Who is the backup to the backup at center?

[Rutnstrut]

All you have to do is lift the ball up behind your own balls while leaning forward, rotate ball 90 degrees, then square-up and block. Not a difficult skill to master, big fella.

I agree that if they have some 300 pound guards available with snap experience, that is preferable. But I do not think it is crazy to use a 255 pound long snapper, who is great at snapping and trained at blocking, to get through a game.

There's a reason you have NEVER seen him at center in practice or even garbage time in a preseason game. They won't play the LS at center, there are plenty of fat guys to go through first.

[Harlan Huckleby]

There's a reason you have NEVER seen him at center in practice or even garbage time in a preseason game. They won't play the LS at center, there are plenty of fat guys to go through first.

There's a reason you have NEVER seen an untrained fat guy at center in practice or even garbage time in a preseason game. They won't play untrained fat guy at center, there is a LS trained at snapping and blocking from center position to use first.

Snapping - then blocking - is not an easy skill to master. Nothing would kill offense quicker than snapper learning on-the-job. Undersized center can be compensated for.

[pbmax]

There's a reason you have NEVER seen an untrained fat guy at center in practice or even garbage time in a preseason game. They won't play untrained fat guy at center, there is a LS trained at snapping and blocking from center position to use first.

Snapping - then blocking - is not an easy skill to master.

Even less of a skill is F=M*A

[Rutnstrut]

There's a reason you have NEVER seen an untrained fat guy at center in practice or even garbage time in a preseason game. They won't play untrained fat guy at center, there is a LS trained at snapping and blocking from center position to use first.

Snapping - then blocking - is not an easy skill to master.

I know, I played center from middle school through college. Granted far from being anything even close to a pro, but I do know a little bit about the position. Long snapper and center are not the same position regardless of their similarity.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Even less of a skill is F=M*A

Well, choose your poison. I'd rather have a reliable snap. I'd rather help the 255 pound guy with a FB or guard.

Centers very often are combo blocking with guard anyway. Kuuuuuhn time!

BTW, I am chairman of the Dump Kuhn Vigilante Committee, but his blocking this year has been outstanding.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I know, I played center from middle school through college.

Ya, ya, we all have our stories.

Did I ever tell you how I was recruited by Otto Graham to play offensive line in college? Virtually a true story, buddy.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Long snapper and center are not the same position regardless of their similarity.

no kidding.

But mastering the snapping-blocking part is a good start.

[Joemailman]

.

I agree that if they have some 300 pound guards available with snap experience, that is preferable. But I do not think it is crazy to use a 255 pound long snapper, who is great at snapping and trained at blocking, to get through a game.

Except he'd get killed and then you wouldn't have a long snapper.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Except he'd get killed and then you wouldn't have a long snapper.

Why isn't long snapper "killed" on punts?

255 is a disadvantage, but its not like 255 pounders - and smaller - aren't called-on to block defensive linemen. See 240 pound fullbacks.

[Fritz]

Whoa, let's backup a minute.

[mraynrand]

Here is today's brain teaser:

Can a former first round pick get a fuckdoggle if he is playing on the other side of the ball for the 4th time in his professional life?


*Raji has played FB a couple of time.

If a d-lineman comes in and plays center in a win - that's a guaranteed fuckdoggle

[Joemailman]

Why isn't long snapper "killed" on punts?

255 is a disadvantage, but its not like 255 pounders - and smaller - aren't called-on to block defensive linemen. See 240 pound fullbacks.

They changed the rules to protect long snappers. Also, a long snapper might snap 10 times a game. A Center about 70.

[Harlan Huckleby]

They changed the rules to protect long snappers. Also, a long snapper might snap 10 times a game. A Center about 70.

We're talking about the backup to the backup. We're choosing between bad options in the middle of a game, not 70 snaps. You got Raji or (at best) Josh Walker with his chubby hands between his legs. I live with the long snapper up front. Shotgun or pistol might be relatively effective.

[Patler]

Why isn't long snapper "killed" on punts?

Why? Because you can't line up over the longsnapper. He is "protected".

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.

Snappers don't learn to block anymore.

[mraynrand]

We're talking about the backup to the backup. We're choosing between bad options in the middle of a game. You got Raji or (at best) Josh Walker with his chubby hands between his legs. I live with the long snapper up front.

I'm really warming up to the long snapper idea. How about this: have him long snap it to Rodgers 15 yards back, like a normal punt. Now the pass rush takes 2-3 seconds to get to Rodgers instead of 0.5 seconds. Even though Rodgers has to throw 10 more yards every pass play, the increased time in the pocket results in an overall huge advantage. Plus Rodgers can now punt if he gets frightened again.