Why do we even keep a long snapper?

[Mr. Miyagi]

In this age of limited rosters, we always have to make tough choices between keeping and cutting players, especially in positions where we need all the depth we can get. Why then in the world do we still keep a long snapper, who's sole job is to snap the ball? Punting and kicking I can understand, there's a lot of art to it. But long snapping? We can't have one or two backup OL or 3rd string RB learn how to do this, and have to blow a precious roster spot for Sanborn?

Can somebody with better football knowledge explain this to me? Does every other team keep a LS on their roster too, or is it just us? And if so, are we so much better at special teams now that we have a full time LS?

[justasportsfan]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

Despite their anonymity, a team lacking a skilled long snapper can be seriously undermined. A famous example of this was on January 5, 2003 during the 2002 wild card playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants. The Giants during the regular season had suffered missed field goals due to the lack of an experienced long snapper, and signed Trey Junkin out of retirement to be the snapper for the playoff game. Junkin botched a snap on a field goal attempt that could have won the game for the Giants, who had led 38-14 at one point in the game.[5] Brad St. Louis of the Cincinnati Bengals was another long snapper who, besides having already misexecuted two snaps in clutch situations in 2005 (wild card play-off game against the eventual champions Pittsburgh Steelers) and 2006, gained even bigger notoriety in 2009, when he delivered five bad snaps on either field goal or extra point attempts (leading to missed, aborted or blocked kicks) in the first five games of the season, which led to the then ten-year veteran being released from the team.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_snapper

[EricStratton]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

Every team keeps one and not everyone can do it as well as some guys.

It's not an easy task to do well on a consistent (never miss a snap) basis.

[Meathead]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

because short snappers can only bounce the ball there?

[k-oneputt]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

Thus the reason Batten is taking it up.

smart move by him. More you can do the better chance to stick

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

smart move by him. More you can do the better chance to stick

Same thing in the corporate world.

[PromoTheRobot]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

Try throwing a perfect spiral 15 yds to a target from between your legs while a defender is 2 feet away ready to take your head off. It's a skill position.

PTR

[buffalobillsfan95]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

I remember before not so long ago, we kept snapping terrible and it was really hurting us. What sticks to me was one game some years ago, the ls hiked it way over moormans head into the end zone and he had to kick out to the stands so it would just be a safety and not a touchdown for the other team

[TedMock]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

Try throwing a perfect spiral 15 yds to a target from between your legs while a defender is 2 feet away ready to take your head off. It's a skill position.

PTR

It is a skill and it's not an easy one. Accuracy and velocity are required. This is what makes the speed of the ball. Coaches do their best to time how long it takes from the moment the ball starts to move until the ball hits the punter's or FG holder's hands. The faster the better. An extra half-second lowers the blocked kick rate against your team. Kickers/punters also naturally perform better when they can follow through on their motion and not feel "rushed." No pun intended.

[HAMMER]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

I guess if other players had the same touch and consistency snapping the ball then you are right. An acquaintance of mine made a very nice living being a long snapper out here in San Diego.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

I'm not saying long snapping is easy, but is it enough of an art that you really have to keep a full time position on your 53 man roster for it?

Punt/kick return isn't easy either, but we don't have a specialist doing it.

Or why can't we find a college long snapper that can also play another position? If Sanborn can't do it, I'm sure there are players out there that can.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

I'm not saying long snapping is easy, but is it enough of an art that you really have to keep a full time position on your 53 man roster for it?

Punt/kick return isn't easy either, but we don't have a specialist doing it.

Or why can't we find a college long snapper that can also play another position? If Sanborn can't do it, I'm sure there are players out there that can.

if that long snapper gets hurt playing another position , we're in trouble.

[mikemac2001]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

then you would make a post on hy we dont have a long snapper

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

if that long snapper gets hurt playing another position , we're in trouble.

Then we'll bring in another guy. Multiple players can punt return, but long snapping is that freaking hard that some dude has to get paid quarter a million a year to do it full time? Seriously?

[justasportsfan]

Re: Why do we even keep a long snapper?

Then we'll bring in another guy. Multiple players can punt return, but long snapping is that freaking hard that some dude has to get paid quarter a million a year to do it full time? Seriously?

250K is nothing if it means winning and losing games expecially superbowls