Wilkerson-St. Louis ...

[walshfan]

Brad St. Louis is very good at long snapping hence he has a roster spot every year.

We drafted two centers this year... Guy-Check is working his way into the lineup and Wilkerson is on the PUP until week 6 I believe..

While Wilkerson cant practice with the team why cant he practice long snapping?He's got 6 weeks to practice the art...

The team apparently thinks he has as future either as the starting center or a backup C-G ......

If Wilkerson who I think long snapped in college if memory serves me right) can become effective at long snapping on the NFL level we save a roster spot in the future for a player that can contribute more on the field..

I think St. Louis is on special teams too ( cant remember ) but we could sign someone that is a backup at another position to play special teams as well.

Roster spots are invaluable and to just reserve one for a guy that really does nothing aside from that seems to limit us in terms of productivity overall..

[Stripes]

I have a feeling they have been trying other possible long snappers since St. Louis has been with the team. If they haven't found someone as consistent as him, then I am happy to have him on the roster. If they do find a replacement, all the better.

[Kazkal]

is it me or do long snappers always seem to be under 270

[HoosierCat]

Marvin does not want his LS doing anything but LS. Not even kick coverage on STs.

http://www.bengals.com/press/news.asp?iCur...=0&news_id=3103

[jbx182]

i think getting wilkerson was a steal. if he heals, he may be the center of the future. this guy could've been a late first rounder...

[Stripes]

Marvin does not want his LS doing anything but LS. Not even kick coverage on STs.

http://www.bengals.com/press/news.asp?iCur...=0&news_id=3103

Fair enough. I'm not worried about losing a roster spot over it. Better have a solid long snapper than a backup corner and a game lost due to a fumbled field goal snap.

[Stripes]

i think getting wilkerson was a steal. if he heals, he may be the center of the future. this guy could've been a late first rounder...

I hope he ends up good enough to replace Braham, but I'm skeptical. I'm not sure an injury would reduce a 1st round talent to an undrafted free agent.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

i think getting wilkerson was a steal. if he heals, he may be the center of the future. this guy could've been a late first rounder...

I hope he ends up good enough to replace Braham, but I'm skeptical. I'm not sure an injury would reduce a 1st round talent to an undrafted free agent.

He has to be good enough to replace the other center we actually DRAFTED before he's good enough to replace Braham.

[TJJackson]

I recall specifically reading that he had been tried as a long snapper in college and the experiement had gone badly.....nonetheless, i think he replaces ghiaciuc next year or at the very least becomes a backup guard.

[BengalszoneBilly]

is it me or do long snappers always seem to be under 270

These guy's aren't your normal "centers" by any means. Snapping the ball to a pair of hands that are practically wedged against your ass, then going into your blocking assignment is one thing. Snapping a ball in a reasonable spiral to a punter or kneeling holder about 10-15 yards (depending) behind you so he can catch and place it in a timed manuever for the kicker to kick through the uprights is another.

These guy's are usually former tight ends who didn't have the ability to actually make it at their original positions, but found a niche and therefore remain in the league! (It's all about doin' what it takes to pay the bills you know!) These are players such as the Eagles Mike Bartrum, or the Colts Justin Snow who have a bit more hand skills to do what basically amounts to throwing an inverted pass behind you.

Almost all teams use a specialist for this job. The only team that has a real center listed as doing this job is the Jets Kevin Mawae, but he's the #2 long snapper out of three listed. Both of the others are listed as tight ends as well.