Expert: John Miller - 5/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: The question I'm asking below is not about the Bears specifically but about today's American football in general.

So what position does a long snapper usually play on offense or defense?  Also, if a player is specifically hired only to be a long snapper and is listed as a long snapper on the roster, does he normally have any role in the offense or the defense?

ANSWER: The long snapper is a center. Snapping the ball, whether short or long, is what the center does. Most long snappers are not the starting centers; the Bears have one of the best in Patrick Mannelly, whose only job over the last few seasons is snapping the ball on special teams - punts and extra points. However, he started out as a center and I'm sure could still play there in an emergency.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm not trying to argue with you or anything, but I just want to see if my understanding is correct.

First, why is it that Mannelly isn't listed as a C on the roster but simply a LS?

Second, aren't there teams that use back up TEs as long snappers?

ANSWER: Possible that there are long snappers that are no longer centers, but I guaranty they started out that way. In high school and college there are  seldom long snappers that aren't the starting centers. Mannelly has never played a down on regular offense as far as I can remember, but then Olin Kreutz hasn't missed many downs over the last several years. I am sure it would take some kind of dire emergency before they would use Mannelly as a center, but if you look back at his college records that was his position.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The question I'm asking below is not about the Bears specifically but about today's American football in general.

Aren't there teams that use back up TEs as long snappers?

Answer
Not that I know of, but other than the Bears I don't know if I can name a long snapper. Not exactly a marquis position in football. It certainly is possible that a high school center could become a college tight end but continue snapping on special teams, so I think it's possible.