The Unique Story of Texas Snapper Nate Boyer

Posted on September 27, 2012 by longsnap

There is no shortage of compelling stories about the snappers that play at the high school, college and pro levels.  One of the latest one involves Nate Boyer, a 31 year old sophomore snapper at the University of Texas.  Boyer was recently profiled in an ESPN story that details his background including time spent in the Army during which he earned a Bronze Star.

Boyer never played football before walking on to the University of Texas in 2010 and figured long snapping was a good way to make the team.   Boyer handles placement snaps and received a scholarship in August.

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Week Three in Review

Posted on September 25, 2012 by longsnap

Week Three is complete and, although replacement referees have played a key role in game outcomes, snappers have not.  There were no major performance issues or injuries this week at the snapping position, although the Eagles are closely monitoring the health of Jon Dorenbos, who suffered a high ankle sprain.

Matt Overton (Colts) and Andrew Economos (Bucs) each had solo tackles in punt coverage, while Jeremy Cain (Jaguars), Patrick Mannelly (Bears), Christian Yount (Browns) and Jonathan Weeks (Texans) had assisted tackles.  Mike Leach of the Cardinals recorded the first fumble recovery by a snapper.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Three is below.

Week Three NFL Long Snappers Chart

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Week Two in Review

Posted on September 18, 2012 by longsnap

After snappers made national headlines in Week One, things calmed down in the second week of the season.  Jon Condo of the Raiders was able to return from a concussion and snap against the Dolphins.  In case Condo could not go, the Raiders worked out six snappers last Tuesday and signed rookie client Nick Guess, who was in camp with the Chargers.  Guess was originally signed to the practice squad but elevated to the regular roster Saturday.  Guess was inactive for the game once Condo was cleared to return Sunday morning.

Condo’s injury situation put a great deal of focus on the contingency plans each team has if their regular snapper is hurt during a game.  Many teams used the past week to give their backup snappers extra practice time.  Among the players who serve as emergency snappers include Eric Wood (Buffalo), Matt Spaeth (Chicago), John Phillips (Dallas), Dan Kilgore (San Francisco), Austin Spitler (Miami), Joel Dreessen (Denver) and Todd McClure (Atlanta).

Client Justin Snow handled all the snaps for the Redskins who lost Nick Sundberg to a broken arm in Week One.  Sundberg has been placed on injured reserve but, under a new rule this year, could return after eight weeks.  Capitalizing on his fame for snapping with a broken arm, Sundberg has a series of shirts to commemorate the event available on his website at sundbergit.com.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated did an excellent detailed analysis of the Packers fake field goal for a touchdown in his weekly Monday Morning Quarterback column.  Critical to the play was the role of the Packers outnumbered blockers, including snapper and client Brett Goode.

Six snappers recorded solo tackles this week.  Patrick Mannelly (Bears), Zak DeOssie (Giants), Jon Dorenbos (Eagles), Matt Overton (Colts), Mike Windt (Chargers) and Greg Warren (Steelers) each had tackles.  The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Two is below.

Week Two NFL Long Snappers Chart

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Redskins Sign Veteran Snapper Justin Snow

Posted on September 11, 2012 by longsnap

After losing Nick Sundberg to injury Sunday, the Redskins auditioned a number of snappers today and have signed client Justin Snow.  Snow spent his entire career with the Colts until he was released in the final cuts.   Snow joined the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2000.  The Raiders may be the next team to audition snappers depending upon the severity of the injury to Jon Condo.

 

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Week One in Review

Posted on September 11, 2012 by longsnap

Week One of the 2012 NFL Regular Season is complete and snappers played an important role in a number of games.  Last night, Pro Bowl snapper Jon Condo of the Raiders suffered an apparent concussion during punt coverage and left the game.  Most NFL teams are not prepared to lose their snapper and the Raiders best option was linebacker Travis Goethel, who last snapped in high school.  Goethel had problems with at least three punt snaps and brought back memories of James Harrison of the Steelers when he replaced an injured Greg Warren in the 2008 season and snapped the ball over the punter’s head.

The day before, Nick Sundberg of the Redskins broke a bone in his arm trying to block after a punt snap.  Although Sundberg was injured late in the first half, he was tough enough to finish the game, leading Head Coach Mike Shanahan to call him a “warrior”.

