For The Aussies

Your man Sav Rocca was very, very good yesterday.  Couple of links for the folks from the other side of the world:

Rocca provides Eagles with game-winning punts
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20080922_Rocca_provides_Eagles_with_game-winning_punts.html

It's not something you're likely to hear again after a hard-fought NFL game, but Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown gave no hint that he was joking when he said, after the 15-6 victory over the Steelers, that punter Sav Rocca "won the game."

Rocca didn't score a touchdown or make a game-saving tackle, but he came up huge on three consecutive fourth-quarter punts in a tight game that pinned Pittsburgh deep in its territory.

"They were unbelievable," coach Andy Reid said of Rocca's punts. "You don't very often talk about a punter being a weapon, but he sure was a weapon tonight."

...

"You certainly get it coming off the ground when everybody is giving you high-fives and things like that," said Rocca, the second-year punter who came to the NFL from Australian Rules Football. "You really do find out that they appreciate it, and it's a good feeling.

"Last year, at the start, I just thought it was kicking a ball. But as you go along, you tend to learn you're better off having the ball on the 20 instead of the 30, or that it's better to have it deep inside than a touchback. Those are things I've gotten a grip on in the last 6 months."

And this one:

Rocca's punts make big difference for Birds
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20080922_Eagles_Notes___Rocca_s_punts_make_big_difference_for_Birds.html

In a game when the defense registered nine sacks, forced three turnovers, and accounted for a safety, cornerback Sheldon Brown said it was Rocca who made the biggest difference.

"He won the football game by pinning them back," Brown said. "[After] one of the punts we got a safety and then he got another one right after that inside the 10."

Rocca saved his best work for the final quarter with punts of 64, 54 and 37 yards.

...

"It was good," said Rocca, a former Australian Football League star. "I really felt like I contributed and had a good feeling out there."

Comments

[Eagles Fan in San Fran]

I had liked the move last year to bring in Sav - while others grumbled about him, it was, after all, just his first year playing American football and yet he was able to be an average punter at the NFL level.
Now, with that first year under his belt, he's become a weapon, equal to Dallas' big-footed punter.
Give credit to FO/AR for bringing Sav in.

[Joel Aussie]

An aussie whom moved to the USA about 3 years ago, it feels great that a fellow aussie can help the birds! GO SAV AND THE EAGLES

[Joel Aussie]

As an aussie whom moved to the USA about 3 years ago, it feels great that a fellow aussie can help the birds! GO SAV AND THE EAGLES! EAGLES EAGLES EAGLES OIE OIE OIE

[Aussie Bob]

Any chance of putting some videos up of Sav's efforts?

I always liked Sav when he played AFL and have become an Eagles fan and understood NFL as a whole a lot better as a result.

I like the attitude of Eagles fans as well. It matches many teams in the AFL in their extreme passion and hatred of close and far rivals alike.

It's funny how the Aussies focus on the punters, the most insignificant role in the team (unless you have a weapon like Sav), eg Ben Graham getting cut by the Jets was the only NFL news to hit the papers here in the last week.

I enjoy your blog very much and appeciate the insight that it brings to the relative beginner fan about the finer points of the game. Cheers from Melbourne.

[Derek]

I can do that. Look for it later in the week when I do the rewind.

Maybe you can clear up a couple things for us stateside. First of all, is it "ROH-ka" or "RAH-ka"? I've heard both from multiple sources.

Also, NFL.com now lists him as "Save" Rocca. What's up with that extra 'e'?

[Aussie Bob]

Thanks in advance.

His name is pronounced Rock-er.

As for "Save" - I'm guessing that someone from NFL.com has incorrectly tried to shorten his actual first name - they've taken Saverio and come up with Save.

Good to see him leading all punters in net yards per punt, hopefully he'll follow fellow Aussie Darren Bennett to the Pro-Bowl.

[McTumms]

He was the best player on the field yesterday. Two fine pooch kicks, a fantastic directional punt, and, of course, that effin' bomb... To kick it that far and not out-kick the coverage? That ball must have talked to God around the 45. Also, Australian fans, keep an eye out for the clip of the fumble Dawkins caused. That play reminded me why I love the NFL.