The rock band Van Halen tried to replace David Lee Roth as their head singer several times, but the band discovered sometimes you just can’t replace what you had. General manager Ted Thompson might have realized just that. On Sunday, it was announced that the Green Bay Packers are bringing back veteran long snapper Brett Goode.
Green Bay Packers Re-Signing Veteran Long Snapper Brett Goode
When Packers kicker Mason Crosby struggled in the Packers Family Night, it appeared that change was on the horizon for the Packers special teams. Crosby, who had a stellar 2016-2017 season, came into this season’s training camp with a new rookie long snapper, Derek Hart, and a new rookie holder in punter Justin Vogel. The Packers cut last season’s punter Jacob Schum, who was the Packers holder last season, before the start of training camp, deciding to try to replace the veteran Goode with the rookie Hart.
Vogel, an undrafted free agent out of Miami (FL), is off to a strong start in his first professional training camp as the punter, making the impression that he is not going anywhere. However, Hart, who is an undrafted free agent out of James Madison, has struggled at times this training camp, especially with his snaps on field goals and extra points. Although Hart was not released when the Packer re-signed Goode, it appears he will have an uphill climb to replace Goode as the Packers starting long snapper.
With Goode, the Packers and special teams coordinator Ron Zook know what they are getting. Goode was originally signed by the Packers back in 2008 when then long snapper JJ Jansen was lost to a knee injury. Goode has held the starting long snapper position since then, although there has been a few bumps in the road. After suffering a torn ACL late in 2015, the Packers chose not to re-sign until September of the 2016-2017 season. Once again, Thompson rolled the dice, choosing not to re-sign until just this past weekend.
Although many fans might not think that replacing a long snapper is that big of an ordeal, it is, especially when you are playing in Green Bay, Wisconsin. When the weather turns, kicking in Green Bay becomes a very tough task, so having the right snapper, holder, and kicker becomes very crucial. With that in mind, it is curious why Thompson wants to mess with a good thing with Goode and Crosby.
Back in 2012, Crosby almost kicked his way out of a job, when he went 21 for 33 on field goal attempts. Crosby has bounced back to become one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers, but messing with his long snapper, does not seem like a sound decision. Although Hart might be younger, less expensive, and possibly better in coverage, Goode has proven year in and year out that he is a very reliable snapping the ball. Although there is still a chance that Vogel might be replaced as the holder, do not be surprised if you see Goode as the starting long snapper for the Packers this season.
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