Matt Prater released by Broncos

[El Supremo]

By most measures, Matt Prater was the NFL's top kicker last season.

The Broncos released him before he had a chance to kick his first extra point this year. Prater, who is serving the final days of his four-game suspension for violating the league's alcohol program, was notified around 11 a.m. Friday that he would be released.

"I'm a little surprised," Prater said from Florida. "The Broncos look like they're going to do some great things this year. It's too bad I won't be a part of it. I'm just going to concentrate on keeping myself in shape and hopefully I'll be kicking for someone this year."

The Broncos are sticking with Brandon McManus, who in his first three NFL games is 14-of-16 in kickoff touchbacks and three-of-three on field-goal attempts, although his longest is from 24 yards.

the rest at: http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26657476/matt-prater-released-by-broncos-brandon-mcmanus-wins-kicking-job?source=infinite

He made the record 64 yard field goal last year. He was due 2.2 million this year.

That was one expensive beer he had last summer.

[JonLP24]

1. Do they feel he gives them the best chance to win

or is there something else? If there is, not sure why they waited unless they wanted to see what they had from the kid.

I'm really excited about Cardinals rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro, he came out of Clemson only missing just 1 kick in each his junior and senior season. So far he hasn't missed a kick yet in the NFL, 9-9 w/ a 51-yarder.

Very tough for a young kicker to make his way into the NFL. Catanzaro won the job when Feely badly shanked a 40-yarder in the 3rd preseason while Catanzaro was perfect thru preseason.

[El Supremo]

2. The money had a lot to do with it.

But not being available for 1/4 of the regular season sure must have counted too.

We don't know the real reasons. Was it just some beer at home? Was he not kissing Elway's ass?

Whatever, if he goes to another team and beats the Donkos, this will be be a really bad move.

[JonLP24]

3. Scouting report

Cardinals:

First and foremost

Bring pressure up the middle when the Broncos pass. The Cardinals are big enough to do that with ends Calais Campbell (6feet8) and Tommy Kelly (6-6). If they can push the pocket into Manning's face, it will help rushers from the edge. The Cardinals aren't strong at that position. The Cardinals think starting cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie form one of the NFL's better duos. They have a chance to prove that against Manning.

Key stat

48.7

That's the percentage of time the Cardinals have converted on third downs this season, which ranks ninth in the NFL. That will be an important statistic. The Cardinals need to do whatever they can to gain first downs and keep quarterback Peyton Manning off the field. That doesn't mean they necessarily want to grind it out on the ground, because that's not their identity. It would make sense to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald on some shorter routes in order to keep the chains moving.

Key players

Tackles Jared Veldheer and Bobby Massie

They have played well through three games but this will be their toughest test, by far. The Broncos will move outside linebacker Von Miller and defensive end DeMarcus Ware around in order to get favorable matchups. So Veldheer and Massie will get a sampling of both. If they can keep Miller and Ware off quarterback Drew Stanton, the Cardinals have a chance.

Injury report

LB Glenn Carson (out), QB Carson Palmer (out), G Paul Fanaika (questionable), RB Andre Ellington (probable), TE Rob Housler (probable), LB Alex Okafor (probable), CB Patrick Peterson (illness), DT Frostee Rucker (probable)
P Dave Zastudil (probable).

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2014/10/03/arizona-cardinals-denver-broncos-scouting-report-prediction/16660233/

Pretty sure Peterson is expected to play. Palmer's nerve won't wake up. Weird injury, he has nerve damage but where he suffered it was a 1 in 100,000 chance. Very unpredictable in knowing when it will wake up, you can't put an expected timetable or anything you can really do treatment wise. Just gotta wait for it to wake up.