The stats are impressive and the Internet photos are entertaining, but how much do you really know about the newest Niner, placekicker Jeff Reed?
Here’s today’s Q&A with Reed, who spoke shortly after arriving from Pittsburgh, where he began his day on a 6:55 a.m. flight:
Q: Did you have the option of going straight to Green Bay?
JR: I don’t think they gave me that option. I didn’t want to
anyway. I’d rather be here and maybe swing my leg a little bit tomorrow
morning because you’ve got to get used to your snapper and holder. These
guys are great though. I’ve watched them. I’ve been around the league
for nine years now and I know when you have a great snapper and a great
holder how much easier it makes your job.
Q: You’ve been a great kicker, but struggled this season. Where are you mentally after getting waived?
JR: I think it’s great to have a change. It was a great
organization I played for. Won two Super Bowls. Hit 12 game-winning
kicks. I’ve got a good resume, but change is always good and this is
part of my plan. I was a little dejected when it happened and I still
kind of have questions about it, but that’s old news now. This is new
and it’s good to see new faces and a team that is hungry no matter what
their record is and I’m glad to be a part of it.
Q: Were you surprised to get waived by the Steelers?
JR: Very. That’s not really something to talk about because your
guess is as good as mine. The bottom line is I’m not there and I’m here.
I’m more than excited to be here.
Q: Do you know Joe Nedney?
JR: Yes I do. My biggest memory of Joe, he played for Tennessee
and my rookie year we were in the playoffs at Tennessee and he missed a
short field goal and kind of dove because one of corners got near him
and they gave him another opportunity because it was a five-yard penalty
for running into the kicker. And then they beat us on that kick in
overtime and Joe said he was going to take up acting. That’s my biggest
memory of him. Everyone was asking me, why don’t I dive more and stuff
like that. But if you think about that, you’re not going to make any
kicks. He’s a classy guy. A great kicker. I just saw he’s been doing it
for 15 years — I didn’t know it was that many. And he’s been doing it
very well. Not an easy place to kick here.
Q: What are your thoughts on kicking in Green Bay?
JR: It’s just kind of like home. I played in Pittsburgh in the
winter for nine seasons. I played in Cleveland last year and it was
minus-27 degrees wind chill, 40 mile-per-hour winds and that was no fun.
I found a way to go two for two that game. Not a good memory. We lost
that game. But it’s going to be cold. The ball’s not going to fly as
far. That’s part of the weather. It was just nice to land. I’m actually
sweating with the outfit I have on. When I left it was 17 degrees, so it
was nice.
Q: Why didn’t sign you sign with the Niners when they initially contacted you?
JR: At that time I was in state of shock and it was a one-game
deal here. It happened on a Tuesday and he called on a Wednesday. The
49ers called me on a Wednesday. I wanted to clear my head and move
forward because new beginnings are always good. And I didn’t want to
come in here and not represent for this team that works hard and be an
outcast. I want to be part of it right away.
Q: Nedney is an established veteran. How long do you think you have here before he gets better and gets back in lineup?
JR: That’s not up to me. I know that I’ve been told that I’ll be
here the rest of the season and all I can really focus on is Sunday.
That’s two days away and it’s time to get back in playing gear. Time to
put the pads back on. It’s only been two weeks but it seems like an
eternity when you’re sitting at home watching football games and you’ve
been a part of it for so long. So I’m really excited. Whatever happens
with Joe, I wish him the best and I hope he gets healthy and still gets
after it because he’s very capable of doing it. I’m just glad to have an
opportunity. Unfortunately it’s through an injury.
Q: You expect to the kicker here for the rest of the season?
JR: I do. From then on out I don’t know what’s going to happen.
Q: How did you spend the last two weeks?
JR: Working out. Local gyms, which was a change for me. And
kicking. I kicked on a high school field which was field turf and snow
covered at times. And windy. And kind of the conditions that I was used
to kicking in. Initially I took a few days off, but then I got right
back into it because I’m hungry to play. I want to play. I didn’t want
to end my career on getting released. I wanted to go out on my own
terms.
Q: Did people recognize you at local gyms?
JR: Oh yeah. In Pittsburgh you can’t go anywhere, you can’t go to
the grocery store, you can’t walk down the street and go to the post
office without people yelling your name. Everyone was super nice, man.
Really upset that the decision was made that was made. It’s nice to hear
but after a while you just have to get away from it because to keep
reiterating what happened doesn’t make you feel any better.
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