Longsnap.com

Prior to tomorrow evening’s 53 man roster deadline, the Steelers released Matt Stewart and, with that move, all of the snappers for the 2010 NFL regular season have been determined.  Two rookies, Morgan Cox (Ravens) and Clint Gresham (Seahawks), made rosters, while first-year snappers Jonathan Weeks (Texans), Tanner Purdum (Jets) and Nick Sundberg (Panthers) will make their regular season debuts.

Below is the 2010 updated snapper chart.

2010 Long Snapper Chart

Since Longsnap.com started in 2000, the visibility of the otherwise anonymous long snapper has been raised significantly.  For example, snappers are selected to the Pro Bowl, chosen in the NFL Draft, invited to the college all-star games and NFL Combine among other things.  However, the snapper is rarely including in the well-known EA Sports video game Madden NFL, including the latest version Madden NFL 11.

Vikings snapper Cullen Loefller, who has never appeared in the game despite being in his 7th season, received some media attention for his apparent dismay at the exclusion of snappers.  Only Giant snapper Zak DeOssie appears in this year’s version.  Loeffler’s story was picked up by many newspapers, radio programs and even ESPN.  EA Sports ultimately responded, noting that the game rosters are limited to 55 and that they “prioritize impact positions over specialists.”  In the past, there were other video games, including 2K Sports’ NFL 2K series, that included a number of long snappers.

Today is the day that all NFL rosters must be at 75 players and, as a result, just one team has a snapping competition.  The Redskins released James Dearth, while the Bengals waived rookie Mike Windt leaving Clark Harris as the Bengals snapper and Nick Sundberg to handle snaps for the Redskins.  Following these moves, the Steelers are the only club with two snappers, with Matt Stewart challenging Greg Warren.

In a recent post, I described the enhanced Rule 7, Section 2, Article 2 that takes effect this season in the NFL to better protect snappers on punts and placements.  The NCAA also has Rule 9-1-2-o that prohibits a defensive player from making contact with the snapper until one second has elapsed after the snap.  In addition to the NCAA Rule, there are also three Approved Rulings that relate to the protection of the snapper. 

Below are the new NFL Rule, NCAA Rule and Approved Rulings.

I.          NFL Rule 7, Section 2, Article 2

 Article 2  During a punt, field-goal attempt, or a Kick Try, a Team B player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap, must have his entire body outside the snapper’s shoulder pads.

Note: This restriction does not apply if a team does not present an apparent punt, field goal, or Kick Try formation, or if, after the offensive team has assumed a set position, there is a shift, or a player goes in motion.

II.                NCAA Rule 9-1-2-o

When a team is in scrimmage kick formation, a defensive player may not initiate contact with the snapper until one second has elapsed after the snap (A.R. 9-1-2-XVIII-XX). 

III.             NCAA Approved Ruling 9-1-2-XVIII-XX

XVIII. A10 is in a shotgun- type formation 7-1/2 yards behind the snapper, who has his head down and is looking backward through his legs.  Immediately after the snap, nose guard B55 charges directly at the snapper and contacts him by pushing him backwards.  RULING: Legal.  The snapper is not afforded any special protection because it was not reasonably obvious that a kick might be attempted (Rule 2-15-10).  The snapper does have the usual protection against any personal foul for unnecessary roughness.

Team A is in an obvious scrimmage kick formation.  Immediately after the snap, nose guard B55 charges directly at the snapper, contacts him, and drives him backward.  The ball is snapped to an upback three yards behind the scrimmage line or to the potential kicker, who instead runs with or passes the ball.  RULING:  Foul.  Penalty – 15 yards and automatic first down.  The snapper may not be contacted until one second has elapsed after the snap when Team A is in a scrimmage kick formation and it is reasonably obvious that a kick might be attempted.

Immediately after the snap, with Team A in an obvious scrimmage kick formation, noseguard B71 attempts to “shoot the gap” between the snapper and the adjacent lineman.  B71’s initial legal contact is with the lineman next to the snapper.  RULING: Legal.  Incidental contact with the snapper after this initial legal contact is not a foul (Rule 2-15-10).

The Steelers have just re-signed snapper/linebacker Matt Stewart, who was signed and released a few weeks ago.  It is unclear if the move has anything to do with the health of incumbent snapper Greg Warren.  Snapping competitions also remain in Cincinnati (Clark Harris and Mike Windt) and Washington (Nick Sundberg and James Dearth).

Week Two of the preseason also served as a reminder to NFL teams about the value of a strong snapper and the difficulty in having a good back-up plan.  With Pat Mannelly out of action due to a shoulder stinger, the Bears used tight end and reserve snapper Desmond Clark, who had a few bad snaps.  Mannelly has now returned to practice.

There have been a number of snapping developments in the last few hours.  The Ravens have released veteran snapper Matt Katula and that leaves rookie Morgan Cox from Tennessee as the lone snapper.  In addition, Longsnap.com has learned that the Redskins are expected to sign former Jet snapper James Dearth after Nick Sundberg has struggled in training camp.

Last week, the Seahawks waived Matt Overton, leaving rookie Clint Gresham, who was claimed off waivers from the Saints.  The Bengals are the only team with two snappers on their roster, with rookie Mike Windt and Clark Harris competing for the snapping job.

Rookie Clint Gresham, who was waived by the Saints, has been claimed off waivers by the Sehawks and will compete with Matt Overton for the Seahawks snapping job in training camp.

Attached is the latest snapper chart updated for training camp.  The chart now includes the most recent biographical data for each snapper, including contract expiration dates. 

2010 Training Camp Snapper Chart