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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Snapping Moves After the Draft; ST Coaching Change in Carolina

Posted on May 5, 2015 by longsnap

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Rookie mini-camps start this weekend and, in preparation, some teams have made roster moves.  A couple of today’s transactions implicated the snapping position.  The Chiefs waived Jorgen Hus, leaving James Winchester and rookie free agent Andrew East on the roster.  The Patriots also waived Tyler Ott, which makes draft pick Joe Cardona the only snapper on the roster.

It was also announced today that Bruce DeHaven, who recently became the special teams coach for the Panthers, is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence.  DeHaven took over this off-season for Richard Rodgers who was recently reassigned to another position on Carolina’s staff.  Veteran special teams coach Russ Purnell will take over in DeHaven’s absence.

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NFL Draft Review

Posted on May 3, 2015 by longsnap

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For the first time since 2009, a dedicated long snapper was selected in the NFL Draft.  Joe Cardona from Navy was a Fifth Round selection and pick 166 overall by the Patriots.  Cardona, who may not be able to play until 2017 due to his military commitment, is the second highest snapper ever drafted.  Ryan Pontbriand remains the highest selection when he was drafted by the Browns in the Fifth Round in 2003 but with the 142nd pick.

After the Draft, at least a few of the top college prospects had reached contracts as undrafted free agents.  These include Andrew East (Chiefs), Rick Lovato (Bears), Courtland Clavette (Buccaneers) and Nate Boyer (Seahawks).  Boyer, who was a favorite of many NFL writers due to his background, had his call from Seattle shown on the NFL Network coverage of the Draft.

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Latest Snapping Transactions

Posted on April 22, 2015 by longsnap

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With the NFL Draft about a week away, there have been some snapping moves as teams get ready to starting completing their rosters.  The Chiefs waived Brandon Hartson and the Steelers claimed him off waivers the next day.  The Seahawks waived Luke Ingram and Patrick Scales of the Ravens signed his one year exclusive rights contract.

As a result of these moves, the Chiefs now have snappers Jorgen Hus and James Winchester on the roster, the Ravens have Morgan Cox and Scales and the Steelers have Greg Warren and Hartson.

Three other teams also have two snappers under contract, namely, the Browns (Christian Yount/Charley Hughlett), Cowboys (L.P. Ladouceur/Casey Kreiter) and Vikings (Cullen Loeffler/Kevin McDermott).

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McDermott Signs with Vikings

Posted on April 11, 2015 by longsnap

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With the NFL Draft rapidly approaching at the end of the month, the number of transactions in the NFL are starting to slow down.  In what may be one of the last moves involving a snapper before the Draft, Kevin McDermott has signed with the Vikings.

McDermott, who was not tendered by the Ravens as an exclusive rights free agent, will compete with veteran Cullen Loeffler in training camp.

The two remaining unrestricted free agent long snappers that snapped in the NFL last season are Danny Aiken and Jeremy Cain.

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LS Nate Boyer is the Most Improbable NFL Prospect

Posted on April 6, 2015 by longsnap

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Regular readers of Longsnap.com are already very familiar with the incredible story of Nate Boyer and his journey to college long snapper at the University of Texas.  Now, at age 34, Boyer is trying to add another chapter by getting into an NFL camp.

Today, Peter King of The MMQB included Boyer as his lead in his regular Monday column.  King has already called it one of his favorite stories and labelled Boyer “The NFL’s Most Improbable Prospect.”

King’s piece does an excellent job describing Boyer’s history and laying out the pros and cons that Boyer faces to make the NFL.  The obstacles include the lack of turnover at the snapping position, his age and size (Boyer is 5′ 11” and 220 pounds).  To his credit, however, Boyer has the accuracy and speed for the position and the support of Colts snapper Matt Overton.

Although many long snappers looking for a shot in the NFL face similar barriers, Boyer’s history suggests that he has overcome much larger odds.  As a result, it is hard to bet against him.

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Gresham Back with Seahawks

Posted on March 27, 2015 by longsnap

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The only snapper signing of the past week involved client Clint Gresham, who re-signed with the Seahawks for three more years.  With the signing of Gresham, who was an unrestricted free agent, just three veteran free agent long snappers remain on the market.  Danny Aiken, Jeremy Cain and Kevin McDermott are the only unsigned unrestricted free agents.

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