zulater
06-15-2012, 04:48 AM
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey first paved a path for running back Chris Rainey in their junior year at Lakeland High School in Florida. He continued to do so their senior year and for the majority of three seasons at the University of Florida.
Now, thanks to the Steelers selecting Rainey in fifth round of the recent draft, Pouncey likely will have the opportunity to keep blocking for the 5-foot-9 speedster.
"I love it," Pouncey said during the Steelers minicamp this week. "I've been doing that for him ever since he was little."
While he could dream of serving as a change-of-pace option, Rainey instead talks extensively of special-teams success.
"It always starts with special teams," he said.
"That's the No. 1 thing in my book.
"Special teams always comes first because that's a big part of a football game."
Rainey is no stranger to success on special teams. He racked up a conference-record six blocked punts as well as two punt returns for touchdowns at Florida.
"As soon as I make a difference, they'll know I contributed to the team," Rainey said.
"I'll do anything for the team. Maybe then, I'll deserve to play on the offense.
"I'm just making plays, doing my job, and, hopefully, I get a chance to run."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/pouncey-rainey-on-same-team-again-640471/#ixzz1xr0EutAM
Now, thanks to the Steelers selecting Rainey in fifth round of the recent draft, Pouncey likely will have the opportunity to keep blocking for the 5-foot-9 speedster.
"I love it," Pouncey said during the Steelers minicamp this week. "I've been doing that for him ever since he was little."
While he could dream of serving as a change-of-pace option, Rainey instead talks extensively of special-teams success.
"It always starts with special teams," he said.
"That's the No. 1 thing in my book.
"Special teams always comes first because that's a big part of a football game."
Rainey is no stranger to success on special teams. He racked up a conference-record six blocked punts as well as two punt returns for touchdowns at Florida.
"As soon as I make a difference, they'll know I contributed to the team," Rainey said.
"I'll do anything for the team. Maybe then, I'll deserve to play on the offense.
"I'm just making plays, doing my job, and, hopefully, I get a chance to run."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/pouncey-rainey-on-same-team-again-640471/#ixzz1xr0EutAM