With place-kicker Brandon McManus Distance no big deal toMcManus

BrandonMcManus stuck his hand into a hornets nest. The New York Giants told him he wasn’t making their team. He figured he might land with the Philadelphia Eagles. Instead, he was traded to the Broncos. A part-time opportunity during Matt Prater’s four-game suspension became a full-time job after the Broncos released Prater on Oct. 3. McManus is a rare Broncos player from Temple. “It’s a football factory,” said defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, a former Owls star. “It’s good to have him here.”

But it wasn’t an easy transition externally. Fans were upset with Prater’s exit.

Prater missed only one kick last season. McManus missed making a roster last season. He has shown resilience, and flashes of brilliance— he’s 8-for-11 on field-goal attempts— and insists that his confidence hasn’t wavered even after coach John Fox passed on two attempts of more than 50 yards in last week’s 22-7 loss at St. Louis.

McManus talked kicking with The Denver Post. A: Nope. They see me make kicks out here in practice every day, so it’s not an issue for me. Especially every time you have 18 (PeytonManning) playing offense, you have a good chance of getting a first down. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just come out and work hard, like everyone else. It’s just whether it’s part of the game plan, what they feel comfortable with. I know 100 percent they feel confident in me from distance. (He makes field goals of more than 60 yards during pregame warm-ups.) I feel support at all times. A: One thing different is that a closer is able to throw balls. We aren’t able to miss the strike zone. The reason I wanted to be a kicker is that I loved the pressure situations and the thrill. When I was growing up, I always wanted to take the penalty kicks in soccer and the free throws in basketball. That’s something I always billed myself on. I enjoy the pressure so much. I want that chance. Every kicker wants to be known for game-winners, for being able to handle the pressure in the biggest moments. A: During the first couple of weeks, it was lingering. But I was still able to kick well. I feel 100 percent healthy now. I feel good. I got under the ball on those two kickoffs last week. I am pretty high up there with touchbacks (43-of57, the second-best percent- age in the NFL this season). Obviously, they know and I know my leg strength is not an issue. I can kick 60 (yards) easily. It’s not an issue for me. Whether it’s part of the game plan or whether they think we are going to get the first down on fourth down, we play a lot of percentages. A: Always. Every kick, you have to go in and say “I want to go 1-for-1 here.” You don’t want to be thinking, “If I miss this, what is my field-goal percent- age going to be?” That’s a lot bad things that can creep into your mind. If I miss, for probably 45 seconds I am mad at myself because I know right then and there why I missed. But not after that. I am so wrapped up into the game. I love football, so I am watching the defense. A: I think any kicker does. I kick X amount of balls per day. It’s muscle memory by now.