National Football League

Chiefs searching for more consistent long snapping in 2015

Published Jun. 7, 2015 12:55 a.m. ET

foxsports

James Winchester and rookie Andrew East will duke it out this season for long-snapping duties.

The winner will assume Thomas Gafford's old starting role with the Chiefs, but more responsibilities than ever before.

The NFL pushed back point-after attempts this season. So special teams coordinator Dave Toub wants a good, long look at Winchester and East, who will start that tougher play off.

"I like them both," Toub told Chiefs Digest. "They’re both NFL guys and I think we’ll get the best guy after about two or three preseason games."

They'll settle on the player who gives the field goal unit some much-needed consistency. Kicker Cairo Santos made 14 consecutive field goals entering Week 15, but inconsistent play led to a 1-for-3 performance in a loss to the Raiders.

Head coach Andy Reid knew then that something had to change in his team's long-snapping department.

“As the snapper and the holder, you want to make sure you keep the kicker in rhythm and not allow that to be altered at all," Reid told reporters after that Week 15 game. "And then that kicker knows that not everyone is going to be perfect and he’s got to still strike the ball if it gets off rhythm a bit.”

Winchester and East will get the first crack at proving they're capable of providing that rhythm. If not, Reid might go shopping before the regular season starts.

(h/t Chiefs Digest)