Thread: SI.com:Mike Leach

Peter King
August 28, 2007

How does a tight end who's never caught an NFL pass last seven seasons? By becoming the master of football's overlooked art

After a run through the list of the top 500 players, aren't you curious about 501 through 1,696? While I didn't rank every one of the 53 men on the 32 rosters, I did want to single out a player who represents the unranked 70% of the NFL and embodies the notion that, in a league of stars who date Gisele Bündchen and hang with Kenny Chesney, there's a critical role for everyone on the roster. This player, given the symbolic ranking of 1,000, is Mike Leach, long snapper for the Broncos.

The man who hikes the ball on punts, and field goal and extra-point attempts might seem the most replaceable of players. But consider this: Over the last decade 24% of all NFL games have been decided by three points or less, and a poor long snap can be the difference.

In Week 16 last year, with 41 seconds left in a game at Denver, the Bengals got a bad snap on a point-after attempt that would have tied the game at 24. A victory would have ensured Cincinnati a nine-win season and an AFC wild-card spot over 9-7 Kansas City. Instead, the Bengals finished 8-8 and stayed home. Such is the value of a player like Leach, who in 4 1D 2 seasons with Denver has made 641 regular-season snaps, and every one was spot on; the only muffed exchange in that time came when the holder turned his head away after calling the signal.

A tight end and punter at Boston University and William & Mary, Leach signed with the Titans in 2000. "One day [at training camp] I just picked up a ball and snapped it to [punter] Craig Hentrich," Leach says. "The special-teams coach, Alan Lowry, noticed something in that snap and told me, 'A tight end who snaps can stay in this league a lot longer than a tight end who punts.' "

Though officially listed as a tight end, Leach has never caught a pass as a pro and has been on the field for only 13 plays with the offense in his time in Denver. Instead, he runs on and off virtually unnoticed and handles the pressure with ease. Says Leach, "I've just never let the moment get to me." Not even against Oakland in the snow three seasons ago, when Raiders tackle Warren Sapp tried to ice him. "I was clearing the snow away from the spot where I was going to snap,' " Leach says, "and he kept kicking the snow back on the spot. I was just kidding around, but I said something like, 'Don't make me come over there and kick your ***.' "

As usual, the snap was made and the kick was good.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...903/index.html

'Bout time Leach got some love

I just wish a few more people would realise how specialised that position is, and stop calling for him to be cut just because he's the 5th of 5 TE's listed on the roster...............

Article doesn't mention though that despite coming from the centre of the line with his head down he's also normally one of the quickest to get down field in coverage as well

Originally Posted by Den21vsBal19

'Bout time Leach got some love

I just wish a few more people would realise how specialised that position is, and stop calling for him to be cut just because he's the 5th of 5 TE's listed on the roster...............

Article doesn't mention though that despite coming from the centre of the line with his head down he's also normally one of the quickest to get down field in coverage as well

No doubt. What he's been able to do for so long at what he does is amazing to me.

Just goes to show you how special that position really is.

Originally Posted by columbiaskinny

No doubt. What he's been able to do for so long at what he does is amazing to me.

Just goes to show you how special that position really is.

One bad snap in over 600..............and that couldn't be put on him




WOW

This topic got pretty heated last training camp where some people were saying Leach should be cut, because it made no sense to keep a dedicated long snapper. 'Anyone' should be able to practice and get good. NOT.

When a team finds a reliable long snapper, they hold on to them like gold, because it is a very important job.

Originally Posted by tnedator

This topic got pretty heated last training camp where some people were saying Leach should be cut, because it made no sense to keep a dedicated long snapper. 'Anyone' should be able to practice and get good. NOT.

When a team finds a reliable long snapper, they hold on to them like gold, because it is a very important job.

I remember that topic, it was like some thought long snapping was no big deal. They didn't realize just tough that job is.

I seem to remember that leach caught a couple of passes over the past few years Seem s to me one was for a TD or a near TD.

Does anyone else remember?

Also this kid is in on many tackle or containment. Many times he is the first one down field on the punt snap.

Originally Posted by Jrwiz

I seem to remember that leach caught a couple of passes over the past few years Seem s to me one was for a TD or a near TD.

Does anyone else remember?

Also this kid is in on many tackle or containment. Many times he is the first one down field on the punt snap.

