Matt Prater says he was “a little surprised” to learn on Friday that the Denver Broncos would be releasing him.
“I’m a little surprised,” Prater told The Denver Post. “The Broncos look like they’re going to do some great things this year. It’s too bad I won’t be a part of it. I’m just going to concentrate on keeping myself in shape and hopefully I’ll be kicking for someone this year.”
Prater, who went 25-of-26 on field goals last season, is completing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s alcohol policy. The Broncos must have been satisfied enough with the effort of his replacement, Brandon McManus, that they were convinced the new guy could do the job.
“It was a football decision,” coach John Fox said via The Post. “(It’s) what gives the Broncos the best chance to win. We wish Matt the best. Part of it was evaluating Brandon. You take the leap of faith in a lot of personnel decisions.”
The Post points out that the difference in salaries between the two was likely a strong factor. McManus is only making $420,000 this season while Prater was due to make $2.2 million after his suspension.
McManus is 3-for-3 on field goals and 14-of-16 on touchbacks, though his distance hasn’t been tested in field goals this season (his long is 24). Kicking in the altitude in Denver certainly gives any kicker an advantage, but this is an awfully bold move by the Broncos. You can’t help but wonder if it will come back to haunt them at some point.
