Melbourne radio tips Graham to head to New york
By Cameron Palmer
The consensus on Melbourne radio this afternoon is that Ben Graham will quit Geelong to join the New York Jets in the NFL.
Graham’s manager Ricky Nixon is believed to have said that the proposition put across by Geelong to train with the Jets during this years pre-season before joining Geelong just before the start of the season is detrimental and unfair on both Geelong and New York.
Though Nixon said he would leave the official announcement of Graham’s decision to the Geelong Football Club and Graham himself it appears likely that Graham will take up a future free agency contract which will allow him to train with the New York Jets and then be picked up for the 2005-2006 NFL Season where he will be able to earn at least AU$250,000 plus a sign on fee.
Graham will become a punter with the Jets, the same position that former West Coast forward Darren Bennett plays.
The average age of punters in the NFL is 34, yet some are known to play beyond 40.
With Graham turning 32 next year, if he can excel at the sport as expected he could, Graham could possibly carve out a 10-year career in the NFL.
Graham’s decision will be made public tomorrow morning.