Jaguars sign kicker McManus, cut Patterson

By Hays Carlyon

The Jaguars continued to beef up a good roster on Thursday, signing veteran kicker Brandon McManus.

The 31-year-old McManus has made 223 field goals in his career, including 40 from at least 50 yards.

The Jaguars cut kicker Riley Patterson to make room for McManus. The 23-year-old Patterson was 30 of 35 on field goals last season for the Jaguars, including the game-winner to beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round of the playoffs. However, Patterson has made two field goals of 50-plus yards in his brief career and 43 overall.

The Jaguars elected to go with an experienced leg for what could be a run at the Super Bowl. McManus spent the first nine years of his career with Denver before being cut. He is 10 of 10 on field goals in the playoffs and made all three of his extra points. He was the kicker for Denver’s Super Bowl championship team in 2015.

McManus’ road history is also encouraging. He’s 109 for 129 in his career, an 84.5 percent mark. His lifetime percentage (81.4) is skewed because the Broncos had him attempt so many long field goals at home to take advantage of the high altitude. He’s 40 of 72 from over 50 yards in his career.

McManus never missed a kick against the Jaguars while with Denver. In four games, he made all six of his field goals and all 10 of his extra points.

McManus is a 97 percent kicker for his career on extra points.

Pairing McManus with sensational punter Logan Cooke and electrifying returner Jamal Agnew, along with standout long snapper Ross Matiscik gives the Jaguars one of the best special teams units in the NFL.

The Jaguars like to say they are always looking to get better. Patterson is a likable young player, but upgrading to McManus was the right move.

(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @HaysCarlyon).