Tag: kicker

Commanders work out XFL kicker Andre Szmyt, others

The Commanders also brought in D.C. Defenders kicker Matt McCrane.

The Washington Commanders released veteran kicker Brandon McManus last week before their final week of Organized Training Activities (OTAs). McManus faced allegations of sexual assault from his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year.

Washington signed Ramiz Ahmed last week, giving the team a kicker ahead of its final week of OTAs. Ahmed, 29, kicked collegiately at Nevada and spent some time with the Bears and Packers. He never attempted a field goal or extra point in a game. Ahmed also spent time in the UFL this spring with the Birmingham Stallions.

Now, the Commanders are looking to give Ahmed some competition.

Washington brought in another former UFL kicker, Andre Szmyt, for a workout on Tuesday morning before it begins its three day mandatory minicamp.

Szmyt, 25, kicked collegiately at Syracuse, where he won the Lou Groza Award and was a unanimous All-American in 2018. He signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2023 but did not make the roster. Szmyt spent this spring with the St. Louis Battlehawks, where he was excellent, making 19 of his 21 field goal attempts. He had a long of 61 yards and was four of five from 50 yards and beyond.

Washington also brought in D.C. Defenders kicker Matt McCrane for a workout.

McCrane spent the past two seasons with the Defenders and has quietly been outstanding. He played college football at Kansas State and has spent time with the Cardinals, Raiders, Steelers, Browns and Eagles, mostly on the offseason rosters. He has attempted 12 NFL field goals, making eight of them.

In a game this April, McCrane hit field goals from 58, 54 and 49 yards in a Defenders’ win.

Commanders sign kicker Ramiz Ahmed

Ahmed spent the spring with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions.

The Washington Commanders returned for their final week of Offseason Training Activities on Tuesday without a kicker. General manager Adam Peters rectified that by signing Ramiz Ahmed, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Ahmed, 28, spent much of this spring with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. Ahmed appeared in six games for Birmingham, making 10 of 13 field-goal attempts. Ahmed was perfect 40 yards out or less and four of seven from everything over 40 yards.

Ahmed played collegiately at Nevada and signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He was waived that summer. In 2022, Ahmed signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL where he kicked a 61-yard field goal, which was the longest in that league’s history at the time.

Ahmed received another chance at the NFL with the Packers in the summer of 2022. He was back and forth between the active roster and practice squad. He appeared in one game, where he handled kickoffs. Three of his six kicks went for touchbacks. Ahmed is known for his strong leg.

Even after signing Ahmed, the Commanders will likely add another kicker sometime before training camp. Could Washington turn back to the UFL and sign Jake Bates? Bates is unable to sign because his team is in the playoffs.

Ahmed replaces Brandon McManus on the roster. McManus was released Sunday after being accused of sexual assault.

 

Attorney ‘disappointed’ Commanders cut Brandon McManus

“We reiterate that the allegations against Brandon [McManus] are and remain absolutely false,” attorney Brett R. Gallaway said.

Less than a week after kicker Brandon McManus was accused of sexually assaulting two flight attendants during the 2023 NFL season, the Washington Commanders released the veteran kicker on Sunday.

Two women have accused McManus in a lawsuit of “rubbing himself against them and grinding against them” and attempting to kiss one of them during a flight to London with the Jacksonville Jaguars last fall.

Brett R. Gallaway, the attorney for McManus, denied the allegations after news broke of the lawsuit last week. Following the Commanders’ decision to release McManus on Sunday, Gallaway released another statement.

“We reiterate that the allegations against Brandon are and remain absolutely false and importantly, are contradicted by indisputable evidence and the accusers’ own prior inconsistent statements and omissions,” Gallaway said.

“While we are disappointed with the team’s decision to release Brandon before he had the opportunity to defend against these fabricated claims, we will aggressively defend and clear Brandon’s name and reputation through the legal process. We intend to defeat these claims, fully exonerate him and look forward to seeing him back on the field where he belongs.”

McManus, 32, played for the Denver Broncos from 2014-2022, winning Super Bowl 50 in 2015. He converted 81.1% of his field goal attempts with the Jaguars last season after converting 77.8% with Denver in 2022.

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Commanders release kicker Brandon McManus

The Commanders move on from McManus.

The Washington Commanders announced on Sunday that they’d released kicker Brandon McManus.

