But is something wrong with him at the moment? Is he injured? How [else to explain the Seahawks](https://12thmanrising.com/seahawks-should-prioritize-these-key-extensions-after-locking-michael-dickson) bringing punter Avery Book in for a tryout? Book hasn't yet attempted a punt in the NFL, as he played for the University of Akron last season and didn't land on a team this year.
Dickson certainly isn't underperforming in 2025. He is third after one game in net yards per punt, and 40 percent of his punts land inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Classic Michael Dickson. And, no, he isn't injured.
Why did the Seattle Seahawks bring punter Avery Book in for a visit?
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The hidden truth is that Avery Book is left-footed. Why does that matter? Because in two weeks, the Seahawks play the New Orleans Saints, and New Orleans has a left-footed punter, Kai Kroeger. Spin matters, you see.
It might seem minor, but as punts travel about 55-60 yards in the air, a punt returner has to gauge where the ball will land and catch the punt in a slightly different way depending on the spin. Kroeger's spin is going to be completely different than nearly every other NFL punter. This also affects how special teams units pre-game their blocking schemes.
Book is unlikely to be signed by Seattle, or if he is, it will likely only be for a week. The Seahawks have a great punter, and Book isn't needed, but having him in to allow the punt returners to field kicks, especially if they never have from a left-footed punter, is just general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald doing their due diligence.
The minor things can make a big difference in a game, and a little experience returning punts from a left-footed punter might mean making a mistake against the Saints less likely. Plus, having a player in for a tryout or signing them for a week, even if to the practice squad, doesn't cost much.
[Michael Dickson certainly isn't](https://12thmanrising.com/pros-cons-michael-dickson-new-seahawks-contract-explained) going to feel like his job is in jeopardy. It isn't. And if nothing else, at least Avery Book gets a bit more experience in an NFL camp. Maybe that will help him find his own team one day. His visit is a win-win for the Seattle Seahawks and the player.