Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Maybe not what but why. And why do we need to take up a roster spot for one person to fill that roll? It's hard to imagine that there are that few players out there that can fill that roll. Why can't a player at another position play that roll too? Why can't our center do it?

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Long snapper is the person who snaps to the punter and holder for the field goals and extra points. It is different then a center snap due to the length it needs to get, because any shorter and would be easier to block. The long snapper is different then the regular center because of injury concerns and the fact that long snappers usually really skinny so they can see the punter/holder to get a good direction on the ball. Justin is a very good LS, and Josh Hill has been getting some snaps as the backup.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Every team dedicates one roster spot for a long snapper, it's not like we're in the minority

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Reason being... its bascially a QB/center. Imagine have to throw a pass 10 yards between your legs with your head down. Hell don't imagine it go out there and try it and it has to be whipped like a pass with zip on it because the slower it arrives to the punter the more the punt will be blocked. It isn't easy at all. It is a special skill so it very well requires a spot on the roster much like a K or P does.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

It's kind of like the relief pitcher who comes in the during the 7th inning- the set up guy's set up guy--- a totally specialized position that for some reason everyone has
Forever it was just your center, and sometimes a tight end. Now these guys do nothing else, and you can't risk them on other ST's.

PS - don't take financial advice from them

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Ask the 2002 NY Giants about the importance of a good long snapper. There's a reason that just about every single team now has a dedicated long snapper who does nothing else. That wasn't always the case though, a lot of those guys used to be backup TE's or LB's.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

With such large rosters now, it's inevitable that these kinds of specializations occur. Maybe we should go back to smaller rosters?

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

One of those positions that seem extremely specialized and wasteful until..... snaps start getting flubbed on crucial field goals, extra points and punts. It's a crucial part of the line that can fold quickly and allow a kick to be blocked if the center is not expert at snapping deep and then holding the middle firm right after the snap.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Yes I know, I just think maybe the position could be filled by a back up center or someone. Like I said it can't be something so difficult that it cannot be performed by someone filling another role. I do see yalls point though.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Well apparently it is; if every team dedicates one player just to be the LS :rolleyes:

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

You guys have to realize that if a OL was doing the long snapping, they wouldnt be able to see the punter/holder between their legs with all their equipment on them. If you are over 270, try doing it.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

I agree. If someone thinks that a person could just learn how to do it then he obviously has never tried to do it. It's kinda like saying we shouldn't carry a kicker and instead just get one of the guys with a strong leg to learn over the offseason and then replace our kicker to save a roster spot.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

And I was thinking it was a turtle!! Go get me that long-snapper so we can cook him up.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Most everybody can learn how to long-snap. The mechanics of it isn't really hard to learn. Long-snapping on an NFL level however is a completely different story. You need to be able to get great velocity on the ball and at the same time be really accurate. If the snap is to slow or a little misplaced so that the holder or punter need to handle the ball more than he should it might mean that you will have a blocked kick. The LS, holder and kicker work quite a lot on getting their timing down.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Or a prostitutes body part.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

Plus you have to snap the ball to a specific place, at a specific speed (not too fast, not too slow), and be prepared to get creamed by the defensive lineman across from you, and block him forward, at the same time. A true center just has to snap the ball between his legs, he doesn't always need to look where it's going, and he can usually see the man in front of him, coming at him.

Shotgun snaps to a QB are a lot shorter and lower velocity, than punt or FG long snaps. It's a different ball of wax.

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

I won't begrudge someone with a skill like that. Hell at. Y age I have trouble even getting my head down like that :doh:

Re: Stupid question but what is a long snapper
 

I'm pretty sure you're all wrong. A long snapper is a sex-trade term.