Dave Rayner Signs With Dallas Cowboys
by Sean Yuille on Aug 30, 2011 2:32 PM EDT
in Detroit Lions News
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PrintA day after being released by the Detroit Lions, kicker Dave Rayner has been signed by the Dallas Cowboys.
This move was expected to happen and doesn't come as a big surprise considering Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly sent his private jet to Detroit to pick up Rayner. Clearly the Cowboys think he can take over their starting kicker job, and clearly they're not thrilled with the current make-up of the position right now considering a whopping five kickers are currently under contract.
The Cowboys have struggled to find a kicker that they can rely on for field goals, and now Rayner is joining a position group that already includes Shayne Graham, Kai Forbath, David Buehler and Dan Bailey. I like Rayner's odds if he kicks with the consistency we saw in Detroit in the latter half of last season.
The fact that the Cowboys have five kickers really makes me appreciate Jason Hanson. Despite the injuries in recent years, Hanson has been ol' reliable for the Lions, and it's nice that kicker is one position that Detroit hasn't had to worry about in a long, long time.
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I would almost say the Lions have been ridiculously lucky with kickers...................
Murray, Hanson, and for a short time Rayner; but I think the Lions actually have their shit together when it comes to evaluating kickers. I wish they were as good with other positions.
"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 the way, Thanks to Dave Rayner for an outstanding 2010.
Best of luck in the future.
"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."
I think we made a bad move there
What are we going to have Hanson for; this year and next maybe? Rayner was solid, we should of cut Hanson and made him part of the orginization. We will be in the cowboys boat when Hansons done after this year or if were lucky the year after.
Rayner played great for us last year, but I'm not sure his career has been solid.
Look at the teams he has played for : Colts, Packers, Chiefs,Chargers,Dolphins,Lions,Bengals,Redskins,Bengals,Lions and now the Girls.
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Aug 30, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree. Hanson looks healthy and outperformed Rayner in preseason.
You have to go with Jason. In a couple of years we will worry about another kicker. I would prefer to take the best guy now and trust that we can get another kicker later.
"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."
Gotta take the other side totally on this one Us
Jason is money. Has been money. And I cant think of a reason why he wont continue to be money.
The new rule was a personal God send to Jasons career. He popped that last 49 ydr straight down the pipe and had at least 5 and maybe 10 yards to spare. Dave Raynor is damn fine kicker, no doubt about that but you just dont cut a team leader thats doing his job just because your looking down the road.
If there is any Lion who deserves a ring more than #4, I sure cant think of a name. He was the ONLY player to show up and play his ass off week in and week out when we were an abomination.
As long as he wants to kick, I trust Jason Hanson. I honestly believe that when the day comes that he can no longer kick at his level, he will retire. Until that day, we owe this guy a ring
"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short
by YpsilantiJeff on Aug 30, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Plus 4981
Ah but I was so much older then and younger than right now
by Justan Oldfart on Aug 30, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks Jeff.
I cried real tears of joy, +1 sir.
(they were manly tears)
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
LOL...I know they were Leo
I dont normally allow myself to get ‘attached’ to players but #4 is completely different. I would actually like to shake the mans hand, look him straight in the eye and say “Thank you”
"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short
by YpsilantiJeff on Aug 30, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I would also.
Shake his hand, then sit down for a beer and a sandwich and shoot the shit.
Thanks Jason, beer’s on me.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
I agree, and I will add in a few points too
Not only is hanson as good at kick offs now, he is better. He can manage to get air under them and cause hang time much like a punt. Jason is also much better at placing the ball where he wants it to be laterally on the field (sideline to sideline). The rule change IMO extended his career for sure, no telling how long, but at least for the next couple of years if not even longer.
Furthermore Jason is way more accurate with his kicks and does not have all that much less of a leg than Rayner. Meaning that Hanson can hit from 50 yards out as reliably if not more than Rayner. Furthermore from inside 50 Hanson is pretty much automatic. While Rayner may have 10-15 yards more leg, his accuracy leaves a lot to be desired from all distances when compared to Hanson.
Add in the fact that Jason is clutch, nothing rattles him and it is a slam dunk for me. If an opposing coach calls a time out to “ice” Jason he is going to be like “thanks” and have a stroll while the other coach sweats the kick out a hell of a lot more than Jason ever will. His nickname is Mr. Automatic for a reason.
Before the kick off change I was all about Rayner, because touch backs in the former kick off game were very important for field position and hidden yardage. Now that is actually opposite. Kickers that can place and hang the ball on a kick off like Hanson are actually superior to the touch back.
All we have to do is look at the average starting position of the opposition last year compared to this year when it is all said and done to know how that is working out. My bet is that it will work out very well.
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
I wonder how that Big Ass HD Screen is gonna effect kickers in Dallas now.
