2024-25 NFL Thread

[Dish]

Not only are the four NFC North teams 4-2 or better, those four teams are also the top four teams in the entire NFL in point differential.

[wadesworld]

Justin Fields still stinks.  Too slow to process and pick up what the d is doing on the LOS.  Lot of pressure on him today but he isn't recognizing it.

O'Connell for the Raiders is trash, too.

It's funny Bears fans were questioning if they made the right decision to draft Williams and trade Fields after a couple weeks. Caleb Williams was a better quarterback at Oklahoma his freshman year than Justin Fields will ever be.

[MuggsyB]

Is there any explanation as to why Kmet is the back-up snapper for the Bears?  I found that totally bizarre.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Is there any explanation as to why Kmet is the back-up snapper for the Bears?  I found that totally bizarre.

If you google (or whatever search engine you prefer) "Kmet long snapper" you'll learn that he learned the position back in high school with the thought process being "if I'm not good enough to be a skill position, maybe I can make the NFL as a long snapper". He still knows the position and practices regularly.

So I guess the answer is because he's the second best long snapper on the team?

[MuggsyB]

If you google (or whatever search engine you prefer) "Kmet long snapper" you'll learn that he learned the position back in high school with the thought process being "if I'm not good enough to be a skill position, maybe I can make the NFL as a long snapper". He still knows the position and practices regularly.

So I guess the answer is because he's the second best long snapper on the team?

The starting TE should not be the 2nd best or back-up snapper.  And based on what I heard he practices a few snaps once a week.  I'm baffled why not a single o-lineman on the roster can fill in as the #2. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The starting TE should not be the 2nd best or back-up snapper.  And based on what I heard he practices a few snaps once a week.  I'm baffled why not a single o-lineman on the roster can fill in as the #2.

Why?

[The Sultan]

The starting TE should not be the 2nd best or back-up snapper.  And based on what I heard he practices a few snaps once a week.  I'm baffled why not a single o-lineman on the roster can fill in as the #2. 

Why can't a TE be a back up long snapper?

[WhiteTrash]

Why can't a TE be a back up long snapper?

I agree with the question. LS rarely get injured, to the point where teams call the second string snapper the 'emergency long snapper'. I believe I heard that teams don't like to use a regular center because they can throw off their normal snap and shotgun snap.

To me it's a bit like taking issue with the backup holder. Not a position to be over analyzed.

[The Sultan]

It's also because the LS, P and K can go off and practice on their own, while the regular OL practices with the offense. This is the reason that holders are almost always the punter and not a back up quarterback, which was often the case back in the day.

[MuggsyB]

Ya...  I disagree. But maybe one can research if another team has their starting TE as their back-up snapper, who hasn't performed those skills since hs?  Secondly, it's different than being the holder. They snap for punts which is vitally important.  Lastly, if you're long snapping, you get hit on those plays as opposed to the holder and are more likely to have an injury.  In closing I think this is a moronic decision by the Bears.

[tower912]

Ya...  I disagree. But maybe one can research

Maybe you should.  Pretend they are a manatee.

[JWags85]

Ya...  I disagree. But maybe one can research if another team has their starting TE as their back-up snapper, who hasn't performed those skills since hs?  Secondly, it's different than being the holder. They snap for punts which is vitally important.  Lastly, if you're long snapping, you get hit on those plays as opposed to the holder and are more likely to have an injury.  In closing I think this is a moronic decision by the Bears.

I guarantee 99.9% of the hits and collisions Kmet takes as a TE on routes, catches, and run blocking are more dangerous and violent than what he takes during a punt or kick protection.

[MuggsyB]

I guarantee 99.9% of the hits and collisions Kmet takes as a TE on routes, catches, and run blocking are more dangerous and violent than what he takes during a punt or kick protection.

Perhaps but it's not his job.  His focus should be on snagging catches in the middle of the field.  Does another NFL team use its starting TE as their long snapper?

[MuggsyB]

Maybe you should.  Pretend they are a manatee.

WTF.  Only manatees can be manatees.

[The Sultan]

The Packers back up QB was the emergency LS last year. So Muggs write a letter to Flus. I'm sure he'll give your idea the consideration it deserves.

[tower912]

I think Detroit, due to their MU/Shaka-like devotion to culture, tries to mix and match with players already on the roster.  Barnes would be nice, except he is also out for the season.  Move Onwuzurike and/or Paschal outside.  Play more 3 linebacker sets and randomly blitz one.   Hope that Houston regains his rookie form.  Trust their secondary.

$28.5 million in cap space.   I think they try this for a couple of weeks with one eye on trades.   I think the asking price for Crosby will be too high.  I think Holmes will be waiting for a fading team to start selling.   Other than Crosby, though, I don't think any one player can replace Hutchinson.

[RJax55]

The Packers back up QB was the emergency LS last year. So Muggs write a letter to Flus. I'm sure he'll give your idea the consideration it deserves.

He has no idea what he is talking about.

[Uncle Rico]

To me, this is art

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Ya...  I disagree. But maybe one can research if another team has their starting TE as their back-up snapper, who hasn't performed those skills since hs?  Secondly, it's different than being the holder. They snap for punts which is vitally important.  Lastly, if you're long snapping, you get hit on those plays as opposed to the holder and are more likely to have an injury.  In closing I think this is a moronic decision by the Bears.

Kmet practices long snapping regularly and has since HS. He isn't new to this.

[WhiteTrash]

Maybe I'm wrong, but are there rules to protect the snappers on kicking plays?

[Pakuni]

Maybe I'm wrong, but are there rules to protect the snappers on kicking plays?

You're not wrong. Defensive players are not allowed to line up across from the long-snapper, and have to be outside his shoulder pads when the ball is snapped.
In college, the snapper can't be touched for one second after the ball is snapped.

[RJax55]

I agree with the question. LS rarely get injured, to the point where teams call the second string snapper the 'emergency long snapper'. I believe I heard that teams don't like to use a regular center because they can throw off their normal snap and shotgun snap.

To me it's a bit like taking issue with the backup holder. Not a position to be over analyzed.

There's a certain body type that is best for long snapping. It is a unique motion and skill. Look at the guys who are the professional long snappers. They are not OL size guys, they are built more like a TE or LB.

[Lennys Tap]

Apparently he needed "emergency surgery," my assumption is to save his leg.

As it turns out fortunately it was not a compound fracture.

[jesmu84]

As it turns out fortunately it was not a compound fracture.

Would that have significantly changed the treatment or prognosis?

[Uncle Rico]

Would that have significantly changed the treatment or prognosis?

Yes.  Believe Alex Smith had a compound fracture.  Sounds like Hutchinson can be back for start of next season