Prater released?!?

[MrDoc420]

Sure as hell didn't see that coming.

Denver Broncos release kicker Matt Prater - ESPN

 

[TDs3nOut]

Sure as hell didn't see that coming.

Denver Broncos release kicker Matt Prater - ESPN

I knew it was a possibility, but I still was surprised to see that the team pulled the trigger on that move. Apparently, cutting Prater means that he will still count $4.1 million against our cap next year, according to a remark attributed to Adam Shefter near the end of this report:


Broncos releasing Matt Prater, keeping Brandon McManus as kicker - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com

 

[MrDoc420]

Hold up?!?!.....so that cap hit is still going to apply?

Something doesn't add up here....

 

[TDs3nOut]

Hold up?!?!.....so that cap hit is still going to apply?

Something doesn't add up here....

I don't know much about cap accounting, but I figure Shefter does. This is the snippet in the piece that I linked I referred to, Doc:

"ESPN's Adam Schefter said Prater will still cost the Broncos $4.1 million against the salary cap next season. Schefter said Prater was scheduled to make $2.5 million this year."

 

[MrDoc420]

Sorry TD....suppose I could've poked around in that article myself LOL

Could this possibly be a move just to get salary off the books cause DT's extension is about to be offered up? Still wouldn't make the most sense considering we'd be relying on a unproven rookie kicker the rest of the year. Elway says "McManus has earned the right to kick the rest of the year for the Denver Broncos"???

By doing what? Hitting a few FG's from inside 35 yards?

 

[TDs3nOut]

Sorry TD....suppose I could've poked around in that article myself LOL

Could this possibly be a move just to get salary off the books cause DT's extension is about to be offered up? Still wouldn't make the most sense considering we'd be relying on a unproven rookie kicker the rest of the year. Elway says "McManus has earned the right to kick the rest of the year for the Denver Broncos"???

By doing what? Hitting a few FG's from inside 35 yards?

I don't see how this move frees up cap space. Rather, it seems to actually reduce cap space, since we will presumably have to pay McManus plus take the dead money hit on Prater.

Only thing I can figure is that the team is really sold on McManus and that there were concerns about Prater off the field.

 

[cdumler7]

Schefter does not know what he is talking about. Only $812,000 of his salary next year is guaranteed. The Broncos save $1.5 million this year and $3.25 million next year by cutting him giving us about $4.75 million in extra cap space for next season (money rolls over).

 

[TDs3nOut]

Schefter does not know what he is talking about. Only $812,000 of his salary next year is guaranteed. The Broncos save $1.5 million this year and $3.25 million next year by cutting him giving us about $4.75 million in extra cap space for next season (money rolls over).

Okay. That makes the move more understandable then. Probably was made primarily for cap purposes.

 

[cdumler7]

Cap definitely has a big part in it. You don't release one of the best kickers in the league for nothing...


Matt Prater Contract Details | Over The Cap


That is where I got my information of the Cap saved. They are usually pretty spot on.

 

[MrDoc420]

Ok, that makes it more understandable then. I'm reading the brass is pretty high on McManus too.

He's young and has a good leg. We'll obviously get a good look at what he's all about as the season goes on.

 

[WalkerBoh]

I'm wondering if it's a little bit of both: 1) Freeing up cap space for better uses, and 2) Off field concerns. Maybe Elway and Co. got wind of something else not yet publicized that affects Prater's continued eligibility

Either way, seems McManus is a hot commodity, and Broncos feel they should stick with the kid. Fine with me, as I don't particulary like paying PK's a bunch of money.

 

[cdumler7]

I'm wondering if it's a little bit of both: 1) Freeing up cap space for better uses, and 2) Off field concerns. Maybe Elway and Co. got wind of something else not yet publicized that affects Prater's continued eligibility

Either way, seems McManus is a hot commodity, and Broncos feel they should stick with the kid. Fine with me, as I don't particulary like paying PK's a bunch of money.

