It happened. I knew it was going to happen. I even wrote how something like this was going to happen, but I still can’t believe it happened. The Patriots drafted a long snapper.

For the uninitiated, The NFL draft was this past weekend, and the draft is a time of hope and optimism for all the teams in the league. At the draft each team is given the opportunity to select college players, and every fan thinks that these players are the answer to all of their team’s problems and that the players selected will become future superstars or even hall of famers. Fans can talk themselves into anything.

Everything started off great. Since the Patriots won Super Bowl they were making the final pick in each round, and even with that disadvantage a quality player fell to the Pats in the first round. It was even a player I had heard of, and was mentioned in the draft previews. So far, so good.
Next round, The Patriots still haven’t traded their pick, that’s exciting, and when they do select a player, it’s an intelligent safety from Stanford. He was described as a Bill Belichik type of player in predraft write-ups, so that’s good, right?

The next few rounds went as was expected by most Patriots’ fans. That means the Pats selected different varieties of lineman and traded numerous mid round picks. Standard operating procedure.

The fifth round is where it all went down. In classic Patriot fashion, the team traded down a few picks and when they finally made their selection the announcer at the podium said, “Joe Cardona, long snapper, Navy”.
I missed the actual selection on television, (Swiffering a floor is hard work) but when I saw the name and position on the ticker I lost it. A long snapper? Really? What a waste of a draft pick! These were all the things I yelled at the TV. Combined with my audible groans, I’m sure the neighbors had no idea what was going on at my place.

I’m sure there were better players available. A fast, but troubled wide receiver, another lineman to help protect Tom Brady or a scrappy quarterback, with bad measurable who just wins. Anything is possible that late in the draft, and I guess anything was possible since a long snapper was selected.

I know the fifth round is a time to take flyers on players. I know every team needs a long snapper. I know Joe Cardona was invited to the combine, so he has to be kinda good. I know he went to Navy, and the Belichicks have a storied history with the Navy football program. I know if Cardona makes the team he will be on the rookie wage scale, so this will probably help with the salary cap.

What I know most is to trust Bill Belichick. I’m sure in three years Cardona will make some great special teams play that saves the Patriots’ season. The more I think about, the more I know this will work out and Cardona was a good pick. Can long snappers make the hall of fame?