Prater Says He's Getting The Rust Off: 'It's Like Riding A Bike'
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) - Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater missed the first four games of the season with a suspension, and during that time he took a step back from football. Since signing with the Lions this week, however, Prater says practices have gone well.
"Yesterday I had a really good day, and the day before was pretty good," Prater said. "It makes it easier for me to get the rust off with the snap and holds being there, and Muhl snaps so fast, too, I get to see the ball longer than I'm used to. It's like riding a bike. You just kind of go through, you get your muscle memory back, get the leg swing and everything going, and it should be good."
Prater indicated he feels comfortable with veteran long snapper Don Muhlbach and second-year holder Sam Martin, who handles punts and kickoffs for the Lions.
"Kicking's kicking," Prater said. "You get kind of a timing down with your snapper and holder, and it's a rhythm kind of deal, and then the holder, as long as you tell him how to tilt it, should be good. Sam picked it up quick, and he actually went on his own and watched all of my film from last year, so he knew what I liked before I even got here, so we kind of bonded and picked it up pretty quick."
Prater smiled when asked how impressed he was that Martin had already watched film on Prater.
"I was real impressed," Prater said. "Just shows his character. He's a young guy, and he's trying to learn and be the best he can be, which he's obviously done a great job here, and he does kickoffs, which he's done awesome at, which for me is different because I'm used to doing the kickoffs, but if he's kicking them, I'm fine with that."
Prater, the third kicker for the Lions this season, will debut with the team on the road Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
