The April issue of News and Notes is typically filled with new
developments, especially with the NFL Draft having concluded and a
few teams filling out training camp rosters with rookie snapping
prospects.
However, before reviewing the various snapping movements over the
past month, I wanted to reflect on a significant one to the snapping
world and to me personally. As many of you already know, Rob Davis
of the Packers ended his career earlier this month to accept a job as
Director of Player Programs for Green Bay. Rob Davis was one of the
founders of longsnap.com and my first NFL client. More importantly,
Rob is a great friend and inspiration to me and many others in and
outside of the football world.
I was a newly minted agent when I first met Rob at a mall in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1995. Rob had been cut from the Jets
twice and was about to pursue a snapping job in the CFL with the
Baltimore Stallions. After a successful year with the Stallions,
which concluded with a Grey Cup championship, Rob earned a spot in an
NFL training camp again, this time with the Kansas City Chiefs. Rob
did enough in camp with the Chiefs despite getting cut to get signed
by the Bears to start the 1996 season and debuted with three tackles
on Monday Night Football.
Rob completed the 1996 with the Bears and, after a rough training
camp, was back on the street in 1997. Rob obtained a number of
workouts in 1997, which culminated in his signing with the Packers
mid-season. The Packers went to the Super Bowl that year and Rob
spent the remainder of his tremendous career in Green Bay.
Professionally, Rob will go down as one of the premier snapping
specialists in the NFL. More importantly, however, is Rob's
leadership skills and the role he played and continues to play with
his teammates. As successful as Rob was on the field, his
contributions off of it are more remarkable and will no doubt
continue for many years to come. Best of luck to Rob in his new
career.
With Davis retired, Thomas Gafford is the leading candidate to earn
the Packers snapping job this season. Another team in need of
consistency at the snapper position, the Seattle Seahawks, addressed
that need in the Draft, selecting San Diego State snapper Tyler
Schmitt in Round Six. Schmitt became the first pure snapper drafted
in a number of years. Other snappers that signed free agent deals
include Ryan Senser of Ohio (Saints) and JJ Jansen of Notre Dame, who
will also compete with Gafford for the Packers spot. Some other
drafted players with some snapping experience include Mike McGlynn
from Pitt (Eagles), Jacob Tamme from Kentucky (Colts) and Gary
Barnidge from Louisville (Panthers). Since the last issue of News
and Notes, the Cowboys signed LP Ladouceur to a new contract through
2012.
The Sporting News Pro Football Draft Guide 2008 ranked each team's
depth charts based upon its usual grading scale of Elite, Solid,
Adequate and Fringe. Here are the snappers they ranked by category:
ELITE
Mannelly (CHI)
Loeffler (MIN)
Binn (SD)
Albright (WAS)
SOLID
Hodel (ARI)
Schneck (ATL)
Katula (BAL)
Kyle (CAR)
St. Louis (CIN)
Pontbriand (CLE)
Ladouceur (DAL)
Leach (DEN)
Muhlbach (DET)
Pittman (HOU)
Snow (IND)
Zelenka (JAX)
Paxton (NE)
Houser (NO)
DeOssie (NYG)
Dearth (NYJ)
Condo (OAK)
Massey (STL)
Jennings (SF)
Robinson (SEA)
Amato (TEN)
ADEQUATE
Neill (BUF)
Davis (GB)
Darche (KC)
Denney (MIA)
Dorenbos (PHI)
Warren (PIT)
FRINGE
Economos (TB)
The next issue of News and Notes will be available on May 27, 2008
and will review the latest snapping developments around the NFL.