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gbpackfan
11-01-2007, 05:23 AM
Rayner: I should be with Packers

By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com

By the time the regular season opened, the bitterness — at least most of it — was gone.


It was time for Dave Rayner to get down to business. A week after the Green Bay Packers released him in their final cuts, there was Rayner, locked in his condo in Howard, watching every NFL game he could and hoping for someone to miss.


Such is life for an unemployed kicker.


Sure enough, Kansas City's Justin Medlock botched a 30-yard field goal and before the first Sunday of the NFL season had been completed, Rayner was back in the game. After losing the Packers' kicking job after one year to rookie Mason Crosby in a heated training-camp battle, Rayner signed a two-year contract with the Chiefs, has made 10-of-13 field goals and this week will face his old team at his new home, Arrowhead Stadium.


At some point, he plans to sell his condo and buy a place in Kansas City — if that becomes his long-term home. But then again, he hasn't given that much thought, especially considering he always figured he'd be in Green Bay for the long haul.


"I thought I had done enough to deserve to be there longer," Rayner said in a telephone interview. "They drafted Mason, but I was told from Day 1, 'It's your job to lose.' Then, I kicked well in the preseason, led the league in kickoffs and made all my field goals. With the crap they were doing in practice and how much they kicked us, I don't think there's a reason why I should have lost that job. It's not like I was a problem in the community. It's not like I had issues with any of the coaches or anything. I was just really disappointed in the way they handled it, and if it's a performance business, then I guess they looked at the performance different than I did."


In what was as intense a head-to-head position battle as there's been in recent Packers' training camps, Rayner tried 114 field goals (making 91) during practice, and Crosby attempted 115 (with 98 made). Neither one missed in the four preseason games.


"That's the most I've ever kicked in my entire life," said Rayner, who made 26-of-35 field goals (74.3 percent) for the Packers in 2006. "I have never kicked that many field goals in my life. We were kicking almost every single practice, and it's not like we were doing two, three or four kicks. We were doing six, eight, 10, 12 kicks at a time. I knew that was going to happen. They kept saying it was so close, and they kept kicking the heck out of us. It was one of those things where I look back now, I wish they wouldn't have kicked us so, but it was not my decision."


So far, Crosby and Rayner have posted similar numbers. Crosby has made 12-of-15 field goals and ranks fifth in the NFL with nine touchbacks. In one fewer game, Rayner has three touchbacks but has placed 13 of 24 kickoffs in the end zone.


After a shaky start — he had a field goal blocked thanks to a blown assignment in his first game and had one kickoff go out of bounds — Rayner has settled in with the Chiefs. He was named the AFC's special teams player of the week after making three field goals in a Week 4 upset over the San Diego Chargers.


"Obviously, he's got a great leg," Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. "Sometimes, he overkicks a little bit, but he's a mentally tough guy, which is what you like in kickers. He can kind of let it go and get back to the next kick. That was a good get for us."


Rayner landed with the Chiefs in part because they passed on Crosby and took Medlock in the fifth round of the April draft. The Packers took Crosby in the sixth round. The Chiefs didn't have another kicker on their roster in training camp but brought several kickers in for workouts after Medlock missed half of his kicks in the preseason games. The Chiefs picked Rayner over John Carney, Josh Huston, Nick Novak, Shane Andrus, Kevin Lovell and Conner Hughes — all of whom worked out in Kansas City on the Monday after the final cuts.


"I had a really good workout out there," said Rayner, who also worked out for the Giants. "I went 11-for-12 on field goals and had six touchbacks on eight kickoffs. They said they were going to give our guy (Medlock) the first week and see what he does in a game. He missed a chip shot, and they signed me the next day."


Rayner said he still keeps in touch with several of his former teammates — injured running back Noah Herron, backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers and punter Jon Ryan. Though he hasn't talked to Crosby, he said he has no hard feelings toward him and is happy for his success.


"I was fired up that he got a shot at a game-winner so quickly," Rayner said of Crosby's Week 1 kick that beat the Philadelphia Eagles. "He seems to be doing well, and the team seems to be doing well. I wish them the best. I'm excited to play them this week, and I'm excited to see those guys."


