Captcoolhand
10-28-2008, 06:59 AM
The Steelers will work out four players today at their practice facility as they try to fill the void they have at long snapper.
Greg Warren went down with a season-ending knee injury in the Steelers' 21-14 loss Sunday to the New York Giants. Warren, who has been the Steelers' long snapper since 2005, had surgery Monday.
Those vying to replace him are Jared Retkofsky, Tim Lindsey, Derek Rackley and Boone Stutz.
Rackley, who played in the NFL from 2000-07, is the most experienced of the group; the Steelers have the most familiarity with Retkofsky. He signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and spent parts of the last two training camps with the team.
Kicker Jeff Reed said Retkofsky impressed him in the short stints he had with the Steelers.
"I know what he can do," Reed said. "I think it's an open competition and whoever snaps the best will get it, but if Jared has a good workout, he'll be here."
Making a few exceptions
Reed said the NFL should consider making roster allowances so teams could dress more specialists for games.
The reason: what they do is so, well, specialized that an injury during a game puts the team in a bind, as the Steelers discovered in the loss to the Giants.
James Harrison had to serve as the Steelers' long snapper on a punt in the fourth quarter because of Warren's injury. His snap sailed over punter Mitch Berger's head and rolled out of the back of the end zone, giving the Giants a game-tying safety.
"You only have one kicker, one punter and one snapper; when something like this happens, it changes the whole game," Reed said. "I'm not saying it's the reason we lost, but to put someone in the fire to long snap (like Harrison) is not an easy job."
:2cents: Well it only seems obvious that Jared Retkofsky will be signed to replace Warren. But whoever they sign has to be better than trying to use Harrison. :duh:
Greg Warren went down with a season-ending knee injury in the Steelers' 21-14 loss Sunday to the New York Giants. Warren, who has been the Steelers' long snapper since 2005, had surgery Monday.
Those vying to replace him are Jared Retkofsky, Tim Lindsey, Derek Rackley and Boone Stutz.
Rackley, who played in the NFL from 2000-07, is the most experienced of the group; the Steelers have the most familiarity with Retkofsky. He signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and spent parts of the last two training camps with the team.
Kicker Jeff Reed said Retkofsky impressed him in the short stints he had with the Steelers.
"I know what he can do," Reed said. "I think it's an open competition and whoever snaps the best will get it, but if Jared has a good workout, he'll be here."
Making a few exceptions
Reed said the NFL should consider making roster allowances so teams could dress more specialists for games.
The reason: what they do is so, well, specialized that an injury during a game puts the team in a bind, as the Steelers discovered in the loss to the Giants.
James Harrison had to serve as the Steelers' long snapper on a punt in the fourth quarter because of Warren's injury. His snap sailed over punter Mitch Berger's head and rolled out of the back of the end zone, giving the Giants a game-tying safety.
"You only have one kicker, one punter and one snapper; when something like this happens, it changes the whole game," Reed said. "I'm not saying it's the reason we lost, but to put someone in the fire to long snap (like Harrison) is not an easy job."
:2cents: Well it only seems obvious that Jared Retkofsky will be signed to replace Warren. But whoever they sign has to be better than trying to use Harrison. :duh: