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One on One with Kicker Mark Lewis

Neal Ruhl
Tuesday March 30, 2004


Sometimes being a kicker can be pretty lonely. Sometimes the kicker can decide the game, and sometimes the kicker can be given a hard time. Recently I caught up with Detroit Fury kicker Mark Lewis after practice to get the inside scoop on being a kicker, dealing with pressure, and Arena League fantasy football…

Arenafan- Everyday I come to practice and there you are, off to the side, kicking into the net until special teams practice begins. Is it lonely being a kicker?

Mark Lewis- It is. Sometimes I find someone to talk to, but for the most part kickers are loners.

AF- Notoriously, kickers are given a hard time by teammates. Do the guys ever give you a hard time because you are the kicker?

ML- Not really. I mean sometimes they can pull some jokes, but for the most part, it’s okay.

AF- You are having a great year. Is there any particular reason why things are going so good?

ML- I don’t know why. I’ve been kicking the ball well all season. I had a good year last year, and it’s just kind of continued.

AF- Last week in Chicago you guys used the great trick play to tie the game with :03 seconds left. How much pressure do you feel when you come out on to the field with a chance to win the game?

ML- I didn’t really feel any pressure. I knew I was going to make it. I told the guys beforehand that if it came down to me, I was going to come through and they had nothing to worry about.

AF- Since Andy Kelly is the new go-to receiver in the clutch, it got me to thinking. I’ve seen you make a couple tackles this year. Is there any chance we are going to see you get in there and get some time at linebacker?

ML- I hope not.

AF- Lastly, how do you feel about being on my fantasy team? By that I mean is that something you guys pay attention to?

ML- Not really, no. I hope I can come through for you though.

Unleash the Fury
Wide receiver/linebacker Thabiti Davis’s 12 catch, 166 yard, five touchdown performance on Sunday was the fourth best single game receiving effort in the league this year... Kicker Mark Lewis is one of only two full-time kickers in the league to miss only one extra point this year... Fury quarterback Andy Kelly is second in the league in yards passing.


 
Neal Ruhl lives in the Metro Detroit Area where he has covered the Detroit Lions as well as the Motor City Bowl.
The opinions expressed in the article above are only those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, opinions, or official stance of ArenaFan Online or its staff, or the Arena Football League, or any AFL or af2 teams.
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