Cardinals kicker Matt Prater comes to Arizona with Super Bowl aspirations
Mar 20, 2021, 11:58 AM | Updated: Sep 24, 2021, 1:09 pm
Place kicker Matt Prater #5 of the Detroit Lions smiles on the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals kicked off free agency on Wednesday by making several moves to bolster their roster.
One of the signings included adding veteran kicker Matt Prater to a two-year contract.
“One thing left for me is to try to win a ring and I knew this was one of the best places to come to have that opportunity,” Prater said as he was introduced by the Cardinals in a press conference on Friday.
The 13-year veteran has already established ties with the organization. Kati Prater, Matt’s wife, was once a part of the Cardinals cheerleader squad.
“My wife cheered back in the day here and so she’s familiar with the organization. And she was really excited. And my kids are so excited to come out here and everything lined up perfectly for the entire family.”
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The two-time Pro Bowler will be reunited with assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers, who coached Prater for four season with the Denver Broncos.
“It’s one of those things where you don’t realize how good you have it until it’s gone and not playing for Rodgers. And then now getting the opportunity to work and play for him again, I’m really excited. I really enjoyed being in meetings with him, working with him, learning from him and I’m excited,” Prater said.
Prater will also get the chance to suit up with long snapper Aaron Brewer, who was there when Prater knocked down the NFL’s longest field goal at 64 yards in 2013.
“So we actually ran out on the field. We knew it was over 60. But we weren’t sure exactly how far it was. And Britton Colquitt was the holder so he got down and he looks at me and he said something close to like, ‘Holy cow, this is for the record,'” Prater said.
“I said to him, ‘Why would you say that right before the kick?’ And then we hit it. Luckily it went through and we got it.”
The newest Cardinals kicker has also taken note of the recent influx of players that have joined the team and is ready to be a part of the Big Red Sea.
“Anytime you bring in talented players, and hopefully we can all work together as a team to get you know, the ultimate goal is winning games,” Prater said.
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