As for whether Rayner thinks he's found a long-term home with the Chiefs, he's not sure. After all, he thought that was going to be the case with the Packers, which was the reason he bought his condo in Howard, which now is being rented by Packers offensive lineman Tony Palmer (who is on injured reserve).


"I've been told by the special teams coach and the head coach that if I kick well, this can be a long-term deal," Rayner said. "I just need to keep doing what I'm doing and keep focused and see if I can get a long-term deal."

__________________________________________________ ____________________


This is why real NFL players hate kickers. He had to kick 10-12 FGs at a time. Oh no!!!! Cry my a fucking river Rayner! I go to a lot of training camp practices and saw Rayner standing around on the sideline an awful lot. Just like every other kicker in the league does. Anyone can tell that Crosby has a special leg and Rayner was good, but not great. Don't get me wrong, I would be okay if Rayner was still our kicker but believe TT made the right choice in picking Crosby. One more thing, this is the NFL Rayner! Players get cut all the time, get over it!

Scott Campbell
11-01-2007, 08:13 AM
It's pretty rare that a player does that well and still gets cut, so I don't blame him for feeling that way. But why run your mouth off to the press?

MadtownPacker
11-01-2007, 08:14 AM
I dont know man, if I was him I woudl be kinda bitter too. If he had complained about wanting to leave then yeahm he can go to hell but he wanted to stay in G&G. After Sunday I hope he has a great season.

GBRulz
11-01-2007, 08:37 AM
Calling him a crybaby? I wouldn't go that far. However, it does make you wonder that if the Packers were 1-6 instead of 6-1, would he still be as upset for being given the boot (no pun intended) as he is now?

run pMc
11-01-2007, 08:58 AM
Sounds a bit like whining, although if they said it was his job to lose and he was about even w/ Crosby in camp I can understand being upset.
My impression based on the stats and the camp reports was that Crosby held a slight edge, and not just because of his draft status (although I'm sure that helped him).
Crosby has a higher ceiling, and TT was going on potential.
Whatever. I'm glad we have a decent K, and I'm happy for Rayner too. At least he didn't start talking about Appleby's. ;)

Tarlam!
11-01-2007, 09:09 AM
Well, his exit was classier than Longwell's, IMO.

The guy also said he was pulling for Crosby to make that game winner, that's pretty classy. As Mad already pointed out, the guy wanted to stay on our team.

It's tough getting fired in a company that's "downsizing" for us normal folk. It's happened to me, and I was pretty bitter, especially when I compared myself to some who got kept. I think that's a healthy attitude to have. If you go around believing everyone else is better, whoa, then just throw yourself under a bus!

And let's not forget, the press has a way of twisting innocent statement to make 'em more "readable"....

Zool
11-01-2007, 10:21 AM
http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,132124,00.html

The Leaper
11-01-2007, 10:27 AM
Apparently KC must really be a dive of a city. :D

I can see why he is disappointed...but he's also got another gig now. Plenty of guys around the league get deep sixed unsuspectedly. In Rayner's case, it shouldn't have been unsuspected. The Packers DRAFTED another kicker. Regardless of what they said, it was clear that they weren't entirely happy with Rayner's 2006 performance.

That is why I said from day one that it was CROSBY'S job to lose. If he matched Rayner kick for kick, then the inexperienced rookie would be given the benefit of the doubt in terms of having better long term potential for the future.

In reality, Crosby was actually slightly better than Rayner during camp...not significantly so, but enough to make the decision to keep Crosby a no-brainer for the Packers.

CaliforniaCheez
11-01-2007, 11:26 AM
It was economics. Crosby cost 60% of Raynor. Crosby's contract is longer.

That NFL minimum forces a lot of older players out.

I'm suprised Longwell has not been replaced.

The Leaper
11-01-2007, 11:37 AM
It was economics. Crosby cost 60% of Raynor. Crosby's contract is longer.

