More and More Snappers On NFL Rosters
NFL Snappers Give Back To Up and Coming College Seniors
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| Nick Sundberg (Redskins) and Jonathan Weeks (Texans) Assist Coach Zauner at College Senior Specialist's Combine Event |
Coach Zauner's Programs Are Associated With
These Snappers on NFL Roster:
Nick Sundberg - Redskins
Jonathan Weeks - Texans
Matt Overton - Colts
Matt Katula - Ravens, Patriots and Vikings
Morgan Cox - Ravens
Justin Drescher - Saints
Christian Yount - Browns
Beau Brinkley - Titans
Jeremy Cain - Jaguars
NFL Specialist’s
Embrace Coach Zauner, LLC
The life of a snapper can be described as all guts and no
glory. Hardly any fan can ever name their team’s long snapper, unless it’s for
the wrong reasons. When things go badly on a snap the whole world knows
it. This is why over my 35-year
coaching career, I’ve always said, “The most vital man in your kicking game is
the snapper.” Every good kick or punt starts with a good snap.
Any kicker and punter will credit success to their snappers.
It’s a bond that specialists have because of their operation. You may even say
it’s similar to a quarterback’s timing with a receiver running routes. Kickers
and punters rely heavily on comfort and concentration, and an errant or wobbly
snap can throw everything off balance. A bad snap can even throw a holder off
his spot by just a few inches causing a kick to sail wide. I can’t say it
enough; the snapper is the most vital man in the kicking game!
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| Coach Zauner January PRO Development Camp For Snappers And Punters |
When I was a punter and kicker in high school and college, I
always appreciated having a good snapper because it made my job so much easier.
I was only as good as my snapper was. That’s why over my high school, college and NFL coaching career, I’ve always put finding a good snapper at the top of my recruiting and
scouting lists.
As a side note, when I was an NFL Special Teams Coach with the Baltimore Ravens, I
petitioned for snappers to be a part of both the NFL Combine and the Pro Bowl
because I felt that they are a ‘football player’ just as anyone else on the team. With the support and endorsement of several NFL Coaches and Coordinators, the petition was brought to the NFL Competition Committee and passed. Initially, the NFL Combine invited two snappers each year but has since dropped to one. As far as each team having a long snapper for the Pro Bowl, it was decided each team would have a 'need' player the coaches select and its generally understood it's always a snapper.
This just goes to show that long snappers are still at the bottom of the food chain.
When I started back into my consulting business as a kicking coach, the idea of
finding and coaching snappers carried over in it. This idea seems to have
caught on since several NFL teams have consulted with Coach Zauner, LLC in
regards to snappers. My track record with punters and kickers has always spoken for itself, however the number of snappers finding 'A Specialist's Path to PRO Football' is ever increasing as the results are proving.
Pro scouts and personnel generally find it difficult to
evaluate kickers, punters and in particular snappers. I believe because of my
background and appreciation for snappers, I have a gift to find, evaluate,
refine and develop them. Currently eight of the 32 starting NFL snappers have come
through a Coach Zauner Program.
Also, I think it would be very interesting to train and develop positional players to be a back up snapper in case of injury. A perfect example of this is when Oakland Raiders snapper Jon Condo received a concussion and had no back-up causing a special teams fiasco. These unfortunate events ultimately cost Oakland the game. Because of the 53-man roster rule today, NFL teams no longer carry back-up kickers, punters and snappers.
Coach Zauner as an NFL and UFL Special Teams Coordinator
Even though I was a special teams coordinator, my job was to be a good teacher to each individual player. Not only was I also responsible for finding and evaluating talent, but I still coached my specialists to refine their technique. Being a full-time NFL Special Teams Coach also included being a One on One teacher to all my specialists as well.
One of the first specialists to come through my One on One Long Snapping Lessons was my former long snapper while I was a special teams coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 2004. Like myself, Matt Katula (U. of Wisconsin) was from Wisconsin which is how I came to hear about him. He was a very tall and lean athlete and self-taught snapper and I felt with the proper guidance he could become a great snapper. Matt not only made the roster in 2004 but also led the NFL snappers in solo tackles.
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| Matt Katula (Ravens, Patriots & Vikings) One on One Lessons Baltimore Ravens Signed Matt To A Free Agent Contract In 2004 |
Even after I had moved on in my career, Matt continued to play for the Ravens through the 2009 season. Because Matt suffered an injury, ironically he lost his starting job to undrafted rookie free agent Morgan Cox who
attended my 2010 College Senior Specialist’s Kicking Combine.
