Long Snapper

The Denver Broncos signed long-time long snapper David Binn on Friday after Lonie Paxton was ruled out of their divisional playoff game against New England so he could continue dealing with a family issue. Binn spent 17 seasons with the division rival San Diego Chargers, appearing in 256 regular season games, a dozen playoff games and one Pro Bowl. The Chargers cut ties with Binn, their last link to their 1994 Super Bowl team, in August because of questions about his durability and Mike Windt's outstanding camp.

It crossed Taylor Allen's mind that he was going down the same road his father had many years ago. Dan Allen played linebacker at tiny Hanover College in ­Indiana. He was not drafted, but he did earn an invitation to the rookie camp of the Atlanta Falcons. He didn't make the team, but it was an experience he never forgot. Taylor Allen has finished his gridiron career at Endicott ­College, a Division 3 program in Beverly that is barely a ­decade old. But if you can play, the NFL will find you, even if you live in a cave, which is why the undrafted Allen spent four days...

It crossed Taylor Allen's mind that he was going down the same road his father had many years ago. Dan Allen played linebacker at tiny Hanover College in ­Indiana. He was not drafted, but he did earn an invitation to the rookie camp of the Atlanta Falcons. He didn't make the team, but it was an experience he never forgot. Taylor Allen has finished his gridiron career at Endicott ­College, a Division 3 program in Beverly that is barely a ­decade old. But if you can play, the NFL will find you, even if you live in a cave, which is why the undrafted Allen spent four days...

INDIANAPOLIS - Zak DeOssie is a certified Super Bowl winner and two-time Pro Bowler, but I have to break the news to him: The old man was crazier. I still can see Steve DeOssie playing for Boston College against Alabama in the original Foxboro Stadium. It was miserable to the max, cold and rainy and a windchill around minus-absurdity. The Alabama players all just wanted to go home. And every time Bama would break the huddle, there was this crazy person at middle linebacker, arms bare, having just rubbed snow on himself, pounding his chest a la Tarzan.

The Patriots released long snapper James Dearth and offensive lineman Steve Maneri today and officially announced the signing of offensive guard Brian Waters. The Patriots also have claimed long snapper Danny Aiken, who was cut by the Buffalo Bills. You may have read about Waters in an earlier post. He played 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Aiken played at Virginia and is in his rookie season. He is 6-4 and 250 pounds. Maneri was on the Patriots practice squad most of last season after he was claimed by the Patriots from the Houston Texans.

Canadian football player Jordan Matechuk has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty in July to possession of steroids and marijuana. Matechuk was a long snapper for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. They released him in early June after U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced his May 31 arrest at the International Bridge crossing at the U.S.-Canada border. CBP said Matechuk told an officer he was traveling to Hamilton from Alberta.

Patriot coach Bill Belichick's son Stephen, a four year lacrosse player at Rutgers, is trying his hand at football. At today's Big East media session, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said that Stephen Belichick, a 5-foot-11 inch, 185 pound senior, will make an attempt as a walk on (non-scholarship) player as the team's long snapper on punts. ""Bill is like any other dad," said Schiano this morning. "He appreciates the opportunity. He knows its all about winning games. "

FOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots have announced the release of linebacker Marques Murrell and wide receiver Jeremy Ross today. The team also officially announced the signing of long snapper James Dearth. Here are some details about Dearth courtesy of the Patriots. Dearth, 6-4, 265 pounds, is a veteran of eleven NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns (1999), New York Jets (2001-2009) and San Diego Chargers (2011). Originally a sixth round draft pick by the Browns in 1999 out of Tarleton State, Dearth has played in 146 career NFL games with one start.

FOXBOROUGH - Unable to stay healthy, unwanted by not one but two franchises, Rob Ninkovich headed for New England 2 1/2 years ago, wondering whether the hourglass on his NFL career was down to the last few grains of sand. Funny what can happen in a few short years. Signed by the Patriots on Aug. 2, 2009, as a failed long snapper with some untapped defensive skills, Ninkovich has authored a textbook tale of maximizing opportunity. The last time the Ravens played the Patriots in the playoffs, Ninkovich saw the field on only a handful of special teams...

