This Twitter thread is amazeballs.
Guys, it's time for me to ascend to my final form and produce the content I was born to create.
It's time for a deep dive into last night's FCS long snapping catastrophe. https://t.co/m98qL6MVRD
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 30, 2020
Last night was the first CFB game of the year, between Austin Peay & Central Arkansas. From the jump, Peay had trouble with punt snaps.
Punt #1: Over punter's head, punted for -12 yards https://t.co/fdAmIQKWyU
Punt #3: Low, bobbled, loss of 27 yards https://t.co/C8XyQCyaSI— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 30, 2020
The announcers noted that Austin Peay's long snapper didn't make the trip and a backup was in, but that's not quite right.
Austin Peay has *three* long snappers on the roster, #43, #46, and #47.
But last night, #33 was snapping. That's not any of those guys! pic.twitter.com/BHnH7kLnxs— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 30, 2020
#33 is Cameron Miller, a backup LB. Transfer from Mississippi State.
Last week, Austin Peay's website—and I can't get over this—featured an amazingly detailed analysis of the long snapper position. Does not mention Miller at all. Just the other 3 guys.https://t.co/XU7Zqlm1Qc pic.twitter.com/hBLpTfaIyD
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 30, 2020
I can only imagine what Vince Dooley might have said about facing off against a team on its fourth-string long snappah. I don’t think even he could have spun that.
Get The Picture 
Between coach Dooley and Munson it could have been epic toss in a Loran what ya got. Yea i`m tuning into to that interview.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, Senator, you have been saying depth will be key this year. I’ll go one step further and suggest that position groups should definitely not room together. It seems as though special teams players tend to hang out more with each other than the rest of the team, which is natural since what they do is so, well, specialized.
LikeLike
Ha. Priceless. I wonder if any other team in this position will just “go for it” on every fourth down after seeing this debacle.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The interesting takeaway was how effective the QB was at punting though, after those two punts. They essentially had him quick punt out of the shotgun on 4th downs the rest of the game and it worked great. He pinned them deep several times.
Andy Staples broke it down in an article how more teams should do this. It puts the defense in a tough spot. If they play a regular formation on 4th down, the punt is just gonna roll until it stops, which worked incredibly well for Austin Peay. If the defense sends a man back to receive, now the offense has an 11 vs 10 situation to potentially go for it and get the first down. And it’s a call you can make after you line up and see everything. Staples called it the “RPPO” (run pass punt option). If your QB can quick punt worth anything, and you aren’t backed up deep in your own territory, it’s actually a smart move. I expect some of the more innovative coaches to adopt this.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Great ideas.
LikeLike
I missed the first of the game so didn’t realize they were having snapper problems. But I’ve long thought having a QB quick kick on 4th down was an ignored weapon. When we had Ramsey, we should have done that regularly.
LikeLike
Seems like I remember Bryce having a penchant for not only kicking it to the other team, but throwing it as well ….
LikeLike
But speaking of deep in your own territory, my old man swears teams used to “quick kick” on 3rd down from time to time when they were 3rd down and a bus ride. Makes a bit of sense if you have a QB who can punt well to catch them without a return man back. Probably better than always running the typical 3rd and long screen play surrender and then having them break a 25 yard return. Depends on the opponents return game and philosophy TBH.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your old man? Hell, I remember it. Especially when Lothridge was the QB and the regular punter all the time.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m 38. Not sure I’ve ever seen a punt on 3rd down, but maybe I just don’t remember.
LikeLike
I’m 69 so I guess I could be your dad. My only real memory is GT, Bobby Dodd and Billy Lothridge who was a good QB, but was an even better punter. So whether it was 3rd down or 4th down, he was in the game. You really didn’t ‘send in the punt team’.
LikeLike
Makes me even more curious (and sad) why we never saw the RPPO during the Bryce Ramsey era.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep. Bryce was a Billy Lothridge type, and if he had been born 60 years earlier things might have worked out for him more.
LikeLike
Nice
LikeLike
IIRC, the enemy Bobby Dodd would quick kick even on third down.
LikeLike
That’s the “quick” in quick kick. Johnny Majors used it a fair amount as well as both player and coach.
LikeLike
My thought while watching the game: Vince Dooley is a genius!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with you on that one, ole Vince was always worried about that long “snappar” looks like his concern was warranted.
LikeLike
I long snapped from 5th to 8th grade. It was a pretty terrifying experience from a pressure standpoint…..You’ve got to be limber enough to get in an already kinda awkward position while wearing bulky shoulder pads, a helmet and (then) early 90s pants. Not exactly yoga gear. Then you’ve gotta be accurate while viewing your target upside down. I don’t remember the exact fundamentals, but if you’re a righty, it’s basically like your left hand is the push hand (power) on top of the ball, while your right hand is under the ball (knuckles to the ground) and provides the spin. You develop a repeatable pattern by how and where your arms hit your legs on the follow through.
LikeLike
Man, this explains a lot, thanks for posting. I always wondered how the height and distance was achieved. I did not know that they actually throw the ball on to the foot. Thanks man.
LikeLike
just recalled USC had a blind long snapper.
LikeLiked by 1 person