Because what if your guy gets hurt doing something else? It's rare for a team to play their long snapper much, if at all.
It makes sense cutting Ainge. What was his college career like? He was a 5th round selection wasn't he?
Losing a 5th rounder means nothing. Low risk/ Low reward. Who knew Ratliff was going to have this progression? *raises hand* Its part of the business.
Ainge lasted until the 5th round for a reason. Many scouts didn't think much of his ability to play in pressure packed situations. He had a number of meltdowns while at Tennessee. So it's not surprising the NFL wasn't beating a path to his door. Also since graduation Ainge had hand surgery. And he's done absolutely nothing in the preseason games. I think that means he'd be a safe bet on the practice squad. Or even better yet try to stash him on the PUP or IR lists. There's no way Ratliff would last on the PS. Somebody would pick him up. Especially if he plays well in any of the remaining preseason games. So Ratliff has to be on the full roster. And I think it's still to be decided who's #2, Ratliff or Clemens. The rest of the preseason will determine that.
^ In the one preseason game he got 3 plays and they were all hand offs. I hope he gets IR'd so we can protect him.
Ainge is not going to be on the roster, in my estimation. Teams RARELY (if ever) keep 4 quarterbacks on the roster. Ainge has gotten virtually no playing time and has been, according to the average of all the training camp reports, the least impressive quarterback in camp.
long snapper? dang. i grew up on a pumpkin farm. if only my dad had taught me to load the wagon by launching pumpkins backwards between my legs i'd be rich now.
I say we should just IR him. We have the opportunity to. Give him a year to learn the playbook like the back of his hand and get advice from Favre and see what he comes back with next year.
not even sure anymore what this thread is about, something about the number of QB's on the roster I guess... but I had to interrupt long enough to give you props on your avatar. She does look kinda young though, so I hope I'm not bordering on perv territory.
Hi hi. I haven't been here for ages and it's telling me to post because "we are deleting zero-posters from time to time"... :O Can't have that happen. Anyway, I just wanted to know how Ben Graham is going? I was a fan of him when he was back over here at the Cats. ^_^ Thank you. ^_^
For better or worse, being a long snapper is the EASIEST way to earn a living in the NFL. It's an unappreciated position by fans for obvious reasons, but coaches know. Look at Dave Binn. He doesn't even have another position. He's the longest tenured Charger of all time after 15 seasons, and has another 4 seasons left. He made a Pro Bowl simply as a snapper, and he's the first person to admit that it's the easiest job in the world. He'll play until he's at least 40 and draw a paycheck for 10 - 15 plays a game. Told me a few years ago that if I have a son one day, get him big and teach him to snap. I have another friend who played for Boston Univ as a TE/LS. He couldn't sniff the NFL as a TE, but was invited to several camps as a long snapper. Almost caught on with the Titans. If the CS feels that Dearth is worthwhile as a long snapper, I'm willing to give him a pass.
If he's injured, obviously keep him on the IR. He can't practice, but he can work on the playbook and learn by watching. If he's not injured, I don't see the harm in putting him on the PS, rather than cutting him, even if someone else signs him off of it. At least then we have a shot of keeping him an extra year to see what he can do rather than just dismissing him completely.
The LS doesn't matter until the first time he muffs a snap and it costs the team the game ! Dearth is one of the best in the NFL. You never hear his name - which means he's doing his job. He is an important (but often unrecognized ) part of the Jets special teams success. He is definitely worth the roster spot. Ainge can go to the practice squad or on IR if he's willing.
It'll probably be, as previously mentioned, Favre, Ratliff and Clemens (the latter two in no order) with Ainge on IR for his hand. I thought he wasn't even supposed to be throwing with that thing yet.