Yeah not a fan of paying them top dollar either. It is a very important part of the game obviously but it does seem every year there are good kickers coming into the league that can give you just about as good of production at a fraction of the price. I have heard great things about McManus and he definitely fits the bill of a Denver kicker with a big leg. We seem to have good luck finding great kickers and with how many teams were wanting McManus it makes me think we got ourselves a good one.

I also do wonder about if something else happened. Essentially they have cut him a week before they had to and it just kind of surprises me that they would make the decision before Sunday when say McManus does have a terrible game it does leave the FO having some egg on their face so there really wasn't much reason to cut him at this time unless something else happened.

 

[MileHigh64]

If we didn't cut Prater, we'd be into our kickers for 6 million next year (Colquitt added). We need space next year to get more important deals done. Plus, Prater is on egg shells with the league and Broncos can't afford another slip up and a full year suspension. Lastly, as all of you have noted they are very high on McManus.

MH64

 

[randymon]

Yeah not a fan of paying them top dollar either. It is a very important part of the game obviously but it does seem every year there are good kickers coming into the league that can give you just about as good of production at a fraction of the price. I have heard great things about McManus and he definitely fits the bill of a Denver kicker with a big leg. We seem to have good luck finding great kickers and with how many teams were wanting McManus it makes me think we got ourselves a good one.

I also do wonder about if something else happened. Essentially they have cut him a week before they had to and it just kind of surprises me that they would make the decision before Sunday when say McManus does have a terrible game it does leave the FO having some egg on their face so there really wasn't much reason to cut him at this time unless something else happened.

Roster spot might have played into it also

 

[randymon]

Schefter does not know what he is talking about. Only $812,000 of his salary next year is guaranteed. The Broncos save $1.5 million this year and $3.25 million next year by cutting him giving us about $4.75 million in extra cap space for next season (money rolls over).

I can't believe you dissed Adam cd!

 

[Malibu]

I knew it was probally going to happwn when Denver gave up a draft pick for McManus. Just saying.

 

[cdumler7]

I knew it was probally going to happwn when Denver gave up a draft pick for McManus. Just saying.

It was a conditional pick that if the Broncos decided after Prater's suspension to go with Prater they would not have had to give up the draft pick so it wasn't a foregone conclusion that they were going to stick with McManus. If he would have struggled in the first few games of the year I can about guarantee Prater would be on this team after this week.

 

[cdumler7]

I can't believe you dissed Adam cd!

Uh Oh that is never good. Schefter is one of the few guys at ESPN that I actually respect quite a bit. Even the good ones every once in a while get them wrong though.

 

[TDs3nOut]

FWIW, the remark about the cap implications that was attributed to Schefter in the CBS piece was not a direct quote, so it possible that what he said was misinterpreted.

I guess that the Broncos trading a conditional pick for McManus does suggest that they were interested in at least having an option if they decided to cut Prater. Obviously nice to have some of the extra cap space that we will need in order to sign DT and others. At the same time, Prater had earned a lot of credibility at a position where it is nice to take for granted that the guy is consistent and capable of making big kicks. Elway has established a pretty strong track record in assessing tradeoffs of this type, so I won't be surprised if McManus turns out to be a capable replacement long-term.

 

[cdumler7]

The Broncos were willing to give up a pick because they knew if he hit the waiver wire he would not make it to the Broncos. Like I said earlier there were about 5-6 teams interested in his services and with us being #31 on waiver wire order it just was not happening unless we made a move. Because so many teams were interested in him it does make me think he has some great potential.


Looking at his college stats he was pretty good. Not quite to the level you want as he was something around 75% on field goals but at the same time Prater when he came out struggled at first before he became the Pro Bowl kicker that he was for us last year. So we might have some growing pains with this one.


Also just a quick side note the Broncos have actually brought in a couple of punters for try outs over the last couple of weeks. Looks like Elway is realizing spending that much money on special teams players when we have more pressing needs is one place that he can cut some of the fat so to speak. I mean Colquitt is the highest paid punter in the NFL right now. Cutting him after this season saves us another $2.25 million for adding other players.