Pat McAfee predicts Brandon McManus will break NFL’s longest field goal record

Former NFL punter Pat McAfee believes Broncos kicker Brandon McManus has the leg to break the NFL’s field goal record.

Pat McAfee, a former Colts punter who now works for DAZN, tweeted Wednesday that Broncos kicker Brandon McManus will break the NFL’s record for the longest field goal in league history. McAfee included a complimentary condition with his prediction, though.

“I’m calling it now #Broncos kicker @thekidmcmanus is going to break the longest field goal record if he doesn’t rip his [expletive] leg apart first,” McAfee tweeted.

McAfee’s joke about ripping his leg apart was a reference to McManus’ short runup for kickoffs that shows off his powerful leg strength.

“You’re stupid, you do like a three-step approach,” McAfee told McManus in a light-hearted tone on his show on Wednesday. “You’re just trying to rip everything in your leg — and I enjoy watching it. Your leg is so strong, you can do that, it makes no sense to me.”

The current record for the longest field goal is 64 yards, set by Lions kicker Matt Prater when he played for Denver in 2013. Before that, Tom Dempsey (1970) and Jason Elam (1998) shared a record-long of 63 yards.

McManus tweeted that if he breaks the record, “all the beers will be on me.”

All the beers will be on me https://t.co/zbfgLm7dsb

— Brandon McManus (@thekidmcmanus) May 20, 2020

McManus nearly had a chance to break the record last season but coach Vic Fangio opted against having his kicker attempt a 65-yard field goal against the Chargers. Later in the game, McManus converted a 53-yard game-winning field goal. Getting a win was great, but McManus still hopes to break the record someday.

“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 over Los Angeles in December. “I have no problem with that, but like I said, I would love to have my name in the history books.”

[vertical-gallery id=639217]

Broncos only have 4 players remaining from Super Bowl roster

Five years after winning the Super Bowl, the Broncos only have four players remaining from their 2015 roster.

After losing cornerback Chris Harris and defensive end Derek Wolfe in free agency, the Denver Broncos now have just four players remaining from their 2015 Super Bowl-winning roster.

Here’s a look at the team’s roster from 2015 and an update on where the players are now.

Player	Current Status
4. P Britton Colquitt	With Minnesota Vikings
8. K Brandon McManus	Still with team
10. WR Emmanuel Sanders	With New Orleans Saints
11. WR Jordan Norwood	Retired
12. WR Andre Caldwell	Retired
13. QB Trevor Siemian	Free Agent
14. WR Cody Latimer	With Washington Redskins
16. WR Bennie Fowler	Free Agent
17. QB Brock Osweiler	Retired
18. QB Peyton Manning	Retired
20. DB Josh Bush	Free Agent
21. CB Aqib Talib	Free Agent
22. RB C.J. Anderson	Free Agent
23. RB Ronnie Hillman	Free Agent
25. CB Chris Haris	With Los Angeles Chargers
26. DB Darian Stewart	Free Agent
29. CB Bradley Roby	With Houston Texans
30. DB David Burton	Retired
31. DB Omar Bolden	Retired
33. DB Shilo Keo	Free Agent
35. RB Kapri Bibbs	Free Agent
36. DB Kayvon Webster	Free Agent
37. CB Lorenzo Doss	Free Agent
40. RB Juwan Thompson	Retired
43. DB T.J. Ward	Retired
46. LS Aaron Brewer	With Arizona Cardinals
48. OLB Shaq Barrett	With Tampa Bay Buccaneers
51. ILB Todd Davis	Still with team
52. ILB Corey Nelson	Free Agent
53. OL James Ferentz	Free Agent
54. ILB Brandon Marshall	Free Agent
55. LB Lerentee McCray	With Jacksonville Jaguars
56. OLB Shane Ray	Free Agent
58. OLB Von Miller	Still with team
59. ILB Danny Trevathan	With Chicago Bears
61. OL Matt Paradis	With Carolina Panthers
65. OG Louis Vasquez	Retired
68. OL Ryan Harris	Retired
69. OG Evan Mathis	Retired
73. OL Max Garcia	With Arizona Cardinals
74. OL Ty Sambrailo	With Tennessee Titans
76. OL Tyler Polumbus	Retired
78. OT Ryan Clady	Retired
79. OL Michael Schofield	Free Agent
80. TE Vernon Davis	Retired
81. TE Owen Daniels	Retired
82. TE Jeff Heuerman	Still with team
84. TE Mitchell Henry	Died in 2017 from acute myeloid leukemia
85. TE Virgil Green	With Los Angeles Chargers
88. WR Demaryius Thomas	Free Agent
89. TE Richard Gordon	Free Agent
90. DL Antonio Smith	Free Agent
91. DL Kenny Anunike	Free Agent
92. DT Sylvester Williams	With Los Angeles Chargers
94. OLB DeMarcus Ware	Retired
95. DE Derek Wolfe	With Baltimore Ravens
96. DL Vance Walker	Free Agent
97. DL Malik Jackson	With Philadelphia Eagles
98. DL Darius Kilgo	With Detroit Lions

[vertical-gallery id=632547]

Who will handle kickoffs for the Broncos this season?

