Dein erstes Forum » re 11-6 since the All-Star break.The win

PHILADELPHIA -- Long snappers are the most overlooked starters in the NFL until they mess up or get hurt.The Philadelphia Eagles were down to the No. 3 guy on their depth chart after Jon Dorenbos broke his wrist and backup Brent Celek suffered a stinger in a 27-22 loss to Washington last Sunday.Things got comical at that point.Linebacker Mychal Kendricks decided to try out for the job on the sideline. Defensive end Bryan Braman also attempted a few snaps.But versatile tight end Trey Burton got the call in a clutch spot in the fourth quarter. Burtons snap sailed high, punter Donnie Jones reached up to make the catch and put it down in time for Caleb Sturgis to stutter-step and kick a 41-yard field goal that gave the Eagles a short-lived lead.Donnie made an unbelievable play, Burton said. Hes obviously really good at what he does.Celeks only snap on a 50-yard field goal try was low and Jones couldnt handle it. Neither Celek nor Burton knew kicking balls arent the same as game balls. Theyre much slicker.I dont know why they do that, but it was real waxy, Celek said.The Eagles signed Rick Lovato to replace Dorenbos, who had played in 162 straight games since 2006. Celek and Burton now plan to snap a little more in practice. They may even use kicking balls.I havent done it since training camp, Burton said.Lovato played two games for the Redskins last month after Nick Sundberg was injured. Washingtons emergency long snapper is backup quarterback Colt McCoy. He doesnt fit the profile for the position, but McCoy volunteered for the job in the summer.I told them I could do it, which was a lie, McCoy said. Ive never done it before. But when I went out to do it, I was good at it. I was serviceable. Ive gotten a lot better ever since, and if they need me, Ill step in and do it.McCoy also is the backup punter and holder.We tried everybody who had shoulder pads -- everybody who was dressed, Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. Hes pretty good actually. Not much of a blocker, but hes pretty good.The Ravens once turned to star defensive tackle Haloti Ngata after Morgan Cox tore his right ACL in a game in 2014. Ngatas snap on an extra point was successful. Baltimore almost used running back Willis McGahee when Cox tore his left ACL in a game in 2010, but Cox finished the game out.Most teams have more traditional backups -- linemen, tight ends, linebackers.Travis Kelce, a 2015 Pro Bowl tight end, is one of Kansas Citys backups. His brother, Jason Kelce, is Philadelphias starting center. But snapping the ball on punts and kicks is a different, tougher task. Thats why Travis Kelce is the Chiefs No. 2 guy on punts and fullback Anthony Sherman is the backup on kicks.The idea behind using both guys is that its so hard to be a snapper, to do a long snap and then shift to a short snap so I just wanted Kelce to focus on long snapping and then Sherman is another guy that we can use in a short snapping situation, Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub said.Long snappers have to fire spirals to a punter standing 15 yards away and to a holder 7 or 8 yards deep. It requires speed and perfect placement because timing is crucial for kickers.Those guys are specialists for a reason and theyre so good and you dont realize how bad youre going to miss them until something like that happens, Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said.Tanner Purdum has been New Yorks long snapper since 2010. Jason Taylor, the six-time Pro Bowl defensive end, was Purdums backup that year. But Boyer wouldnt reveal what the team would do in an emergency now.Its a scary deal if youre in our position, said Boyer, who played with Eagles special teams coach Dave Fipp in college at Arizona. Thats a doomsday scenario, for sure.NFL teams didnt always dedicate a roster spot to a player who was only a long snapper. They used guys who also played other positions. Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews was a long snapper throughout his career for Houston/Tennessee. His son, Jake Matthews, is Atlantas starting left tackle and backup long snapper behind Josh Harris.Ive been doing it since like peewee, Jake Matthews said. My dad did it forever in the league. That was one of the first things he taught us because its definitely got a lot value. It can take you a long way.Thats why Kendricks started practicing on his own earlier this season with the Eagles after his playing time on defense was reduced.The more you can do, the longer you can stay in the league, Kendricks said.The role has become so specialized that each team has a player who serves only as a long snapper. The Denver Broncos even have two long snappers on their roster because Casey Kreiter strained a calf a month ago so they signed veteran Thomas Gafford.