Prater released?!?

[randymon]

Just looked at Colquit stats last 4 yrs. Last yr Denver punted 65 times and he had 3 tbs. The previous yr he had 67 punts and 7 tbs. He also had 7 tbs in the 2 yrs before that also. 3 tbs isn`t what you are wanting from your punter. He could only avg 41yds or so but if he pins the opponent inside the 20 a bunch, he`s gold. Colquitt didn`t impress in that dept. obviously.

 

[WalkerBoh]

Colquitt has also been less than stellar for a punter too.

 

[cdumler7]

Colquitt has been living off his 2011 season honestly. He and Prater were our MVP's of that season by quite a wide margin as they are a big reason that we could actually win with Tim Tebow as our quarterback. Ever since then though he has been pretty average. I like him on the team but not at the top price for a Punter in the league. If he was closer to say 10th in salary for the position I would have no problem keeping him.

 

[Malibu]

Cap space and was also a factor in this as well.

 

[Broncos6482]

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

The Broncos weren't giving up a pick if they had cut him once Prater came off suspension. Just saying.

 

[WalkerBoh]

McManus missed a 50+ FG, and had the yips on a couple other kicks this week. That said, he did a lot more for the team the past 5 weeks than Matt Prater has...... just saying.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

Prater voluntarily spent time during his suspension in a rehab center for alcohol addiction. While I applaud him for getting help, I'm sure that sent all kind of red flags up at Dove Valley. Somehow I get the felling he didn't go to rehab because he had just a couple of beers at home on one occasion. I could be wrong though.

 

[cdumler7]

Yeah you don't usually go for just a couple of beers. It could have been just his showing to the Broncos or any other future teams of his being proactive in this situation. I will say with the Broncos having so much bad publicity for alcohol over the last couple of years with 2 FO guys getting arrested for DUI and more that anything alcohol related just isn't going to sit well. So then when you throw that on with the idea that the team saves a couple of million to help sign one of the guys with 0 strikes against them it just makes sense. We shall see if it cost us though a game or two. McManus looked a bit shaky in the game but you can see he has the leg to be good. People have to remember Prater didn't start out as good as he was last year. His first year with Denver he went 35 of 36 on field goals and was 5-11 from 40-49 yards. Not quite the numbers of an all-star kicker but yet he still became one. Bronco fans are just going to have to show a bit of patience with McManus as I do think he can be that next great kicker in Denver. The kid I think has a stronger leg than even Prater. It is a matter of getting him as confident now in his leg.

 

[WalkerBoh]

Yeah you don't usually go for just a couple of beers. It could have been just his showing to the Broncos or any other future teams of his being proactive in this situation. I will say with the Broncos having so much bad publicity for alcohol over the last couple of years with 2 FO guys getting arrested for DUI and more that anything alcohol related just isn't going to sit well. So then when you throw that on with the idea that the team saves a couple of million to help sign one of the guys with 0 strikes against them it just makes sense. We shall see if it cost us though a game or two. McManus looked a bit shaky in the game but you can see he has the leg to be good. People have to remember Prater didn't start out as good as he was last year. His first year with Denver he went 35 of 36 on field goals and was 5-11 from 40-49 yards. Not quite the numbers of an all-star kicker but yet he still became one. Bronco fans are just going to have to show a bit of patience with McManus as I do think he can be that next great kicker in Denver. The kid I think has a stronger leg than even Prater. It is a matter of getting him as confident now in his leg.

You mean 35 of 36 in extra points? Otherwise the numbers don't jibe ;-)

 

[MileHigh64]

Prater voluntarily spent time during his suspension in a rehab center for alcohol addiction. While I applaud him for getting help, I'm sure that sent all kind of red flags up at Dove Valley. Somehow I get the felling he didn't go to rehab because he had just a couple of beers at home on one occasion. I could be wrong though.

Sadly, I heard a caller on the radio here in Denver the other day that said he was a local bartender. He went on to say that Matt Prater has been frequenting his bar several days a week for years and drank quite a bit. He thought it was laughable that Prater was claiming that he was suspended for having a couple of beers at home. I think this all just made the Broncos too nervous to take a chance on him financially and for the long term. I hope our new, young kicker can develop into another Bronco weapon for the future.

 

[cdumler7]

You mean 35 of 36 in extra points? Otherwise the numbers don't jibe ;-)

Sorry meant 25 of 36 on field goals for around 75% of field goal tries made.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

Sadly, I heard a caller on the radio here in Denver the other day that said he was a local bartender. He went on to say that Matt Prater has been frequenting his bar several days a week for years and drank quite a bit. He thought it was laughable that Prater was claiming that he was suspended for having a couple of beers at home. I think this all just made the Broncos too nervous to take a chance on him financially and for the long term. I hope our new, young kicker can develop into another Bronco weapon for the future.

Yeah, while I'm generally pretty skeptical of these type of guys I think that makes sense. I don't think the Broncos would take a flyer on a unproven kicker and cut a proven guy with their aspirations just because he had a couple of beers. I think it's very likely his drinking (more than we know) spooked the Broncos.

 

[MileHigh64]

Prater misses two out of three field goals in his debut as a Detroit Lion. To his credit, he did hit a 52 yard shot. Rust or declining skill?

 

[randymon]

Prater misses two out of three field goals in his debut as a Detroit Lion. To his credit, he did hit a 52 yard shot. Rust or declining skill?

I say rust and lack of familiarity with field/team

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

I say rust and lack of familiarity with field/team

I don't know about that Randymon. Snap, hold kick. He's kicked on that turf before. Not that you're making excuses for him but maybe the Broncos knew something. He was not real good in the pre-season.

 

[Malibu]

Maybe he is actually kicking the ball while being sober. Just saying.

 

[Broncos6482]

Prater misses two out of three field goals in his debut as a Detroit Lion. To his credit, he did hit a 52 yard shot. Rust or declining skill?

Probably rust, although one of his misses was in the 40-49 yard range, which has always been an issue for Prater.

 

[cdumler7]

There really is an art to kicking that it takes time to learn. The holder honestly has a lot to do with how well or bad a kicker does. It is just going to take some time for the holder to learn the angle and position that Prater likes to have it at. There are a few different styles of kicking and each one is maximized by holding the ball just a bit different.