Brandon McManus will stay with Denver Broncos; Matt Prater released

In a bit of a stunning development, Brandon McManus, with the New York Giants in preseason, has won the long-term job with the Denver Broncos. Adam Schefter  was first to break the news that the Broncos today released placekicker Matt Prater, who just completed a four-game suspension.

The Broncos acquired McManus, who lost a competition with Josh Brown for the Giants job, at the end of the preseason. With the news that the Broncos will keep McManus, 3-of-3 on field goals and 16-of-18 on getting kickoff touchbacks, the Giants will receiver a conditional seventh-round draft pick from the Broncos in 2015.

"Brandon McManus has earned the opportunity to continue kicking for our team with how well he's played to start the season," Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager John Elway said Friday in a statement on the team's web site. "He has a very strong leg and we have confidence in him on both field goals and kickoffs."

Prater is a seven-year veteran who missed only once in 26 field-goal attempts last season. the miss coming from outside 50 yards.

Are you surprised by this, Giants fans?