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The Arizona Cardinals are looking for a new long snapper. With the retirement of Mike Leach, who had handled long snapping duties for the team since 2009, the team now needs someone new. ESPN's Josh Weinfuss wrote about how general manager Steve Keim isn't convinced the answer at the position is currently on the roster, but there are options there.
Two players who got work as long snapper for emergency purposes are backup tackle Bradley Sowell and defensive lineman Josh Mauro. Sowell has been with the team since 2013 and has somehow managed to stick around. He is a Bruce Arians guy. Mauro was a key contributor on the defensive line. Both will be free agents next week. Sowell will be unrestricted and Mauro will be restricted.
Keim said he would lean on special teams coach Amos Jones as to a decision about the position and suggested both players will get a look, meaning both probably will be re-signed.
This would be just the thing to happen -- Sowell gets the job.
Sowell stepped in and started at left tackle in 2013 when Levi Brown was traded. He was not great, although sack numbers allowed at left tackle went down. He did the job, but was not good at it. He graded out dreadfully in pass protection and in run blocking. He made the roster in 2014. Then, last year, when it looked like there was no way he could make the roster again, he did.
He definitely has value on the bench. He plays special teams. He can play everywhere on the line (except maybe center). He can apparently long snap , too. He is a great teammate and guy to have in the locker room. He is a good guy and doesn't cause trouble off the field.
And he always seems to stick around.
I don't know if he will even re-sign with the team or if he is even seriously being considered as an option as a long snapper, but it would be the most Bradley Sowell thing to do to end up being the guy to replace Mike Leach.