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.