Seattle Seahawks game changing punter Michael Dickson
Many questioned the Seattle Seahawks when the traded up in the fifth round to draft a punter. After watching Michael Dickson play the first five weeks, no one is questioning them anymore.
This year the Seattle Seahawks have a new kicker in Michael Dickson out of Sydney Australia. A rookie they selected in the fifth round that played his college ball at the University of Texas. He replaced popular veteran Jon Ryan who played ten years with the Seahawks after being signed as a free agent.
Like Dickson, Ryan was not homegrown either having born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he spent time playing ball in the Canadian Football League. Seahawks decided it was time for a change primarily to save money on the salary cap. Also, Dickson is an extraordinary kicker as well.
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What makes Dickson extraordinary is that he can dropkick. He did it on kickoffs last week against the Los Angeles Rams. The purpose was so the Rams wouldn’t be able to run the ball back long. When the situation is necessary he can dropkick on punts as well. This allows the ball to land practically dead and not bounce into the end zone. It’s important when the Seahawks are on their opponent’s side of the 50. When traditional kicks may hit the ball into the end zone the drop kick likely won’t.
Watching the video of his standard kick he usually takes two or three steps before kicking the ball. His leg can go to its highest point while his knee will bend down after contact. I believe this gives him distance along with hang time. The punt returner has little time to return the ball as the special team players who are down first are able to tackle him.
Dickson can kick the ball about 60 yards if necessary. He is accurate enough to kick the ball near the sideline on either side. He is 14th in the NFL with a 46.5-yard average. As we know, there is more to punting than the average. He is tied for sixth in punts inside the ten-yard line.
What head coach Pete Carroll says about Dickson is that the Aussie is only going to get better. I am sure the crowd in London is going to be excited to see him punt. He’ll remind them of rugby.
Next. Our weekend football predictions, October 13-14. dark
Let’s enjoy this punter who will find any way to help the Seahawks win a game.