Chicago Bears Set to Sign Long Snapper Thomas Gafford
Sep 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs long snapper Thomas Gafford (43) during warmups prior to playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 26-16. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears are set to add veteran long snapper Thomas Gafford to their roster. The Bears were the only team in the league not to have a long snapper in their employ, so they held a tryout on Tuesday. Gafford was chosen from other candidates like Trevor Gillette, Dax Dallenbach, Chris Maikranz and Drew Howell. Gafford has spent the last seven seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Former Bears special teams coach Dave Toub headed up the special teams unit for Andy Reid the last couple of seasons.
Gafford went undrafted out of the University of Houston in 2005. He signed on with the Green Bay Packers after the 2005 season and spent the offseason there before getting cut ahead of the 2006 season. He kicked around between the Seahawks and Packers in their offseasons before signing on with the Bears in the 2008 offseason. He was cut after serving as Patrick Mannelly’s understudy but signed on with the Chiefs.
Gafford served as the Chiefs long snapper for the Chiefs final 9 games in ’08 and managed to catch on and stick with the team ever since. He recorded 3 special teams tackles for the Chiefs in the last couple of seasons. His PFF grade last season left a lot to be desired, grading out as a -8.0.
The Bears will move on from Jeremy Cain, who did a decent job last season, but didn’t exactly distinguish himself either. Cain had some big shoes to fill after Patrick Mannelly hung up his spikes his distinguished 16 year career with the Bears.