Prater, who is three games into a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, was released by the Broncos on Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Prater was expected to be one of the best fantasy kickers this season coming off an excellent 2013 campaign that saw him connect on 25-of-26 field goal attempts, including an NFL record 64-yarder, and a remarkable 75-of-75 on PATs. However, he was hit with the alcohol-related suspension in August and was replaced by Brandon McManus, who will resume the kicking duties for at least the rest of the season. Prater, who will cost the Broncos $4.1 million in cap space next season, is certainly good enough to grab another NFL job, so he's unlikely to be unemployed for long.
They're kickers. Specialists, not skilled positions, kicking in the altitude of the Mile High City. History has a way of repeating itself. Prater replaces the veteraned Elam and now McManus replaces Prater. The kid will be just fine. I am a Broncos fan and have said this was a very real possibility since week 1. Prater has only himself and his alcoholism to blame.
Broncos are stupid. You never know when you might need a 60-yard FG to win a game, or even 50-plus. If the guy just had a strong leg and no accuracy, I could see it, but this guy was at the top of the ladder. NFL management never ceases to amaze me.
Broncos save $2.3 million this year & $3.25 million against their cap next year (for a kicker!) on a year when they would like to sign both Thomas', Knighton/Franklin/Moore... He's a stud Kicker but it's not that "stupid." It's a business... all about the skrilla fellas!
No, this was definitely stupid. Who cares about them saving 2.3 mil this year. Is that going to help them win the SB? No. Unless they plan on signing somebody that would cost 2 mil more than what they have in cap space, than this was definitely stupid. As for saving money for next year... just release him in the offseason!
There is no way for us to know what really went down, and why he was really suspended in the first place. The NFL doesn't release that info, so whatever the player says is what we believe. Maybe he has a meth addiction for all we know.
Yeah kickers are kickers but Prater, if not the best......definitely one of the best and totally a solid fantasy kicker. McManus seems pretty dang good as kickers go.............but........I 'd rather have Prater. Wonder who the lucky team will be?????
Comments
CulverCityCosmoSat 10/4/14 5:15 AM
Wow. Did not see this coming. I wasted an IR spot for 4 weeks just to get him back next week and then this?!?
PS- Why wasn't his suspension reduced like the others?
LeagueDaddySun 10/5/14 2:07 PM
No. But Does it matter?
CulverCityCosmoSun 10/5/14 4:30 PM
Of course it does...in Fantasy and in real life.
Schanck11Mon 10/6/14 12:26 AM
I would hold on for him....Detroit is looking for a kicker..henery sucks
CulverCityCosmoMon 10/6/14 10:05 AM
I guess there was a reason Philly cut him.
HCBrockPurdyFanFri 10/3/14 5:23 PM
They will regret this.
OBGFri 10/3/14 6:25 PM
As Broncos Fan, I wish I could disagree with you.
Vicktorious93Fri 10/3/14 4:54 PM
This is possibly one of the stupidest roster moves of the season. McManus is not on the same level as Prater.
Will_NSat 10/4/14 9:11 AM
They're kickers. Specialists, not skilled positions, kicking in the altitude of the Mile High City. History has a way of repeating itself. Prater replaces the veteraned Elam and now McManus replaces Prater. The kid will be just fine. I am a Broncos fan and have said this was a very real possibility since week 1. Prater has only himself and his alcoholism to blame.
PigskinpooperFri 10/3/14 4:47 PM
Broncos are stupid. You never know when you might need a 60-yard FG to win a game, or even 50-plus. If the guy just had a strong leg and no accuracy, I could see it, but this guy was at the top of the ladder. NFL management never ceases to amaze me.
PP
GradyJFri 10/3/14 4:59 PM
Broncos save $2.3 million this year & $3.25 million against their cap next year (for a kicker!) on a year when they would like to sign both Thomas', Knighton/Franklin/Moore... He's a stud Kicker but it's not that "stupid." It's a business... all about the skrilla fellas!
LukeW36Fri 10/3/14 9:02 PM
No, this was definitely stupid. Who cares about them saving 2.3 mil this year. Is that going to help them win the SB? No. Unless they plan on signing somebody that would cost 2 mil more than what they have in cap space, than this was definitely stupid. As for saving money for next year... just release him in the offseason!
Vince23Fri 10/3/14 10:31 PM
Dumb move,Prater will be on another team by Monday
SkillsFri 10/3/14 11:00 PM
Hope he goes to the Chiefs. I hate the Broncos and this is a joyous occasion for them to lose such a good kicker
DavidJosephFri 10/3/14 11:12 PM
Thank you GradyJ! Finally a well thought out comment.
YoungbloodSat 10/4/14 1:23 PM
There is no way for us to know what really went down, and why he was really suspended in the first place. The NFL doesn't release that info, so whatever the player says is what we believe. Maybe he has a meth addiction for all we know.
LouMaestasSat 10/4/14 8:07 PM
Yeah kickers are kickers but Prater, if not the best......definitely one of the best and totally a solid fantasy kicker. McManus seems pretty dang good as kickers go.............but........I 'd rather have Prater. Wonder who the lucky team will be?????
sandelin85Sun 10/5/14 7:52 PM
Lions