Big Sav in Home Run Derby
- Tuesday, May 15 2007 @ 10:48 am ACST
- Contributed by: Christopher P. Adams, Ph.D.
- Views: 5,998
Philadelphia's
Daily News ran their front page article on Saverio Rocca's attempt to become
the
Philadelphia
Eagles punter in 2007. The front page pictured Sav holding an NFL ball
and a USFooty ball. Rocca is trying to displace current punter Dirk
Johnson. The Eagles are also looking for Rocca to take over holding
duties, much as Ben Graham does for the
New York Jets.
Rocca is currently listed as 50-50 to get the spot but has done well with his
hang-time clocked at 5.4 seconds which is well above the required 4.5
seconds. Rocca follows in the footsteps of Darren Bennett and Ben
Graham. Mat McBriar the All-Star punter for the Dallas Cowboys is also
Australian although McBriar never played in the AFL.
Saturday's practice was something of a "Home Run Derby" with Johnson and Rocca having excellent days. Eagles' Dave Spardo gave the day to Rocca. "The ball explodes off his foot. Johnson was good, and it is clear that he has added some leg since last year. Johnson is healthy and he is opening up. But Rocca unleashes rockets. He had a couple of 60-plus-yard punts with incredible hang time. He showed some good directional skills. Considering that Rocca had never even worn a football helmet before Sunday, he made a very good first impression."
Rocca's presence in Philadelphia has helped raise the profile of USFooty in the city. The Daily News ran two companion articles. The first was on USFooty's Philadelphia Hawks mentioning their upcoming game against the North Carolina Tigers. The second was a primer on Australian Football.
Saturday's practice was something of a "Home Run Derby" with Johnson and Rocca having excellent days. Eagles' Dave Spardo gave the day to Rocca. "The ball explodes off his foot. Johnson was good, and it is clear that he has added some leg since last year. Johnson is healthy and he is opening up. But Rocca unleashes rockets. He had a couple of 60-plus-yard punts with incredible hang time. He showed some good directional skills. Considering that Rocca had never even worn a football helmet before Sunday, he made a very good first impression."
Rocca's presence in Philadelphia has helped raise the profile of USFooty in the city. The Daily News ran two companion articles. The first was on USFooty's Philadelphia Hawks mentioning their upcoming game against the North Carolina Tigers. The second was a primer on Australian Football.