The Packers have millions in cap space. If Rayner proved himself to be better, he'd still be in Green Bay. The economics wasn't as much of an issue as was the fact that Crosby proved he was just as good as Rayner without having any NFL experience under his belt to rely on. In the world of NFL kickers, experience should be a fairly substantial edge over a rookie.

Carolina_Packer
11-01-2007, 12:33 PM
Yeah, he may have whined a bit, but at least he didn't go all Ray Finkel on us!

http://content.ytmnd.com/content/5/6/c/56c84c1adedcb93157c74b5a62827719.jpg

FritzDontBlitz
11-01-2007, 12:37 PM
Crosby's first kick as a pro was what, a 52 yarder straight down the middle?

Rayner was less than 50% once he got past the 45 yard mark.

I am sure my numbers aren't accurate, but I hope you get my point: Rayner became more unreliable as he got farther away. Even in the preseason duel.

3irty1
11-01-2007, 01:48 PM
Crosby and Rayner are both good kickers. It didn't really matter who got the job and who got cut, we were going to get a good kicker.

Tarlam!
11-01-2007, 01:55 PM
It didn't really matter who got the job and who got cut, we were going to get a good kicker.

These guys were fighting for their respective existences. Your post is extemely dismissive and I for one find that repulsive.

It mattered to the players, and to me, a fan, who got the job. I am disappointed by your post.

Partial
11-01-2007, 02:17 PM
Crosby and Rayner are both good kickers. It didn't really matter who got the job and who got cut, we were going to get a good kicker.

Both have the potential to be really good kickers. Neither is there yet. I would say Crosby is closer to it than Rayner. He is far more robotic ala Longwell except he has quite a bit more power.

Tyrone Bigguns
11-01-2007, 04:37 PM
http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,132124,00.html

Don't get why you posted this link.

But, I thought i was the only wisco fan of mink deville. Tragically underappreciated.

Iron Mike
11-01-2007, 05:31 PM
http://i2.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/9b/5b/1c15_1_b.JPG

Twist it down.....right to your shoes!

Merlin
11-01-2007, 05:44 PM
The on thing about Crosby I do like is that the guy isn't afraid to try and lay the wood on a returner. The one thing I don't like about him is that in 2 of the 3 interviews I saw him in, he sure sounded like a cocky SOB. Rayner has a little bit of an attitude and Longwell got one as soon as he started to kick like shit. Maybe it's a kicker thing but it isn't very team-like to act as though the world revolves around you ala T.O.

esoxx
11-01-2007, 05:51 PM
Rayner's FG make % last season is likely the only reason they drafted Crosby in the first place. If he would have kicked better when the games counted he'd likely still be here. No one to blame but himself.

As a reminder, the NFL stands for "Not For Long" when you don't produce when the bullets are live. See Wynn, DeShawn.

esoxx
11-01-2007, 05:53 PM
And yes, I do view his remarks as whining. What's the point at this stage? Burning a bridge is never a good idea. Look in the mirror Dave.

mission
11-01-2007, 05:59 PM
The on thing about Crosby I do like is that the guy isn't afraid to try and lay the wood on a returner. The one thing I don't like about him is that in 2 of the 3 interviews I saw him in, he sure sounded like a cocky SOB. Rayner has a little bit of an attitude and Longwell got one as soon as he started to kick like shit. Maybe it's a kicker thing but it isn't very team-like to act as though the world revolves around you ala T.O.

im glad he's a cock.

when you're a kicker, you dont have a lot of friends.

you better love yourself.

rather have that then mister humble who's not so sure of himself. i want the iceman, frozen in the veins, too cool for school and all of that.

this isn't church. character matters up to a certain extent. sometimes winning football games matters. i dont know of many good kickers who dont have a bit of an attitude.

