Longsnap.com

Week Four demonstrated, once again, the importance of special teams in the NFL. The Bears blocked a last second field-goal to defeat the Raiders. After the game, the Bears Josh Blackwell, who blocked the kick, acknowledged the key role snapper Scott Daly played.

From film review, Daly noticed that Raiders snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer moved the ball a bit just before snapping, allowing Blackwell to get a jump on the snap.

In my experience, most NFL snappers carefully study film of other snappers looking for any clues or tells but this is one occasion where that work paid off and was credited publicly.

The Eagles blocked a Buccaneers punt for a touchdown in another key special teams play in Week Four.

There was one tryout this week as the Giants brought in Cal Adomitis as part of kicker workouts.

On the tackle front, three snappers recorded tackles in punt coverage. Ross Matiscik (Jaguars) had the lone solo tackle, while Rex Sunahara (Browns) and Alex Ward (Rams) each recorded an assisted tackle..

Below is the NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Four.

Special teams played a key role in multiple games this week and the role of the long snapper was front and center in one. The Colts tried a long field goal to win the game against the Broncos, but the kick sailed wide. However, the Broncos were flagged for contact with the long snapper and the penalty allowed a shorter re-kick that was made. Charley Hughlett of the Eagles was also flagged for moving the ball too much before a field goal attempt against the Chiefs.

Both penalty calls are often controversial when called, as how much the snapper can move or adjust the ball pre-snap and the amount and degree of contact with the long snapper during a kick can vary as to when it is called.

Prior to Week Two action, two teams held tryouts for kickers and punters that also involved snappers. Luke Elkin and Zach Triner worked out in Atlanta and Cole Jenkins in Buffalo.

On the tackle front, two snappers recorded tackles in punt coverage this week. James Winchester of the Chiefs had a solo tackle, while Mitchell Fraboni added an assisted tackle.

Below is the NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Two.