In the 30 days leading up to the start of Denver Broncos Training Camp 2016, we’re examining 30 big questions for the season. We’ll make a case for each answer; you’ll vote and tell Broncos Country what’s going to happen this year.
Around this time last year, everyone was wondering who would be the Denver Broncos’ kicker heading into the regular season. After the Broncos cut ties with longtime kicker Matt Prater in 2014, they found themselves in an odd position. They had two kickers on the roster.
For a five-game period, the Broncos had both Connor Barth who handled field goals and extra points, and Brandon McManus who handled mainly kickoffs. McManus eventually beat out Barth in training camp prior to beginning of last season, and thankfully for the Broncos their faith in McManus paid dividends.
During the Broncos trip to the White House, President Obama called him “the heart and soul of this team’s offensive firepower” and he wasn’t wrong.
At times during their championship run McManus was the Broncos offense. He missed a total of six kicks during the regular season, but was a perfect 10-for-10 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points throughout the postseason.
Now the question regarding the kickers heading into the season is, will McManus be able to pick up where he left off?
He has the advantage of kicking in the thin Rocky Mountain air and with a new quarterback leading the way, it might take a little pressure off of McManus to make as many kicks and give him more opportunities to make kicks by cutting down on the turnovers.
But with more opportunities to make kicks there are just as many opportunities to miss kicks as well. The Broncos have seen McManus struggle (remember Cincinnati?) and it’s easy to wonder if his 2015 campaign was the real him or just a bright spot in his young career.
Only three kickers have ever accomplished the perfect season in the NFL. McManus has shown that he has the leg and the accuracy to become the fourth but when the pressure is on will he be able to come through?
The Broncos put McManus is some tough spots last year, but with a revamped offense and a strong defense his job could be a cakewalk this season. He may not have to make as many kicks as they needed him to last year.
But just as easily as the Broncos offense could be better, it could also be significantly worse. They could very well have to call on McManus to become their main source of points again and his hot streak could disappear just as quickly as it came.
It’s all about repetitions as a kicker, so this might be the one scenario in which a shorter offseason does a player some good. Will McManus continue his playoff hot streak or will he come crashing back down to earth?
How many kicks will McManus miss in 2016?
30 QUESTIONS: How many kicks will Brandon McManus miss in 2016?
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) June 30, 2016
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