McManus was accused of sexually assaulting two women in a lawsuit filed last month in Duval County, Florida. The alleged incident occurred on an international flight last September when McManus played for the Jaguars. The two women were working as flight attendants on Jacksonville’s charter flight to London for the Jaguars’ game against the Atlanta Falcons.

When the lawsuit was filed, the Commanders released the following statement:

Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.

McManus later released the following statement via his attorney:

These are absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and well-respected NFL player. We intend to aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name by showing what these claims truly are — an extortion attempt.

McManus, 32, signed with the Commanders in March after spending last season with the Jaguars. Before his one season in Jacksonville, McManus spent nine seasons with the Denver Broncos.

The Commanders report for their final week of Offseason Training Activities (OTAS) on Tuesday without a kicker. Washington will hold its mandatory minicamp from June 11-13.

Brandon McManus accused of sexual assault

Two women have accused Brandon McManus of sexual assault during a Jaguars flight to London last season.

Two women have accused kicker Brandon McManus of sexually assaulting them during a flight to London during the 2023 NFL season, according to a report from ESPN’s Michael DiRocco.

The Denver Broncos cut McManus last spring and he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The alleged incidents happened during the Jaguars’ flight to London for a game against the Atlanta Falcons last September.

In a lawsuit, the two women have accused McManus of “rubbing himself against them and grinding against them,” according to DiRocco. He has also been accused of attempting to kiss one of the flight attendants.

The Jaguars opted not to re-sign McManus after the 2023 season and he then signed a one-year with the Washington Commanders.

“Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus,” the Commanders said in a statement, via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.”

The kicker’s lawyer has emphatically denied the allegations.

“To be clear, these are absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and well-respected NFL player,” attorney Brett R. Gallaway told Sam Fortier of the Washington Post. “We intend to aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name by showing what these claims truly are — an extortion attempt.”

McManus, 32, played for the Broncos from 2014-2022, helping the team win Super Bowl 50 in 2015. He married his wife, Nadia, in 2016. The veteran kicker is entering his 11th season in the NFL.

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View the Broncos’ all-time scoring leaders since 1960

Jason Elam is the Broncos’ all-time leader in points (1,786), followed by five other kickers and then wide receiver Rod Smith (428).

The Denver Broncos have a great history of strong-legged kickers, and given the nature of the position, it’s no surprise that the team’s all-time scoring list is topped by kickers.

The NFL does not count quarterback points on all-time scoring lists (presumably because QBs are responsible for so many touchdowns). If they did, John Elway would be Denver’s all-time leader in points (4,771).

Instead, Broncos Ring of Fame kicker Jason Elam is officially recognized as Denver’s all-time scoring leader (1,786 points). A two-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Pro Bowler and three-time second-team All-Pro, Elam was the best kicker in franchise history.

Immediately behind Elam on the Broncos’ all-time scoring list are five more kickers. The first non-kicker to show up on the list is Ring of Fame wide receiver Rod Smith (428 points), another two-time Super Bowl champion.

The top 12 leading scorers in franchise history are listed below (and yes, Rich Karlis kicked barefoot, even in the cold).

Who was the best player to wear No. 21 for the Broncos?

Gene Mingo was one of the most versatile players in franchise history. Aqib Talib won a Super Bowl. Who was the best No. 21 for the Broncos?

As we continue our series listing the best player to wear each number for the Denver Broncos, which reached No. 21, which is a difficult decision.

Gene Mingo is definitely part of the conversation. Mingo spent four and a half seasons in Denver and he scored 408 points, eighth-most in franchise history. Mingo was more than just a kicker, though. He also totaled 777 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, 454 receiving yards and four scores and 956 return yards and another score. He even threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

A two-time AFL All-Star and a member of the Broncos Ring of Fame, Mingo was a do-it-all contributor as a kicker, halfback and returner. One could make a strong case that Mingo was the best No. 21 in franchise history.

Aqib Talib spent four seasons in Denver and he totaled 11 interceptions, six of which he returned for touchdowns (most in franchise history). During his 12-year career with five teams, Talib recorded 35 interceptions and 10 pick-sixes, which ranked fourth in NFL history.

A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Talib was a key member of the Broncos’ famous “No Fly Zone” defense that led the team to a victory in Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

So, who was the best No. 21 in franchise history? Vote in the poll!

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Broncos kicker Wil Lutz shares great message to undrafted players

“Being undrafted isn’t a demotion, it’s an opportunity,” Broncos kicker Wil Lutz told UDFAs. “Use it as motivation and go to work!”