Who will kickoff for the Broncos this season?

Earlier this week, the Broncos gave punter Sam Martin a three-year contract with an average salary of $2.35 million. With that kind of salary, Martin is the clear favorite to win the team’s punting job this offseason.

But what about the team’s kickoff duties — could Martin claim that job as well?

While with the Lions, Martin handled 480 kickoffs in seven years. In Denver, Brandon McManus has booted 467 kickoffs in six seasons. Which one of them will kickoff for the Broncos in 2020?

“Expect McManus to continue the task,” KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis tweeted on Wednesday. Klis is probably correct in his prediction.

Although McManus has a slightly shorter career kickoff average than Martin (62.5 yards compared to 63.4 yards), he is better at limiting returns, which is something teams aim for these days.

McManus has forced 312 touchbacks in his career compared to 259 forced by Martin. When returners elect to return a McManus kickoff, they have averaged 22.4 yards per return. Returners have averaged 23.8 yards per return against Martin. Kick coverage plays a role in the return average but so does kick placement, an area where McManus has done well.

It’s probably safe to assume that Martin will handle punts and place-holding in 2020 with McManus handling field goals and kickoffs.

[vertical-gallery id=634866]

Broncos pick up contract options for 3 players

The Broncos have picked up contract options for three players.

The Denver Broncos picked up the 2020 contract options for outside linebacker Von Miller, kicker Brandon McManus and inside linebacker Todd Davis on Friday, the team announced.

The team declined the contract option for guard Ron Leary, a move that will save more than $8 million in salary cap space. Denver now has around $41.9 million in cap space. That number could increase to $51.95 million if the Broncos move on from quarterback Joe Flacco.

By picking up Miller’s option, the Broncos are guaranteeing $6 million of his 2020 salary. Denver guaranteed $1 million for McManus and just $500,000 for Davis, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

The Broncos also placed a franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons on Friday. Denver general manager John Elway will now prepare for the start of the NFL’s free agency negotiating period (March 16) and the beginning of free agency (March 18). After tagging Simmons, the Broncos now have 14 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

[vertical-gallery id=634700]

Broncos picking up contract options for 3 players

Broncos will pick up the contract options for Von Miller, Todd Davis and Brandon McManus this offseason.

Broncos general manager John Elway said at the NFL combine on Tuesday that the team will not pick up guard Ron Leary’s contract option for the 2020 season. Moving on from Leary will save Denver more than $8 million in salary cap space.

Elway also announced that the team is picking up the contract options for kicker Brandon McManus (a $1 million option) and inside linebacker Todd Davis (a $500,000 option). Elway previously announced late last year that outside linebacker Von Miller will have his option picked up.

Miller will have the most expensive cap hit on the team this year: $25,625,000. Davis ($6 million) and McManus ($4.25 million) have much smaller but still significant cap charges.

Before making any moves, the Broncos are projected to have around $62 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. Removing Leary from the team’s books should bring that total to about $70 million. If Denver cuts quarterback Joe Flacco, that total could increase to more than $80 million.

The new league year — and NFL free agency — will begin on March 18.

[vertical-gallery id=632812]

Broncos 2019 positional grades: Specialists

Here’s a look at how the Denver Broncos’ kicking game fared in 2019.

Specialists are up now in the 2019 positional review series and that means the guys that kick the ball for a living.

The Broncos have a kicker with one of the strongest legs in the league in Brandon McManus and a punter that is well known for being a pizza delivery driver before coming to the Broncos in Colby Wadman.

There’s not much more to talk about with these two guys so let’s jump into a review of their 2019 seasons. No, Casey Kreiter, the team’s long snapper, will not be a part of this report card.

Brandon McManus

Stats

Field goals: 29-of-34

Extra points: 25-of-26

Points: 112

McManus just completed his sixth season with the Broncos and for those interested, he is also the team’s player rep and will represent the team’s votes on the collective bargaining agreement set to be voted on this coming week.

McManus only missed five field goals on the season but three of those came from 50 yards or more, where he was just 4-of-7 kicking from that range. McManus is known for his strong leg and missing those leads to great field position for the opposition.

He only missed one extra point, which by today’s standards, is pretty good because there are kickers that seem to miss one almost every game.