Looking to continue snapping in the NFL, Matt came to
Phoenix for One on One Snapping Lessons to refine his technique. Being self-taught, when Matt started to have problems he was not sure of how to fix it himself. Matt entrusted me as his snapping coach with the Ravens and was again comfortable working with me to get his old form back. And this time being more fundamentally sound and knowing how to correct mistakes.
Matt was able to return to his old form by signing and playing for both the New
England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings and spending this year in the Pittsburgh
Steelers training camp. Click below to listen to Matt Katula's testimonial:
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| Nick Sundberg Washington Redskins Snapper
Washington Redskins long snapper Nick Sundberg (Cal. Berkeley) was first recommended to
me by fellow snapping coach Ben Bernard. Nick came to receive One on One
Snapping Lessons and in his spare time he would snap for other kickers and
punters that I was coaching. This allowed me to get more familiar with him and
improve on his technique. As I worked with Nick, I became so impressed with his
ability that I brought him to play under me for the California
Redwoods during the UFL's inaugural season.
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| Coach Zauner and Nick Sundberg with UFL California Redwoods |
As Nick adopted my new coaching techniques, he became a
consistent snapper and played very well in the UFL. I felt that Nick was
capable of playing in the NFL and had recommended him to several teams. In no
time at all, he was signed by the Washington Redskins to a futures contract and
eventually beat out the incumbent starter who was also a former Pro Bowler. Click Below to listen to Nick Sundberg's testimonial. Nick still remains on the Redskins in his fourth season, however he unfortunately broke his arm this week and is on injured reserve with a projected return. The Redskins designated Nick for return under a new NFL rule that allows each team to re-activate one player per year from IR. Under the rule my understanding is Nick must miss at least six weeks of practices and at least eight games.
Coach Zauner's Free Agent Combines Produces Results
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| NFL Special Teams Coordinators and Directors of Pro Personnel Evaluate Snappers
Another snapper brought to my attention by Ben Bernard was
Jonathan Weeks (Baylor University). Jonathan had spent the last three years attempting a career as
a professional long snapper in the NFL. Coach Bernard had recommended Jon to me
not only because of my knowledge, but because Jon could use my 2010 Free Agent Specialist’s Kicking Combine to get maximum exposure to NFL Special Teams Coordinators and Directors of Pro Personnel.
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| Jonathan Weeks Signs with Texans After 2010 Free Agent Combine |
When Jon came to me, I could see that he had a heart of gold
and was willing to give it anything for one last shot as his dream. I evaluated Jon a couple of months before the March Free Agent Specialist's Kicking Combine and he admitted he was a little rusty but I was more than confident he would
turn some heads once he got back in snapping shape. For the next couple of months Jon would come out and snap for some of my One on One Kicking and Punting Lessons giving me an opportunity to keep a watchful eye on his progress.
As undersized as Jon may be, I knew that his skills, work ethic, and determination would land him on an NFL team that year. I told him that it only takes one team to fall in love with you and that team was the Houston Texans. After the combine, four NFL teams had taken notice to Jonathan. Each were planning on bringing him in for tryouts, however as soon as he finished his workout in Houston they told him to cancel his other trips and signed him to a free agent contract.
As a side note, I would also like to take a moment to thank Coach Bernard for sending me both Nick Sundberg and Jonathan Weeks.
Ben has been nothing but a professional to me. These two young men are not the only snappers that he has recommended to me and they won’t be the last. He has truly shown his dedication to help young men become better snappers whether that means they are working with him or someone else. I admire his selflessness and would like to express my most sincere gratitude. Click below to listen to Jonathan Week's testimonial.
As undersized as Jon may be, I knew that his skills, work ethic, and determination would land him on an NFL team that year. I told him that it only takes one team to fall in love with you and that team was the Houston Texans. After the combine, four NFL teams had taken notice to Jonathan. Each were planning on bringing him in for tryouts, however as soon as he finished his workout in Houston they told him to cancel his other trips and signed him to a free agent contract.
As a side note, I would also like to take a moment to thank Coach Bernard for sending me both Nick Sundberg and Jonathan Weeks.
Ben has been nothing but a professional to me. These two young men are not the only snappers that he has recommended to me and they won’t be the last. He has truly shown his dedication to help young men become better snappers whether that means they are working with him or someone else. I admire his selflessness and would like to express my most sincere gratitude. Click below to listen to Jonathan Week's testimonial.
