Arizona Cardinals Release Dirk Johnson
by Andrew602 on Dec 1, 2008 6:48 PM MST
in General Arizona Cardinals News
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PrintIt has been confirmed that the Arizona Cardinals have released punter Dirk Johnson...Mike Sando and Kent Somers have both reported. Dirk was on the verge of being released, being warned by Ken Whisenhunt after poor performances the past 3 weeks. One of his few supporters, Neil Rackers wanted him to stay, noting that his exceptional kicking was a result of Johnson's holding. Johnson is expected to be replaced by punter Ben Graham, a former NY Jet and New Orleans Saint.
Update: Graham is a not only a former Jet, but he was also the Jets punter when the Cardinals played them earlier this season. He was cut by the Jets after they beat the Cardinals because Mangini wasn't happy with the hang time on Graham's punts. Graham played in one game as a Saint, the game in London, and has actually kicked very similarly to Johnson this season. Graham's net average is slightly better (43.06 vs. 41.8) and is net average is almost identical (35.9 vs. 35.2). The real thing to watch this week and for the rest of the season is how Neil Rackers responds to another new holder. Much of his struggles kicking last year were placed on Mitch Berger and Johnson has gotten a lot of credit for helping stabilize Rackers this season. Graham is a left footed punter but does have experience holding so it's expected that he'll assume the same roll with the Cardinals.
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Good ridance to bad yardage!
Ben Graham has some very nice things said about him online. Right now I feel like anything is better than the 20 yard kicks in critical situations that Dirk was giving us.
An Aussie on the Cardinals?!
Graham has an unusual punting style that causes the ball to spin the opposite direction than most typical punts, a kicking technique that was mastered in his days of Australian Rules Football. His first year with the Jets this spin caused quite a few muffed punts and additional opportunities for Special Teams to make a difference in the game. He’s a capable holder having done it for Nugent.
The knocks on him is mostly leg strength. He played in Australia for a number of years before Mangini was able to lure him to the NFL, so he’s not a “youngster” either. Perhaps some warmer climate and a familiar opponent on the road will do Ben some good….maybe the Cards can hang a picture of Uluru on the roof to give him a target to kick at and the Melbourne regional beer on the sideline to keep him fueled.
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
What's Scot Player up to these days?
Is that reidiculous beared and single bar helmet really that big a deal when he’s dropping in solid punts? I think that must be a pride thing from Whiz…
Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt, or God?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!
the bigger question
Is can Player be the same punter without his single bar facemask since the NFL outlawed it, or would he be grand-fathered in?
He was grandfathered in and wore the single bar when he kicked for Cleveland for a couple games last year
If Pago is out for awhile, why don’t the Cards pick up Marcel Shipp again to play ST? He was always around the ball on tackles and perhaps the running game needs a hammer back. Or is depth at LB more of a concern? Where’s Brandon Moore?
BTW, saw Oliver Celestin making some good ST plays for KC Sunday. :(
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
Moore
I was surprised that he wasn’t picked up over Pago. I thought the big positive to his game was his ability to play both ILB and OLB.
very good question
I’d rather lose a couple of yards per punt instead of Rackers reverting to last year’s form but we’ll see. I’ve got both fingers crossed for now.
Rackers needs to put any doubt out of his mind
As a kicker, you just have to assume that the ball is going be in the right spot no matter what. Any hesitation in your approach and you’re all messed up. For Neil to say the holder messes him up, that’s a crock. His own induced doubt is what messes up his mechanics.
Any wagers on how many hours Nate Hodel was snapping to Ben Graham today?
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
Apparently Rackers seems to like Graham so far:
Highlights from a new story on azcardinals.com:
Tuesday, Rackers didn’t look nearly as distressed as he had last season when longtime holder Scott Player was jettisoned for Mike Barr. "It’s going to be great," Rackers said, noting that Graham did a good job in New York holding for both Mike Nugent and Jay Feely.
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"That was obviously an important part of the workout Monday," Graham said. "My expectations with the holding, with what we have done over two days, (Neil) has liked what he has seen. I don’t see any problems at all with that part of the game."
by AJ BirdWatcher on Dec 2, 2008 5:16 PM MST up reply actions
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