For those living under a rock and don't know who John Denney is, he is our long snapper. Denney is very good at what he does and has played in all 64 games with the Dolphins since he was signed in 2005. That year he had replaced Ed Perry, who was also a solid long snapper and also played some tight end.
Denney has no other position(except for some special teams work) besides being the team's long snapper. Now, I am not banging on his door with a torch and a pitchfork, I just wanted to throw this thought I had out there. I would personally be OK with Denney being on the team as the long snapper as we have learned over time that it is not always an easy position to fill.
I know Jason Taylor is only likely here for one year, but he was the backup long snapper for 9 seasons and was getting work at long snapping at yesterday's OTA. If Taylor could become the full time long snapper and still be an OLB, then we could free up another roster space and potentially keep another WR, lineman or linebacker. If a player who plays an actual position on the offense or defense could step in and perform as the long snapper, wouldn't we be better off going with that over a guy who's only responsibility is to snap the ball on punts, field goals and extra points?
Of course the idea of going with Taylor over Denney does have some major drawbacks. Denney will only 30 years old and probably has a lot more seasons left in him, especially with him only on the field 10 or so times a game. Denney has been consistent and healthy his entire Dolphins career, so replacing him doesn't guarantee improvement in that department.
Again, I am not asking for Denney to be replaced, I am just asking if you would rather see a player at another position also handle long snapping to free up another roster space?
Denney has no other position(except for some special teams work) besides being the team's long snapper. Now, I am not banging on his door with a torch and a pitchfork, I just wanted to throw this thought I had out there. I would personally be OK with Denney being on the team as the long snapper as we have learned over time that it is not always an easy position to fill.
I know Jason Taylor is only likely here for one year, but he was the backup long snapper for 9 seasons and was getting work at long snapping at yesterday's OTA. If Taylor could become the full time long snapper and still be an OLB, then we could free up another roster space and potentially keep another WR, lineman or linebacker. If a player who plays an actual position on the offense or defense could step in and perform as the long snapper, wouldn't we be better off going with that over a guy who's only responsibility is to snap the ball on punts, field goals and extra points?
Of course the idea of going with Taylor over Denney does have some major drawbacks. Denney will only 30 years old and probably has a lot more seasons left in him, especially with him only on the field 10 or so times a game. Denney has been consistent and healthy his entire Dolphins career, so replacing him doesn't guarantee improvement in that department.
Again, I am not asking for Denney to be replaced, I am just asking if you would rather see a player at another position also handle long snapping to free up another roster space?
