'Happy to announce we have signed kicker Matt Prater to a new four-year deal. This was the final piece in setting our roster for camp, and we are thrilled Matt is going to be a Bronco for a long time. Matt has developed into one of the NFL’s elite kickers and is a big part of our team.'
Elway went on to say that 'This was the final piece in setting our roster for camp, and we are thrilled Matt is going to be a Bronco for a long time,' via Twitter.
Prater, who took over as Denver's primary kicker in 2008 following the departure of Jason Elam, had an eventful 2011 season.
Four of the eight Broncos victories in 2011 came on Prater field goals, and two of his overtime kicks(52 yds. at Miami and 51 yds. vs. Chicago) tie for the third and fifth-longest overtime field goals in NFL history. Prater also kicked a 59-yard field goal against the Bears to send the game to OT. He also was named the AFC's Special Teams Player of the Month for his December performances.
Prater converted 19-of-25 field goals and all 30 extra point attempts last season. He led the team with 87 total points and finished first in the NFL with his 70.1 touchback percentage on kickoffs.
'It feels amazing, it's something I've worked for since I was a little kid,' Prater said Monday. 'I'm super excited and very thankful to Mr. Bowlen, Mr. Elway, and the entire organization.'
'As far as the process, it's kind of tough, especially when the practices started because I wanted to be there. But in the end I knew it was gonna get done.
'The Broncos made it pretty easy, my agent (Frank Bauer) did a great job. I'm excited to be back.'
Denver had used its franchise tag on Prater earlier in the offseason, but the seventh-year kicker had not signed the one-year, $2.654M deal, instead skipping the team's recent OTAs with negotiations ongoing. The two sides had faced a July 16 deadline to agree to a long-term deal.
Prater has been sensational as a Bronco. He seems to be getting better each year. He has converted more than 80 percent of his field goal attempts (90-of-112 / 80.4%) in five seasons. The key to Prater’s game is his confidence. He has made 28-of-29 fields goals attempted in the fourth quarter or overtime.
During his time with the Broncos, the soon-to-be 28-year-old has been remarkably effective from between 30-39 yards (23 of 24) and beyond 50 yards (10 of 13), but has oddly struggled on short kicks (15 of 17 from 20-29 yards) and from 40-49 yards (12 of 23). Last season, Prater was a woeful 3-for-7 from that longish range.
Prater has a monster leg. Prater has the highest field goal percentage from 50-plus yards in NFL history. He has made 12-of-16 career attempts in that range.
Similarly, Prater was more successful on FG attempts at home (10 of 12) than he was on the road (9 of 13).
Entering his sixth NFL season, Prater now ranks second in Broncos' history with the 80.4 percent field goal conversion rate, just behind Jason Elam (80.6 percent).
The Broncos signed Prater off the Dolphins practice squad in 2007.
The deal ensures Prater will be with the team when training camp opens with physicals and meetings July 25. The first two-a-day session will be July 26.
'Those guys are the best in the business,' Prater said. 'I love working with those guys and I actually missed just being here and hanging out with those guys. I’m excited to get back and working with them.'
With a long-term contract inked, Prater is ready to focus on the upcoming season with no distractions about the future.
'I can’t even put into words how I feel right now – how excited and thankful I am,” Prater said. “We have a great group of guys from top to bottom from the head coach down so it’s going to be a lot of fun.'
Only two Broncos remain unsigned: second-round choice Brock Osweiler and third-rounder Ronnie Hillman.
Prater is a great resigning ~ Aussie.
