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All NFL teams reduced their rosters to 53 today and, as a result, a number of snappers were involved.  Four rookie free agent snappers were waived as Patrick Scales (Ravens), Danny Aiken (Bills), Scott Albritton (Texans) and Kyle Nelson (Saints) were all cut.  Jake Ingram, who was signed last week to handle the Jaguars snapping when Jeremy Cain had a back injury flare up, was also waived.

Two rookie free agents, Jake McQuaide (Rams) and Christian Yount (Bucs), each made rosters.  The Bucs placed veteran snapper Andrew Economos on the physically unable to perform list due to the lingering effects off an off-season injury.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart will be updated and made available early next week once opening day rosters are finalized.

With 53 man rosters set to become final tomorrow, this week has brought some new and additional support for the long snapping position.  Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has always been a big proponent of snappers, as noted in this prior post.  This week, during his press conference in which the addition of James Dearth was announced, Belichick discussed how former Cowboys and Giants snapper Steve DeOssie revolutionized the position.

Belichick believes that DeOssie’s ability to snap and block led to the spread punt formation where the snapper blocks a defender.  The entire press conference transcript is worth reviewing for those looking for insight into how the role of the snapper evolved in the mid-80’s to the specialized role it enjoys now.

In addition, EA Sports released the video game Madden NFL 12 this week and the game now includes all NFL long snappers.  In the past, some snappers were included in the game, while others were not.  EA Sports has now included all snappers and they handle the punt and placement snaps in the game.

NFL rosters have now been reduced to 80 and, as part of the reduction, both rookie and veteran snappers were involved.  Among the biggest moves was the Chargers releasing veteran David Binn, who spent 17 seasons and 256 regular season games with the club.  Mike Windt, who filled in for Binn and a host of other injured Chargers snappers last season, will assume the snapping duties again this season. 

Veteran snapper Matt Katula, who returned to the NFL last season for the Patriots, was also released in favor of James Dearth, who was injured last season after signing with the Chargers.  Chris Massey, who was signed just a few days ago by the Panthers, was also released, leaving J.J. Jansen to continue in that role for the Panthers.

Rookie free agents who have been let go in the last few weeks include Wilson Raynor (Jets), Corey Adams (Cowboys), Andrew Schulze (Falcons) and John Stokes (Titans).

Longsnap.com’s NFL Long Snappers Chart will be updated for the start of the regular season after final cuts are made on Saturday.

Although the first round of NFL mandated cuts are not required until tomorrow, a couple of veteran snappers have found new teams and will compete for a permanent spot.  Chris Massey, who was recently released by the Rams, has signed with the Panthers and will compete with J.J. Jansen.  I have also learned that James Dearth, who was injured last season after signing with the Chargers, will sign with the Patriots and compete with Matt Katula.

Longsnap.com will update all of the snapping moves after Tuesday’s round of cuts.

Week Two of the NFL Preseason concludes this evening, but there has already been a significant move at the snapping position in St. Louis today.  Veteran Chris Massey, who has been the Rams snapper since he was drafted in Round Seven in 2002, has been released.  Rookie free agent Jake McQuaide from Ohio State will be the Rams snapper. 

The only other snapping move since last week involved the Titans waiving Jake Ingram.  In addition, a prior blog post incorrectly stated that Falcons rookie Andrew Schulze did not snap for the Falcons in their first game.  Schulze did handle three snaps and also appeared in this weekend’s game.  The NFL Gamebook had indicated Schulze did not appear in the first game.

An updated snapping chart is below.

2011 NFL Long Snapping Chart (Training Camp)

Week One of the Preseason is now complete and some recent undrafted free agents are no longer competing at the snapping position.  Some position players with snapping ability have been waived, including Ryan Coulson (Patriots) and Harry Flaherty (Saints, originally reported as signing with the Giants).  One recent signing was Scott Albritton (Colorado State), who was added by the Texans Sunday after Jon Weeks hurt his ankle.  Albritton handled all of the snaps last night against the Jets.

Among the undrafted rookie snappers that saw game action include Patrick Scales (Ravens) and Christian Yount (Bucs), who handled all of their team’s snaps.  Danny Aiken (Bills), Corey Adams (Cowboys), Kyle Nelson (Saints) and Jake McQuaide (Rams) all handled at least some snaps in their games, while Andrew Schulze (Falcons), John Stokes (Titans) and Wilson Raynor (Jets) did not.

The 2011 NFL Long Snappers Chart training camp edition is below.

2011 NFL Long Snappers Chart (Training Camp)

The NFL Preseason starts tonight with five games.  Week 1 concludes Monday with the Jets at the Texans.  Longsnap.com will be updating its NFL Long Snappers Chart after the conclusion of the first week of Preseason action. 

In the past week, the Steelers have resigned veteran snapper Greg Warren and waived rookie Derek Chard.  Another rookie free agent snapper, Neal Dahlman, was waived by the Bengals.  The only snapper to be added to a roster was Wilson Raynor (East Carolina), from the 2009 Draft class, who was signed by the Jets.