Who is the backup to the backup at center?

[Patler]

Watch what a long snapper has to do. They have to snap then block. Read the discussions I linked to.

I have watched, including looking at a bunch today that I have recorded. Basically they snap, then lean into one of the guys either guard is engaged with. For the typical punt, the receiving team doesn't rush that much, they retreat to block instead.

As pb said, many times the snapper literally blocks no one after snapping.

I did read your links. One basically said their duty is to snap and they shouldn't worry about blocking, but gave suggestions for not looking like a fool if they did try to block. The other quoted Harbaugh as saying that the ability to do something other than long snap is not at all important, but a huge bonus if they can do something else, like make a tackle (incidently, Rob Davis was known as being very good in punt coverage). I don't see how either one indicates a typical longsnapper can step in and play center on typical downs.

[mraynrand]

They aren't going to be practicing any DL at center. No overlap in skills there at all.

I would guess not. I'm not asking about hypotheticals at this point. I just want to know what they are actually doing in practice. Goode or Lang or Sitton, or someone else dishing emergency snaps?

[Harlan Huckleby]

One basically said their duty is to snap and they shouldn't worry about blocking

uh huh.

There are many references to their blocking roles.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Goode or Lang or Sitton, or someone else dishing emergency snaps?

The long snapper is already trained to snap to the QB, he is Goode to go.

If other linemen get some practice time at center, sure, they would be used if they aren't needed at other positions.

[Joemailman]

Per Bill Belicheck:


from: https://www.reddit.com/r/GreenBayPac...belichick_was/

I wonder who made the long snaps for Lombardi's Packers?

I think it was generally the Center. Of course, everybody was smaller then. It was Bill Curry at one point.

[Harlan Huckleby]

The goal posts keep moving. It starts with the implausible "they can't snap to a QB", "they don't know how to block."

Now it's "none are playing significant minutes at other positions in NFL" and "prove they have practice time."

Well, it's credible for a LS to play center, that was proven. Some are backup centers. If you want to dig-in heels and insist it can't or won't be done, I can't answer that.

[Patler]

I think it really depends on what the team has set up. If they've practiced with other OL (or even DL) in there as backup centers, but no with Goode, then you have your answer. So my question is pretty simple: Have the Packers ever practiced with Goode at center in any offensive (non-kicking) drills?

That certainly is what the answer is, and I suspect it will be Lang first since he actually played center when EDS missed some time two years ago. Barclay has practiced some there, too, a couple years ago in training camp. I believe they said this year he practiced a little at all 5 positions.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Goode could fill-in at center (in a pinch) without practice time. The other linemen obviously will need to practice snapping.

[Patler]

That is irrelevant. A blocking TE is not listed as "Left Tackle", but all of them could fill-in at LT in an emergency.

The key fact is that some long snappers are also formally backup centers. That proves unquestionably that it is credible for a LS to fill-in at center, and it suggests that other LS's might also be options if two interior linemen go down.

No, it only suggests that a limited few might be able to play somewhere, probably because they were regulars in college at those positions (like Clark Harris at TE). It certainly makes no suggestion as to whether Goode or other longsnap specialists could or not based on the fact they are longsnappers.

[Joemailman]

ps. There are 4 LSs in the NFL who are also backup centers, so some guys can do it.

http://www.thephinsider.com/2014/8/21/5945187/an-in-depth-look-at-long-snappers

Buffalo Bills Garrison Sanborn 6' 1" 240 lbs
Pittsburgh Steelers Greg Warren 6' 3" 252 lbs
Chicago Bears Patrick Mannelly 6' 5" 265 lbs
Carolina Panthers J. J. Jansen 6' 2" 245 lbs

They might list Center as their other position, but are not the backup Center.

You should have read further with the link you posted.

Christian Yount of the Browns and Jon Dorenbos of the Eagles each lined up for 1 snap on offense as a tight end.

The other 30 long snappers spent a combined zero snaps on the field on offense and defense. Therefore, virtually all long snappers in the NFL were long-snapping specialists last year, even if they were listed as being able to play a different position.

[Harlan Huckleby]

certainly makes no suggestion as to whether Goode or other longsnap specialists could or not based on the fact they are longsnappers.

It proves that someone the size of a LS can fill-in at center without "getting killed", which was the main argument earlier. But the goal posts keep moving - now size is no longer the issue since that argument was debunked.

[Harlan Huckleby]

They might list Center as their other position, but are not the backup Center.

They are not the first backup. We're talking about the backup to the backup - emergency situation.
The goal post moving continues....

You should have read further with the link you posted.

It is not disputed that LSs today are specialists who see little or no time at other positions.

It's also possible that there aren't any TEs in the league who have played LT. That doesn't mean they couldn't function passably in that role in an emergency.

[Patler]

Per Bill Belicheck:


from: https://www.reddit.com/r/GreenBayPac...belichick_was/

I wonder who made the long snaps for Lombardi's Packers?

It was basically just their regular lineup, so whoever was the center at the time, Ringo, Curry, Bowman. Starr was the holder for much of the time. When rosters were 36, then 40, you didn't have many specialists. Hornung and Kramer kicked, McGee and Dowler punted, lots of different guys kicked off. It was a big deal when they brought in Chandler to kick and punt. He was Lombardi's only spcialist that I can remember.

On the other side of it, Willie Wood retuned punts, Herb Adderley returned kickoffs. Other starters did as well.

[Patler]

They are not the first backup. We're talking about the backup to the backup - emergency situation.
The goal post moving continues....


It is not disputed that LSs today are specialists who see little or no time at other positions.

It's also possible that there aren't any TEs in the league who have played LT. That doesn't mean they couldn't function passably in that role in an emergency.

I guess it depends on your definition of "passably". If enough guys are injured, someone will play there, they won't forfeit the game. Is that "passably" playing the position?

I suspect we would see every other O-lineman get into the game in some combination before Goode will get in. I suspect there are other backup centers after Lang and Barklay, too; before Goode.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I guess it depends on your definition of "passably". If enough guys are injured, someone will play there, they won't forfeit the game. Is that "passably" playing the position?

Goode is a better choice than some of the other offensive lineman to play at center.
If they stuck to deep snaps, the Packer offense might be functional with Goode at center - more so than at least some other combos.

I suspect we would see every other O-lineman get into the game in some combination before Goode will get in.

Probably it would work out that way.