Clutts May Pull Long Snapping Duty for Mannelly..........

Filling in for Patrick Mannelly is a snap for Bears’ fullback Tyler Clutts
BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com November 20, 2011 8:46PM

Updated: November 20, 2011 8:46PM


Bears fullback Tyler Clutts, who played in the CFL, the Arena League and the United Football League before finally making it to the NFL last year, said he’s willing to do anything he can to stay here. But when special teams coach Dave Toub told him he’s the Bears’ long-snapper after Patrick Mannelly suffered an apparent knee injury in the second quarter, Clutts was taken aback.

‘‘I was kind of like, ‘Wait, wait, wait … what?,’’ Clutts said. ‘‘It kind of caught me by surprise. I just tried to not stress out too much and not let the nerves get the best of me and be cool and collected. [But] I had a good group around me. I was as confident as I could be.’’

Clutts took a few lumps, but made it through three PATs and a punt snap without incident in the Bears’ 31-20 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday at Soldier Field. It’s a contribution that can’t be overlooked. Last year the Chargers lost Pro Bowl long-snapper David Binn in the season opener and Mike Scifres had four punts blocked.


Clutts was a long-snapper in high school and a backup long-snapper in college. But he had never long-snapped in a game before Sunday. He said he took about 10 warmup snaps before snapping on a PAT after Jay Cutler’s four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Davis. He said Mannelly — a renowned long-snapping guru — helped coach him after he returned from getting treatment.

‘‘I got blown back pretty big on the [PATs].’’ Clutt said. ‘‘The big guys inside were trying to blow me up and I asked him how to correct that. And he gave me some tips that helped.’’

Mannelly, a 14-year veteran who has played in a franchise record 215 games with the Bears, said he was OK as he walked out of the locker room, though he was limping noticeably.

But Clutts said he could handle the job if asked to do it full time. ‘‘Absolutely,’’ he said.

Hope Mannelly's knee injury isn't serious. I have a hard time remembering when he didn't play. You don't think about it much but he's a big reason why we're so good on punt and FG teams. Speaking of punting Podlesh had a monster day today. He averaged almost 46 yard per kick. Nice replacement for Maynards aging leg.

Yeah, hopefully Mannelly is alright. But, its not a bad idea to groom a replacement, and Clutts seems to be an ideal choice...can fully double up on LS and FB duties.

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Originally Posted by Jimmors

Yeah, hopefully Mannelly is alright. But, its not a bad idea to groom a replacement, and Clutts seems to be an ideal choice...can fully double up on LS and FB duties.

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Need someone. Des Clark was for a long time and we never needed him and now that Des is gone Mannelly gets hurt. Clutts is a tough kid and he has done it in HS and college so he has an idea of what to do plus he's got the best coach on the planet in Mannelly.

Yep, did a decent job on the FG's; there were some questions as to if that was why they went w/the fake punt. B/c they weren't sure if he could get it back there w/out some real practice.

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Originally Posted by Riczaj01

Yep, did a decent job on the FG's; there were some questions as to if that was why they went w/the fake punt. B/c they weren't sure if he could get it back there w/out some real practice.

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But when he did why not just punt the ball????? For a punter throwing a ball 25 yards accurately in a chilly Chicago wind is a recipe for disaster. Let's hope we don't have to see that one again. As long as guys can't get in his head Clutts will do fine. The kid is sharp and he understands the game. Mannelly will take him aside in practice this week and give him some guidance.

Sounds like Mannelly's knee inury is pretty severe so Clutts may be the guy for the rest of the season.