St. Louis Rams' Jake McQuaide is the man behind success of Zuerlein, Hekker - FOXSports.com
LOUIS -- Jake McQuaide's objective is efficiency without being noticed. The long snapper is the man standing behind the curtain on St. Louis Rams special teams, getting the job done going on five NFL seasons. "I don't think he's ever had a bad day," kicker Greg Zuerlein said after practice Saturday. McQuaide arrived without fanfare in 2011 as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State and beat out Chris Massey, who'd lasted nine years at the position. "Nobody really notices the long snapper unless something goes array," special teams coach John Fassel said. According to team statistics, McQuaide has made 575 "clean" snaps without a mishap in his career. "I think we have the best special teams, and for us to be better, I have to be even better," McQuaide said. McQuaide was already established when Zuerlein and Johnny Hekker came in together in 2012, the kicker as a sixth-round draft pick and the punter undrafted. Hekker went to the Pro Bowl in 2013 after setting an NFL single-season record with a net yardage of 44. 2 yards. Last year he was second in the NFC in net punting, averaging 42. 3 yards. Source: www.foxsports.com
