Neil Rackers Happy With New Opportunity
Posted by on May 22, 2012 – 10:22 am
(AP photo)
Veteran kicker Neil Rackers was right where he wanted to be late Monday morning at Redskins Park: With a longsnapper and a holder.
Rackers, who was signed last month to compete with three-year Redskins’ starter Graham Gano for the team’s kicking duties, said he’s enjoying his time with his new squad.
“It’s a great group of guys,” Rackers said. “I’m enjoying everything about it. Just getting comfortable.”
Rackers is a 12-year veteran who has played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals and, most recently, the Houston Texans.
He has converted 80 percent of his career field goal attempts and 98.4 percent of his PATs. His career-long field goal is 57 yards, set in 2010.
Rackers said it had been since January since he last was able to kick with a longsnapper and a holder. He got that opportunity during Monday’s first round of organized team activities within the Redskins’ indoor training facility.
“It was nice to look at some balls get down,” Rackers said. “It was nice to get together with (punter and holder) Sav (Rocca) and do some hitting.”
Rackers said building a rapport with your longsnapper – in this case, it’s Nick Sundberg – and holder — Rocca — during OTAs is critical to beginning a season on the right foot — literally.
“You always need to get familar with your snapper and holder to get your timing down,” Rackers said. “I feel like things went pretty well.”
On a personal level, Rackers said he’s also enjoyed getting established in the Washington, D.C., area.
“It’s a nice place,” he said. “It’s nice for me to see open space after living in Houston for two years.”
Rackers also doesn’t shy away from contact during games. Check out this hit he delivered against then-division rival Tennessee Titans on a kickoff last season:
Tags: field goals, kicker, Neil Rackers, OTAs, PATs, redskins
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
By Tony on May 22, 2012 | Reply
old Oilers song was better!
By benlighterhasablog on May 22, 2012 | Reply
Like Rackers, but I hope he’s only there to push Gano. Gano’s got franchise skills, he just needs confidence. Bringing in a new kicker each year to challenge that isn’t gonna get him there.
By Matthew on May 22, 2012 | Reply
My fear: we cut Gano and he plays superbly for some other team.
By ALLinSKINS on May 22, 2012 | Reply
When do we see the franchise skills because they haven’t been on display as if yet. Not sure Rackers is anything more then a short term answer but Gano has to become more consistent.