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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.

With training camps underway, there have been three transactions involving veterans.  Jon Condo, an unrestricted free agent, signed a new deal with the Raiders, while another unrestricted free agent, Greg Warren, has signed a new deal with the Steelers.  Jason Kyle, who was injured late in the season last year, was released by the Saints after failing a physical.

One rookie free agent snapper, Aaron Feld (Mississippi State), was waived by the Bucs, leaving another rookie free agent, Christian Yount (UCLA), to compete with Andrew Economos, who is recovering from an off-season injury.

NFL training camps are now opening across the league and a number of snapping prospects endured a long wait to sign their first NFL contract and compete for a job.

Below are the various undrafted rookie free agent signings involving snappers to date.  Some rookies listed also play another position in addition to having snapping experience, while others are pure snappers.

Atlanta-Tom McCarthy (Yale); Andrew Schulze (Iowa)

Baltimore-Patrick Scales (Utah State)

Buffalo-Danny Aiken (Virginia)

Cincinnati-Neal Dahlman (Bowling Green)

Dallas-Corey Adams (Kansas State)

Jacksonville-Kyle Miller (Mount Union)

New England-Ryan Coulson (Nevada)

New Orleans-Kyle Nelson (New Mexico State)

Giants-Harry Flaherty (Princeton)

Pittsburgh-Derek Chard (Connecticut)

St. Louis-Jake McQuaide (Ohio State)

Tampa Bay-Christian Yount (UCLA); Aaron Feld (Mississippi State)

Tennessee-John Stokes (Vanderbilt)

The NFL lockout is over and, starting tomorrow morning, a few rookie free agent long snappers may finally get the chance to sign with an NFL club.  In addition to rookie signings, there are also some veteran free agent snappers who can negotiate with any club starting tomorrow as well.  The unrestricted free agent snappers are Jon Condo (Raiders), James Dearth (Chargers), Kevin Houser (Ravens), Ryan Neill (Chargers) and Greg Warren (Steelers).   J.J. Jansen (Panthers) is the sole restricted free agent and can obtain an offer from another club, with the Panthers having the right to match it.

While the NFL is expected to get back to business shortly, one viable option for snappers may be gone.  The United Football League was scheduled to begin its third season on August 13th but has just announced the start of the season will be delayed until at least September due to financial issues.  Some published reports have even expressed significant doubt about the continued viability of the UFL.

Snapper Nick Sundberg (Redskins) is a former member of the UFL that made it to the NFL.  If the UFL does cease operations, it will virtually eliminate professional long snapping opportunities outside of the NFL, as the Canadian Football League traditionally uses Canadian-based snappers.