Brandon McManus Must Rebound in the 2018 Season
Back when the Denver Broncos went to Super Bowl 50 in Levi Stadium, the kicking game was flawless with Brandon McManus…
Special teams is a weapon if constructed properly. The Denver Broncos solidified a part of this corps by signing veteran punter Marquette King, formerly of Oakland Raiders. Brandon McManus is a weapon in the kicking game if he recalibrates his accuracy in 2018.
A dynamic returner creeps into a psyche of a kicker. McManus has shown the propensity to blast balls down I-25 in the Mile High City. He needs better accuracy on field goals, though, to help on special teams.
In 2017, McManus made 75 percent of his attempts, six of his eight kicks last season inside 30 yards. He has to work on the short or ‘chipping’ game to steal from golf terminology to reach the 85 percent he achieved in the Super Bowl season.
In that season, McManus achieved near MVP status with how clutch he made field goals 50 yards or longer. McManus became Mr. Reliable in key situations, reminding fans of Matt Prater.
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Prater’s name surfaces because McManus took his job in 2014. There were other causes resulting in the release of Prater, but on the football field, McManus was a better player during Training Camp.
McManus’ play still receives criticism from fans wishing Prater is still a Bronco. Unfortunately, his off-field situations were too much for Denver to handle.
McManus is a talented kicker with a golden leg. His mental makeup needs to be better in 2018. Short-term memory ranks near the top of priorities for NFL kickers. If McManus misses a kick, he needs to be able to shake it off and think about the next play.
We are all human. This is easier said than done. However, McManus does seem primed for a bounce back this season.
Denver must see growth from McManus. Despite the contract extension handed to him, McManus will be on thin ice throughout the season and beyond.
McManus is a player to monitor as we get closer to Training Camp.