Tag: long snapper

49ers long snapper Taybor Pepper posted a hilarious, NSFW re-signing video

Everyone loves long snappers!

San Francisco 49ers long snapper Taybor Pepper found the most epic way to announce that he’ll be staying in the Bay Area on a new contract.

Pepper agreed to a three-year extension with the Niners on Saturday and shared a hilarious video sharing the news.

Long snappers don’t usually bring such pizzazz to revealing that they’ve re-signed with their team, but Pepper’s creative approach will surely win him over some new fans.

Although, Pepper got so excited to share the news of his 49ers return that he borrowed a scene from one of the most profane American films of the past decade.

NSFW language to follow. 

That’s right, Pepper used The Wolf of Wall Street to help tell everyone that he’s indeed not going anywhere.

San Francisco fans will appreciate that one of the game’s most unsung positions being settled for their team, but anyone who loves a good laugh will appreciate Pepper’s willingness to have some fun with the news.

Vanderbilt’s long snapper scored a chaotic touchdown. Yes, you read that right.

I can’t believe I just wrote that.

It’s been a fun couple of college football Saturdays for Vanderbilt football.

Last week, the Commodores beat then-No. 24 Kentucky on the road for their first SEC win since 2019. It was a victory that made head coach Clark Lea emotional.

Saturday, Vanderbilt had a different reason to celebrate. The Commodores took a lead in the second quarter against visiting Florida after their long snapper scored a touchdown.

I can’t believe I just wrote that. But yes, you read that correctly.

One more time: A long snapper scored a touchdown for the Vanderbilt Commodores to give them a lead over the Florida Gators.

A scoring play that was as wild and chaotic as this one deserves a closer look. We have to commend Wesley Schelling for his incredible effort on this one-of-a-kind play.

Believe it or not, this is exactly what a lot of special teams coordinators want out of their long snappers in modern college football. For a lot of punt formations, the long snapper often serves as the third gunner. After the ball is snapped, he’s sprinting down the field to not only help in coverage but also to be one of the first responders around the returner.

Georgia special teams quality control coach Kirk Benedict — then the special teams coordinator at Duke – told me in 2019:

“We call our long snapper the third gunner. So, he’s got to be down there making an effect on the return. If he’s not, our goal is to have a guy who can impact their scheme in some way. He’s either drawing an extra defender, or he’s down there in the returner’s face.”

Of course, the long snapper isn’t going to force or recover a fumble on every punt, but it’s ideal that they’re in a position to make a play if needed. Saturday, Schelling was in the right place at the right time, and it paid off in a big way for Vandy.

UPDATE: Vanderbilt is on a two-game win streak after beating Florida, 31-24.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN.

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Two former Alabama players drafted by Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL

Thomas Fletcher and Chris Owens were both drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.

Alabama fans were able to see former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron join the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL. Now, two other Tide alumni will team up for the Seattle Sea Dragons. Long snapper Thomas Fletcher and offensive tackle Chris Owens were both drafted by the newly-established team. The two were once teammates at the University of Alabama.

Owens spent six seasons with the Tide. The Texas native played every position along the offensive line. Last season, he started 12 games at right tackle while making one start at center. His experience and leadership helped the Tide reach the College Football Playoff.

As for Fletcher, he spent four seasons in Tuscaloosa as the team’s starting long snapper. He was eventually drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He went on to spend one season with the organization before being waived in August of this year.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow both of their careers at the professional level.

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Broncos add tight end to practice squad, make decision at long snapper

The Broncos signed TE Dalton Keene to their practice squad and cut LS Joe Fortunato. That means Mitchell Fraboni will snap this week.

The Denver Broncos made two practice squad moves on Saturday.

First, the Broncos signed second-year tight end Dalton Keene, who was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Virginia Tech.

Keene (6-4, 251 pounds) wasn’t able to live up to his high draft status with the Patriots, playing in just six games as a rookie before missing the entire 2021 season with a knee injury.

After failing to make New England’s 53-man roster this summer, Keene spent time on the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles.

In six career games, Keene has hauled in three receptions for 16 yards. He will now give the Broncos some more depth at tight end.

To make room for Keene on the 16-player practice squad, Denver made a second move and released long snapper Joe Fortunato.

Fortunato just signed earlier this week after the team lost Jacob Bobenmoyer to a hand/wrist injury. The Broncos also signed long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, who is now set to replace Bobenmoyer for the next three games.

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Broncos sign long snapper Mitchell Fraboni to practice squad after losing Jacob Bobenmoyer

After losing Jacob Bobenmoyer to an injury, the Broncos signed long snapper Mitchell Fraboni to their practice squad.

After losing long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer for at least four weeks to a wrist/hand injury, the Denver Broncos brought in 10 long snappers for tryouts this week.

On Monday, the Broncos hosted Turner Bernard, Hunter Bradley, Ryan DiSalvo, Kyle Nelson and Mitchell Fraboni for tryouts.

After that, the team brought in Thomas Fletcher, Joe Fortunato, Brian Khoury, Garrison Sanborn and Rex Sunahara for tryouts on Tuesday.

Fraboni (6-2, 223 pounds) won the tryout and he was signed to the team’s practice squad on Tuesday. He will presumably be tasked with filling in for Bobenmoyer for the next three games.

Denver can elevate Fraboni to the game-day roster up to three times without him having to clear waivers to revert back to the practice squad after each game. That could happen over the next three games, and then the Broncos will have a bye four weeks from now. Bobenmoyer will be eligible to return from injured reserve after the team’s bye week.

Bobenmoyer, 25, has been the team’s long snapper since 2020, starting in 38-straight games before his injury.

