The Cowboys Really Want To Sign Dave Rayner

by Sean Yuille on Aug 30, 2011 12:18 AM EDT in Detroit Lions News

The reason the Detroit Lions elected to release kicker Dave Rayner on Monday is because there was no point in delaying the inevitable. Jason Hanson showed during the first three weeks of the preseason that the starting job is still his, and the Lions opted to release Rayner sooner rather than later in order to give him a chance to find a home elsewhere.

As it turns out, it didn't take Rayner very long to find a new job. Shortly after he was released, the Dallas Cowboys expressed interest in Rayner. At first reports were that Rayner was merely getting a workout, but this doesn't sound like the kind of treatment a player gets for coming to town for only a workout.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Jones was so intent on having Rayner sign with the Cowboys that he dispatched his private plane to Metro Detroit and had Rayner flown to Texas.

Dave Birkett reports that Rayner will sign with the Cowboys on Tuesday, which is good to hear. Rayner deserves to be a starting kicker in the NFL somewhere, and it's great for him that he is already apparently set to join the Cowboys.

(On an unrelated note, former Lions wide receiver Bryant Johnson has also found a new home in Texas. Houston signed him on Monday.)

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Good for Rayner!

Hope he gets much success there – until he crosses paths with Detroit of course. Seeing players cut from Detroit being quickly sought after is great! It shows we are going in the right direction in terms of talent on the team…or making stupid cuts. Obviously the former is the case.

by SoulRepublic on Aug 30, 2011 12:34 AM EDT reply actions

lol its a kicker were talking about

by RaysOfHope on Aug 30, 2011 12:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Kickers score more points than anyone else in their career

Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand - Kurt Vonnegut

Follow @alex_reno

by Reno09 on Aug 30, 2011 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Rayner deserves to be a starting kicker in the NFL somewhere

Yeah, should have been here. I’ve always loved Hanson, but he’s almost done. Rayner
would have been the future, and will be now somewhere else. There seems to be a prevailing opinion that after Jason’s done, kickers are a dime a dozen. Bull! Hope you make it through the season Jason. Suh kicking does not thrill me.

Expectations don't produce!

by 2manyears on Aug 30, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Did you not find it odd that Rayner was not on an NFL roster when he came to the Lions?

The fact is there are a number of serviceable kickers not on NFL rosters at any time. There may be someone better than Rayner out there right now doing whatever. I trust that Mayhew and his staff keep tabs on guys like that.

"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 30, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Such as Billy Cundiff

who was on our preseason roster a couple years ago and had kicked for a couple teams previously. We of course cut him and he went on to have a pro bowl season with the ravens last year. They’re out there.

Ah but I was so much older then and younger than right now

by Justan Oldfart on Aug 30, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

then sign hanson to a deal similar to Manning's

by RaysOfHope on Aug 30, 2011 11:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Happy for Rayner

Knew someone would land him. A little more surprised about Bryant Johnson. I liked him coming here because I followed the Cardinals and thought he was a good 3WR for them. But once he came here he looked like a completely different player. But anyways good luck to both of them.

Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand - Kurt Vonnegut

Follow @alex_reno

by Reno09 on Aug 30, 2011 12:40 AM EDT reply actions

sad to see that the texans signed bryant johnson

(have schaub in one of my leagues)

by haywood on Aug 30, 2011 12:44 AM EDT reply actions

I'm mildly disappointed.

I would’ve liked to have seen Jerry Jones’s desperation for a kicker parlayed into a late-round draft pick. Oh well. I’d wish Mr. Rayner the best of luck, but I’m guessing his one-way flight aboard Jerry’s private plane indicates he really doesn’t need it.

by Stephen02120 on Aug 30, 2011 2:08 AM EDT reply actions

+1

Expectations don't produce!

by 2manyears on Aug 30, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Good luck Dave

by Hyperion Ecta on Aug 30, 2011 6:22 AM EDT reply actions

Good Luck Dave, except when we play you, then you can suck ifin yah please ;)

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Aug 30, 2011 6:53 AM EDT reply actions

Bryant has a thing for being with great WRs

Boldin, Fitzgerald, Calvin, and now Andre Johnson. Too bad it did not rub off on him.

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 30, 2011 7:26 AM EDT reply actions

Trying to coast off of others accomplishments..

by Michael21 on Aug 30, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Good for Dave,

Now when hansen retires he can kick our ass for years to come : )

by msivits on Aug 30, 2011 8:23 AM EDT reply actions

Felton was just released

No surprise really. I don’t even think he played on Saturday, at least from what I could tell.

