Brandon McManus has been an effective NFL kicker since joining the Denver Broncos for the 2014 season. However, he isn't exactly the first name that arrives in one's mind when considering the best players in the league at the position, despite solid performance over three seasons.
Now, though, McManus has a (very) impressive feat to be remembered for, even if it took place in practice.
Yes, that is McManus booting a 73-yard field goal with a "normal" field goal setup. It should be noted that the defense didn't appear to be going full bore in stopping the ball from getting up in the air but, in the same breath, 73 yards is 73 yards.
Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said the following via the team's official website about his kicker's explosion.
"That's a true weapon. That was amazing. That was what, 73 yards, maybe? In the first one, he just swung his leg and he was two yards off. The second one he said, 'I'll make it for you this time.' Well thank you, I want to see that. Then he swung it — that's special."
Obviously, McManus' field goal would be the longest in NFL history if it counted, as the current record is a 64-yard make. It remains to be seen if the Broncos (or any other team) would actually think about attempting a field goal from this distance but, if they do, Brandon McManus would apparently be on the short list of the players most likely to convert.