The Denver Broncos made a trade on Tuesday to add more depth to their kicking position following the four game suspension of Pro-Bowl kicker Matt Prater. The Broncos sent a conditional seventh-round pick to the New York Giants for 23 year old rookie Brandon McManus and waived rookie kicker Mitch Ewald.
McManus was an undrafted costless agent out of Temple in April of 2013 when he was signed by the Indianpolis Colts. The Colts released him in training camp that year. McManus was signed by the Giants to a reserve/future contract in the offseason. McManus kicked well for the Giants in the preseason but was unable to beat out veteran Josh Brown. The Giants were set to release McManus until the Broncos called to make the deal, reportedly to get ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles who had their sights set on McManus once he was released.
Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager told 850 KOA Radio in Denver, "With where we are on the waiver wire, we were way down the list. We wanted to make sure we got him."
McManus possess the strong leg that the Broncos are searching for. In four preseason games for the Giants this year he was 2-for-2 in field goals of 47 and 46 yards. He also had 10 touchbacks in 11 kickoffs.
Ewald was 1-for-2 in field goals, making a 22 yarder. He missed from 36 yards against the Houston Texans last Saturday.