I think we all saw last week, that with a good kicker, It is totally possible to skirt the new kickoff rule and not concede the touchback, by Kicking the ball Higher and landing it on or near the goal line. Allowing the coverage more time to work down the field, and stopping the ball carrier before the 20.
but in Dallas you can’t kick the ball high on kicks or punts, cause of that crazy freakin Jerry World Screen….. Hmmm.
"Lemme Tell you why I have confidence in the long term future of this team... It's #9, That's why I have confidence in the long term future of this Team." - Jim Schwartz
I really don't think it's even close to a problem for kickoffs
The trajectory you need to hit the Jerrytron can only be done with a sky high punt.
Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.
Ray Guy can hit it from the parking lot.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
An inside look at the Dallas placekicking situation....
We enter the scene with special teams coach Joe DeCamillis talking to his placekickers….
“OK guys, our kicking has been really bad. We need one of you guys to step up. So who is going to do it….
Buehler….
Buehler…"
Jimmy Johnson walks in the room and whispers something to DeCamillis that causes him to break out in a big smile.
“OK, all you pretenders can pack up and get the hell out of here now. We just got Dave Rayner.
I never met him, but he was family to me... R.I.P. Tom Kowalski We will all miss you.
by TuffLynx on Aug 30, 2011 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Everybody always says...
that special teams players aren’t important and that they aren’t football players but if that’s the case then why if a team finds a reliable kicker/punter do they hold onto them till they die of old age? Punters are underrated because they can put the opposing teams offense in horrible field position which could lead to a saftey and let’s not forget that New England wouldn’t have won 2 Superbowls without a certain special teams player.
They won those Super Bowls because they had a good kicker.
Not because they had Adam Vinateri.
Favre would have never won a SB if it wasn't for ST's.
He played poorly the year they won it, and the year he played good they lost. I wonder if Favre ever thanked Desmond Howard for his ring.
How many lumps you want Doc?
Nothing against Rayner- I liked what he gave Detroit last season.
I’ll always crack a smile when I see him kick.
Jason Hanson though, dude deserves to see a Lions playoff team, a Detroit team that can really do some damage in the NFC North and brings that fear & respect that Suh is manifesting. Hanson has been through the worst lows this team has ever sank to. He deserves to be a part of the success that is to come.
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
Err.
He’s seen plenty of Lions playoff teams. Dude deserves to see a ring.
by Mavyrk on Aug 30, 2011 7:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Worded it wrong.
He’s 19 years into it. I think a ring is … not probable. The one thing we agree on is he deserves one.
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
I get what you're saying though
After the Millen years, he deserves to see us back in relevancy like we were in the 90s.
I was just more making a point that people seem to forget he was here when we were a decent team too. He definitely DESERVES to get a ring, but I dunno if he’ll be playing that much longer.
by Mavyrk on Aug 30, 2011 7:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I rave about the guy all the time when I get to watch him play.
Never took his excellence for granted.
I hope it all comes together for him.
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
so you guys like Rayner?
I hope he can kick because we have had kicking troubles for a long time now and nobody on the roster has proven they can kick
Buehler sucks, dude is a safety playing kicker, the rookie Dan Bailey actually looks good so I would say Rayner is a lock to be our full time kicker considering the means of travel to get him here
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
Follow me at my blog
http://chiacrackscowboysblog.wordpress.com/
by Archie Barberio on Aug 30, 2011 6:32 PM EDT reply actions
Detroit drafted Jason Hanson in 1992. We still have him.
He’s missed eight extra points in his entire career.
He’s the team’s all-time leading scorer.
He’s made the most field goals over 50 yards of anybody in NFL history.
We gotta stay with this dude. He’s amazing.
You’ll be pleased with Dave Rayner though. He was solid last season. Good luck to you both.
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
Dave might not have the greatest stats per say
but how many kickers can say they have great stats when they are kicking in KC? In a controlled environment Dave is good; Not great just real good.
How many lumps you want Doc?
Rayner wons some games for us.
Don’t be too worried if he misses a couple field goals early in the season. He seems to take a few games to hit his groove. But once he gets there he is very steady and he can kick FGs from near 50 yards.
I never met him, but he was family to me... R.I.P. Tom Kowalski We will all miss you.
He kicked a 55 yarder for us.
He has the leg to hit the long ones.
"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."
Still think we should have resigned him
And then traded him to Dallas. i mean they gave us 3 picks for a bum of a WR, what would JJ have coughed up for a better than average kicker? 1st,2nd, and 3rd?
How many lumps you want Doc?
Kickers are rarely even drafted, let alone traded for, that might have been the Mayhew of all Mayhews had he pulled that off
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
Has Hanson ever made a really serious pressure kick?
Not that I can think of. So how some be so sure that he’s the man under pressure?
.Does your momma have a Big Ass like your head?
Um
I’d say going 8 for 8 on 50+ yarders in a single season is clutch. Could just be me.
by Mavyrk on Aug 31, 2011 4:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Just like you wanting what turned out to be the waste in drafting Leshoure....Could just be you, eh?
.Does your momma have a Big Ass like your head?
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