180-pound kicker (tries to) unleash inner defensive lineman

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Kickers have helmets and spare time at training camp, and that’s been a dangerous combination for Giorgio Tavecchio.

At Raiders camp as a backup kicker, to save Sebastian Janikowski some wear and tear, Tavecchio was “insprired by the football spirit” one day. So he hit himself in the helmet and approached defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.

He told Franklin he wanted to help out and give his players a target in practice.

Franklin laughed. Tavecchio persisted.

“My spirit animal is a defensive lineman,” he told Franklin. “I am just not built like one.”

How could Franklin say no to that?

And that explains why every now and then in Napa, you see a little guy in a red jersey getting knocked around.

“I am a big team guy. I want to be part of the team and contribute,” Tavecchio said. “Kickers don’t get that many chances. So I was thinking, these poor bastards (nods to defensive players) are running around for the past week and a half with nobody to hit. … The least I can do is give them a few shots, maybe cheer them up.”

The former Cal kicker has taken about 30 to 40 hits so far, a couple in tackling drills that were clean enough that Tavecchio “went to a dark room afterward and contemplated life a little bit,” he said joking.

But, hey, that’s the life of a football player. That’s why guys like Tavecchio put pads on.

Giorgio Tavecchio, the former Cal kicker trying to make the Raiders, gets hit in drills. Giorgio Tavecchio, the former Cal kicker trying to make the Raiders, gets hit in drills. Photo: Tony Gonzales, Raiders Photo: Tony Gonzales, Raiders Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 180-pound kicker (tries to) unleash inner defensive lineman 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“He told me in his next life he is going to be a defensive lineman,” Franklin said. “He is a great kid. Great attitude. So we let him get in there every now and then and mix it up. Tough kid.”

Tavecchio has eased up a little bit the last few practices, but still wants to help. On Saturday, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound kicker jumped in and squared off against 6-2, 350-pound Justin “Jelly” Ellis in a pass-rushing drill.

“Good luck to me,” Tavecchio said, rolling his eyes at the memory. “Jelly told me to put all of my weight on him as much as possible. He wanted to feel even a little bit of resistance … I tried.”

How did it go? Let’s just say when the play was over, Ellis flicked his wrist like he was shooing away a fly and Tavecchio ran back to the other field where Janikowski was.

“Just the one rep that day,” Tavecchio said.

Franklin has gotten more than a few chuckles out of his special project.

“He’s got that defensive-lineman mentality, but that body just can’t bear the load,” Franklin said. “That’s why some days we just have him hold the (tackling) bag for us. He gives it all he has, and then Khalil (Mack) just taps the bag and Giorgio goes flying.”

So, if not as a defensive lineman, how about making the NFL as a kicker? This is Tavecchio’s third training camp with the Raiders, and he feels he is getting closer to making it every year.

“My technique and confidence get better every year,” he said. “I am very grateful to be here in camp and just hoping for a chance.”

Tavecchio, 27, has also been in training camp with the 49ers, Packers and Lions. During the regular season, he’s worked at restaurants, furniture stores, brokerage firms, tech companies and, last year, helping out with kickers at Cal.

The Raiders’ preseason opener Saturday at Arizona is a chance for Tavecchio to hit a kick on film and make an impression around the league.

“And here, too, hopefully,” he said. “Whatever comes my way, I hope to take advantage of it.”

Tavecchio mostly talks soccer with Janikowski, but he said the kicker has opened up the last couple years with some kicking advice.

“I have picked up a few things from him,” Tavecchio said. “I am just so happy to be here.”

Giddy enough to stand in front of guys almost twice his size, square up and take a hit.

“The heart wants what the heart wants,” Tavecchio said, smiling.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: VTafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur