damaged goods now.

He did struggle all preseason so yeah wouldn't surprise me if he is a little shaken by this whole ordeal. Nothing like your personal life being put before the public and be ridiculed. Still think him getting busted for a couple of beers is ridiculous but then again he did know the rules.

 

[grim rpr]

I am not so willing to dump Prater now... He has a huge leg and is very reliable.. We can trade McMannus for another draft pick