Jets give punter Graham extension

By Krupka  |   Wednesday, May 24, 2006  |  Comments( 6 )

New York Jets
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On Monday, the New York Jets and punter Ben Graham reached an agreement on a six-year contract extension that could be worth approximately $5 million.

Last season, the native of Australia became the oldest rookie in NFL history (32 years old) to make an opening day roster. Ironically, the Jets had been trying for years to lure him from Australia to come play for them. Previously, Graham spent 12 years as a star playing for Geelong in Australian Rules Football (a hybrid of American football and rugby). He decided to give in to the Jets' wishes after an idol of his, punter Darren Bennett, had success in the NFL. Interestingly, when he came to compete for the job in training camp last year, he brought his whole family. It worked out as he beat out veteran Micah Knorr and won the job as the punter.

In his rookie year Graham performed admirably, as he was called on early and often because of a below-average offense. He attempted 74 punts and finished sixth in the AFC in both gross yards per punt (43.7) and net yards per punt (37.9). He also had 18 punts land inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

"The team made an offer and we just said, 'We'll take it.' I'm excited that I'm going to be punting for the New York Jets in the best city in America," said Graham.

The signing makes a lot of sense for the New York Jets and should help keep their special teams unit solid. This offseason, Graham plans to work on the hang time on his punts and some directional kicks. It is possible that he could bring back the "coffin corner" punts that have disappeared in the league over the last decade.

Get more Ben Graham insights at Realfootball365.com

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
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