The Minnesota Vikings’ current kicker, veteran Dan Bailey has been rough lately, going 2 for 5 on field-goal attempts in last two games, and marked by 0 for 3 outing last weekend.
In the NFL, a performance with those numbers usually gets you the axe. Perhaps Bailey is getting the special veteran treatment, very unfair to kickers who have been training their hearts out to just step onto the NFL field.
One of the kickers staying ready throughout the entirety of this crazy year is DC Defenders kicker Tyler Rausa.
At this point all I can do is pray. Pray someone is in need of someone hungry for success and to win. One day at a time. pic.twitter.com/8NCYeDmrtY
Rausa nailed a 54-yard field goal against the Seattle Dragons on opening day. If you need a long ball in a big situation or even a long ball in general, Rausa is your man.
‘Snow’ place like home
Even during his college days at Boise State, Rausa played in the cold weather and snowy conditions like the NFC North division teams. He is accustomed to not having the weather in his favor, and he still even kicks in the snow sometimes when training.
“Anytime you can train in an unusual element that you might see in a game is an advantage I would say,” Rausa recently said on Instagram. “Coming from Boise State we played in every weather/condition you can think of. Always an advantage.”
Multiple times a week, Rausa is training and focused on earning an opportunity with an NFL squad. It is a calamity that he has not even at the bare minimum a single NFL chance yet.
Rausa said, “[I’m] working out 5 times a week and kicking 2-3 depending on how I’m feeling and sometimes depending on some weather out here.”
Especially in 2020, finding a place to even kick at can be hard with things hitting down or being off-limits due to COVID protocols and such.
Staying par with an odd year, it seems NFL kickers are shanking more field goals and extra points than ever before. Rausa trains day in and day out to be his best to beat the best.”I would be ready if a team signed me yesterday. Always ready for what’s to come,” Rausa said.
One thing I believe that separates me from the rest, is kicking in all elements. 30 degrees this morning. Consistently, consistent in any element thrown my way. #NFL#XFL#CFLpic.twitter.com/xt3DFIFxQn
There really is no risk factor with Tyler Rausa. He is plenty of film, and the right attributes to back it up in Boise and DC with the Defenders in the XFL.
With so many rough kickers this season being given a chance and still not having his number called. That set a fire off in Rausa when asked if it motivated him even more, he said “Always. Just adds another chip on the shoulder and fuels the tank to keep going.”
The Minnesota Vikings need to give Rausa just a chance and they will see why he should be in the NFL. He will prove anything they need and is a lot more clutch and comfortable than the veteran Dan Bailey. The veteran treatment should be thrown out the door.
They should give Ernesto Lacayo a ahot!!!