Sunday, November 12, 2006
Thoughts on the Dallas Game
On gameday, I wake up early if it's a 1 p.m. game. I eat breakfast and then get ready. On my way to the game, I don't listen to any music and I don't talk to anyone. I found that listening to music is distracting. I'm thinking about the game.
Sometimes, I may play video games on my cell phone. I found that it relaxes me. Once I get to the stadium, I get in the hot tub to warm up my muscles.
When I first got into the league, I was in a way starstruck because I was playing with guys that I grew up watching. Now, I'm really tuned into what I have to do and really focused. I block out any distractions and focus on myself and my team and that's it.
When I'm about to kick the ball, all I'm thinking about is making it. That's it. I'm thinking about the ball and following through with my target.
After the Dallas game, I didn't really do anything to celebrate. Right after the game, I went to College Park and visited with Dan Ennis, the kicker from Maryland. He had a game-winning kick for the Terps the day earlier. So we just talked about each other's games. Then I left College Park with my girlfriend and we went and had dinner.
The kick got a lot of attention locally because of the rivalry with Dallas. Personally, I don't like all the attention. I'd rather divert it to all the people that made all the huge plays during the game. I think the only reason everyone talks about the kick is because it was the last play of the game. They tend to forget about all the huge plays that everyone else made.
The Dallas game was one of the greatest sports moments I've ever been a part of and it's something I'll never forget.
Sometimes, I may play video games on my cell phone. I found that it relaxes me. Once I get to the stadium, I get in the hot tub to warm up my muscles.
When I first got into the league, I was in a way starstruck because I was playing with guys that I grew up watching. Now, I'm really tuned into what I have to do and really focused. I block out any distractions and focus on myself and my team and that's it.
When I'm about to kick the ball, all I'm thinking about is making it. That's it. I'm thinking about the ball and following through with my target.
After the Dallas game, I didn't really do anything to celebrate. Right after the game, I went to College Park and visited with Dan Ennis, the kicker from Maryland. He had a game-winning kick for the Terps the day earlier. So we just talked about each other's games. Then I left College Park with my girlfriend and we went and had dinner.
The kick got a lot of attention locally because of the rivalry with Dallas. Personally, I don't like all the attention. I'd rather divert it to all the people that made all the huge plays during the game. I think the only reason everyone talks about the kick is because it was the last play of the game. They tend to forget about all the huge plays that everyone else made.
The Dallas game was one of the greatest sports moments I've ever been a part of and it's something I'll never forget.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Thoughts On Returning To The Redskins
For the last five weeks, I was never too far away from a phone on Monday mornings. Living at home in Indiana with my parents, I knew that NFL teams typically make calls for tryouts on Monday morning, the day after games.
I had already worked out for New Orleans and Green Bay earlier this season and figured I would get another call at some point. Still, I was surprised to get a call from the Redskins on Monday.
I didn't expect it because I thought John Hall was doing well. But as soon as I talked to them, I just wanted to make sure I was ready mentally and physically for the workout.
I had stayed in shape, kicking daily with my brother, Chris, practicing game scenarios and treating each week as if I was getting ready for a game on Sunday. I arrived at Redskins Park on Tuesday and was 12-of-12 on field goal attempts, beating out three others for the job.
I'm back again. Hopefully I'm here for a while.
