It was meant as a compliment, Blake Gillikin's inclusion in the article that attempted to predict – at each position – some under-the-radar players who could become first-time All-Pros this season. Yet, in perhaps a nod to just how unknown the Cardinals punter might be, his name was listed as "Andrew" Gillikin.
"I don't know any Andrews in my family," Gillikin said, chuckling.
Blake Gillikin is the guy who set a franchise record with his 50.6-yard average on 51 punts, adding a 42.9-yard net average after being signed for the final 13 games of the season. He's the guy that wanted badly to return after his contract ended after the season, a wish that came about when the Cardinals re-signed him to a two-year deal.
He thought his place was with the Saints – whom the Cardinals face Saturday in the preseason opener -- after two solid seasons, but he was surprisingly cut in favor of undrafted rookie Lou Hedley.
"I thought about it for a while and eventually just had to kind of let it go," Gillikin said. "There are places that you fit and places that you don't."
He fits with the Cardinals. He has developed that key relationship with kicker Matt Prater as a holder, which had some bumps when Gillikin was first signed to replace Nolan Cooney last season. He and coach Jonathan Gannon has also gotten to know him better, with the coach calling him a "cool cat."
"We vibe," Gannon said.
He has the support of special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers too, who believes Gillikin punted better last year than he ever had previously.
That's all Gillikin wants, to fit and to be wanted. Of course, it'd be nice if people knew his name too, but one step at a time.
"You have individual goals, but my first job is to help the team win in any way I can, even if that is punt the ball 30 yards out of bounds every time if they ask me to do that," Gillikin said. "I have those high aspirations because that's what pushed me to be the best version of myself. Whether it is under the radar or not, hopefully that's kind of where I am at the end of the year."
