The late-practice drill didn’t hold much excitement for Redskins punter Sav Rocca. He simply held the ball by his knee and waited for a rushing defender to take it away. He wasn’t skying punts and was far enough from physical contact that he could’ve worn a yellow jersey.
A former star in Australian rules football, the 38-year-old Rocca said he misses the physical contact from his days playing without a helmet or pads. Thanks to that background, he listed among 20 NFL tough guys in the September issue of Maxim magazine.
“Its fun laying a couple hits here and there,” said Rocca, who played 14 seasons in Australia before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007.
Rocca was ranked No. 20 on the list and Redskins linebacker London Fletcher came in at No. 11.
The 6-foot-5, 265 pounder said he believes he’s the biggest punter in the league.
“So they’re probably thinking heavy means strong,” he said.
Late last season, Rocca was hampered by a sore ankle on his planting leg. He finished the season with a net punting average of 39 yards, tying his career high. He said the ankle is fine now and has felt confident punting throughout training camp. He has no competition in camp and will open the season as the starter.
“It was really important, all my power and all my weight goes through there when I plant,” Rocca said. “It was good that it’s come good now.”
