Add Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater to the list of players who have received the franchise tag before the Monday afternoon deadline. Prater, who was rock solid from beyond 50 yards and from within 40 yards, is one of four kickers to receive that designation this offseason, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Four kickers -- Josh Scobee, Matt Prater, Mike Nugent, Phil Dawson -- have been franchise tagged and Connor Barth likely to become fifth.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2012
Had the Broncos not used the franchise tag on Prater, the five-year veteran would have hit the free agent market. But with this tag, the Broncos will keep their kicker for around $2.6 million on a one-year deal. That is, if he and the team don't come to a long-term deal in the coming days and weeks. Often, this tag is used to give the two sides more time to reach a new contract (see: Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints this season).
It's going to be Prater Time in Denver for at least one more season.
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