Current Indianapolis Colts long snapper Matt Overton (Western Washington) is also
quite familiar in working with Coach Zauner, LLC. Matt has been a living
example of why Coach Zauner Programs are the best way to reach ‘A Specialist’s
Path to PRO Football’. He has taken One on One Snapping Lessons, participated
in my PRO Development Camps, and showcased his snapping skills in three of my Free Agent Specialist's Kicking Combines.
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| Matt Overton Shows Snapping & Coverage Skills - 2012 Free Agent Combine |
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| Matt Overton Signs With Colts After 2012 Free Agent Combine |
As a result, Matt spent three seasons in the UFL making a name for himself and was subsequently signed by the Colts after they had seen him at my 2012 Free Agent Specialist's Kicking Combine. Matt has a passion for snapping and has an unbelievable work ethic. In the last four years that I have known Matt he has refined his skills and taken his game to the next level. He is living proof that hard work pays off. Click below to listen to Matt Overton's testimonial.
Coach Zauner's College Senior Specialist's Combine...Produces Results Again and Again
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| Coach Zauner's College Senior Specialist's Combine In March - Phoenix, Arizona |
So far, each College Senior Specialist's Combine has yielded at least one
snapper to the NFL in each year of its existence. The word has spread through the snapping community and more parents and agents are sending their sons and clients to Phoenix, Arizona to get the coaching and exposure they are looking for and deserve. The proof is in the results.
In addition to attending the College Senior Specialist's Kicking Combine, several specialist's attend my January Arizona PRO Development Camp and One on One Lessons in order to improve their technique and prepare to compete in the Combine.
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| Morgan Cox Snaps to Drew Butler at 2009 PRO Development Camp in Minnesota Currently Morgan Cox (Baltimore Ravens) and Drew Butler (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Morgan Cox (U. of Tennessee) of the Baltimore Ravens
and Christian Yount (UCLA) of the Cleveland Browns were a
part of my PRO Development Camps and took One on One Snapping Lessons
respectively in order to better prepare for their College Senior Specialist's
Combines. Both young men were excellent college long snappers, but they
needed to refine their technique and find a platform to showcase their
snapping, blocking and coverage skills.
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| Morgan Cox College Senior Specialist's Combine - 2010 Signs 2010 Free Agent Contract With Baltimore Ravens |
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| Morgan Cox Baltimore Ravens Snapper |
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| Christian Yount Performs at College Senior Combine - 2011 Signs 2011 Free Agent Contract with Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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| Christian Yount Cleveland Browns Snapper
Being a former NFL Special Teams Coach with the Baltimore Ravens, I recommended Morgan to GM Ozzie Newsome and his personnel staff. Immediately after the 2010 NFL Draft, Morgan was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Ravens.
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Morgan had a plan for his 'Specialist's Path to PRO Football' back in 2010 when I first met him at my PRO Development Camp. He used Coach Zauner's Programs to refine his skills and get the exposure he needed and deserved. He felt that his career at U. of Tennessee combined with professional coaching and my contacts in the NFL would help him sign a professional contract. His skills, hard work and determination won him the starting job through training camp. He has been the snapper for the Ravens the past three seasons.
I first met Christian, his father and agent while attending the 2011 College Senior Bowl. After some consultation, they decided he should come to Phoenix for One on One Snapping Lessons because he needed to improve and become more consistent. Like Nick and Jonathan, Christian worked with another Snapping Coach in Chris Rubio. After Christian and his father consulted with Chris, they all felt that any extra help that he could get would be beneficial. I would like to extend my gratitude to Chris like Ben Bernard who has shown his dedication in wanting young men to succeed in the game of football.
Christian was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2011 NFL draft as an insurance policy for their incumbent injured snapper. Christian made the initial final roster out of training camp, however when Andrew Economos was healthy the Buccaneers decide to stay with their five year veteran snapper.
After being cut early in the season, Christian signed with the Cleveland Browns where he is still the starting long snapper today. Click below to listen to Morgan Cox (Ravens) and Christian Yount's (Browns) testimonials.
Beau Brinkley (U. of Missouri) and current Tennessee Titans long snapper made his
case at my 2012 College Senior Combine. Beau utilized all of the Coach Zauner, LLC programs to his benefit. Beau and his father Mike felt that
attending my January Arizona PRO Development Camp for Punters and Snappers would be a perfect way to prepare for the Combine.