Story update: Denver is also expected to sign Joe Fortunato to the practice squad, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. That would give the Broncos two options for their game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday.

To make room for Fraboni and Fortunato on the practice squad, Denver released wide receivers Darrius Shepherd and Vyncint Smith.

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Report: Broncos long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer to miss ‘extended time’ with injury

Broncos long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer is expected to miss “extended time” with a hand/wrist injury.

The injuries just keep coming for the Denver Broncos.

After losing left tackle Garett Bolles and cornerback Ronald Darby to season-ending injuries last week, the Broncos have now also lost their long snapper for multiple games.

Denver long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer will miss “extended time” with a hand/wrist injury, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Bobenmoyer has been the team’s long snapper since 2020 and before suffering this injury, he played in 38-straight games.

The Broncos brought in nine long snappers for tryouts during the offseason: Ross Reiter, Tucker Addington, Adam Higuera, Antonio Ortiz, Cameron Kaye, Kameron Canaday, Joe Fortunato, Ryan Navarro and Matt Overton. It wouldn’t be surprising to see one of those players signed when Denver places Bobenmoyer on injured reserve.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson flew to Los Angeles on Friday to get an injection in his right throwing shoulder. Wilson is dealing with a partially torn lat, but he plans to play in Week 6.

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Cowboys lose Jake McQuaide for season; reportedly sign Pro Bowl long snapper as replacement

The 12-year veteran had never missed an NFL start, but a torn triceps will cost the Cowboys long snapper the remainder of the ’22 season. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Just as several high-profile Cowboys are making comebacks from the trainers’ room, the injury bug has bitten the club in a place that most don’t think twice about.

The Cowboys will be without the services of long snapper Jake McQuaide for the rest of the season, the club announced Tuesday. The 12-year veteran suffered a torn triceps at the end of Sunday’s win over Washington and will leave the Cowboys searching for a new specialist to take over the role.

McQuaide had long been a favorite of Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel. The two reunited in Dallas in 2021 when the club chose not to re-sign L.P. Ladouceur after 16 seasons in which he never missed a game or botched a snap.

McQuiade had been just as reliable; he’d never missed an NFL start before being placed on season-ending injured reserve with this injury. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent once the 2022 campaign is over.

The Cowboys worked out four long snappers on Tuesday, according to the team website, just five days before a meeting with the Super Bowl champion Rams in Los Angeles. Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network is reporting that the Cowboys are signing journeyman and Pro Bowler Matt Overton to the practice squad; the team may even elect to sign more than one long snapper as added insurance.

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Seahawks add Carson Tinker to roster, place Tyler Ott on injured reserve

The Seahawks made a trio of roster moves, including signing LS Carson Tinker to the active roster and placing Tyler Ott on injured reserve.

The Seattle Seahawks announced a number of roster moves ahead of Wednesday’s practice. Seattle signed long snapper Carson Tinker to the 53-man roster and placed long snapper Tyler Ott on the injured reserve.

Tinker had been elevated to the active roster ahead of Monday’s game against the Broncos as a result of the injury Ott had suffered to his shoulder. With Ott headed for surgery and the IR, the move was expected.

In addition, the Seahawks re-signed safety Scott Nelson to the practice squad following his release last week to make room for the Tinker addition.

The Seahawks return to the practice field Wednesday afternoon to kick off their work week in preparation to face the 49ers.

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Broncos brought in 5 more long snappers for tryouts

It seems like the Broncos are looking for a fallback option in case anything happens to Jacob Bobenmoyer during the season.

The Denver Broncos clearly want to have a backup plan at long snapper.

After bringing in four long snappers for tryouts last week, the team hosted five more specialists for tryouts on Wednesday this week, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

Denver worked out Ross Reiter, Tucker Addington, Adam Higuera, Antonio Ortiz and Cameron Kaye. At the time of this writing, none of the nine long snappers who worked out for the team over the last two weeks have been signed.

The only long snapper currently on the Broncos’ roster is Jacob Bobenmoyer. He has a reasonable salary of $895,000 this season and he’s played well over the last two years, so Bobenmoyer’s job is probably safe.

The fact that Denver hasn’t signed any of these tryout players might be a sign that the team is merely looking for a fallback option in case anything happens to Bobenmoyer during the season. The Broncos might also be looking ahead to the future as Bobenmoyer will become a (restricted) free agent in 2023.

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Packers release LS Steven Wirtel, waive WR Osirus Mitchell

The Packers released long snapper Steven Wirtel and waived wide receiver Osirus Mitchell with an injury. 

The Green Bay Packers made a roster move at both long snapper and wide receiver ahead of Wednesday’s training camp practice.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the Packers released long snapper Steven Wirtel and waived wide receiver Osirus Mitchell with an injury.

The moves clear two spots on the 90-man roster. One spot is going to running back Dexter Williams.

Wirtel’s attempt to keep the long snapper job ended in failure after only two weeks of camp. He replaced Hunter Bradley and was the team’s long snapper in nine regular-season games and one playoff game in 2021. The Packers still have rookie Jack Coco on the roster at long snapper, and an addition could be coming – the team worked out long snappers Mitchell Fraboni and Antonio Ortiz on Tuesday.

Much is left to be decided at a key specialist spot with a month to go before the season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Mitchell, who starred in the USFL, has been dealing with a quad injury and hasn’t practiced in a week. If unclaimed on waivers, Mitchell would revert to injured reserve in Green Bay and could depart later via an injury settlement.

Mitchell’s exit leaves 11 wide receivers left on the roster, although rookie Christian Watson (knee) remains on the PUP list to start camp.

The Packers open the preseason on Friday in San Francisco.

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