Brett Maher, who had a disastrous postseason kicking for the Cowboys last year, struggled again in his preseason debut with the Broncos. Photo Credit: NFL Network Broncos kicker Brett Maher misses a field goal attempt against the Cardinals. Photo Credit: NFL Network.
NFLBy Michael Dixon on

If Denver Broncos kicker Brett Maher was hoping to make a good first impression with his new team after his nightmare postseason with the Dallas Cowboys a season ago, it didn’t happen.

The Broncos opened up their preseason on Friday night against the Arizona Cardinals. Denver got a good scoring opportunity in the first quarter when Rahim Moore intercepted a pass from Arizona’s Clayton Tune, setting the Broncos up on the plus side of the field. Denver’s drive sputtered. But if there was one positive, Maher got to try his first preseason kick with the Broncos.

That could have been a positive takeaway. But Maher’s field goal attempt was no good. It was a 47-yarder, so it wasn’t a chip shot. But it was also never close.

That brought back strong memories of Maher’s struggles last January.

The idea that the Broncos may need to find their kicker on the waiver wire gained even more credibility on the next possession.

After a drive stalled, Denver again lined up for a field goal attempt. This time, it was a 50-yard attempt from Maher’s competitor, Elliott Fry.

It did not go well, either.

There were more kicking issues later in the game. This one came from Arizona’s kicker — and former Bronco — Matt Prater.

As we saw during Super Bowl LVII, the field at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium is not known for its pristine conditions, especially for kickers. Considering that, and the misses from Fry and Prater, we can probably cut Maher some slack.

That said, this is the last thing anyone with the Broncos wanted to see in Maher’s preseason debut with the team.

[Photo Credit: NFL Network]

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