http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070814/PKR01/70814216/1989
Mike Vandermause column: Rayner will find no sympathy in NFL
You can’t help feeling sorry for Green Bay Packers kicker Dave Rayner. He proved he could kick in the clutch last season with a late, game-winning field goal against the Minnesota Vikings. He proved he could perform in the cold, swirling winds at Lambeau Field. He proved he could stand up to the pressure of replacing Ryan Longwell, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer who departed in free agency. How was Rayner rewarded? The Packers drafted a kicker — Mason Crosby — who stands a decent chance of taking his job. Welcome to life in the National Football League, where the prevailing question seems to be: What have you done for us lately? Rayner and Crosby are locked in a heated training camp battle that will likely go down to the wire. Packers special teams coordinator Mike Stock has been coaching football for 43 years and has never seen anything like it. “Never been that fortunate,” Stock said on Tuesday. “This is unique. It’s kind of fun to watch because these guys care an awful lot. They have a great passion for the game. And they have a strong desire to exceed, excel. There’s great pride for both of those people.” Rayner made 26 of 35 field goals (74.3 percent) last season, including a Packers’ record-tying 54-yarder. Crosby converted 66 of 88 field goals (75 percent) in four years at Colorado.
In nearly three weeks of training camp competition, Crosby holds a slim edge. He has booted 71 of 84 field-goal attempts (84.5 percent); Rayner has converted 68 of 85 (80 percent). Both have exhibited strong legs. Both produced touchbacks in the Packers’ first preseason game at Pittsburgh. Both made field goals in that game. It’s a shame the Packers must let one of them go. Rayner understands how it works, and he isn’t looking for sympathy. “That’s the business,” he said. “That’s the NFL. No matter how well you do one year, they’re always looking to get somebody else, or (add) some competition to keep you improving. You can’t blame the Packers. You can blame the business.” Packers holder Jon Ryan has a front-row seat and says the competition is too close to call. “Every single kick counts,” Ryan said. “Every single kick is criticized and looked at from eight different angles.”
Despite the high stakes, there is no animosity between Rayner and Crosby. “He’s a good kid,” Rayner said. “I have nothing bad to say about him. I wish him luck. I hope I beat him out. I hope he doesn’t kick here. Wherever he goes, I wish him luck.” Rayner has operated at a slight disadvantage during the past week because he has been paired with backup holder Aaron Rodgers more often than Crosby. Ryan is clearly a better holder than Rodgers. Although coaches have alternated holders every other practice, a significant disparity exists. According to statistics compiled by the Press-Gazette, Rayner and Rodgers have teamed up on 20 field goals since Rodgers started holding on Aug. 7. Crosby and Rodgers have been paired together on just three field goals over the same span. No one ever said life was fair, especially in the cut-throat world of pro football. Rayner knows that better than anyone.
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http://packers.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=668223
Crosby takes lead
If Monday's practice is any indication, Mason Crosby has grabbed the lead over Dave Rayner in the enteraining kicking battle. Punter Jon Ryan, who held for Rayner last season, was paired with Crosby for all five field goal attempts in the afternoon practice. Crosby made all seven attempts ( distances of 32, 39, 44, 46 and 53 yards) while Rayner's only miss was from 53 yards. The fact that Crosby was paired with Ryan, who will be the team's punter again this year, was somewhat telling. Rayner was paired with backup holder Aaron Rodgers. Coach Mike McCarthy said after practice that the kickers will switch off on holders, so that may be the case in Tuesday's practices, but we'll see. For now, Crosby has the advantage in this battle. He has made a few more kicks in practice and booted a 52-yarder through the uprights Saturday night.
[align=center]NOTE: ECHO "ZC ME" COMING.[/align]
Mike Vandermause column: Rayner will find no sympathy in NFL
You can’t help feeling sorry for Green Bay Packers kicker Dave Rayner. He proved he could kick in the clutch last season with a late, game-winning field goal against the Minnesota Vikings. He proved he could perform in the cold, swirling winds at Lambeau Field. He proved he could stand up to the pressure of replacing Ryan Longwell, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer who departed in free agency. How was Rayner rewarded? The Packers drafted a kicker — Mason Crosby — who stands a decent chance of taking his job. Welcome to life in the National Football League, where the prevailing question seems to be: What have you done for us lately? Rayner and Crosby are locked in a heated training camp battle that will likely go down to the wire. Packers special teams coordinator Mike Stock has been coaching football for 43 years and has never seen anything like it. “Never been that fortunate,” Stock said on Tuesday. “This is unique. It’s kind of fun to watch because these guys care an awful lot. They have a great passion for the game. And they have a strong desire to exceed, excel. There’s great pride for both of those people.” Rayner made 26 of 35 field goals (74.3 percent) last season, including a Packers’ record-tying 54-yarder. Crosby converted 66 of 88 field goals (75 percent) in four years at Colorado.
In nearly three weeks of training camp competition, Crosby holds a slim edge. He has booted 71 of 84 field-goal attempts (84.5 percent); Rayner has converted 68 of 85 (80 percent). Both have exhibited strong legs. Both produced touchbacks in the Packers’ first preseason game at Pittsburgh. Both made field goals in that game. It’s a shame the Packers must let one of them go. Rayner understands how it works, and he isn’t looking for sympathy. “That’s the business,” he said. “That’s the NFL. No matter how well you do one year, they’re always looking to get somebody else, or (add) some competition to keep you improving. You can’t blame the Packers. You can blame the business.” Packers holder Jon Ryan has a front-row seat and says the competition is too close to call. “Every single kick counts,” Ryan said. “Every single kick is criticized and looked at from eight different angles.”
Despite the high stakes, there is no animosity between Rayner and Crosby. “He’s a good kid,” Rayner said. “I have nothing bad to say about him. I wish him luck. I hope I beat him out. I hope he doesn’t kick here. Wherever he goes, I wish him luck.” Rayner has operated at a slight disadvantage during the past week because he has been paired with backup holder Aaron Rodgers more often than Crosby. Ryan is clearly a better holder than Rodgers. Although coaches have alternated holders every other practice, a significant disparity exists. According to statistics compiled by the Press-Gazette, Rayner and Rodgers have teamed up on 20 field goals since Rodgers started holding on Aug. 7. Crosby and Rodgers have been paired together on just three field goals over the same span. No one ever said life was fair, especially in the cut-throat world of pro football. Rayner knows that better than anyone.
______________________________________________________________
http://packers.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=668223
Crosby takes lead
If Monday's practice is any indication, Mason Crosby has grabbed the lead over Dave Rayner in the enteraining kicking battle. Punter Jon Ryan, who held for Rayner last season, was paired with Crosby for all five field goal attempts in the afternoon practice. Crosby made all seven attempts ( distances of 32, 39, 44, 46 and 53 yards) while Rayner's only miss was from 53 yards. The fact that Crosby was paired with Ryan, who will be the team's punter again this year, was somewhat telling. Rayner was paired with backup holder Aaron Rodgers. Coach Mike McCarthy said after practice that the kickers will switch off on holders, so that may be the case in Tuesday's practices, but we'll see. For now, Crosby has the advantage in this battle. He has made a few more kicks in practice and booted a 52-yarder through the uprights Saturday night.
[align=center]NOTE: ECHO "ZC ME" COMING.[/align]
