In a modern-day Cinderella story, former Geelong captain, Ben Graham, unceremoniously dumped by two NFL franchises (New York Jets — twice within two weeks! — and New Orleans Saints after ONE game!) during the current season, now has a decent chance at picking up an NFL Superbowl ring (equivalent to an AFL Premiership medallion). Graham’s third team for the season, the Arizona Cardinals, beat the Philadelphia Eagles this morning to secure a place in the Superbowl.
For those living in news blackout zones, in a quirk of fate, former Collingwood and Kangaroos big man Sav Rocca plays for the Eagles.
Both play as Punter for their respective teams. Their role is to secure the least favourable field position for the opposition when their team has been unable to advance the ball ten yards over four attempts by punting the ball as close to their goal end zone as possible — with as long a ‘hang time’ in the air as possible. This means they may spend only moments on the field each game — and sometimes not even take the field at all! — but a poor performance can materially disadvantage their team.
Graham and Rocca are among the few Aussies to make it to the big time in NFL. Matt McBriar punts for the Dallas Cowboys and was signed to a 5-year contract extension in 2007 (see Graham’s experiences this year pulling on three different jerseys . . .). Former Demon forward Darren Bennett, former rugby player Colin Scotts and Olympic high jumper and Carlton player Colin Ridgeway have all previously played at the highest level. All bar Scotts have played as punters. Scotts was a defensive lineman for the Cardinals and Oilers.
Only McBriar, Graham and Rocca are currently active in the sport.
Update: Graham's Cardinals were beaten by a 35-yard TD pass in the last minute. Reports suggest Graham himself had an indifferent game with three of his five punts being poor. Interesting to see whether he’s still on the Cards’ roster come next season. Still, first Aussie to be there, so history has been writ!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Rags to riches. . .
For those living in news blackout zones, in a quirk of fate, former Collingwood and Kangaroos big man Sav Rocca plays for the Eagles.
Both play as Punter for their respective teams. Their role is to secure the least favourable field position for the opposition when their team has been unable to advance the ball ten yards over four attempts by punting the ball as close to their goal end zone as possible — with as long a ‘hang time’ in the air as possible. This means they may spend only moments on the field each game — and sometimes not even take the field at all! — but a poor performance can materially disadvantage their team.
Graham and Rocca are among the few Aussies to make it to the big time in NFL. Matt McBriar punts for the Dallas Cowboys and was signed to a 5-year contract extension in 2007 (see Graham’s experiences this year pulling on three different jerseys . . .). Former Demon forward Darren Bennett, former rugby player Colin Scotts and Olympic high jumper and Carlton player Colin Ridgeway have all previously played at the highest level. All bar Scotts have played as punters. Scotts was a defensive lineman for the Cardinals and Oilers.
Only McBriar, Graham and Rocca are currently active in the sport.
Update: Graham's Cardinals were beaten by a 35-yard TD pass in the last minute. Reports suggest Graham himself had an indifferent game with three of his five punts being poor. Interesting to see whether he’s still on the Cards’ roster come next season. Still, first Aussie to be there, so history has been writ!
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