Perhaps the most memorable moment from 2019 involving McManus was the game in which he clearly lost his cool when Vic Fangio decided to pull him off the field after initially sending him out for what would have been a 65-yard field goal just before halftime.

McManus never got to attempt what would have been a new NFL record.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad season for McManus, but it wasn’t the best by his standards and the misses from long range bring his grade down a bit.

Grade: B-

Colby Wadman

Stats

Punts: 78

Average: 44.4

Inside 20-yard line: 29

Touchbacks: 4

Net average: 39.4

Perhaps Wadman shouldn’t have to go back to delivering pizzas, but punting the ball in the NFL might not be his thing either.

Despite kicking the ball in the thin air of Denver, Wadman seems to have a pretty average leg as his average of 44.4 yards per kick is pretty weak.

But the most important number for a punter is their net average. That is the overall yardage that the team gains on a punt in terms of giving the other team the ball back. It’s how teams win the battle of field position.

Wadman’s net average of 39.4 yards per punt was poor. Out of 36 punters that qualified for that stat last season, Wadman ranked 30th. That doesn’t work.

The Broncos should seriously consider replacing Wadman in 2020 or at the very least bringing someone in to push him in camp and force him to be better. In all likelihood though, the Broncos can find a better punter just about anywhere.

Grade: D

[vertical-gallery id=633240]

Report: NFL players won’t vote on proposed CBA today

NFL players will not vote on the NFL’s proposed new CBA on Friday.

After NFL owners voted to approve terms of a new collective bargaining agreement Thursday, player representatives — including Broncos kicker Brandon McManus — planned to hold their own vote via conference call Friday.

The NFLPA decided after “a challenging day of talks” to delay a vote “pending further discussions,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday.

Under the proposed new CBA, the regular season will expand to 17 games within the next few years. The playoffs will expand from 12 teams to 14 teams, with that change happening as quickly as next season.

NFL teams would also be allowed to bring back a third player from injured reserve with the new CBA and practice squads will increase from 10 players to 14 players in 2022, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Following the players’ decision not vote on the proposed CBA today, the league will continue operating under terms of the 2011 CBA. With the new league year and NFL free agency approaching, time is running out if owners and players hope to have a CBA agreed upon before next week. The current CBA is set to expire following the 2020 season.

[vertical-gallery id=632585]

Brandon McManus representing Broncos players in vote on new CBA

Broncos kicker Brandon McManus will represent Denver players in a vote on the NFL’s proposed new CBA.

NFL owners voted to approve terms of a new collective bargaining agreement with players on Thursday. Now the players have to vote on the possibility of accepting the proposed CBA.

The NFL Players Association is holding a conference call Friday with representatives from each of the league’s 32 teams. Broncos kicker Brandon McManus is serving as Denver’s representative.

The NFLPA executive committee voted not to recommend the CBA proposal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. That recommendation is not the final say, though, the players — including McManus — still have to vote.

The current CBA was ratified in 2011 and lasts through the 2020 season.

[vertical-gallery id=632585]

Several Broncos featured on ‘Bad Lip Reading’ video from 2019 NFL season

Broncos coach Vic Fangio and two Denver players are featured in this “Bad Lip Reading” video from the 2019 NFL season.

“Bad Lip Reading” is back with some hilarious fictional audio from the 2019-2020 NFL season. Several Broncos made the cut this year.

At 2:34, kicker Brandon McManus and coach Vic Fangio discuss bat scents and whether anyone has them. Later, a Broncos cheerleader makes an appearance and at 4:40, quarterback Drew Lock sings an awkward song during his pre-game tunnel dance.

Lock appears again at 8:33 to declare, “I’m just sad” with a face to match his statement. It’s a pretty funny video with some creative lip reading.

[vertical-gallery id=632585]

5 Broncos who need to have bounce-back seasons in 2020

The Denver Broncos will be looking to end their playoff drought in 2020. These five players can help.

The Denver Broncos fell short of a playoff berth with a third consecutive losing season in 2019.

The team hopes to be better in 2020 with head coach Vic Fangio having a full season under his belt, pushing forward with the promising Drew Lock at quarterback and a brand new offensive coordinator in Pat Shurmur.

But to realize improvement — much less get to the playoffs and win some games once there — it takes a collective effort. For the Broncos to reach their full potential next season, these five players need to bounce back.

Note: This list will not contain any free agents. So the likes of Chris Harris and Connor McGovern will be absent as their futures remain uncertain.

1. Ja’Wuan James

If the Broncos don’t want to pay James for absolutely nothing again, the right tackle needs to bounce back in a big way. That starts with being on the field.

James was one of the worst free agent signings any team in the league made this offseason, but a bounce-back year could help atone for that. Should he have another year in which he almost doesn’t play at all, the Broncos would likely be forced to move on.

Pages: 123