Ranking the Top 5 NFL..............Longsnappers

Jeremy Williams by Contributor Written on June 04, 2009

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IRVING, TX - OCTOBER 26:  Long snapper Louis-Philippe Ladouceur #91 of the Dallas Cowboys during play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Texas Stadium on October 26, 2008 in Irving, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Some of you mild football fans may not recognize the man snapping the football.

Real football fans know that the man pictured snapping the ball is none other than Louis-Philippe Ladouceur.

Louis-Philippe Ladouceur is only number 5 on our list.

I know what you're thinking.

If Louis-Philippe Ladouceur is number 5, who could be number 4 through 1?

Will your team hold the coveted number one longsnapper spot, according the Steve Bhutabi Power Rankings?

Proceed and you shall see.

#4 Brad Allen St. Louis - Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 29:  Kick holder Nick Harris #8 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to receive the football from teammate long snapper Brad St. Louis #48 during warms ups before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 29, 2002 at Paul Br

Clearly Brad Allen St. Louis (yes, that is his full name) would be number 4.

People have been citing Carson Palmer's return as a reason that the Bengals are considered to be a major sleeper.

NFL Insiders would tell you that Brad Allen St. Louis' commitment to the V-Sit during the off-season is the true reason for higher expectations.

He has also been found climbing many ropes in gym classes across the Cincinnati area.

#3 James Dearth - NY Jets

16 Dec 2001 : Anthony Becht #88 and James Dearth #85 of the New York Jets during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 15-14. DIGITAL IMAGE . Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Known as Dearth Vader by teammates, James is clearly a force to be reckoned with.

According to Wikipedia, James recorded a special teams tackle while serving as the long snapper on placekicker Mike Nugent’s three FGs and two XPs in the week 17 win vs. OAK in the 2006 season.

He also gives great hugs according to teammates.
That is the only tackle we have on file for him, this season I expect him to have more tackles than Vernon Gholston.

Wait, Vernon probably won't have any.

Either way, the Dearth Vader is the real deal.

#2 Andrew John Economos - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 12: Long snapper Andrew Economos #48 of  the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches play against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Economos, was named to the 2003-2004 ACC Academic Honor Roll with Georgia Tech.

This vaulted him past Brad Allen St. Louis, Dearth Vader, and Louis-Philippe Ladouceur.

#1 Joe Zelenka - Jacskonville Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 9: Long snapper Joe Zelenka #88 of the Jacksonville Jaguars watches play against the Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on August 9, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida.   (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The Deion Sanders of longsnapping, Joe was recently featured on NFL Network's Total Access when the Jaguars' OTA were featured.

This was the first time a long snapper had ever had face time on NFL Network.

He also got to speak when he was interviewed, making him the first long snapper in NFL history to ever speak on the network as an active player.

I will give you new long snapper power rankings after the preseason.

If you feel your team was snubbed, please let me know.

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written on June 04, 2009 Rankings/List

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