Once, Chad Ryland and Matt Prater kicked together and they weren't teammates on the Cardinals.
Back then, Ryland was kicking for Eastern Michigan and Prater played for the Lions. And Ryland had an instant idol.
"We kicked together a couple of times," Ryland said. "He is someone I look up to a ton. I have the utmost respect for Matt and his career, everything about just how he operates. He's a true pro."
Kicking in the NFL can be a strange life. Ryland was living the dream last year, when he was drafted in the fourth round by the Patriots at a position that often doesn't get drafted. Then he made only 16-of-24 field goals in a difficult situation as the Bill Belichick era wound down, eventually getting cut before this season in favor of Joey Slye.
But then Prater hurt his left knee. The Cardinals needed a replacement. And Ryland came to fill in for the guy he looked up to all those years ago in Michigan -- at least for six games while Prater, now on IR, rehabs. Perhaps longer.
"That was a tough one last year for me," Ryland said. "No one walks into their rookie year expecting to have the struggles. You look back at it, and there were factors that the outside world doesn't necessarily see that contribute to results in good ways and bad. I am fortunate to go through all that. Learned a lot about myself. It makes being here that much better."
Ryland had a field goal blocked and returned for a touchdown in his first outing for the Cardinals, but he has made his other five tries (and is 2-for-2 on extra points). He knows he can't be perfect, but his confidence is high, regardless of what happened with New England.
Prater is 40 and in the last year of his contract, but he continues to be nails -- he is 6-for-6 on field goals and perfect on 10 extra points this season -- in addition to be a danger from 60 yards or so if needed.
Ryland booted a 56-yard field goal for a game-winner himself last year (and a 35-yarder in his first game for the Cardinals to beat the 49ers). He doesn't know what will happen with Prater this season after the IR stint or what will happen to himself. But he is optimistic.
"If I keep trending in the right direction, which I think I am, I hope to have a career like Matt's someday," Ryland said.
