A good punter is a good thing to have. It makes your ST play better, gives you better field position, and creates turnovers. A crappy punter can cost you a game in more ways than one. People don't care about the punter as long as he does his job well. They say he doesn't matter. But if the punter is bad, people know who he is and want blood.
Here's another question. When Ben first got signed, we heard about his Assuie football career. We all saw footage of him leveling guys. There was alot of speculation that the Jets may employ some trickery when punting. Of course, with the Herm-the Hero of Hempstead, we didn't see a gutsy play all season. Now that we have Eric, and Eric knows Ben from down under, Do we have a chance to see Ben tuck it away and go for first down?
I have always followed the kicking game, and it is a very, in fact the most under rated part of the American game in terms of importance on the field. Field position is VERY important, and the kicking game is a huge part of that. As soon as I saw Graham at preseason training camp, I became a fan of his, and consequently, am now also a Cats fan. He's been kicking 95% drop kicks, but did try a few helicopters as well, in certain circumstances. The coaches asked him to stay away from the torpedoe for now, because it's an easier kick to shank occassionally. There were quite a few times the opposing team's punt returner just ran away from Graham's drop kick punts. Some good bounces helped his numbers some when that happened. He steadilly improved on getting punts inside the opponent's 10 yard line last year. He showed very good hands handling bad snaps, and avoided one blocked punt with a directional punt last year, with a rusher right in his face. He also did a very good job of holding on the FG unit. There were some trick and fake punt/FG plays in the playbook last year, but Edwards only called it once, according to Graham. Before they got the play off, there was a penalty, an offsides I think, so that was it. No fakes last year. In a miserable year for the Jets, he was a bright spot, and played very well. Some of us are wondering if he's been asked to try kick-offs, since Nugent struggled with distance and hieght in the second half last year. Maybe he's been working on that in the off season? I would still like to see him line up as a slot reciever in the red zone..... he has the hands, the height and the leaping ability to do something there..... but I don't know if the coaches want to risk him getting injured. That would be fun to see! Graham scoring a TD would be front page news in Oz!
I think he is a good punter and its too bad he didn't come heere when he was a bit younger. If he can start booming more punts consistently I think he'll be near the top for average distance. By the way I am coming to Australia !pril 28 and want to go see a Geelong game. I guess they play Sydney on !pril 29 but I will still be in the air. I am staying in Wollongong and Sydney, and am mostly interested in seeing Geelong. Is it far from where I will be, and would it be possible to drive to Geelong and go to a home game or is it too far? I may just end up settling for a game in Sydney with whatever teams happen to be there. But I would really love to buy a Graham Geelong jersey....
It will be a long drive, like 10 hours or something crazy...but you could just fly to melbourne and then drive to geelong up the highway...about 2 hours if that... i met Ben Graham on Australia Day (jan 26th) this year at chelsea piers in teh longest kick competition, he was very generous, signed our calendars (the ones the NY Magpies Aussies rules team made up, im Mr. February ) had a long chat telling us all about his first year and his history, how he got here, how he liked it etc etc and was very humble in his words. He came across as very genuine and all round nice guy. Just one of the blokes so to say. He was almost in awe of the way things run in the nfl compared to the AFL where guys back home are easily accessible than here (like for instance, they just park their cars in open car parks, no security etc) anyone know the terms of his contract? he said he loves it here and envisions on playing for as long as possible (and being a punter, he could go into his 40's ). it was great to meet him (i was wearing my graham jersey too ) and i look forward to watching him dominate again...lets hope he can get a few offensive plays as well
If the Bills Don't win sure I would love to see the Jets win. I would have a good chance of seeing Ben's Superbowl ring that way!!!
In an Interview Ben did on Australian radio he said that the Jets had a play that would capitalize on his ability to kick while running. This sounded like he would go for a first but if was in trouble could drop punt it. Graham said that it was called once this year but a pre snap penalty forced them to change the call. He aslo said he was keen to do it alot more but the coach was VERY conservative
Your miles away from Geelong in Sydney, your best bet is to fly to Melbourne then catch a train to Geelong. It's Very hard to get a ticket to Geelong games at the moment (Winning team and only 28k capacity at stadium) If your in Sydney go see a Swans game they one the championship last year and have a great team. Also when in Sydney head to Kings Cross and go to the Aussie Rules Club, Its a great place to watch a game on TV and have a few beers! Ask any AFL fan about Gary Ablett(Greatest player ever & a Geelong man) and they will be your instant friend If you want a Ben Graham Geelong jersey just buy a regular Geelong jersey and put number 7 on the back. We don't have names on our jerseys just numbers.
Here is a Link This is Highlights of Ben Grahams AFL team Geelong winning this years Pre Season Title. Thought you guys might like to see alittle AFL. http://video.vividas.com/media/4358_NABCUP/?sssdmh=dm16.188033
NO BILLS FANS ALLOWED!!!!!!!!:buffaloblows: :buffaloblows: :buffaloblows: :buffaloblows: :buffaloblows:
The drive from Sydney to Melbourne is best if you go along the coast road: some spectacular scenery. Problem is it will take you about 15 hours. If you ain't into a drive of that long, definitely catch a plane to Melbourne. Driving to Melbourne via Sydney through the inland dual carriageway is one of the worst drives imaginiable...takes about 11 hours once you get through the two cities outskirts, and most of the way its flat as a tack and very boring. Except if you hit a wombat or a roo on the road, which could be lunch if you pack a loaf of bread or two.
Round 5, Saturday night game, 29th April @ Telstra Stadium in SYDNEY. Sydney v Geelong. Dude, how lucky, are you!:up: What time do you touch down in Sydney?
Ben Graham is nice. It's good to have a long term guy in there. We've been through soo many punters in the last 5 years. 2001 - Tom Tupa 2002 - Matt Turk 2003 - Dan Stryzinski 2004 - Toby Gowin 2005 - Ben Graham
I was going to say all you Jets fans have been great, friendly, helpful and Intelligent. Now I will say MOST of you Jets fans have been great, friendly ,helpful and intelligent.
Actually, I've been surprised that some of the...."posters" here haven't gotten more unruly. not something to be proud of, for sure.... but it happens alot, even when a Jets fan gets into the crosshairs. For the most part, rival team fans get a reasonably warm welcome when they don't come in to troll, but every site has it's.... skeletons that we can't keep in the closet! :beer: Go into enemy territory, even with a white flag.... there will still be a sniper or two!
Welcome BrunnyJ, good to see another Aussie and Cats supporter here. These Yanks are bloody mad but they certainly love their sport. Thunderbird Jet was a life saver over the season for me, providing a punt by punt analysis of Ben's punts. The other big PLUS is that he is now a Cats Fan. Second game of the season tomorrow against the Kangaroos should be a ripper.....btw, what do you do for the GFC?
I am a fanatic of Graham's. He has a strong leg and can pooch. As long as we don't have an idiot punter, I'm satisfied as far as that position goes.
