The second week of the NFL regular season is complete and snappers were involved in some unique officiating situations this week and even after a game from last week. In the final game of the week last Monday, the Texans defeated the Chargers with a late comeback. A key penalty in the fourth quarter involving Texans snapper Jonathan Weeks was later determined not to be a penalty at all.
Cam Thomas of the Chargers was flagged for contact with Weeks after a field goal attempt. The penalty was accepted and, instead of a field goal, the Texans later scored a key touchdown. The NFL’s VP of Officiating later found the call to be incorrect, noting that the recent rule changes to protect snappers was aimed at direct and forcible blows to the head or neck area, but not designed to prohibit any contact at all. Although a judgment call, the NFL’s review determined the contact with the snapper to be of the legal variety.
This week, the Seahawks had a punt blocked after some of the Seattle linemen on the punt thought that the referee had blown the whistle. As a result of hearing a whistle, six of the Seahawks stood up but snapper Clint Gresham snapped the ball and it was blocked by the 49ers, who faced little opposition. It turns out the whistle was from the stands and there was nothing the officials could do under the circumstances.
Four snappers recorded tackles in punt coverage, including Zak DeOssie of the Giants, who had a solo and assisted tackle. Weeks, Garrison Sanborn (Bills) and Jon Condo (Raiders) had solo tackles. The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Two is below.
Week Two NFL Long Snappers Chart