.Does your momma have a Big Ass like your head?

by delusional on Aug 30, 2011 9:06 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

“deryNBA: Lions inform FB Jerome Felton of his release this AM. Quality FB, but team doing in direction of keeping more TEs.”
—http://twitter.com/deryNBA/status/108523844431654912

.Does your momma have a Big Ass like your head?

by delusional on Aug 30, 2011 9:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That was a tough call, but the right one in my opinion.

The offence will use Heller or Suh on short yard runs where a fullback is needed. Actually, I think this roster spot will go to Ricardo Silva, and not an extra TE or RB.

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 30, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I hate when they use Suh as FB...

It’s gimmicky and they might as well paint a sign saying “the runner is coming in this direction”, it just focuses the D’s attention.

Heller is fine as a FB as little as we use the position. I’m find with keeping an extra player somewhere else as long as it’s not DWill. Silva is fine by me.

.Does your momma have a Big Ass like your head?

by delusional on Aug 30, 2011 9:37 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Focusing the D's attention is the perfect way to score elsewhere

It says, “look over here while Stafford throws to Burleson behind you!”

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

by The Boourns on Aug 30, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree Bourns....Is that what they do though?

Not too sure about that one.

.Does your momma have a Big Ass like your head?

by delusional on Aug 30, 2011 12:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah

Fuck Dwill i cant believe he wasnt one of the first roster cuts.

by Michael21 on Aug 30, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Hard to say

It could go that way, but just as easily to an extra RB if they don’t want to get rid of Morris or Brown and also find a good back being cut in the next week…With Logan now considered a RB, that would be carying 5 RBs..which is a lot but I could see the possibility seeing Brown is a specialty guy (insurance if Best goes down) and Logan is even more specialty…thus only leaving MoMo and the risky Best if we don’t keep Harrison or a back being released…

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 30, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

So all we need to do is cut 1 more person before 4pm right?

Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand - Kurt Vonnegut

Follow @alex_reno

by Reno09 on Aug 30, 2011 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

No surprise here...

With Dallas’ desperation in their kicking game, I had been predicting that the Cowboys would jump all over Rayner, when he hit the wire; he’s going to be a good one for years to come. I’m just disappointed that Mayhew didn’t get anything for a talented kicker, whom the Lions can’t keep, only because we have one of the All-time best kickers in Hanson. Dallas has a few players whom they will have to cut or have already. Perhaps cap-wise, it is better to take a chance on cut players, and hope they can be signed by the Lions, like an Andre Gurode. Rayner has proven that he is steadier than the average kicker; you’d think somewhere we could have gotten at least a 6th or 7th round pick for him.

by Gee Garold Lembach on Aug 30, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

Noone

is gonna give up a pick for a player they know is going to be cut.

Ah but I was so much older then and younger than right now

by Justan Oldfart on Aug 30, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Not necessarily true

It really depends on the demand of the player, other teams needs, and a teams position on the waiver wire. It appears no other team had the need for Rayner ahead of Dallas and everyone behind Dallas didn’t feel the need to move ahead of them by giving up a pick.

by MonteCarlo7888 on Aug 30, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

With Felton being released

Does that mean Joe Jon Finley has a shot? I’m just saying, kid’s a stud, would four TEs be unheard of?

by Mavyrk on Aug 30, 2011 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

4 TEs make sense without a FB, but also we can practice squad one and call them up in an injury situation

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Aug 30, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I know... I know... This is Notthe right place to post this... But I'm on my phone kn my way to work

http://m.nfl.com/news/09000d5d821ce176/xlvi-things-to-look-forward-to-this-nfl-season/

II. Matthew Stafford . Based on preseason play, I think Stafford is ready to crack the top 10 QBs. I am looking forward to seeing him play an entire season, showing the talent that has been on display this summer

XVIII. The Lions. Ndamukong Suh is a game changer and the defense has shown it is fast, athletic and physical. Detroit has a tough schedule, but it is a tough team. The Lions will move from good to much better. Next year they will be great.

by DetroitDefense on Aug 30, 2011 10:41 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Is it too late too resign Dave

And trade him to Dallas? I’m thinking we got 3 picks for Roy, Dave should be worth a 1st round as well too JJ. At least in this trade he will get a guy who can put points on the board.

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on Aug 30, 2011 11:49 AM EDT reply actions