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There is a lot going on with the Dallas Cowboys in the second week of NFL free agency. For a change, big names like Robert Quinn, Eric Berry, and Randall Cobb are cycling through the Star as the team breaks from its past trend of not looking seriously at those kinds of players. Along the way, they have gotten some deals of a lesser magnitude done, like picking up free agents Christian Covington and Kerry Hyder, and re-signing once retired Jason Witten. Now they have taken care of another seemingly minor thing, re-signing long snapper L.P. Ladouceur, according to ESPN reporter Todd Archer.
The Cowboys have signed long-snapper L.P. Ladouceur to a one-year deal worth $1.03 million and $90,000 in bonus money, but he will count $735,000 against the cap. This will be Ladouceur’s 15th season with the Cowboys, tying Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Mark... https://t.co/2iDsi6RX7e
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 19, 2019
The long snapper may not strike many as a big deal, but consider that he is the guy in the middle of the line for every punt, field goal, and extra point. And then look at the amazing consistency of Ladouceur. Over his 14 previous seasons with the Cowboys, he has never flubbed a snap. Not one.
That is something that deserves to be valued, given the way a bad snap in those situations can change the course of a game. A bad snap back to the punter can give the opponent superb field position. One on an extra point likely costs that point. And messing up on a field goal can cost both points on the board and field position/momentum change.
And he is a bargain at just a tick over a million dollars to sign, plus costing even less in the cap calculations.
This offseason has been about taking care of issues for Dallas, just not (so far) in ways that make much of a splash. Getting Mr. Reliable back to handle those special teams duties is smart football.