Talking to Gabe Watson today for a story on his comeback from knee problems, we started talking about his weight and what he has played at in the past. That's when Gabe brought up playing at 315 pounds in high school (that's one big 17-year-old) and yet playing both ways, in addition to kicking and punting. Now that is a sight I wish I would have seen. Even now, I find it hard to picture the man called "Spongebob Squareback" going all Ben Graham. Watson sensed the hesitation.
"Hey, I had two 86-yard punts, man," Watson said in his offer of proof, and insisted both traveled about 60 yards in the air before rolling the rest of the way. Well, then, I answered, why is Neil Rackers the Cards' emergency punter and not you? "Shoot," Watson said, "because (the other team) might see me and say, 'We'll take the 15-yard penalty, let's take his legs out.' I don't want to take the risk."
