‘Best in the league’: Dickson continues to build Pro Bowl case
Australian punter Michael Dickson continued to build his case for NFL Pro Bowl selection with another impressive showing for the Seattle Seahawks in their 30-23 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Dickson currently has the most Pro Bowl votes of any NFL punter, with voting for what is essentially the NFL’s version of an All Star game set to close on December 16.
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Quandre Diggs, Nick Bellore, and Michael Dickson remain leaders in Pro Bowl voting at their respective positions. #Seahawks
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) December 2, 2021
The 25-year-old is campaigning hard for the accolade, sharing a hilarious self-made meme on social media to try and scrounge up some extra votes.
Special #ProBowlVote @mdcksn @NBELLORE54 @Ottomatic82 @JayMy_31 @DallasDeejay pic.twitter.com/892EJRLQHl
— Michael Dickson (@mdcksn) December 2, 2021
Michael Dickson vying for second NFL Pro Bowl appearance
Should he be named the NFC’s punter for the clash, it would be Dickson’s second Pro Bowl appearance after participating during his rookie season in 2018.
Dickson did his chances of selection no harm with another influential outing for Seattle on Monday AEDT. The former Sydney Swans academy product had four punts for an average of 51.3 yards, including two punts downed inside the opposition 20-yard line. His longest punt was a whopping 65 yards.
Michael Dickson continues to be #Seahawks' best player. And it's not really close.
65-yard punt there.— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 5, 2021
Michael Dickson is the best in the league and it’s not even close. He’s so good
— Sam (@Sam_Seahawks92) December 6, 2021
Michael Dickson. Again.
54-yard punt to the Niners' 8. Clutch there.— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 6, 2021
I’ve said it too many damn times. Michael Dickson, best punter in the league
— Alex Wober (@woberalex) December 6, 2021
Ironically, the most impactful play that occurred while Dickson was on the field didn’t even involve the Australian punting. The Seahawks ran a fake punt on a direct snap to Travis Homer, who ran 73 yards for a touchdown.
The @Seahawks pull off the 73-YARD FAKE PUNT TOUCHDOWN. #Seahawks
📺: #SFvsSEA on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/2RLTJKqTB2— NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2021
While he was little more than a spectator on Homer’s touchdown run, Dickson has been called upon to flip the field more frequently this season due to the Seahawks’ offensive struggles. He is averaging 5.4 punts per game, compared to 3.8 punts per game last season.
Michael Dickson had 61 punts last season for the #Seahawks.
With six games left, he already has 62 this year.— Aaron Levine (@AaronLevine_) December 2, 2021
Earlier this season, the former Texas Longhorn set the US into a frenzy with a spectacular double punt, which Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll described as ‘one of the greatest plays in the history of the league’.
The unorthodox, yet spectacular manoeuvre was yet another highlight reel play from Dickson, who has been open about his ambition to be the best punter in the NFL.
“I'm super competitive, not just with other punters in the league but with myself. I'll set these little goals each year and I'll set my long-term goal. You know, I want to be the greatest I can be and want to be one of the best in the league ever,” Dickson told ESPN earlier in the week.
The win over the 49ers saw Dickson’s Seahawks improve their record to 4-8, but they still require a minor miracle in order to claim a spot in the NFL playoffs.
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