49ers long snapper Brian Jennings signs 5-year extension

by David Fucillo on Jun 6, 2009 1:49 PM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

The 49ers have come to terms on a 5-year contract extension with long snapper Brian Jennings. Jennings was scheduled to be a free agent after this season, but this new deal will keep him with the 49ers through 5 years. I had said in the salary cap post earlier today that the 49ers would likely sign at least one more person to a contract extension. I have to say, I nailed that one...even if it wasn't the player I was expecting! Scot McCloughan had a few comments about Jennings:

"When you have a player that is one of the best in the league at his position, you are very lucky when you are able to lock him up for a long time like we have done with Brian," said general manager Scot McCloughan. "What he does for us is not only important in scoring points, but in creating favorable field position. I know Joe Nedney and Andy Lee are very happy men to know that Brian will be here for another five seasons. Consistency is integral for our special teams."

Jennings (6-5, 242) is considered one of the NFL’s elite long snappers. A seventh round pick (240th selection overall) by the 49ers in 2000 out of Arizona State, Jennings has snapped to six different placekickers and five different punters in his nine seasons. He also possesses the ability to make open field tackles on special teams, having recorded 53 career special teams stops. In 2004, he was named to the Pro Bowl as a need player. A native of Scottsdale, AZ, Jennings shares claim with LB Jeff Ulbrich as the longest-tenured 49ers players on the roster.

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I've said it before

and I’ll say it again

BJ is the best in the NFL and this is a great move by the niners.

I was actually concerned knowing his contract was near up

by foosball4949 on Jun 6, 2009 2:03 PM PDT reply actions

the fine art of long snapping

Brian Jennings is THE best long snapper in the NFL Correct me if I’m wrong but I cannot remember a single bad snap that was Brian’s fault during his watch. That is a truly amazing thing.
I started long snapping when I was 9 years old. I KNEW that I was going to get hit by 3 linemen and linebackers with every snap during extra points and field goals. During our senior year in high school (in California) I hiked it,Pete Delaway held it, and Mack McDermott kicked the longest field goal in State history for 25 years.
On punts once the ball was snapped the center sprinted down the field while looking for who most likely would be catching it.
Once I got back from Vietnam I got to long snap in service ball (there were pro ballers who got drafted in those days) for 2 years. Then I got to play semi-pro for many years just long snapping.
But Brian is the best of the best. On extra points and field goals he gets hit by 900 POUNDS of very mean crazy men who really want to hurt him. And he has recorded a whole bunch of tackles on punts(first he has got to make sure the hike is perfect (it has got to get back to the punter perfectly in under 3 seconds then run right up the middle of the field)
Oh, by the way, before he gets hit by those 300 pounds of humanity on the extra points and field goals, he has to get the ball perfectly to the holder in less than a second and a half!
God but is still an absolutely wonderful way to make a living for 10 to 15 years.

Mike McClaskey (mikemccwolf @hotmail.com)

by mikemccwolf on Jun 6, 2009 2:52 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Always nice to see players stay with one team.

by DesertFox on Jun 6, 2009 4:11 PM PDT reply actions

I would like to see

an individual comparison on tackles on punts, I just feel like he is always down the field first and would not be surprised if he led the team on punt coverage tackles

by larryallenseawolf on Jun 6, 2009 9:29 PM PDT reply actions