Smizzy Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Aussie has a leg up on the punting job Monday, August 1, 2005 By RANDY LANGE STAFF WRITER HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Jets special-teams boss Mike Westhoff savored the question about his punting situation like a bonzer bite of Melbourne porterhouse at his neighborhood Outback Steakhouse. "It's a good competition," Westhoff said. "It's an interesting competition." And with apologies to NFL veteran Micah Knorr, the interesting bits are being supplied by Ben Graham - not just because he's a novelty act with an accent from the Australian Football League but also because he's narrowed the gap between himself and Knorr in the fight to become the Jets' next punter. "Obviously, I'm a long shot," Graham, 31, said during the weekend. "But I'm backing my own ability. I know I have a strong leg. I know I can adjust to this game. I've played under a lot of pressure in my career, in front of a lot of people. I have the knowledge that I can do this job." Westhoff, always a tough sell, is seeing progress. "Micah is pretty solid, and then we've got the unknown," he said. "Ben's one of [the AFL's] all-time best players, period, one of their all-stars. He's [6 feet 5], 230 pounds, very athletic. He understands our punting technique. But can he execute our punting technique when he has to do it? That's what we have to see." The Jets first noticed Graham long before they signed him in January. Eric Mangini, now the Patriots' defensive coordinator, scouted him in 1997 playing footy for his club of 11 seasons, the Geelong Cats. Although Graham didn't retire until after last season, the NFL seed had been planted, and he nurtured it with talks over the years with Darren Bennett, San Diego's longtime punter from Perth. You couldn't blame Knorr if this Crocodile Dundee mania is getting under his skin. Even the newyorkjets.com Web site jumped aboard, asking fans to vote on whom they think will win the job. Graham has polled as high as 68 percent. "I haven't seen it, but my wife has," Knorr said. "She said, 'That's kind of unfair because Ben has all the people in Australia voting for him.' I said, 'Well, it doesn't really matter. The fans don't pick the team. They get to cheer and boo all they want, but the coaches decide, the organization decides. That's who I need to impress.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Forgive my ignorance, but what the hell is a "dropkick"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 a drop kick is when you let go of the ball,let it hit the ground & kick it a split second after it bounces off the ground like your kicking it off a tee. does that make any sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 a drop kick is when you let go of the ball,let it hit the ground & kick it a split second after it bounces off the ground like your kicking it off a tee. does that make any sense? Yes, it does. I can see why it hasn't been done in 70 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonJet Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 This is beginning to sound more and more like no competition. I would be pretty surprised if Graham doesn't get the job. Knorr is just another retread in the mold of Turk and Stryzinki, but Graham can really kick the hell out of the ball and it sounds like you can probably put him in at safety too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj meadowlands Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 This is beginning to sound more and more like no competition. I would be pretty surprised if Graham doesn't get the job. Knorr is just another retread in the mold of Turk and Stryzinki, but Graham can really kick the hell out of the ball and it sounds like you can probably put him in at safety too. Unfortunately, my man, I have to disagree. I think Graham SHOULD get the job, but the Jets will give it to Micah Knorr based on experience alone and the fact that he placeholds. I will be mad nevertheless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 Unfortunately, my man, I have to disagree. I think Graham SHOULD get the job, but the Jets will give it to Micah Knorr based on experience alone and the fact that he placeholds. I will be mad nevertheless I agree. Knorr doesn't suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj meadowlands Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 I agree. Knorr doesn't suck. Smizz we'll save this post til around Week 8. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 Smizz we'll save this post til around Week 8. Lol Im not giving anybiody the job just yet...& we would be idiots to hand the job over and dismiss any other kickers after 6 practices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 This is beginning to sound more and more like no competition. I would be pretty surprised if Graham doesn't get the job. Knorr is just another retread in the mold of Turk and Stryzinki, but Graham can really kick the hell out of the ball and it sounds like you can probably put him in at safety too. I think the battle is a lot closer than meets the press. media is playing up the fact the aussie can boot the ball a mile & is a fan favorite. unless westhoff is sure he can tame the beast with consistency, he is taking a big risk. sure knorr is the boring choice & I for one am on the bandwagon for the aussie, but rodney williams could boot the ball a mile for the giants & they let him go after 1 season & I don't him playing anywhere these days. No one can afford an ongoing project at the punting position come the season, better off netting 35 yds or so consistently, as boring as it sounds, it won't lose you a game. ( wow after reading what I just wrote i'm a regular al gore when it comes to nfl flair) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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