FanHouse Senior Bowl

Every NFL team has one player whose job is to snap on punts and field goals, and yet these players are hardly ever discussed. Even if you're a hard-core fan, there's a good chance that you can't name your favorite team's long snapper.

Maybe that will start to change if long snappers are drafted regularly. For the first time this year, the Senior Bowl has long snappers on its rosters. Nick Leeson of Virginia Tech and Brett Goode of Arkansas became the first players ever invited to the Senior Bowl solely to be long snappers.

I think that's long overdue. We're way past the days when position players could be counted on for long snapping, and it's time that long snappers' unique skills get recognized. It's also a reminder to young players everywhere of one of the universal truths of football: Even if you're not a good athlete, if you can learn to long snap, you'll get playing time.

How bad do you miss Auburn football? For me, it's gotten really bad. I actually watched today's practice session at the Senior Bowl carried by the NFL Network.

And you know what? I really enjoyed it. OK, so maybe I have issues. I think its called withdrawals. For the three of you who actually get that channel, the network will be carrying tomorrow and Thursday's practice sessions starting at 4:00 p.m. CT.

When the game kicks off Saturday, it will feature five former Auburn players, including running back Kenny Irons, defensive back David Irons, offensive linemen Ben Grubbs and Tim Duckworth and wide receiver Courtney Taylor.

Irons looked really good in practice today. He caught the eye of more than one NFL coach.

But the one they were talking about most was Grubbs. He's projected by many to be the first guard taken in April's NFL draft. They were also giving a lot of love to Duckworth. When you see both of them working out for scouts, it hits you just how bad they are going to be missed.

The Auburn offensive line has huge holes to fill. Thankfully, Hugh Nall has gone out and found some talented high school linemen. Unfortunately, it looks like too many of them will get a chance to play next year.

The South squad is coached this year by San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan and the North squad is led by Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden. Saturday's contest will be carried on the NFL Network and starts at 3:00 p.m. CT.

Next month's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama will be painted orange and blue. Five Auburn players have been invited to participate in the game. Last week, it was announced that tailback Kenny Irons and his brother, cornerback David Irons would be playing.

Today, The Mobile Press-Register is reporting that wide receiver Courtney Taylor and offensive guards Tim Duckworth and Ben Grubbs will be joining the Irons brothers in the NFL managed all-star game.

Taylor is coming off his best season since the 2004 campaign. He has 48 catches this year, including nine games where he had at least three receptions. For Kenny Irons, it will be a chance to show NFL scouts that he's still first-round material. The senior has battled an assortment of injuries this year that has limited his playing time.

The most watched of the group will be Grubbs, who according to ESPN's Mel Kiper is the top senior guard in next year's draft. Grubbs has already been named to several All-SEC and All-American teams. Meanwhile, Duckworth was named to the Coaches All-SEC team. Together they make up the best guard combo in the country.

The Senior Bowl will be played on January 27th and coached by NFL personnel.