Just before halftime of Sunday’s game against the Chargers, the Broncos were within range of a 65-yard field goal attempt. Had the team let kicker Brandon McManus attempt it, he would have been attempting to set an NFL record for the longest field goal in league history.
Fangio changed his mind about the attempt, though, and had McManus return to the sideline. The kicker was clearly furious about the decision and slammed his helmet on the ground. McManus was asked about his outburst after the game.
“I think we’re two grown men and we understand the ebbs and flows of the game,” McManus said. “He hasn’t been here that long to see my total range in training camp over the years and stuff like that. I knew I could make it. They’ve seen me make it in practice.
“We were right at the line that they gave them. I went out there the first time, went out there a second time, I was just proud. There is one way that you can take the frustration and let it affect you later throughout the game, but I was just happy with myself to hone it in.”
McManus got some consolation later in the game when he nailed a 53-yard game-winning field goal as time expired. Fangio believes not allowing McManus to attempt a 65-yarder may have helped him convert the game-winner later in the contest.
“I didn’t want to try the 65-yarder,” Fangio said on Sunday evening. “At that point, I didn’t think it was desperation. I’ve seen many times where guys go out there and try extra-long kicks. They alter the mechanics and it affects him the rest of the game. I’m going to say that that decision not to let him go out there for the 65-yarder led him to making the 52 and the 53-yarder.”
The coach and kicker aren’t necessarily on bad terms — McManus is upset he didn’t get a chance to break the record but he understands Fangio’s viewpoint.
“At the end of the day, I’m mad because I didn’t get to kick, and in his mind, he made the right decision for the team,” McManus said following a 23-20 win. “I have no problem with that, but like I said, I would love to have my name in the history books.”
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