The Denver Broncos have waived rookie kicker Brandon McManus and signed Connor Barth, according to Adam Schefter and Mike Klis respectively.
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After playing all 11 games with the Broncos this season, McManus' misses caught up with him. He became the 31st-ranked NFL kicker in terms of field goal percentage this week (out of 31 ranked kickers) after doink-ing a 33-yarder against the Dolphins that saw vibrant reactions from teammates Manny Ramirez and Demaryius Thomas.
The good
Barth is a far more accurate field goal kicker than McManus has shown to be. In 2012 with Tampa Bay, Barth's last NFL season, he made 10 of 11 attempts up to 39 yards, 12 of 13 from 40-49, and 6 of 9 from 50+. His career field goal average was the highest among every kicker Broncos fans might feel like comparing: McManus, Prater, Jay Feely, and Barth.
The bad
Barth is less impressive in kickoff duties, trailing McManus in the touchback department quite significantly.
Of Connor Barth's 162 career kickoffs, only 11 have been touchbacks. Compare that to Brandon McManus, who has had 48-of-64 go for TBs.
— Jon Heath (@JonHeathNFL) November 25, 2014
But there is some reason for optimism there, too.
Granted, Barth's kickoffs all came from 2008-10, before league moved kickoffs up to 35-yard line. He'll have five more yards to work w/now.
— Jon Heath (@JonHeathNFL) November 25, 2014
Combine that with the Mile High elevation of Denver, and the Broncos believe Barth has more upside for them this year.
What do you think, Broncos Country? Do you like the signing?