On the role of a Long Snapper

[spanky1]

By all accounts Nate Hodel is pretty good in this capacity.......but my question is, what constitutes a good LS and can a team justify carrying a player who doesn't add more value ?

Having said this, I know he is also listed as a TE, but he'll never see the field in this capacity. Does he contribute on any other special teams ?

 

[seesred]

I think the only other thing he contributes is Pizza for the team bus. I never understood why another player couldn't be taught to be a long snapper and save that roster spot for a position player.

GBR
40

 

[CaptTurbo]

I think the only other thing he contributes is Pizza for the team bus. I never understood why another player couldn't be taught to be a long snapper and save that roster spot for a position player.

GBR
40

Ask the giants how important the long snapper is. Who was thir long snapper when he was responsible for the giants loss in the playoffs a few years back? (hint: LONG time cards long snapper)

 

[O]

Ask the giants how important the long snapper is. Who was thir long snapper when he was responsible for the giants loss in the playoffs a few years back? (hint: LONG time cards long snapper)

He's still looking for someone to carry his jock.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I think the only other thing he contributes is Pizza for the team bus. I never understood why another player couldn't be taught to be a long snapper and save that roster spot for a position player.

GBR
40

If it was that easy don't you think it would be done ?

Teams search almost everywhere to find these specialists. I know of three in the league who actually come out of Canadian University Football. These guys have learned to "snap" in all conditions, with very few mistakes.

 

[BACH]

I think the only other thing he contributes is Pizza for the team bus. I never understood why another player couldn't be taught to be a long snapper and save that roster spot for a position player.

GBR
40

I think you underestimate both the competition at every position and the mental part of the long snapper job.

I think the competion is so hard at every position that if you start training a player as a long snapper on top of that player's other training would cause a major drop-off in that player's ability at his usual position. That perhaps fine for the #3 TE, but suddenly when the #1 TE is injured and the #3 TE is needed then it becomes a problem.

The long snapper can somewhat be compared to the kickers, too. The kickers use a lot time for mental preparation and if you look at the kickers around the league - it's not the guy with the longest leg that wins the job, it's the guy that doesn't choke. The mental part is huge - both for kickers and long-snappers.

 

[RedViper]

Long snapping is an art. Rackers doesn't hit those 3 50 yarders in the Seattle game last year without perfect long snapping. Besides the art of the snap itself the guy has to be able to mad dog his way down the field and clog up a lane, assist on a tackle, and of course be able to make the touchdown saving tackle if needed. Hodel is solid in all these areas. It would be typical of the old bonehead mentality of the Cards to try to take care of the long snapping on the cheap. Sort of along the lines of fielding a punter for your starting QB one year instead of bringing in a free agent. Anyone remember that? The old cards might have tried to teach long snapping to someone during training camp. Luckily thats not the our way anymore.

 

[O]

It's interesting to watch the dynamic between Hodel and the two kickers on the sidelines. His is never far away from either one, especially Player.

 

[TJAM]

Long snapping is an art. Rackers doesn't hit those 3 50 yarders in the Seattle game last year without perfect long snapping. Besides the art of the snap itself the guy has to be able to mad dog his way down the field and clog up a lane, assist on a tackle, and of course be able to make the touchdown saving tackle if needed. Hodel is solid in all these areas. It would be typical of the old bonehead mentality of the Cards to try to take care of the long snapping on the cheap. Sort of along the lines of fielding a punter for your starting QB one year instead of bringing in a free agent. Anyone remember that? The old cards might have tried to teach long snapping to someone during training camp. Luckily thats not the our way anymore.

You hit it on the head......it's an Art as well as a Skill.........Start with a 270 lb to 300 lb guy getting ready to take your head off. Next when your head and arms are between your crouch he starts. Meanwhile before the ball has left your hands the kicker starts his approach to an imaginary spot, to kick the ball which is suppose to be sitting on the ground with the correct tilt and laces pointed away - in .7 seconds after the LS starts to raise his REAR end.

Or similar scenareo for the punt, except you get 1.3 sec to throw the ball 15 yds (no wind-up) with a one and one half rotation with the laces up , when it hits the punters hands.........I'll skip the part about accuracy, You are suppose to hit the holders hands dead center.

Most teams hold onto a good one, especially if the can block and make a tackle or two...........Cards will be keeping theirs, thats why they signed Hodel to a long term deal