Position Group Discussion: Longsnapper

where is the Position Group Discussion: Missionary post?

Originally posted by IdahoNiner:
Im not gonna argue with you about contract, thats for certain.

But could you please post up his numbers, i was under the impression he was a highly paid LS. But obviously you know your contracts much better than i do, so im mistaken on that.

But also lets not forget that he has toyed with retirment, and im sure if we got a SB win that might push him in that direction.

Regardless, Mcdermott is a very capable LS. My Point is dont count him out because he went undrafted. Jennings himself was 7th round selection. And in October he will be 37. No im sure he could continue to snap into his 40's, but the question is will he want to?

If you can find a yound suitable replacment now, you do it, If not, than you still have Jennings.

Dont get me wrong, im not really thrilled about replacing Jennings either, but its something that likely will have to be done sooner rather than later.

I've got to chime in my agreement with Idaho here. I don't know if we need the cap space.... but pro-football players don't play forever (even specialists). We need to be looking for a replacement. Just look at the trouble we've had at kicker lately. I think it's all due to the fact that for years, Joe Nedney was our unquestioned guy. We never seriously looked for a replacement until he retired. Now we have a carousel of veteran kickers near the end of their careers.

If you are never bringing in real competition, then you are never going to find your next long term solution. Brian Jennings is at that age where you start looking for your next long term solution.

Andy Lee will be in the same situation eventually, but he's only 30 (young by specialist standards).

I doubt that there's anyone BETTER at long snapper than Jennings. He's great at it, and has been for some time.

However, he is slowing down, and part of his duty as a long snapper is coverage on punt returns. He was not so good last year.

There are several guys on the roster who can long snap. Kilgore, Looney, McDonald, and that UDFA. All are likely faster and better in coverage, altho unlikely as good at long snapping.

Kilgore, Looney & McDonald are all likely to make the 53 man roster at other positions, and if they can LS as well, that would save a roster spot for maybe an extra WR or CB or OLB. So the question is, do you keep Jennings around for another year, or risk that maybe one of the other guys takes over and, because of a poor snap, causes a missed FG or two.

It would be VERY, VERY tough to cut Jennings, IMHO, but if it means keeping someone else who's gonna really help the team at CB or WR, then maybe its gotta be done.

this thread

Carradine gets my vote for longsnapper

We did the same thing last year when we signed that one guy from the Browns. It's just to see what else is out there and keep Jennings fresh and competitive.

vance McDonald was the long snapper for rice

Jennings can only spin the ball one way when snapping.

Originally posted by IdahoNiner:

Originally posted by AB83Rules:

Originally posted by IdahoNiner:

Originally posted by AB83Rules:

Originally posted by 9erReign:
I dont think Jennings is a lock this year.

I beg to differ. A UDFA is NOT gonna bear out a pro bowl, all pro LS in Jennings. He isn't wasting a roster spot if he is effective. And he is.

I diagree AB. Just because he was undrafted does not mean he isaint a highly effective LS. Brian Jennings certainly is one of the best in the history of the game, But he has a high contract number, and has already toyed with retirment once or twice. Also since Baalkie has taken over he has brought in people to attempt to compete at that position every year.

Brian Jennings was better in those battles, and his contract was less of a concern. Gong forward that may not be the case, and since Baalkie has been bringing in competition, its fair to assume he wants to find someone that can be atleast close to as good as Jennings for a much cheaper contract. As soon as he finds a suitable replacment for Jennings that is young and cheap Jennings is gone IMO.

FWIW i predicted we would draft Mcdermott. I really like the kid, and feel he has a strong shot at taking the position from Jennings.

His contract is not high Idaho. Its near vet minimum, with low bonus. I doubt he will be cut. He is clearly the best LS In the game, and you dont cut him for cap room, when you can restructure others to get room. Wouldn't surprise me to see an extension some time. He isn't making much more than minimum like said.

Im not gonna argue with you about contract, thats for certain.

But could you please post up his numbers, i was under the impression he was a highly paid LS. But obviously you know your contracts much better than i do, so im mistaken on that.

But also lets not forget that he has toyed with retirment, and im sure if we got a SB win that might push him in that direction.

Regardless, Mcdermott is a very capable LS. My Point is dont count him out because he went undrafted. Jennings himself was 7th round selection. And in October he will be 37. No im sure he could continue to snap into his 40's, but the question is will he want to?

If you can find a yound suitable replacment now, you do it, If not, than you still have Jennings.

Dont get me wrong, im not really thrilled about replacing Jennings either, but its something that likely will have to be done sooner rather than later.

Im sure McDermott is a hell of a LS, but I rather the proven vet take the job.

and Jennings makes $940K this year and $1.035M next year. Both near minimum levels.

Originally posted by sspiker:
Why couldn't he long-snap into his 40s, as long as he remains Mr Automatic?

he can automatically snap that long i guess he could be the longest snapper ever....

Originally posted by AB83Rules:

Im sure McDermott is a hell of a LS, but I rather the proven vet take the job.

and Jennings makes $940K this year and $1.035M next year. Both near minimum levels.

True, but a rookie make $400K, so they would save $600,000 which is a good amount of dough.

Perhaps they are preparing now for next year

Originally posted by sspiker:
Why couldn't he long-snap into his 40s, as long as he remains Mr Automatic?

I think the 270 pound lineman crashing right into him after he snaps the ball plays a role.

Originally posted by thl408:
I think the 270 pound lineman crashing right into him after he snaps the ball plays a role.

Except that rules prohibit this. That's why no one lines up across from him on FGs or XPs.

I think they'd like to have a replacement with more versatility but I don't think they've found that yet. Maybe McDonald in the future, but not this year.