Merlin
11-01-2007, 06:12 PM
A little bit is one thing but you also don't want your kicker to be so cocky that when shit goes south ala Longwell, that they don't share in the blame. So far Crosby has done a great job. So has Rayner. I can't even believe that a kicker made the press. Reminds me of Vanderjagt the "idiot kicker".

superfan
11-02-2007, 12:44 AM
"That's the most I've ever kicked in my entire life," said Rayner, who made 26-of-35 field goals (74.3 percent) for the Packers in 2006. "I have never kicked that many field goals in my life. We were kicking almost every single practice, and it's not like we were doing two, three or four kicks. We were doing six, eight, 10, 12 kicks at a time.

He won't win much sympathy with his teammates with this quote. Up to 12 kicks at a time, almost every single practice? Sounds grueling. Much tougher than pushing the sled or running sprints. :roll:

the_idle_threat
11-02-2007, 01:03 AM
It didn't really matter who got the job and who got cut, we were going to get a good kicker.

These guys were fighting for their respective existences. Your post is extemely dismissive and I for one find that repulsive.

It mattered to the players, and to me, a fan, who got the job. I am disappointed by your post.

I agree with 3irty1, and in fact I posted the same sentiment in training camp.

I don't see it as dismissive. It's more like, the team had two good kickers and was only gonna be able to keep one. Either way they end up with a good kicker---it was a good problem to have. Much better than having two crappy players competing for a spot, and ending up with garbage either way (kind of like our punting situation a couple years back).

Tarlam!
11-02-2007, 02:15 AM
OK, maybe it's just me. I must be approaching menopause.

MadtownPacker
11-02-2007, 02:18 AM
OK, maybe it's just me. I must be approaching menopause.Yah, you might be acting like a lil nina about this.

I have to wonder if Rayner makes the FGs in the eagles game. He seemed to miss what shoudl be considered easy ones in 2006.

Guiness
11-02-2007, 04:31 AM
"That's the most I've ever kicked in my entire life," said Rayner, who made 26-of-35 field goals (74.3 percent) for the Packers in 2006. "I have never kicked that many field goals in my life. We were kicking almost every single practice, and it's not like we were doing two, three or four kicks. We were doing six, eight, 10, 12 kicks at a time.

He won't win much sympathy with his teammates with this quote. Up to 12 kicks at a time, almost every single practice? Sounds grueling. Much tougher than pushing the sled or running sprints. :roll:

I dunno - I didn't think he was wingeing that much in the article - just expressing his views, and saying he didn't think he did anything wrong. And it was cool that he was happy for Crosby hitting that game winner.

As far as kicking too much, I'd like to hear from another kicker on that respect. I imagine making those long boots takes a lot out of them...having made that many kicks, is there a concern about getting a 'dead leg' latter in the season? I know hitting the sleds may be harder, but kicking is more like pitching - there's a reason pitchers only go out there once every 5 days. I wouldn't be surprised, and I hope it doesn't come back to haunt Crosby late in the season.

green_bowl_packer
11-02-2007, 11:33 AM
That camp kicking competition is only going to make both of them better kickers in the long run. The only way to test their mettle, was to raise the stakes, everyone knew they were in battle for a position. He shouldn't have been surprised by this at all.

This is what he gets for being a whiner. (Cruel and unusual punishment)

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/343330.html

Chiefs notes

A kicker’s life

Kicker Dave Rayner’s job security isn’t at its high right now, not after he missed a 30-yard field-goal attempt in the Chiefs’ most recent game against Oakland.

So while he was having a leisurely soak in the hot tub after practice, some of his teammates — we won’t mention names, but think about the punter and a back who’s run for more than 3,500 yards the last two seasons — decided they would have a little fun.

They emptied Rayner’s locker, including removing the nameplate above, and packed all of his gear in a large duffel bag, which they sat in front of the stall. In the locker they taped the note, ‘Go see Ray Farmer,’ the Chiefs’ scout usually entrusted with giving the news to the departing player.

Rayner apparently was tipped off to the joke because when he emerged and saw his empty locker, he merely laughed.

motife
11-04-2007, 05:32 AM
Mason Crosby is 5th in the NFL with 9 touchbacks. Rayner has only 3.

Crosby is 6th in the NFL in KOR avg of only 20.6. Rayner is way down the list there too.

Crosby is 12 of 15 on FG's which is not bad.