Dave Rayner understands the life of a placekicker in the National Football League can be like a rollercoaster.
Rayner, an Oxford High and Michigan State University graduate, has been in the NFL for five years and was recently picked up by the Detroit Lions as a temporary replacement for the injured Jason Hanson, who is out with a hip flexor.
Even though Rayner knows the job belongs to Hanson, he also hopes there is a future, perhaps with the Lions, but if not, then with another NFL team.
‘I am really excited to be here and this is a great opportunity,? he said. ‘I hope it can last. I have not heard anything about being here long term.?
But, Hanson, 38, has been with the Lions since 1992 and is in the final year of his contract.
‘I have been trying to get my foot in the door here and I hope I can show them that I can do the job here.?
Rayner kicked for the Lions on Sunday when they traveled to Cincinnati and also is scheduled to perform the kicking duties on Saturday when the Lions host Cleveland.
He had a good showing against the Bengals, missing on a 48-yard attempt and then connecting on a 48-yard field goal as well as a 23-yarder. He was perfect on three extra-point kicks.
Rayner also said he was pleased with his kickoffs, including one for a touchback and a 70 yard average per kickoff.
He said while he would hope his kicking leads to a long-term relationship with the Lions, Rayner said he is happy to have the opportunity to work and perhaps attract the attention of another NFL team if the Lions don’t opt to retain him.
‘I’m kicking well right now and having this pre-season experience could help me if another teams in looking for someone.?
Ideally, a kicker would like to stay with a team long term but that seems to be rare in the modern-day NFL.
Certainly Hanson is an exception, having been with the Lions for 17 years. Before Hanson, Eddie Murray also enjoyed a long and successful career in Detroit.
Rayner, who had been friends with Eddie Murray for several years and learned a great deal from him, said Hanson has been fabulous to be around.
‘He’s been great. He is such a classy guy,? Rayner said. ‘He’s helped me a great deal and just watching him, how he prepares, is a huge help. I have picked his brain and it is great to be around him.?
Rayner, who holds the career points record at MSU with 334 points also holds the school recoard for the most career field goals. He was drafted out of MSU by the Indianapolis Colts. He never really got an opportunity with them, attempting only one kick before he was released.
He then signed with the Green Bay Packers
Rayner had a good season with the Packers and is tied for the team record for the longest field goal of 54 yards. But, the Packers drafted a kicker in 2006 and released Rayner after what was described in the media as a very close competition.
He was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs and kicked for them for 11 games in 2007 before he was released. Rayner then went to the San Diego Chargers and played in the playoffs last season as a kickoff specialist.
Rayner had a tryout in the preseason with the Miami Dolphins but that team opted to keep its veteran kicker Jay Feely.
Since there are only 32 teams in the NFL, there is significant competition for the few spots.
‘There is a lot of movement and it’s been a crazy life,? Rayner said.
What better place to be now than to with the team he grew up rooting for.
Putting down roots with the Lions would be a dream come true.
‘It would be great to have a career like Hanson has had here. I have a job here now and who knows about next year.?