Four other snappers made NFL regular season debuts without incident for the Falcons (Josh Harris), Broncos (Aaron Brewer), Colts (Matt Overton) and Titans (Beau Brinkley).  One rookie snapper, Bryce Davis, was on the practice squad with the Bengals but has since been released.

Veteran Mike Leach snapped for the Cardinals Sunday and that marked his 153rd consecutive game.  He trails Brian Jennings of the 49ers, who snapped in his 193rd straight game Sunday.  Ethan Albright holds the NFL record for consecutive games by a snapper at 224 games, earned in 16 seasons with four teams.

Clark Harris of the Bengals had two tackles in punt coverage, while Leach, Zak DeOssie (Giants), Tanner Purdum (Jets), Josh Harris (Falcons) and Clint Gresham (Seahawks) each had solo stops.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week One is below.

Week One NFL Long Snappers Chart

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2012 Division One Long Snappers

Posted on September 5, 2012 by longsnap

Longsnap.com’s exclusive compilation of Division One long snappers by conference is attached below.  This year, the snappers were compiled from team depth charts heading into the first game of the season.  In those situations where a team split punt and kick snap duties, only the punt snapper is listed.  As usual, the summary includes a snapper’s uniform number, first and last name, height, weight and class.

2012 Division One Long Snappers

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Final Cuts Involve Veteran Snappers Snow and Zelenka

Posted on August 31, 2012 by longsnap

Today’s final cuts are in and two veteran snappers, client Justin Snow (Colts) and Joe Zelenka (Falcons), did not survive.  Matt Overton will snap for the Colts, while rookie Josh Harris won the Atlanta job.

Other snappers that were released today include Bryce Davis (Bengals) and Kyle Nelson (49ers).  In addition to Overton, who has prior NFL experience in training camp with the Seahawks, and Harris, other new snappers are rookies Aaron Brewer (Broncos) and Beau Brinkley (Titans).

Beginning next week and every Tuesday of the NFL Regular Season, the Longsnap.com blog will feature its regular Week in Review posts and NFL Long Snappers Chart.

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Broncos Explain Snapping Decision

Posted on August 29, 2012 by longsnap

One of the more notable cuts as teams got down to 75 players on Monday was the Broncos decision to release veteran snapper Lonie Paxton in favor of rookie Aaron Brewer.  Broncos head coach John Fox explained the move this week and gave some insight into what it takes for a younger snapper to unseat a veteran.

“He’s an exceptional athlete” according to Fox. “A lot of times with a snapper one of the things you look at is the protection element. He is like a center on the offensive line. He picked that up very, very quickly. He’s very athletic so he’s a really good cover guy for a center. A lot of times, people on punt returns don’t count that guy. We just felt great about his upside and his performance in the preseason games.”

With the final cuts due Friday evening, just four teams (Falcons, Bengals, Colts and Niners) have two snappers in camp.

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Veteran Lonie Paxton Released by Broncos

Posted on August 27, 2012 by longsnap

Today is the day that NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 75 players with the final cut to 53 occuring on Friday.   The Broncos cut veteran snapper Lonie Paxton, a 13 year veteran today giving rookie snapper Aaron Brewer the job.

A number of other snappers have also been let go in the last few days, including Patrick Scales (Ravens), Charley Hughlett (Cowboys), Derek Chard (Jets), Matt Katula (Steelers), Nick Guess (Chargers) and Travis Tripucka (Rams).

Once final rosters are set, Longsnap.com’s exclusive 2012 NFL Long Snappers Chart for the first week of the regular season will be posted.

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Snapping Prospects for 2013 NFL Draft

Posted on August 26, 2012 by longsnap

With the NFL and college seasons about to start, there are some senior college snappers that have already been identified as top prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft.

For the first time, the premier college all-star game, the Senior Bowl, has released a “Watch List” identifying some of the best talent in college.  The List includes two snappers, Carson Tinker of Alabama and Patrick Greene of Utah.

ESPN’s Scouts Inc has also produced its first set of 2013 Draft prospects and  features eight snappers.  Tinker is ranked at the top, followed by Jordan Cowart (Notre Dame), Peter Mangieri (Nebraska), Dax Dellenbach (Florida State), Greene, Luke Ingram (Hawaii), Taylor Klein (UAB) and Adam Steiner (Akron).

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