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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 1998)
The Battalion PORTS ickin’ for a living Houston kicker Kyle Bryant just wants a chance to Show the NFL he is ready to suit up on Sundays fej: off\ By Jeff Webb Sports Editor IHOUSTON — Nine feet doesn't leave uch room for error. But nine feet is all for- ner Texas A&M kicker Kyle Bryant has to vork with when he lines up to try field goals md extra points for the Arena Football ue's Houston Thunderbears. Bryant kicked for A&M during the 1997 n, helping the team to a Big 12 South le while breaking school records for scor- |and field goals made in a career. I ^ Fd like to stay as long as they’ll have e, but I’m always (oking to get better.” — Kyle Bryant louston Thunderbears kicker Houston signed Bryant after former jnderbears kicker Rich Fall was placed [the injured list. Houston coach Steve 3nn said Fall hurt his arm and Bryant Is signed the next week. J"We brought Kyle down for a tryout Jen our kicker had a broken arm," he |d. "He kicked great in the tryout with ;wind, against the wind and with try condition out here. We let the guy with the broken arm kick one more game, but he couldn't do it. We signed Kyle right after his tryout." Now, Bryant practices with the team on a small field at Alvin High School, simulating the small arena league goal posts by kicking field goals on regula tion-width posts at a severe angle. "We go from one end of the spectrum to the other from our practice environment to where we play," Bryant said. "Indoors is a kickers' paradise." Bryant played his first arena league game against the Iowa Barnstormers in Des Moines, making his only field goal attempt in the game and hitting seven of nine extra points. "It takes a little bit of getting used to," he said. "You have to realize that the suc cess rate in the AFL is a lot lower for field goals than in the big game." The only low point for Bryant was his fourth game in the AFL against the Mil waukee Mustangs on ESPN. Missed field goals and extra points plagued Bryant, but the Thunderbears beat the Mustangs to clinch a playoff berth. "In his first few games, he kicked real well," Thonn said. "He had one rough game, but now he's come on strong again. All arena kickers will have that kind of game. The arena game is tough on kickers." Bryant may have had a bad game like all arena kickers, but said he wants to have games like NFL kickers in the future. "I'd like to stay here as long as they'll have me, but I'm always looking to get bet ter," he said. "My ultimate goal is to be on an NFL team as soon as I can. Photo by Jake Shrickling "Hopefully, this will give me a little more exposure than just the phone calls I've been making and, at the same time, it will get me more experience than some of the guys that came out of college at the same time 1 did." Some scouts said Bryant's weakness was just that — a weak leg. However, Thonn said leg strength was a positive when Bryant tried out earlier in the year. "He's got a strong leg and 1 hear that was his knock coming out last year," he said. "He's worked on his strength a little bit more. He's definitely a guy that some one should get in camp. "If the NFL calls, we will let him out of his contract. We'll try to get him to kick one more game with us, but we want him to go." Bryant said he has adjusted well to the arena game and appreciates the support of his new teammates. "I came into the season kind of late," he said. "I can't help but thank the play ers that are here because 1 came into a program that they have established into a winning season. I just want to do the best that I can for them." Bryant said he wants the chance to be come a NFL kicker, and it is a goal he plans to pursue for a long time. However, he re fuses to lose sight of the reason he suits up to kick for any football team. "I have the desire more than ever to keep playing, but when the fuel runs out. I'll have to stop," he said. "When you get your chance, though, you have to make the most of it. "Right now, I'm just having fun playing the game of football." three gamfti :>uisiana Tec| ississfppt? 4 ire for them t Hankwitz j od teams,; earns. Wei ust needt ence.” down-note®! was theA^fl eir top Chip j •ChooFree^, baseball, there wasJs 11 vhen we we mij m said.'W g, but S nee they j mind and botball." $ $ $25 Total Move-In Cost for a limited time only! MG it Center: d unless SUM™ COLLEGIATE RESIDENCES 117 Holleman Drive West College Station, IX 77840 < I - * ■U- Tel.; (409) 696-5711 Fax: (409) 696-5661 www.dmcmgmt.com Office Hours Mon-Fri-Sat 10-6 Tues-Wed-Thurs 10-7 Sunday 12-6 tmmmm ^SSl m mi An SUH™ Community SUH™ is a trademark of SUH, Inc. Developed by Dinerstein Companies w p /ttS> _■' fllfc THe j&arrt Design and create your own jewelry or have us custom-make jewelry for you. We also carry sterling silver and jewelry with gemstones and freshwater pearls. 505 University, Suite 107 College Station. 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