Raiders insure special teams

Originally published on SBReport.net on May 1, 2013

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has announced that the team has re-signed long snapper Nick Guess on Wednesday.

Guess originally signed to the Raiders practice squad last season on Sept. 12 before being signed to the active roster on Sept. 15. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound long snapper was only on the roster for one game and was inactive before being waived by the team two days later.

The non-drafted free agent originally entered the NFL last year after signing with the San Diego Chargers after playing all four seasons at the University of Tennessee. Guess earned Academic All-SEC honors three times during his stint with the Vols.

Guess was originally signed by the Raiders after Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Condo went down with a head injury that forced him to leave the game week 1 against the Chargers. The Raiders' punt game stumbled mightily after Condo left in the second quarter against San Diego. Backup middle linebacker Travis Goethel tried to step in and take care of long snapping duties but had a punt blocked and one-hopped another snap that punter Shane Lechler could not handle. The Chargers went on to win 22-14.

Though it isn't the most glamorous position on the field, head coach Dennis Allen appears to have learned his lesson and wants to have a backup long snapper nearby in case the same situation should arise.