Dud No. 2 – Britton Colquitt
When the Broncos went on their incredible run under Tim Tebow in 2011, two special teams players were a big part of their success. Matt Prater routinely nailed clutch (and very long distance) field goals that were often as miraculous as some of Tebow’s unorthodox plays. Almost lost in the Prater and Tebow drama was the fact that Britton Colquitt was routinely pinning opposing defenses inside their own 20, heck, even inside their own 10 or five yard line.
This year, the miracles have been coming from the defense. And while new Broncos kicker Brandon McManus has been stellar – 16-for-17 on the year including 4-for-5 from 50+ yards – Colquitt hasn’t exactly been his coffin-corner self when the Broncos need him to be.
On Sunday in Cleveland, Colquitt punted seven times and never once pinned the Browns inside their 20-yard line. Late in the game he was particularly bad, with a 35-yard kick that put the ball in Cleveland’s hands at their own 40 with less than 5:00 to play in the game. He followed that with 37 yarder that put the Browns in the exact same spot, this time with the game tied, with just 1:06 remaining. On the two kicks Denver needed him the most, Colquitt came up short in a big way.
Our second stud had a big day that was overshadowed by one bad play…
