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August 15, 2007 Mannelly known for being unknown
By Chaz Amidon GateHouse News Service Bears' long snapper Patrick Mannelly doesn't get much feedback about his job performance. Unlike any other position players in football, long snappers usually are recognized under only one condition: if they screw up. "The less you're known, the better job you're doing," Mannelly said. "It's just the way I like it, too." Entering his 10th NFL season -- all with the Bears -- Mannelly has learned to embrace his calling as a long snapper, even though it's a skill that's overlooked by many. "As long as I'm helping out my team and involved with my teammates, it's good enough for me," Mannelly said. But both Mannelly and special-teams coach Dave Toub preach the importance of long-snapping. "There are only 32 long snappers in the league, so it's thought of as a valued position," Toub said. "It's a high-skilled position, and it takes a lot of work to be that guy. "Again, you never really notice it until something bad happens. So when you don't know anything about Pat Mannelly, you know he's doing a good job." Mannelly has managed to find time in the limelight -- and he might be the only NFL long snapper with a cult following, of sorts. Six years ago, Mannelly created a Web site, www.longsnapper.com, to promote interest in his job and provide tips to aspiring long snappers. Not only did his idea work, but it spawned a large fan base. "Well, I was bored in the offseason a few years back. You know those commercials on how to start a Web site for $19.95 or something? Yeah, I did that," Mannelly said. "I got on one of those and started messing around. I've had someone take over it since, and he's made it look more professional. "But, basically, it's for kids to learn how to snap." Another site, www.longsnap.com (not to be confused with Mannelly's site), has Mannelly ranked as the No. 1 long snapper in the NFL. It was put together by Kevin Gold, an agent who represents special-teams players and who knows personally every snapper in the league. Although Toub doesn't know everyone in the league, he would agree with Gold's assessment about Mannelly. "I think -- and I'm a little biased -- that he's the best long snapper in the league," Toub said. "He has deserved to go to the Pro Bowl the last three years, and eventually, he's going to go. If you asked special-teams coaches around the league about him, they would say he's in the top three." Despite his reputation and his stellar career, Mannelly didn't set out to specialize in long-snapping. After playing left tackle at Duke University, he was drafted by the Bears in the sixth round (No. 189 overall) of the 1998 NFL draft. Mannelly hoped to compete for a position on the offensive line, but it wasn't in the cards. "I kind of tried (to play tackle), because I used to be 290-295 (pounds)," Mannelly said. "I realized I just wasn't as good as those guys. Plus, I knew I got drafted for long-snapping. I figured that was the best way to, well, hopefully play 10 years." Everything has worked out for the best. As the longest-tenured Bear (joining center Olin Kreutz), Mannelly has played in 141 games, including postseason. During that time, he has made 1,318 of the Bears' 1,338 total long snaps -- nearly 99 percent. In 2006, he was instrumental in helping the Bears net 143 kicking points, the most in the NFL. And for the past two years, he has been selected to be the special-teams captain by Toub. "He is a true professional," Toub said. "He's always in great condition and always working on his craft. He's here early, he stays late and does all the right things." For Mannelly, being a captain isn't just a reflection of his leadership abilities; it's a testament to long snappers as well. "The way I try to lead is by example," Mannelly said. "I try to be here everyday, work as hard as I can and show everyone that long snappers work hard, too." |
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