LS Nate Boyer is the Most Improbable NFL Prospect

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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

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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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Extra Points Safe…For Now

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The NFL League Meetings are taking place this week in Arizona and marks the time when  possible rule changes are considered.  The extra point remains a key focus of proposed changes but will remain as is, at least for now.

There were no votes taken on the issue of the extra point, although there was some lengthy and varied debate about alternative ideas.  Instead, it appears that the NFL’s Competition Committee, with input from coaches, will develop alternatives that will be presented at the next meeting this May.  At this point, it does appear clear that the extra point, one of the key functions of a long snapper, will be very different for the 2015 season.

One rule that did pass involving snappers will prohibit players from pushing teammates in an attempt to block a punt.

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Three New Long Snapper Signings

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With free agency well into its second week, veteran snapper signings have continued.  Morgan Cox reached a one-year deal to stay with the Ravens, while former Chiefs snapper Thomas Gafford signed a one-year deal with the Bears.

Gafford is one of the rare instances where a snapper has changed teams during veteran free agency.  At the time of his signing, the Bears were the only team without a snapper on the roster after Jeremy Cain handled the snapping duties last season.  Cain remains one of the few remaining veteran free agent snappers on the market.

Dallas also signed Casey Kreiter, who was in camp with them last season, as competition for veteran LP Ladouceur.

 

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Two More Snapper Signings

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In the last few days, there have been two new long snapper signings.  The Jets brought back veteran Tanner Purdum on a two-year deal, while the Chiefs added street free agent James Winchester.

Winchester has prior experience with the Eagles and is now the third snapper on the roster for Kansas City.  He joins Jorgen Hus and Brandon Hartson as it appears that the Chiefs may have moved on from veteran Thomas Gafford, who is an unrestricted free agent.

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More Snapper Signings in Free Agency

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For as long as I have been following the long snapping position over the last 20 years or so, I cannot recall a snapper changing teams in free agency.  Most teams simply retain their existing snapper if they are still performing at high level and its makes economic sense.

This year is no different as veterans Cullen Loeffler (Vikings) and Mike Leach (Cardinals) each signed new contracts for another season with their 2014 teams.  Exclusive rights free agent Patrick Scales (Ravens) was tendered a one year contract by Baltimore, while the Ravens did not tender Kevin McDermott, making him a free agent.

With all of the recent snapper signings, there are just six remaining unrestricted free agents.  The five are Morgan Cox, Clint Gresham, Tanner Purdum, Thomas Gafford, Jeremy Cain and Danny Aiken.

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Brinkley Signs New Deal with Titans

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The fourth and final restricted free agent snapper, Beau Brinkley of the Titans, has signed a new five year contract to stay in Tennessee.  Yesterday, I reported on the other three deals and initially forgot to mention that Brinkley was the fourth restricted free agent.

With all the restricted free agents under new deals, only the unrestricted free agent snappers remain subject to the open market next week.  The eight unrestricted snapper are Morgan Cox (Ravens), Jeremy Cain (Bears), Clint Gresham (Seahawks), Mike Leach (Cardinals), Tanner Purdum (Jets), Thomas Gafford (Chiefs), Danny Aiken (Patriots) and Cullen Loeffler (Vikings).

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Restricted Free Agent Snappers Extended

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There were four NFL long snappers scheduled to become restricted free agents next week.  Restricted free agents have three years of NFL service and their current teams must offer them a one year contract at a designated monetary amount to secure the right to match any offers from other clubs.  This year, the one year restricted free agent contract amount was over 1.5 million in salary. Faced with that reality, three of the snappers agreed to new four year deals with their teams this week.

Matt Overton of the Colts was the first to extend his deal to avoid the restricted free agent contract amount.  Aaron Brewer of the Broncos and Kyle Nelson of the Niners followed and all three are now under contract with their existing teams for four years.  Beau Brinkley of the Titans is the sole remaining restricted free agent snapper and reports indicate that the Titans are working on a new deal for him.

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Latest Snapper Signings Before Free Agency Begins

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Veteran free agency starts in the NFL next week and three potential free agents have signed new deals with their teams.  Unrestricted free agents Greg Warren (Steelers) and Don Muhlbach (Lions) each signed one year contracts, while the Colts gave Matt Overton, a potential restricted free agent, a new four year deal.

Two other teams have added street free agent snappers, as the Seahawks signed Luke Ingram and the Patriots adding Tyler Ott, who spent some time with New England last season.

Eleven other veteran snappers are set to become free agents next week so more signings are expected soon.

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A New Way to Get NFL Attention as a Snapper

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The post I wrote a few years ago to help identify some key ways that snappers can get attention from NFL teams remains a popular one.  It may need a slight amendment this year thanks to the creativity of snapping prospect Charlie Coggins from East Carolina.

I was in Indianapolis yesterday during the Combine and met Coggins in the morning.  He mentioned that he was there to get some exposure, as Joe Cardona of Navy was the only snapper invited to the Combine.  While meeting Coggins, he mentioned that he brought some drink koozies to promote himself at various bars in Indy.

Today, I woke up to find that his unique promotional tool, shown below, had received significant attention on Twitter and in stories by various national football writers.  Although it is unclear if this marketing move will help his cause to get a shot in the NFL, Coggins has at least gotten people talking about him.

View image on Twitter

 

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