Beau and Mike Brinkley After One on One Snapping Lessons - AZ
After experiencing my style of coaching and teaching methods at the PRO Development Camp, Beau and his father Mike decided to returned for some One on One
Snapping Lessons. With each lesson Beau continued to improve on his snapping, blocking and coverage skills.
Despite Beau not having his ‘best’ day at the combine, he
still performed very well and because I had seen him work out several times I
was confident in recommending him. Shortly after the 2012 NFL Draft, Beau was signed by the Titans and was able to win the starting job during training camp. Click below to listen to Beau Brinkley's testimonial.
Another NFL long snapper who has utilized the College Senior Specialist's Kicking Combine is Justin Drescher of the New Orleans Saints. Prior to meeting Justin at the Combine I was not familiar with him, but I could immediately see he had good
size and athleticism. After each Combine, I personally contact all NFL teams to
discuss my recommendations, and Justin’s performance alone at the Combine was
enough for me to include him on my list.
Justin Drescher College Senior Specialist's Combine - 2010
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| Justin Drescher (U. of Colorado) Attends College Senior Specialist's Combine - 2010 Signs 2010 Free Agent Contract With New Orleans Saints |
After signing as an undrafted free agent and spending
training camp with the Atlanta Falcons in 2010, Justin was released only to be
picked up by New Orleans in midseason as their starter was placed on injury
reserve.
Justin never a took One on One Lesson or attended any of my PRO Development Camps. However, he used the platform of my College Senior Specialist's Combine to get my endorsement and get the exposure to NFL teams he wanted and deserved. The system worked for Justin and he is still the starting long snapper for the Saints today.
Like I always say, “Coaches Coach and Players Play” but a
large part of the reason these young men are successful is because they
capitalized on the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete at an event or venue with other talented specialists. As an evaluator of talent, it is much easier for me to be able to recommend the best of the best to NFL teams especially when you see them all compete at a big event such as my College Senior Specialist's Kicking Combine.
Jacksonville Jaguars Long Snapper Jeremy Cain One on One Lessons
Jacksonville Jaguars Long Snapper Jeremy Cain One on One Lessons
Coach Zauner Programs are made for all specialists, and that
includes current NFL players looking to learn and refine their techniques.
Working with professionals can be a very delicate process. The reason that they
made it to the NFL is because they are very talented to begin with, and the reason they stay in the NFL is because of consistent performances. My goal when
working with veteran NFL kicking specialists for the first time is to watch, evaluate and document the way they perform their skill and see if there are any inconsistencies. Eventually, I ask them to try some Coach Zauner drills and techniques to see which ones they like and work best for them.
Because Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee has seen
success in taking One on One Kicking Lessons over the past three years, he recommended his long snapper Jeremy Cain to accompany him to Phoenix to have an extra
set of eyes watch him snap. Jeremy wasn’t necessarily struggling in any
particular aspect, but he felt that there is always room to improve so he
decided it would be a good idea to attend.
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| Jeremy Cain (Jaguars) Comes For One on One Lessons To Refine Technique |
As a side note to his One on One Snapping Lessons, Jeremy started his NFL career in training camp with the Chicago Bears as a linebacker and special teams player. He developed into an NFL snapper with a lot of self taught practice and hard work. Jeremy is a Pros Pro and wants to make sure he maintains and improves his skills at the highest level to insure he keeps one of those 32 very precious and sought after roster spots.
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| Jeremy Cain One on One Snapping Lesson in Phoenix, AZ - 2012 |
After working with Jeremy, I could see why he made it to the NFL. He was able to improve on a few minor inconsistencies and slightly altered his field goal technique. After their stay, I felt that Jeremy was very coachable and left Phoenix satisfied with what he had learned.
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| Coach Zauner at July PRO Development Camp in Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
The snapper is the 'Vital' or most important man in your kicking game. As a former kicker and special teams coach, you realize how important they really are, especially if you don't have a good one.
It has been a real pleasure meeting, coaching and helping these snappers realize their dream of playing or staying in the NFL. The purpose for creating my One on One Lessons and PRO Development Camps were to help young men meet their maximum potential while my College Senior and Free Agent Specialist's Kicking Combines were designed as my 'Field of Dreams' for deserving specialist's around the country to get exposure they all deserve. Nothing brings me more enjoyment than the success my students see on the field and in life.
Coach Zauner’s Programs have been ‘A Specialist’s Path to PRO Football’ for
several kickers, punters, and snappers across the country and I hope to continue this trend for years to come.
Stay Tuned for More of Coach Zauner's Blog!
