Most local football fans know placekicker Dave Rayner as a Wildcat and a Spartan.
But this fall, he’ll become a Redskin.
The 2001 Oxford High graduate recently signed a contract to play for the NFL’s Washington Redskins.
‘Obviously, I’m excited,? he said. ‘I think it’s going to be a good opportunity.?
But signing on the dotted line doesn’t automatically make Rayner, 26, the Redskins? go-to-guy when it’s time to split the uprights.
That’s a position he’ll have to earn as he goes head-to-head with incumbent kicker Shaun Suisham during training camp.
‘It’s a good old-fashioned competition, which is what I like,? said Rayner, who’s been playing in the NFL since 2005. ‘All I can ask for is the opportunity to get in there and compete on an even playing field. May the best man win.?
Last season, Suisham made 26 of 36 field-goal attempts, the worst accuracy rate among kickers with more than 10 attempts.
Rayner, a 2005 Michigan State University graduate who holds the school record for most career points (334), realizes he’s had his own ‘issues with accuracy in the past,? but, ‘I think I’ve got that stuff figured out.?
Two things he doesn’t doubt are the strength of his leg and his determination to win. ‘I know I can kick,? Rayner said. ‘It’s all about finding that right team, the right time, and the right coaching staff.?
Considering how much he’s bounced around the league, Rayner’s hoping he’s finally found a home with Washington.
Since being the sixth round draft pick for the Indianapolis Colts in April 2005, Rayner’s played for Green Bay, Kansas City, San Diego, Miami, Detroit and Cincinnati.
He saw the most action with the Packers in 2006, making 26-of-35 field goals and all but one of his 32 extra-point attempts.
In August 2008, the Detroit Lions signed Rayner for preseason duty, but released him prior to the regular season.
After that, he spent two games on Cincinnati’s roster while their regular kicker was injured. As a Bengal, he kicked one field goal, a 26-yarder, and made three extra points.
Rayner returned to Oxford last week after spending two weeks touring U.S. Navy facilities in 10 different countries including Spain, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Bahrain (Middle East) and Djibouti (Africa). He also visited U.S. ships in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf.
He, four other NFL players and a group of cheerleaders visited with and signed autographs for servicemen and women as part of a goodwill-type tour.
‘We went out there and just had a blast,? said Rayner, noting he watched the Super Bowl aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.
Rayner said the trip was a great way to see the world and ‘pay our respects? to the men and women in uniform.
Seeing ?19-year-old kids? on the front lines ‘brings you back to reality and shows you that when things get tough here, it’s not so bad,? according to Rayner.
He’s just grateful to be able to give them a touch of home.
‘I know if I was on a boat for seven months, I’d want a group of cheerleaders comin? in and dancing around a little bit,? he said.