There were more mini-camps this weekend and a few rookie prospects got some additional NFL camp experience. Sean Griffin of Michigan, who was in mini-camp with the Seahawks last weekend, spent this weekend with the Saints, while Wisconsin’s Dave Peck was in mini-camp with the Giants after spending last weekend with the Bears. At this point, it does not appear that either Griffin or Peck have been offfered contracts.
Following the first mini-camps, a couple of snappers turned tryout performances into contracts. James Smith of Florida signed with the Bengals and Garrison Sanborn, who was in last year’s Draft class, signed with the Bills. As Sanborn’s signing demonstrates, it can sometimes take a year or more for a snapper to find the right place for an opportunity. For example, most recently, the Chiefs added Tanner Purdum prior to the Draft to compete with Thomas Gafford following the release of veteran JP Darche. Purdum snapper at Baker University in 2007, attended a number of free agent camps and send a reported 128 homemade DVDs before finally getting a shot with the Chiefs.
Veteran NFL special teams coach Joe DeCamillas has reportedly suffered a broken vertebrae during yesterday’s shocking collapse of the Cowboys practice facility. Best wishes to Joe D. for a speedy recovery!
With many teams having mini-camps this week, some additional details have emerged concerning the snapping position around the league. The Seahawks waived Tyler Schmitt, their Sixth Round pick from last year. Ryan Senser is the only snapper under contract, as it now appears Michigan’s Sean Griffin is in on a tryout basis and has not signed a contract. Georgia Tech snapper Bret White is with the Lions on mini-camp invite, and Garrison Sanborn, from last year’s Draft class, is in mini-camp with the Bills.
A couple of new snapping developments to report from the last few days. The Steelers released Jared Retkofsky, who filled in for Greg Warren last season. Warren and client Mark Estermyer are left to compete for the spot. Two other Draft prospects, James Smith of Florida and Craig Gelhardt from Tulane, have reportedly been invited to mini-camp with the Bengals and Jaguars, respectively. Finally, some positions players with snapping ability have also signed free agent deals. Center Cecil Newton from Tennessee State signed with the Jaguars, while tight end Jamar Hunt from UTEP signed with the Cowboys.
Most of the smoke has cleared from the NFL Draft and here are the latest snapping developments. Jake Ingram of Hawaii was the only snapper drafted when the Patriots selected him in the Sixth Round. A number of snappers reached free agent deals after the Draft, including client Mark Estermyer from Pitt (Pittsburgh), Nick Sundberg of Cal (Carolina), Robert Shiver from Auburn (Atlanta) and Sean Griffin of Michigan (Seattle). At least two snappers, Dave Peck from Wisconsin (Chicago) and Danny Dutmer of Wyoming (Cleveland), have upcoming mini-camp tryouts.
Michigan snapper Sean Griffin has reportedly signed a free agent deal with the Seahawks and will compete for the snapping job with last year’s Sixth Round pick, Tyler Schmitt. In addition, Wisconsin snapper Dave Peck is scheduled to participate in mini-camp with the Bears on a tryout basis.
Client Mark Estermyer from the University of Pittsburgh has agreed to a three-year free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Estermyer, who snapped in the Senior Bowl, is expected to compete with Greg Warren, who is returning from a season-ending injury.
The Patriots, who lost snapper Lonie Paxton to the Bronocs in free agency, have drafted Hawaii snapper Jake Ingram with the 25th pick in the Sixth Round. Ingram, who participated in the Senior Bowl and Combine, was the 198th selection in the Draft and will compete with Nate Hodel, who was signed by the Pats after they lost Paxton
Steelers snapper Jared Retkofsky was injured recently in a motorcycle accident. Retkofsky was seen at Steelers off-season workouts in a sling.
