Dave Rayner

Dave Rayner

Dave Rayner in 2009 as a member of the Washington Redskins
No. 3     Buffalo Bills
Placekicker
Personal information
Date of birth: October 26, 1982 (1982-10-26) (age 29)
Place of birth: Oxford, Michigan
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	Weight: 215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College: Michigan State
NFL Draft: 2005 / Round: 6 / Pick: 202
Debuted in 2005 for the Indianapolis Colts
Career history
Indianapolis Colts (2005) Green Bay Packers (2006) Kansas City Chiefs (2007) San Diego Chargers (2007) Miami Dolphins (2008)* Detroit Lions (2008)* Cincinnati Bengals (2008) Washington Redskins (2009)* Cincinnati Bengals (2010) Detroit Lions (2010) Dallas Cowboys (2011)* Oakland Raiders (2011) Buffalo Bills (2011) *Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
None
Career NFL statistics as of 2010
Field Goals Made	55
Field Goals Attempted	75
Field Goal %	73.3
Long Field Goal	56
Stats at NFL.com

David Michael "Dave" Rayner (born October 26, 1982) is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.

Rayner has also been a member of the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Oakland Raiders.

Early years

Rayner attended Oxford High School where he played as a kicker for the varsity football team. As a three-year starter he broke all but one school punting and placekicking record. He also played as a wide receiver, catching 13 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns.

College career

Rayner attended Michigan State University and graduated in 2004 with a major in kinesiology. He served as the football team's placekicker for four years and was a four-year letterman. He left Michigan State as the school's all time leading scorer with 334 points.

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

Rayner was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2005 NFL Draft, and served as the kickoff specialist for the Colts. He was released by the Colts on April 3, 2006.

Green Bay Packers

Dave Rayner, as a member of the Packers, kicks off during a Monday Night Football game in 2006.

Rayner was then signed by the Green Bay Packers on April 6, 2006. After Billy Cundiff was released, Rayner became the Packers' full-time kicker for the 2006 season.

It has been noted that Rayner has one of the stronger legs amongst NFL placekickers. During the 2006 season, he kicked a 54-yard field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles, tying the longest field goal in Packers' history (Ryan Longwell and Chris Jacke also have made 54-yard field goals). He also made a 55-yard field goal two weeks later against the Miami Dolphins; however, it was called back due to a defensive penalty that occurred before the snap, nullifying the play.

On September 1, 2007, the Packers released him in favor of highly-touted rookie Mason Crosby.

Kansas City Chiefs

Nine days later, Rayner was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs to replace struggling rookie kicker Justin Medlock. After beginning the 2007 season with 13 field goals made in his first 16 attempts, he was released on November 26 after missing a fourth quarter attempt against rival Oakland. Rayner's inability to consistently make short field goals, with three misses from under 40 yards, was the primary reason for his departure from the Chiefs. He was replaced by veteran kicker John Carney.

San Diego Chargers

After being released from the Chiefs, Rayner signed a contract with the San Diego Chargers after full-time kicker Nate Kaeding was injured while making a tackle on a kickoff. With the Chargers, Rayner served as the kickoff specialist for the last two games of the regular season as well as the 2007-2008 playoffs.

Miami Dolphins

On March 11, 2008, Rayner was signed by the Miami Dolphins. However, he was released on June 6 before training camp.

First stint with the Detroit Lions

Rayner was signed by the Detroit Lions on August 9, 2008 after the team waived punter Eddie Johnson to perform kicking duties during some pre-season games while kicker Jason Hanson was nursing an injury. He was once again released on August 26, 2008, as Hanson had recovered from his injury. He was 6 for 7 with the Lions during the pre-season.

First stint with the Cincinnati Bengals

Rayner was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals on October 11 while placekicker Shayne Graham nursed a groin injury. The team waived fullback Reagan Mauia to make room for Rayner. The Bengals released Rayner on October 21, as Graham had recovered from his groin injury. Rayner was 1-for-1 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points during his stint with Cincinnati.

Washington Redskins

Rayner was signed by the Washington Redskins on February 3, 2009. He was released on September 5, 2009 after signing an injury contract which prevents him from signing another contract in the 2009 season.

Second stint with the Bengals

Rayner was re-signed by the Cincinnati Bengals on February 13, 2010,^[1] but was released on September 4, 2010.^[2]

Second stint with the Lions

Rayner was signed on November 9, 2010 to fill in for the injured Jason Hanson.

In a December 19, 2010 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rayner kicked a game-tying field goal as time expired in the 4th quarter. He then kicked a game-winning field goal in sudden death overtime. He became the first Lions kicker to accomplish this feat.

On January 2, 2011 against the Minnesota Vikings, Rayner kicked a career-long 55 yard field goal. Only Jason Hanson had kicked a longer field goal as Lions kicker.

On August 29, 2011, Rayner was released by the Lions.^[3]

Dallas Cowboys

Rayner signed with the Dallas Cowboys on August 30. Rayner was then released after missing two field goals in the last game of preseason.

Oakland Raiders

On October 22, 2011, Rayner was signed by the Oakland Raiders after their starting kicker Sebastian Janikowski suffered a hamstring injury. He didn't score as the Raiders were shut out by the Chiefs. He was waived on October 25.

Buffalo Bills

On November 8, 2011, Rayner was signed by the Buffalo Bills after their starting kicker Rian Lindell suffered a shoulder injury the previous Sunday against the New York Jets.

References

1. ^ Wilson, Aaron (February 13, 2010). "Wilson: Bengals sign K Rayner". Nationalfootballpost.com. http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Wilson-Bengals-sign-K-Rayner.html. Retrieved 2010-02-13. 
2. ^ Associated Press (February 13, 2010). "Cincinnati Bengals pick Mike Nugent as kicker, release Dave Rayner". The Canadian Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h62jv7-PsXnRQGE4nWWbbWyjAgzA. Retrieved 2010-08-04. 
3. ^ Sports Network (August 29, 2011). "Lions release Rayner, Bell". latimes.com. http://www.latimes.com/sports/sns-tsn-abn-bell-rayner-det-20110829,0,2523795.story. 

External links

• Detroit Lions bio
• Michigan State Spartans bio

Preceded by Ryan Longwell	Green Bay Packers Placekickers 2006	Succeeded by Mason Crosby
Preceded by Justin Medlock	Kansas City Chiefs Placekickers 2007	Succeeded by John Carney

Persondata
Name	Rayner, Dave
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	October 26, 1982
Place of birth	Oxford, Michigan
Date of death
Place of death