Week Seven in Review

Posted on October 23, 2012 by longsnap

Week Seven is complete and there were no major snapping issues.  Nick Sundberg, who was hurt during Week One, is returning to practice for the Redskins this week.  Sundberg made headlines for being able to finish the game despite a broken arm.  It is unclear whether the Redskins will activate Sundberg for the November 18th game, which is the earliest date he can be activated under the NFL’s new injured reserve rules.  Veteran snapper Justin Snow has been the snapper in Washington since Week Two.

Just two snappers, Mike Leach (Cardinals) and Matt Overton (Colts), recorded tackles this week, with Leach adding a solo tackle and Overton recording an assist.

The NFL Long Snapper Chart after Week Seven is below.

Week Seven NFL Long Snappers Chart

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Week Six in Review

Posted on October 16, 2012 by longsnap

The sixth week of the NFL season is complete and was relatively quiet on the snapping front, at least on the field.  Just two snappers, Beau Brinkley (Titans) and John Denney (Dolphins), recorded tackles in punt coverage.  Brinkley had a solo tackle and two assists, while Denney had a solo tackle and a forced fumble.

Off the field, there were a number of interesting snapping-related stories.  With respect to tackles, The Wall Street Journal recently did a story on the NFL’s so-called “Make-Believe Stat”, namely, the tackle.  Tackles are not considered an “official” NFL stat and the home team stat crew determines who is awarded a tackle.  Assisted tackles and who is awarded one is also subject to much debate.  As noted here in the past, teams conduct their own game film review and the team tackle figures can often differ substantially from those recorded in the official NFL Game Books published immediately after each game.

Judy Battista of The New York Times wrote a story yesterday about the trend this season of blocked punts.  Already this season there have been 10 blocked punts, one more than all of the blocked punts from last season.  Jets Special Teams Coach Mike Westhoff notes that special teams units may be suffering due to the amount of rookies on each team.  Because of the salary cap and veteran minimum salary amounts, some teams can keep fewer veteran players, causing younger and inexperienced players on special teams.

Finally, long snapping in the NFL is really on the map now as the satirical publication, The Onion, ran a (fake) story announcing the launch of the “NFL Long Snap” channel.  The channel would allow fans to watch “every long snap every Sunday.”  I only wish this story was true, as it would save a great deal of time flipping around every week trying to watch all the snaps in the NFL.

Below is the NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Six.

Week Six NFL Long Snappers Chart

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Week Five in Review

Posted on October 9, 2012 by longsnap

Week Five is complete and there were no major snapping issues.  In the lone snapping transaction, the Eagles released Kyle Nelson from the practice squad after Jon Dorenbos was able to snap following an ankle injury.

The Senior Bowl recently updated its Watch List for its all-star game and added Notre Dame snapper Jordan Cowart to join Carson Tinker (Alabama) and Patrick Greene (Utah).

Matt Overton (Colts), Garrison Sanborn (Bills), Mike Windt (Chargers) each had solo tackles this week, while Tanner Purdum of the Jets added an assisted tackle.  The Week Five NFL Long Snappers Chart is below.

Week Five NFL Long Snappers Chart

Posted in College, NFL, NFL Draft, Tackles, Transactions | Leave a comment

Zauner Programs Help Produce NFL Snappers

Posted on October 3, 2012 by longsnap

In a popular post earlier this year, I discussed some of the options available to a long snapper who is trying to play at the professional level.  One such option that appears to be increasing in its value are the programs run by former NFL special teams coach, Gary Zauner.  Zauner organizes combines for specialists eligible for the NFL Draft and for free agents.  He also offers other developmental programs for snappers and kickers.

Zauner recently blogged about the snappers he has helped get to the NFL, including current snappers Nick Sundberg (Redskins), Jonathan Weeks (Texans), Matt Overton (Colts), Morgan Cox (Ravens), Justin Drescher (Saints), Christian Yount (Browns), Beau Brinkley (Titans) and Jeremy Cain (Jaguars).   Zauner has always understood the importance of a good snapper and calls them “the vital man” in the kicking game.

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Week Four in Review

Posted on October 2, 2012 by longsnap

The NFL season has completed the first quarter and special teams have played a key role in many games.  For example, the Lions became the first team since 1940 to allow a kick return and punt return in consecutive games, putting the spotlight on special teams coach Danny Crossman.  The Lions have stated that his job is safe.

Jon Dorenbos of the Eagles was able to overcome a high ankle sprain and snapped effectively against the Giants and even recorded a tackle in punt coverage.  In the event Dorenbos could not snap, the Eagles signed Kyle Nelson, who was in camp with the Niners, to the practice squad earlier in the week.

Other snappers to record solo tackles this week in addition to Dorenbos were Mike Windt (Chargers), Cullen Loeffler (Vikings), Clark Harris (Bengals), John Denney (Dolphins), Jon Condo (Raiders).  Tanner Purdum of the Jets added an assisted tackle.  Through the first four games, Harris leads all NFL snappers with three solo tackles in punt coverage.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart through Week Four is below.

Week Four NFL Long Snappers Chart

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The United Football League Returns

Posted on September 28, 2012 by longsnap

After some delays, the United Football League is back for its fourth season.  Although the UFL has had a troubled history, it remains one of the few options for snappers seeking professional experience.  Current NFL snappers Nick Sundberg (Redskins) and Matt Overton (Colts) have each spent time in the UFL.

This season, the UFL features four teams based in Las Vegas (snapper Jake Ingram; special teams coach Larry MacDuff), Omaha (snapper Scott Albritton; special teams coach Russ Purnell), Sacramento (snapper Kyle Stetler; special teams coach Rick Courtright) and Virginia (snapper Clint Mower; special teams coach Mike Stock).

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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.

Posted in College, Snapping in the Media | Leave a comment

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

Posted in NFL, Snapping in the Media, Tackles, Transactions | Leave a comment

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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