Rocca to City of Brotherly Love
SAVERIO Rocca has signed as a National Football League punter with Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Inquirer has reported.
An Eagles spokesman confirmed earlier this week that Rocca had agreed terms on a standard, non-guaranteed three-year contract, with the intention of learning to punt in the NFL, but the deal was only announced today after the club had received Rocca’s contract.
The former Collingwood and Kangaroos forward, who retired from the AFL last year, after 15 seasons, will be in competition for the Eagles punting job with veteran Dirk Johnson, who struggled early last season after signing a six-year contract extension in late August.
Johnson, 31, producing a series of solid performances during the team's six-game winning streak before the National Football Conference play-off loss in New Orleans this season, and he has to be considered the favourite to retain his job next season.
Rocca, 33, kicked 20 goals in nine matches for the Kangaroos last year, boosting his career tally to 748 majors from 257 games. He was the Magpies’ leading goal kicker from 1993 to 1999, and he topped the Kangaroos’ scorers in 2001, 2002 and 2004.
But he had been looking for a while to chase a dream of playing in the NFL, and he tried out for Buffalo Bills last September.
Rocca is following in the footsteps of former San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl punter Darren Bennett and current New York Jets punter Ben Graham, who each made the transition from AFL to NFL football.
Graham became the oldest rookie in NFL history when he debuted with the Jets two seasons ago, aged 31, replacing former Eagles player Vince Papale in the record books.
Dallas Cowboys punter Mat McBriar, the NFC Pro Bowl punter this season, having led the NFL with a 48.2-yard average, also hails from Australia, but he played American football at University of Hawaii.
McBriar did, however, play Australian Rules football in Australia, playing for Brighton Grammar School in Melbourne, before moving to Hawaii
"It's mixed feelings because it's quite exciting if you make it and go all the way," Rocca said on Channel 9 earlier this week, when he announced that he had signed a deal with the Eagles.
"That environment, for the family, it's a bit hectic, because we're just not sure how far we're going to go ... they can terminate the contract after one day if they want to.
“I've got to get over there and show 'em that I'm fairly good and I can kick just as good as, if not better than, who they've got there at the moment."
Rocca said he expected to travel to Philadelphia in late March, when the Eagles commence their off-season conditioning program.
SAVERIO Rocca has signed as a National Football League punter with Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Inquirer has reported.
An Eagles spokesman confirmed earlier this week that Rocca had agreed terms on a standard, non-guaranteed three-year contract, with the intention of learning to punt in the NFL, but the deal was only announced today after the club had received Rocca’s contract.
The former Collingwood and Kangaroos forward, who retired from the AFL last year, after 15 seasons, will be in competition for the Eagles punting job with veteran Dirk Johnson, who struggled early last season after signing a six-year contract extension in late August.
Johnson, 31, producing a series of solid performances during the team's six-game winning streak before the National Football Conference play-off loss in New Orleans this season, and he has to be considered the favourite to retain his job next season.
Rocca, 33, kicked 20 goals in nine matches for the Kangaroos last year, boosting his career tally to 748 majors from 257 games. He was the Magpies’ leading goal kicker from 1993 to 1999, and he topped the Kangaroos’ scorers in 2001, 2002 and 2004.
But he had been looking for a while to chase a dream of playing in the NFL, and he tried out for Buffalo Bills last September.
Rocca is following in the footsteps of former San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl punter Darren Bennett and current New York Jets punter Ben Graham, who each made the transition from AFL to NFL football.
Graham became the oldest rookie in NFL history when he debuted with the Jets two seasons ago, aged 31, replacing former Eagles player Vince Papale in the record books.
Dallas Cowboys punter Mat McBriar, the NFC Pro Bowl punter this season, having led the NFL with a 48.2-yard average, also hails from Australia, but he played American football at University of Hawaii.
McBriar did, however, play Australian Rules football in Australia, playing for Brighton Grammar School in Melbourne, before moving to Hawaii
"It's mixed feelings because it's quite exciting if you make it and go all the way," Rocca said on Channel 9 earlier this week, when he announced that he had signed a deal with the Eagles.
"That environment, for the family, it's a bit hectic, because we're just not sure how far we're going to go ... they can terminate the contract after one day if they want to.
“I've got to get over there and show 'em that I'm fairly good and I can kick just as good as, if not better than, who they've got there at the moment."
Rocca said he expected to travel to Philadelphia in late March, when the Eagles commence their off-season conditioning program.
Great news for the big fella.
Hopefully he can make a big impact in the years to come.
Wonder how long until Anthony tries for a gig?