I seem to remember his catching a few passes in training camp last year and
impressing everyone that he could do what they thought he could not. And he
would have to be a good blocker, or they would not have him in the middle in
the first place. So he is a viable backup TE, as well as terrific LS. To get rid of
this guy would be a dreadful mistake.

IMHO.

-----

Originally Posted by topscribe

I seem to remember his catching a few passes in training camp last year and
impressing everyone that he could do what they thought he could not. And he
would have to be a good blocker, or they would not have him in the middle in
the first place. So he is a viable backup TE, as well as terrific LS. To get rid of
this guy would be a dreadful mistake.

IMHO.

-----

Maybe it was in TC but I remember him catching a few maybe even as a Blocking back when we were hurting back there.

Originally Posted by Jrwiz

I seem to remember that leach caught a couple of passes over the past few years Seem s to me one was for a TD or a near TD.

Does anyone else remember?

Also this kid is in on many tackle or containment. Many times he is the first one down field on the punt snap.

I don't remember Leach catching any passes, but I do remember him actually getting onto the field once or twice during couple years back.

He's not only an awesome long-snapper, he's almost always one of the first guys downfield making the tackle on punt coverage.

You watch the next game. He's incredible.

Originally Posted by columbiaskinny

Peter King
August 28, 2007

How does a tight end who's never caught an NFL pass last seven seasons? By becoming the master of football's overlooked art

After a run through the list of the top 500 players, aren't you curious about 501 through 1,696? While I didn't rank every one of the 53 men on the 32 rosters, I did want to single out a player who represents the unranked 70% of the NFL and embodies the notion that, in a league of stars who date Gisele Bündchen and hang with Kenny Chesney, there's a critical role for everyone on the roster. This player, given the symbolic ranking of 1,000, is Mike Leach, long snapper for the Broncos.

The man who hikes the ball on punts, and field goal and extra-point attempts might seem the most replaceable of players. But consider this: Over the last decade 24% of all NFL games have been decided by three points or less, and a poor long snap can be the difference.

In Week 16 last year, with 41 seconds left in a game at Denver, the Bengals got a bad snap on a point-after attempt that would have tied the game at 24. A victory would have ensured Cincinnati a nine-win season and an AFC wild-card spot over 9-7 Kansas City. Instead, the Bengals finished 8-8 and stayed home. Such is the value of a player like Leach, who in 4 1D 2 seasons with Denver has made 641 regular-season snaps, and every one was spot on; the only muffed exchange in that time came when the holder turned his head away after calling the signal.

A tight end and punter at Boston University and William & Mary, Leach signed with the Titans in 2000. "One day [at training camp] I just picked up a ball and snapped it to [punter] Craig Hentrich," Leach says. "The special-teams coach, Alan Lowry, noticed something in that snap and told me, 'A tight end who snaps can stay in this league a lot longer than a tight end who punts.' "

Though officially listed as a tight end, Leach has never caught a pass as a pro and has been on the field for only 13 plays with the offense in his time in Denver. Instead, he runs on and off virtually unnoticed and handles the pressure with ease. Says Leach, "I've just never let the moment get to me." Not even against Oakland in the snow three seasons ago, when Raiders tackle Warren Sapp tried to ice him. "I was clearing the snow away from the spot where I was going to snap,' " Leach says, "and he kept kicking the snow back on the spot. I was just kidding around, but I said something like, 'Don't make me come over there and kick your ***.' "
As usual, the snap was made and the kick was good.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...903/index.html

He may want to watch himself there....Sapp could top him with some of that ice and a little cherry juice and eat him as a snow cone.

Leach doesn't get near enough praise for the part he plays on our team. It makes me laugh every times someone says...Just cut Leach, all he does is long snap. All he does??? Come on bozo, let's see you go out and do it with the same skill. Lmao!

Originally Posted by GEM

He may want to watch himself there....Sapp could top him with some of that ice and a little cherry juice and eat him as a snow cone.

Leach doesn't get near enough praise for the part he plays on our team. It makes me laugh every times someone says...Just cut Leach, all he does is long snap. All he does??? Come on bozo, let's see you go out and do it with the same skill. Lmao!

Actually most say cut him because he is worthless as a TE. Not even noticing that he is a LS.

Originally Posted by Jrwiz

Actually most say cut him because he is worthless as a TE. Not even noticing that he is a LS.

Either that or they think that long snapping is an easy skill to learn.

Amen....