 Rayner with theWashington Redskins in 2009 | |||||||||||
| No. 16, 6, 3, 5 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Placekicker | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born | (1982-10-26)October 26, 1982 (age 43) Rochester, Michigan, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school | Oxford | ||||||||||
| College | Michigan State (2001–2004) | ||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2005: 6th round, 202nd overall pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Dave Rayner (born October 26, 1982) is an American former professionalfootball player who was aplacekicker in theNational Football League (NFL). He was selected by theIndianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the2005 NFL draft. He playedcollege football for theMichigan State Spartans.
Rayner attendedOxford 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 awide receiver, catching 13 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns.
Rayner attendedMichigan State University and graduated in 2004 with a major inkinesiology. He served as the football team's placekicker for four years and was a four-yearletterman. He left Michigan State as the school's all-time leading scorer with 334 points.
Rayner was selected by theIndianapolis Colts in the sixth round (202nd overall) of the2005 NFL draft, and served as thekickoff specialist for the Colts.[1] He was released by the Colts on April 3, 2006.
Rayner was then signed by theGreen Bay Packers on April 6, 2006. AfterBilly 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 among NFL placekickers. During the 2006 season, he kicked a 54-yard field goal against thePhiladelphia Eagles, tying the longest field goal in Packers' history (Ryan Longwell andChris Jacke also have made 54-yard field goals). He also made a 55-yard field goal two weeks later against theMiami 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 rookieMason Crosby.
Nine days later, Rayner was signed by theKansas City Chiefs to replace struggling rookie kickerJustin 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 rivalOakland. 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 kickerJohn Carney.
After being released from the Chiefs, Rayner signed a contract with theSan Diego Chargers after full-time kickerNate 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.
On March 11, 2008, Rayner was signed by theMiami Dolphins to compete with the incumbent,Jay Feely. However, Rayner was released on June 6, 2008, before training camp. Feely would be released in August 2008, as the Dolphins went with the undrafted rookieDan Carpenter.
Rayner was signed by theDetroit Lions on August 9, 2008, after the team waived punterEddie Johnson to perform kicking duties during some pre-season games while kickerJason 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.
Rayner was signed by theCincinnati Bengals on October 11 whileplacekickerShayne Graham nursed a groin injury. The team waivedfullbackReagan 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.
Rayner was signed by theWashington Redskins on February 3, 2009, before the Redskins re-signedShaun Suisham. Rayner was released on September 5, 2009, after signing an injury contract which prevented him from signing another contract in the 2009 season.
Rayner was re-signed by the Bengals on February 13, 2010, when the Bengals did not re-signShayne Graham.[2] Rayner was released on September 4, 2010, as the Bengals preferredMike Nugent.[3]
Rayner was signed on November 9, 2010, to fill in for the injuredJason Hanson.
In a December 19, 2010 game against theTampa Bay Buccaneers, Rayner kicked a game-tying field goal as time expired in the 4th quarter. He then kicked a game-winning field goal insudden death overtime. He became the first Lions kicker to accomplish this feat. The win ended the Lions NFL-record 26 game road losing streak.
On January 2, 2011, against theMinnesota 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.[4]
On August 30, 2011, Rayner signed as afree agent with theDallas Cowboys, becoming one of four kickers intraining camp along withDan Bailey,David Buehler andShayne Graham. On September 3, he was released after missing two field goals in the last game of preseason, as he was passed on the depth chart by theundrafted free agent Bailey.
On October 22, 2011, Rayner was signed by theOakland Raiders after their starting kickerSebastian Janikowski suffered a hamstring injury. He didn't score as the Raiders were shut out by the Chiefs. He was waived on October 25.
On November 8, 2011, Rayner was signed by theBuffalo Bills after their starting kickerRian Lindell suffered a shoulder injury the previous Sunday against theNew York Jets. In his second game as a Bill, Rayner made a 56-yard field goal.
Rayner missed 2 first-quarter field goals early in the Bills Christmas Eve game versus Denver. Rayner himself would be injured in that game, forcing the Bills to place Rayner on injured reserve and hire yet another kicker (Brandon Coutu) for the final game. Following the season, Rayner was not retained; Buffalo re-signed Lindell and addedJohn Potter to the roster for 2012.[5]
