Ron Rivera’s Monday press conference began with his being asked about why they made a move at long snapper.
For those who missed the latest news, on Monday, the Commanders released third-year long snapper Camaron Cheeseman. “Well, its just one of those things that there’s a certain point where it hadn’t been fixed, the way it needs to be fixed to be consistent all the time.”
Rivera, uninterrupted, elaborated a bit further, “It’s unfortunate because, for two solid years, we got some real good stuff from him. And unfortunately, this year was not as consistent as it needed to be.”
Cheeseman, the former Michigan Wolverine (who incidentally played his high school ball in Lincoln, OH), was selected by Washington in the sixth round (225 overall) in the 2021 NFL draft.
Instantly for some of us covering the team, it was a head-scratcher because long snappers are most often signed as undrafted free agents. The Commanders had now used a draft choice on a long snapper. Even more, not a seventh-rounder but a sixth-round choice.
Thus, there was an instant pressure on Cheeseman because the Commanders selecting him in the sixth round of that draft instantly raised questions and yes, some criticism.
For those who might not recall, the Commanders had already reached on Jamin Davis, selecting the Kentucky linebacker in the first round, 19th overall, catching draft analysts by surprise, seeing he was projected to go later.
When the draft reached the sixth round, the Commanders surprisingly made a trade — and even more, the trade was made with division-rival Philadelphia. The Commanders traded the Eagles, their fifth-round choice in the next year’s (2022) draft, for two Eagles 2021 choices (one in round six and one in round seven).
With those two 2021 choices, the Commanders selected Cheeseman and Will Bradley-King.
Earlier in the season, with Cheeseman struggling, Rivera actually stated, “We’ll just continue to have Camaron snap until, unfortunately, something happens, then we’ll decide from there.”
Sunday, something happened, and Tress Way was put in danger and an extra point attempt was delayed, giving the Rams time to block it.
Following the game, Cheeseman expressed the most surprising quote of the day, “I’ve been worried all year. Most places I wouldn’t be around still, so I’m taking every week as it is.”
Was that a compliment to Ron Rivera or more an admission of surprise?