Nate Boyer Serves as Guest Columnist

Posted on June 29, 2015 by longsnap

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The story of long snapper Nate Boyer, who is trying to make the NFL as a 34-year old rookie, is now well-known.  Today, Boyer was honored to have been selected to write the Monday Morning Quarterback column for vacationing Peter King for The MMQB website.

In his piece, titled “The American Dream“, Boyer writes an inspirational account about how he achieved his dreams of snapping in college and the NFL following his Army career.  Although many stories have been written about Boyer’s journey, this may be the best because it is in his own words.

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CFL Snappers for the 2015 Season

Posted on June 28, 2015 by longsnap

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Although NFL training camps are a month away, the CFL season is underway.  This year, three snappers have prior NFL experience, including veteran Randy Chevrier who returns in Calgary.  Jorgen Hus and Chad Rempel have more recent NFL training camp experience and will snap in Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, respectively.

Below are the snappers for the 2015 CFL season based on opening day rosters and depth charts.

British Columbia 40 Mike Benson

Calgary 56 Randy Chevrier

Edmonton 53 Ryan King

Hamilton 47 Aaron Crawford

Montreal 37 Martin Bedard

Ottawa 50 Kevin Malcolm

Saskatchewan 46 Jorgen Hus

Toronto 58 Jake Reinhart

Winnipeg 46 Chad Rempel

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Phil Steele LS Rankings for 2015

Posted on June 17, 2015 by longsnap

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Phil Steele’s 2015 College Football Preview has just been released. Once again, Steele’s magazine is one of the very few to include college long snappers on his All-American Team and, for the first time this year, as Draft prospects.

Both lists are identical as Steele lists LSU’s Reid Ferguson on his 1st Team and top NFL prospect.  Ferguson is followed by Taybor Pepper (Michigan State), Nolan Frese (Houston), Jeff Overbaugh (San Diego State) and Cole Mazza (Alabama).  All are seniors except for Mazza.

 

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Browns Terminate Yount’s Contract

Posted on May 31, 2015 by longsnap

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The Browns have terminated the contract of veteran long snapper Christian Yount.  Yount, a five-year veteran, struggled at times last season.  With Yount’s departure, Charley Hughlett is the only snapper on the roster.  Hughlett spent some time on the practice squad with Cleveland last season.

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Review of the Snapping Position as OTAs Begin

Posted on May 25, 2015 by longsnap

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Nearly every NFL team will conduct organized team practice activities, or OTAs, this week.  OTAs are the third and final phase of the voluntary nine week offseason program.  Currently, nine teams have two snappers on their 90-man rosters.  The Ravens, Bears, Browns, Cowboys, Chiefs, Vikings, Seahawks, Rams and Buccaneers all have two snappers.

Two additional snappers earned a mini-camp invite after the Draft.  Avery Rigg had a try out with the Bengals and Jake Edmiston earned one with the Chiefs.  Neither snapper was signed.

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Extra Points Moved to the 15-Yard Line

Posted on May 20, 2015 by longsnap

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Yesterday, the NFL approved a proposal to change the rule on extra point attempts.  Instead of a kick from the two-yard line, kicks will now take place from the 15-yard line.  Two point conversions will still be taken from the two, but now defenses can return a two-point attempt and blocked extra points can also be returned for two points.

The rule, which passed 30-2 with only Oakland and Washington voting against it, is just for the 2015 season.  As such, more changes could be made in the future.

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Three PAT Options Will Be Considered This Week

Posted on May 18, 2015 by longsnap

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This week is the NFL’s annual spring meeting and three proposals for adjusting point attempts after a touchdown will be considered.  After initially discussing changes at the March meeting, the proposals will be reviewed this week and 24 of 32 votes will be needed for approval.  The proposals were submitted by the Eagles, Patriots and the NFL Competition Committee.

All three plans maintain the PAT kick, but each calls for the attempt to be taken from the 15 yard line instead of the two.  The proposals vary on the two point conversion and where those are to be taken from on the field.

 

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End of Mini-Camp Snapper Update

Posted on May 18, 2015 by longsnap

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The last NFL teams concluded mini-camps this past weekend. To date, just one tryout snapper, Tyler Ott, has signed a contract.  Ott, who has prior experience with the Patriots, signed with the Rams after his tryout last weekend.

At least a more snapper, Dex Dellenbach, can be added to the list of snappers who received a tryout.  Dellenbach, who also has NFL camp experience, had a tryout with the Titans.

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More Snapper Tryouts

Posted on May 10, 2015 by longsnap

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Most of the NFL teams conducted rookie mini-camps this weekend and some additional snapper names have surfaced as having earned tryouts.  Of the names below, only John Shepardson was eligible for the NFL Draft this year.  The rest have NFL camp experience.  Prior to the start of the Steelers mini-camp this weekend, they waived Brandon Hartson after recently claiming him off waivers from the Chiefs.

Giants: Luke Ingram

Indianapolis: Chad Rempel

Jacksonville: P.J. Mangieri

Oakland: John Shepardson

St. Louis: Tyler Ott

 

 

 

 

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Snappers with NFL Mini-Camp Tryouts

Posted on May 6, 2015 by longsnap

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With one snapper drafted and four signing contracts right after the Draft, still other snapping prospects are being given opportunities to impress at rookie mini-camps over the next two weekends.

Unfortunately, many teams do not release information about tryout players. However, my own research has found the names of over 10 snappers who have been given tryouts. Below is a list of names and teams.  All of the names are from this year’s Draft class and at least two snappers have been invited to more than one mini-camp.

Buffalo: Sam Rodgers

Carolina: Charlie Coggins/Grant Donovan

Denver: Harrison Barnes

Detroit: Trever Kruzel

Green Bay: Thor Hadfield

Houston: Chris Highland

Minnesota: Jesse Schmitt

New Orleans: Chris Highland

Jets: Drew Ferris

Pittsburgh: Matt Dooley

Tampa Bay: Casey Freeman

Washington: Grant Donovan

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