The Denver Broncos have a great history of finding undrafted free agent gems, including Super Bowl champions Rod Smith, Chris Harris, C.J. Anderson and Shaq Barrett.

More recently, the Broncos found Phillip Lindsay in 2018 and Jaleel McLaughlin in 2023. Now Denver will aim to uncover more undrafted gems this spring.

Broncos kicker Wil Lutz, who went undrafted in 2016, posted a great message to UDFAs at the end of the draft on Saturday.

“Don’t let your dreams just be dreams,” Lutz wrote on his Twitter/X page. “Being undrafted isn’t a demotion, it’s an opportunity. Use it as motivation and go to work! 9 years ago I was given an opportunity, and that’s all I needed‼️”

Denver safety P.J. Locke, who went undrafted in 2019, shared a similar message on his Twitter page:

And linebacker Alex Singleton (undrafted in 2015) chimed in …

The Broncos shared a graphic of McLaughlin and wide receiver Tim Patrick (undrafted in 2017) on their Twitter page on Saturday night:

We are tracking all of Denver’s UDFA signings on Broncos Wire.

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New Orleans Saints sign international kicker Charlie Smyth from Northern Ireland

The New Orleans Saints are signing international kicker Charlie Smyth from Northern Ireland. He’ll have a great opportunity in black and gold:

Here’s some competition for Blake Grupe. The Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler reports that the New Orleans Saints are signing rookie kicker Charlie Smyth as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. Smyth hails from Northern Ireland and previously worked as a goalkeeper for County Down’s Gaelic football team.

He’s only been kicking an NFL football since August, but the 22-year-old is already good from distances of 60 yards in practice. He’ll have a chance to develop with a respected special teams coaching staff and possibly push Grupe. We’ll see if he can perform in a new environment over the summer.

The Saints haven’t shied away from adding international players before. Their punter Lou Hedley is Australian, and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi values the different skill sets that players from foreign backgrounds can offer.

Because Smyth is joining the Saints as an IPP player, he will not count towards the 90-man offseason roster limit for training camp. Odds are stronger for him to hang on with the team’s practice squad after roster cuts in September than to unseat Grupe altogether, but you never know. Stranger things have happened in the NFL.

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NFL star and former MLS defender Aubrey pays visit to USMNT camp

Brandon Aubrey, a former MLS draft pick who led the NFL in scoring last season, stopped by USMNT camp this week

The U.S. men’s national team had a special guest at Tuesday’s practice, a familiar face for fans in Dallas.

The USMNT invited Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey to a training session ahead of Thursday’s Concacaf Nations League semifinal showdown with Jamaica at AT&T Stadium.

Aubrey, 29, emerged as one of the best kickers in the NFL last season, but his professional sports career actually started in soccer.

Aubrey was a defender at Notre Dame from 2013-2016, scoring 15 goals and earning first-team All-ACC recognition with the Fighting Irish. He was drafted by Toronto FC in the first round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

The defender spent his first season on loan to Toronto’s second team (a USL squad at the time), then he spent one year with Bethlehem Steel FC (another USL team that formerly served as a Philadelphia Union affiliate). After 47 appearances in the USL, Aubrey was out of soccer by 2019.

Aubrey started working as a software engineer. While watching an NFL game in 2019, Aubrey and his wife looked on as a kicker missed an attempt.

“You could do that,” she told him.

So he did.

Aubrey hired a kicking coach and he worked in his garage during the pandemic. After three years of training, he finally got an opportunity with the Birmingham Stallions (then of the USFL, a league that has since merged with the XFL to form the UFL).

In his first season as a professional kicker, Aubrey made the All-USFL first-team and he won back-to-back championships with the Stallions. After going 32-of-37 on field goal attempts in the spring league, Aubrey was invited to Cowboys training camp last summer.

Aubrey ended up winning Dallas’ starting kicker job and he went on to go 36-of-38 on field goal attempts in 2023, leading the NFL with 157 points. He quickly established himself as one of the best kickers in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl in his first season.

Aubrey is following in the footsteps of Josh Lambo, who switched from soccer to American football and went on to have a seven-year career as a kicker in the NFL. If his first season is any indication of what’s to come, Aubrey is well on his way to surpassing Lambo’s feats.

The winner of the USA-Jamacia match on Thursday will advance to face the winner of the Mexico-Panama clash in the Concacaf Nations League final at the Cowboys’ stadium on Sunday night.

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