FOXBOROUGH - Perhaps the most anonymous Patriot is the one who's come the closest to having a perfect season. Meet Danny Aiken. A rookie who was claimed by the Patriots Sept. 4 after being waived by the Bills, Aiken handles long-snapping duties for every punt, field goal, and extra point. Not once has an Aiken snap sailed over punter Zoltan Mesko's head, or bounced back toward him on a field goal or extra point. All 61 times that Mesko has punted this season (playoffs included)

INDIANAPOLIS - Zak DeOssie is a certified Super Bowl winner and two-time Pro Bowler, but I have to break the news to him: The old man was crazier. I still can see Steve DeOssie playing for Boston College against Alabama in the original Foxboro Stadium. It was miserable to the max, cold and rainy and a windchill around minus-absurdity. The Alabama players all just wanted to go home. And every time Bama would break the huddle, there was this crazy person at middle linebacker, arms bare, having just rubbed snow on himself, pounding his chest a la Tarzan.

FOXBOROUGH - Perhaps the most anonymous Patriot is the one who's come the closest to having a perfect season. Meet Danny Aiken. A rookie who was claimed by the Patriots Sept. 4 after being waived by the Bills, Aiken handles long-snapping duties for every punt, field goal, and extra point. Not once has an Aiken snap sailed over punter Zoltan Mesko's head, or bounced back toward him on a field goal or extra point. All 61 times that Mesko has punted this season (playoffs included)

FOXBOROUGH - Unable to stay healthy, unwanted by not one but two franchises, Rob Ninkovich headed for New England 2 ½ years ago, wondering whether the hourglass on his NFL career was down to the last few grains of sand. Funny what can happen in a few short years. Signed by the Patriots on Aug. 2, 2009, as a failed long snapper with some untapped defensive skills, Ninkovich has authored a textbook tale of maximizing opportunity. The last time the Ravens played the Patriots in the playoffs, Ninkovich saw the field on only a handful of special teams plays.

FOXBOROUGH - Unable to stay healthy, unwanted by not one but two franchises, Rob Ninkovich headed for New England 2 1/2 years ago, wondering whether the hourglass on his NFL career was down to the last few grains of sand. Funny what can happen in a few short years. Signed by the Patriots on Aug. 2, 2009, as a failed long snapper with some untapped defensive skills, Ninkovich has authored a textbook tale of maximizing opportunity. The last time the Ravens played the Patriots in the playoffs, Ninkovich saw the field on only a handful of special...

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The cast has been on Von Miller's thumb for more than five weeks now. After straining a ligament in November against the Chargers, the Broncos' rookie outside linebacker needed surgery to repair it. He only missed a week, but the effects of the injury clearly slowed the tear he had been on. Before the injury, Miller had 57 tackles (including a 10-tackle performance against the Chargers) and 10 1/2 sacks, making noise for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Denver Broncos signed long-time long snapper David Binn on Friday after Lonie Paxton was ruled out of their divisional playoff game against New England so he could continue dealing with a family issue. Binn spent 17 seasons with the division rival San Diego Chargers, appearing in 256 regular season games, a dozen playoff games and one Pro Bowl. The Chargers cut ties with Binn, their last link to their 1994 Super Bowl team, in August because of questions about his durability and Mike Windt's outstanding camp.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The cast has been on Von Miller's thumb for more than five weeks now. After straining a ligament in November against the Chargers, the Broncos' rookie outside linebacker needed surgery to repair it. He only missed a week, but the effects of the injury clearly slowed the tear he had been on. Before the injury, Miller had 57 tackles (including a 10-tackle performance against the Chargers) and 10 1/2 sacks, making noise for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Minnesota Vikings signed long snapper Cullen Loeffler to a three-year extension on Friday, ensuring that the league's longest-tenured kicking trio will remain intact. Loeffler has spent his eight-year career with the Vikings after signing as a rookie free agent out of Texas in 2004. Loeffler, punter Chris Kluwe and kicker Ryan Longwell have played in Minnesota for the past six years. That's longer than any other active trio in the league, according to STATS, LLC. "That's a big deal," coach Leslie Frazier said.

The Minnesota Vikings signed long snapper Cullen Loeffler to a three-year extension on Friday, ensuring that the league's longest-tenured kicking trio will remain intact. Loeffler has spent his eight-year career with the Vikings after signing as a rookie free agent out of Texas in 2004. Loeffler, punter Chris Kluwe and kicker Ryan Longwell have played in Minnesota for the past six years. That's longer than any other active trio in the league, according to STATS, LLC. "That's a big deal," coach Leslie Frazier said.