Overview
The NFL continues to search for players who can perfectly place the ball in the hands of the punter or holder.
One of the pivotal reasons behind Indiana making it to the postseason in 2007 was that they had what many scouts felt was the best long-snapper in the collegiate game -- Tim Bugg. As a senior, he was responsible for the team's success in the kicking department, as they made all 49 extra-point attempts, 21 of 23 field goals and 59 flawless punts. He is held in such high regard, that he was recently invited to the Senior Bowl, a contest that features only the elite seniors in college football.
With Bugg about to embark on his professional career, Tim's younger brother, Brandon, is expected to take over those chores, putting Indiana's snapping duties into very capable hands.
Bugg was a standout snapper and lineman at Mishawaka Penn High School. He was an All-Northern Indiana Conference honorable mention team during his senior campaign, adding Class 5A All-Area honors. During his first season with the varsity, the team captured the 1999 5A state championship.
In addition to playing football, Bugg lettered in golf during his freshman and sophomore years, where he perfected his hand quickness needed for his snapping chores. In his last three years at the school, he also lettered on the rugby team.
Bugg enrolled at Indiana as a walk-on in 2003, but spent the next two seasons performing on the scout team. He was shifted to tight end briefly in 2004, but never got to see game action.
In 2005, Bugg finally was given his opportunity. He handled long-snapping chores in six of the team's first seven games (did not play vs. Illinois), but suffered a left knee torn anterior cruciate ligament vs. Ohio State, missing the team's final four games to undergo surgery. Prior to his injury, he handled 47 of 48 punt snaps cleanly, along with 25 snaps for extra-point attempts (team made 23) and six more for field goals.
Bugg returned to action in 2006, with his younger brother serving as his backup on the scout team. He handled a total of 66 snaps for the punting game and 47 more for the field goal and PAT unit (15 on field goals). He also showed his tackling form, registering three tackles for the punt-coverage unit.
Bugg was named All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team by The NFL Draft Report in 2007. The team's kicking game had drastically improved in his two-plus seasons of handling snapping chores. To say that the Hoosiers snapper was flawless would be an understatement. His blocking up front kept the kick blockers at bay, as he handled 61 snaps for the punting unit and 70 more for the placement kick teams, with only one Indiana punt being blocked for the year.
Indiana kicking specialist Austin Starr recently told the media prior to the Insight Bowl.
Career Notes
Bugg has never had an errant snap in 30 games at Indiana...He snapped the ball 326 times during his career -- 175 on punts, 107 on extra-point attempts and 44 field goals...The team made 81.82% of its field goals (36 of 44) and 94.39% of its point after conversions (101 of 107) with Bugg snapping the ball...They were also successful in getting off 97.22% of their punts (175-of-180) during that span.
High School
Attended Penn (Mishawaka, Ind.) High School, playing football for head coach Chris Geesman...All-Northern Indiana Conference honorable mention team during his senior campaign, adding Class 5A All-Area honors...During his first season with the varsity, the team captured the 1999 5A state championship...In addition to playing football, Bugg lettered in golf during his freshman and sophomore years, where he perfected his hand quickness needed for his snapping chores...In his last three years at the school, he also lettered on the rugby team.
Analysis
Positives: Has a thick lower-body frame with strong legs to anchor, good arm length and large, soft hands to snap the ball cleanly and with above-average velocity...Has very good accuracy on his deep snaps and has shown marked improvement maintaining that velocity on his short attempts...Gets his hands up quickly and with good placement to neutralize defenders coming off the snap...Intelligent athlete who makes good adjustments before snapping and hits the mark with his snap placement, not taking the punter out of his stance to field the ball...His deep-snap average time ranges from 0.64-0.68 seconds (from 14 yards out) while his short snaps have improved from a 0.43-second average to the .038-.041-second range (fastest of any snapper in college)...Puts very good zip on his snaps, making sure to get it back exactly how the punters and holders like to field it at the laces...Practices his trade and plays with confidence, showing good determination to get downfield and help support the coverage unit...Has a low center of gravity and good arm flexibility...Comes off the snap to drive defenders off the line with his leg drive...Effective blocker who will hit a defender before releasing off the line and gets downfield quickly to help cover, showing adequate speed down the middle lane...Has a low center of gravity and good arm flexibility, doing a solid job of coming off the snap to drive defenders off the line with his leg drive...Fluid dropping back to pick up the gunner...Snaps looking at the ground and generally gives a look to his target prior to his snapping motion...On punt snaps, his accuracy is such that he can consistently getting the ball right into the punter's chest and places lots of zip on the ball to allow his teammate to field the ball cleanly...Runs with a normal stride and comes through with quality snaps, even in pressure situations...Quick to pick up defensive schemes...Shows the skills to attain perfect height and get the ball back directly to the holder on field goal and placement snaps...Has never had a field goal or placement blocked due to his snapping...Shows good short-area quickness coming out of his stance and generates decent explosion on the rise, playing with proper knee bend and hip roll... Takes smart blocking angles in the open...Shows good recoil, especially when there is a gap charge when he snaps...Finds a way to maintain balance, keeping his body in proper position, keeping his feet moving upon contact and has the ability to reach a "three" technique with consistency...Might not have great timed speed, but in the trenches, he has light feet and knows how to use his large hands to snap the ball with good technique...Can stop the rushers with his forceful hand punch.
Negatives: Lacks muscle tone and has a soft midsection, but his frame can carry at least another 20 pounds of bulk without having it impact his foot speed or snap quickness...Is a willing tackler, but lacks the foot speed needed to get downfield after the snap to make the play...His short snaps lacked trajectory in the past, but in 2007, he seemed to have corrected executing those low balls...Lacks fluid hips to generate much quickness running downfield, but plays on his feet with a solid base when blocking in-line.
Compares To: MIKE MORRIS-ex-Minnesota...The measuring stick for all long snappers is Morris, who was regarded as the best to ever perform at this position in the professional ranks. Bugg has the same explosive hand quickness. He keeps his head on a swivel to neutralize defenders after the snap and can always be found working on improving his craft. He has a very good spiral on his attempts with excellent trajectory and has also become a proficient angle blocker. While he is not able to play another position, his long-snapping duties are superior enough to see him be the first (and possibly only) player that will be chosen at his position in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Injury Report
2005: Tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee vs. Ohio State (10/22), missing the team's final four games vs. Michigan State (10/29), Minnesota (11/05), Michigan (11/12) and Purdue (11/19) after undergoing surgery.
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