Justin Edmonds - Getty Images
4 months ago: DENVER, CO - JANUARY 08: Matt Prater #5 of the Denver Broncos kicks the ball for a 28 yard field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 8, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
We begin our look at the Denver Broncos that are currently free agents - or will be once free agency opens on March 13. Who are they and should the Broncos look to bring them back? We start with arguably the Broncos biggest weapon last season:
OVERVIEW:
Matt Prater, a kicker out of UCF, was acquired off the Miami Dolphins practice squad. Prater just finished his fifth season in the NFL. The last four have been a full time role all with the Broncos. Prater is known for the very strong leg he possesses showing the ability to hit from 60 yards out and possibly even further due to the high altitude in Denver.
2011 SEASON:
Matt Prater made a very strong case for the Pro Bowl this season. His name became well known throughout the league for his late game heroics, hitting game winning or tying kicks in the fourth quarter or overtime. Prater kicked clutch tying/winning field goals in the fourth quarter or overtime this season against Miami, San Diego, Minnesota, and Chicago, including one from 59 yards out at the end of regulation. Matt Prater became only the second kicker in NFL history (Mike Vanderjagt vs Broncos) to tie a game with a 50+ yard field goal and then kick another 50+ yard field goal to win it.
Prater made $1.8 million in 2011, and the Broncos could decide to use the Franchise Tag should negotiations on a long-term deal stall. Prater's past run-in with the law could lead the Broncos to go this route as well. Franchise Tag calculations have changed in 2012, with the League now using the average of the Top-5 players at each position over the past 5 seasons - not just last season. That means the Tag number will be significantly lower in 2012 than it was in 2011. Phil Dawson of the Cleveland Browns was tagged last year and made $3.25 million. If the Broncos tag Prater, he would be looking at a payday in the $2.6 to 2.7 million range.
WHAT TO DO?
In my opinion, Matt Prater is one of the, if not the most, important player for the Broncos to re-sign this season. While Tim Tebow rightfully received much of the praise for the Broncos turnaround, it is hard to ignore Prater's impact on the Broncos AFC West Championship season. Denver had the fortune of watching one of the great kickers of all time - Jason Elam - kick for a majority of his career, and Prater has come in and kept the line of successful kickers going for the Broncos. Matt Prater would be a tough loss, and when push comes to shove will be with the Broncos one way or the other when the 2012 season starts.
1 recs | 41 comments
Uh. Yes.
A.J. Haefele - February 9, 2012
Yes, yes they should.
Nick Cast - February 9, 2012
Yes, yes and um yes?
Please bring Prater back Broncos, he’s a good kicker. There are lots of holes to fill on this team as it is, lets not poke another one.
UTBroncofan - February 9, 2012
No brainer here...
Fabio Broncos - February 9, 2012
Was just about to say that...
K_dub - February 9, 2012
That 59-yarder against the Bears is the greatest kick that I've ever seen
The guy is clutch, when it’s all said and done, he will be the greatest kicker in Broncos history, and we’ve had some great ones. Karlis, Treadwell, (anyone remember rocket leg Deluiso? lol) Elam is #1 right now. Some may argue Elam’s 63 yarder is the greatest kick in Broncos history. Well that came against the Jags before the half in a blowout, this one literally was our season.
Bronco Mike - February 9, 2012
I'm guessing the dissenting vote was from another team's fan
and they really need a clutch kicker.
MrFNSunshine - February 9, 2012
heh
The no vote was probably a Bears fan.
jcd823 - February 9, 2012
Most important FA we have IMO. He should be priority #1 to sign.
BroncoMath101 - February 9, 2012
I can't think of any player more deserving of getting resigned
A must sign.
Topher Doll - February 9, 2012
Um, I think everyone's forgetting about his DUI last season.
And if Moreno’s taught us anything it’s that we must immediately get rid of someone for that.
/sarcasm… sorry I couldn’t help myself. I think I have a problem. Of course we keep him (AND Moreno).
Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan - February 9, 2012
Prater performs on the feild...
Moreno doesn’t, that’s the difference
Broncsportfan - February 9, 2012
Then make the arguement that we should cut him for his performance
There’s no reason to bring an off field issue into the equation if it’s not enough to get another player cut. Quit trying to find excuses to get rid of a player you don’t like and let his play speak for itself. Personally, I think he’s going to have a breakthrough year, and I’ll be pissed if it’s for another team.
Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan - February 10, 2012
who cares
dcrespo7 - February 10, 2012
A lot of people, judging by the comments section.
Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan - February 10, 2012
This is going to be a repetitive theme throughout this comment section
There is no higher priority (as far as in house) than Matt Prater and his million $ leg cannon. We need a nickname for Mr. Prater, cause he’s going to be a Bronco for as long as Elam was. The Howitzer?
PaleHorse78 - February 9, 2012
Well, since he was with a stripper during the DUI
How about The Sure Thing lol.
Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan - February 9, 2012
Nigel Gruff. Only thing he needs, is to smoke a cig on the field.
tiderfootball09 - February 9, 2012
How bout Little Birdman?
for being the most tatted up kicker of all time? haha. And uh yes this is a re-sign
BillBert11 - February 9, 2012
I'd also like to see him kick a Raider in the cojones.
Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan - February 9, 2012
Someone wrote a post the other day saying Colquitt was a FA as well
any validity to this? If so, I haven’t seen or heard it anywhere else.
PaleHorse78 - February 9, 2012
He's an exclusive rights FA
Not sure the exact difference between this and a restricted FA but it’s a very safe bet Colquitt will be a Bronco next year.
AlbertaBronc - February 10, 2012
Okay who voted No?
There is one in every crowd.
ThorpeBroncosfan - February 9, 2012
A Bears Fan
Broncsportfan - February 9, 2012
that would be a nobody...
pwsbronco - February 10, 2012
I will agree with every other bronco fan and say yes for sure!
CenCalBronco - February 10, 2012 via mobile
I'd make prater the highest paid kicker in the league if thats what is takes.
Is he the best kicker in the league? no. but hes been clutch for us. There arent many kickers like him in the league. just ask the ravens.
OldBloodnGuts - February 10, 2012
He's not the great, but I guess he's good enough
He not at all the best kicker in the league (he’s downright awful from 40-49), but I doubt they’d be able to do any better. Sure he can kick it from 60+ yards, but that’s about all that sets him apart.
ReggaeFire - February 10, 2012
I say resign....
I do like him, but I wouldn’t break the bank. Playing 8 games in the mile high thin air will make most kickers the league leader in touchbacks, especially since they’re kicking off from the 35 again. I don’t think finding a replacement would be that difficult. I was disappointed when Shanny let Elam sign with the Falcons. But I don’t think he kick as well in Atlanta as he did in Denver. I don’t think another team would try to snatch Prater as he wasn’t that great from 40-49yds out and he won’t be kicking in the thin air.
Puckhead1 - February 10, 2012
I remember
when we couldn’t stop comparing him to Elam. Many called for the guy to get cut or traded for a bag a peanuts and a Victoria’s Secret catalog. Amazing what happens when a player is given the time to grow into their role and find a home in Bronco Country : )
dcrespo7 - February 10, 2012
If the Broncos want to play low scoring, shorten the game with lots of running plays and always running clock… you damn well better have a Top 10 FG kicker.
McGeorge - February 10, 2012
Playoffs showed how important a clutch kicker is, Prater is pretty clutch and has a booming leg
Plus he already has rapport with the strip joints here…
CombatChuk - February 10, 2012
Without a doubt.
He kicked the most touchback touchback to ever touchback
Thnikkaman - February 10, 2012
Oh yeah. All that game he was trying to show he'd kick it from 70 yards out
si_ice - February 10, 2012
No Brainer
You always sign your best players unless your name is Mike Shannahan
Baghdad - February 10, 2012
Shanny is an interesting case for sure
the new Bradfather - February 10, 2012
5 votes for no?
Trolls.
Teboner - February 10, 2012
there you are
being insensitive to everyone who has a different opinion than yours, #sarcasm
the new Bradfather - February 10, 2012
Boner
When Boner is part of your name you say what you like
Baghdad - February 10, 2012
We need to lock him up before Baltimore makes a play for him.
AvalancheRescueDog - February 10, 2012
They should. Best leg in the league with possible exception of Janikowski
I’m not 100% that they will, though. Prater knows he has a great leg, too, and he will want to be paid big. Fox, though, was not using Prater’s leg to the fullest. There were a number of times when we were in his range, but Fox preferred to do a safe thing and send Colquitt to punt instead. Heck, in the 3-7 loss to KC in regular season finale we punted twice from 45 yard point or better. Prater makes 63-yarder and a shorter kick – we win that game and don’t need to wait for SD to give us playoff berth. Sure, it is a long kick and not a given, but Prater showed what he can do.
So Prater is a great weapon, I’d love to see him in orange for the rest of his career, but I’m not sure it’s gonna happen.
si_ice - February 10, 2012
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