---AP Pro Football Writers Arnie Stapleton and Teresa M. Walker and AP Sports Writers Stephen Whyno, David Skretta, Josh Dubow, Dennis Waszak, Dave Ginsburg, Steven Wine, Charles Odum, John Wawrow and Tom Canavan contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddiNolan Cromwell Jersey . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. 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At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Cam Bedrosian has the arm and confidence to be a future closer. The bloodlines, too.Just over 34 years after 1987 NL Cy Young Award winner Steve Bedrosian earned his first career save, his son closed out his first game Tuesday night in the Los Angeles Angels 5-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics.With Huston Street placed on the disabled list earlier in the day with a sore right knee, the Angels called on their young right-hander in the ninth. The 24-year-old struck out the side in order.Ive been looking forward to this for a while now, Bedrosian said. Its awesome to get the first one out of the way.In a game where all the runs came via five home runs, the Angels made their two homers matter the most.After Khris Davis and Coco Crisp hit solo home runs off Matt Shoemaker (6-11), the Angels tied it on Jett Bandys two-run homer against Sean Manaea (3-6) in the fifth and then took the lead for good on a three-run homer from Jefry Marte in the sixth.Manaea had posted a 2.65 ERA in six games since coming off the disabled list with a strained left forearm. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed five runs (four earned), six hits and three walks.Early in the game he looked really good, like weve seen him when hes at his best, As manager Bob Melvin said. Other than a couple of pitches, I thought he was pretty consistent.Shoemaker went seven innings for the Angels. He wasnt dominant (six hits, three walks, four strikeouts), but only allowed the two solo home runs. In his last seven starts at home, hes posted a 1.03 ERA.Its home, he said. Fans are on your side. You pitch here more so youre more comfortable here for the most part. You dont know how to explain those things.Davis has 27 homers this season -- already matching his career high set last year with Milwaukee -- and eight since the All-Star break.It seems like hes more and more confident up there as the season goes on, Melvin said. Anytime you switch leagues, theres a little bit of an adjustment period. He struggled a bit early, but sinnce then hes been as good as any power-hitter in the league.ddddddddddddDavis was hitting just .214 with eight home runs after the seasons first 35 games, but has hit .275 with 19 home runs since.The As were able to pull within a run in the eighth when Yonder Alonso hit a two-run home run off JC Ramirez, but in the ninth the Angels turned to Bedrosian. He struck out Max Muncy, Crisp and Jed Lowrie to earn the save.Bedrosian has been on an impressive roll prior to Tuesday. He has struck out eight consecutive batters overall and has not allowed a run in his last 25 appearances.Cams been awesome, Street said. Ive been impressed with him all year long. He has a great head on his shoulders and his stuff is obviously there. He has the right mindset and makeup. It was really cool to see him get his first one tonight.The Angels have now won nine of their last 11 games at home. They are 11-6 since the All-Star break.The win pushed the Angels one game ahead of the As in the AL West cellar.TRAINERS ROOMAthletics: Melvin said catcher Josh Phegley, on the disabled list since July 2 with a strained right knee, is participating in all baseball drills but still not comfortable going in and out of a crouch. Its the second time this season hes been on the DL with strained right knee.Angels: RHP Mike Morin was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. Manager Mike Scioscia said he will go with a committee at closer with Street out. Street had an MRI Tuesday that showed no structural damage. He had a cortisone injection.UP NEXTAthletics: RHP Kendall Graveman (7-7) had a career-high winning streak snapped at six games in his last outing against Cleveland. He is 6-1 with a 3.34 ERA over his last 11 starts.Angels: RHP Jered Weaver (8-8) began to salvage an erratic season in July (2-1, 3.57 ERA). He will face the As for the third time this year and is 14-11 with a 2.73 ERA against the As for his career. ' ' '