A year ago, Andrew DePaola had his name in permanent marker on the Oakland Raiders 53-man roster.
Fast forward 12 months, the veteran long snapper – now with a year of rehab behind him – is in a competition with the man who replaced him after DePaola suffered a season-ending injury in the Raiders season opener in 2018.
"It was a little devastating last year," said DePaola when asked about his injury. "Just because of the offseason I had. Signing here, the excitement with everything, and then, first punt of the season, that happened. A little devastating, but I've been through it before. I knew the road and how hard it was going' to be to get back, but it's a challenge which – I enjoy challenges – and at the same time, it was exciting to come back, and when that happens, you get to kind of re-do everything, you're walking gait, your running gait, you get to kind of start from the ground up and get stronger again. I took that time to get better and do everything I could to get back as strong as I could, and [it's] finally here, and I'm ready to go."
As DePaola said, he's once again fully healthy, but through two weeks of training camp, it's not a foregone conclusion that he'll return to his previous post, as Trent Sieg – the then-undrafted rookie who was called into action following his injury – is doing his best to make a claim for the job.
"It's kind of, like you said, a unique situation," Sieg said. "But the way I view it is whether I'm the starter with no one in camp with me or not, I'm competing against someone for my job every day, whether they're here or not, so I just take it one day at a time and do the best I can."
Just a week out from the first preseason game of the year, assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia finds himself in a unique situation – while some teams have trouble locking down one quality long snapper, he now has two on the roster.
"The decision on who the coach is going to keep isn't up to you," DePaola explained. "What you can control is what you can control and that's kind of what I focus on, and I try to really not worthy about anything else."
The fact remains, while DePaola and Sieg get along personally, the team will only carry one long snapper on the roster when regular-season action gets underway September 9.
So what exactly goes into a long snapper competition? By the sounds of it, quite a bit.
"There's so many things," said Bisaccia. "Everything from where are the laces on the catch on the short snaps and their ability to protect the A-gap, and as far as the B-gap, in the punt protection sets. And the ability to have any kind of awareness as to when the front changes and can he redirect on those things. They both played in games. Trent [Sieg] has played in 15 and Andrew [DePaola] has been playing a long time, so it's a good competition right now. They are both in great shape. We are glad Andrew is healthy, so we are going to rotate those guys all through training camp as well."
"Depends on your definition of fierce," joked Sieg when asked to describe the battle between him and DePaola. "We're not really out there popping pads every day, but yeah, DePaula is a hell of a snapper, and like I said, despite us having a competition, we're out here trying to help each other out. We're telling each other where snaps work in our drills, and everything, and like I said, we're just kind of in agreement, may the best man win. We just know that we both deserve to be at this level."
Like Sieg said, both he DePaola and are deserving of being on NFL rosters; which one of the two snappers ultimately takes hold of the Raiders job will be a battle that will likely take the entirety of the preseason to hash out.
Head out to Napa, Calif. for another day of training camp practice at the Raiders Napa Valley Training Complex.
Raiders pads and jersey in the locker room before practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders fans before practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders fans before practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver Jordan Lasley (18) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive end Josh Mauro (97) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) and offensive line coach Tom Cable on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) and senior defensive assistant Mike Trgovac on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13), general manager Mike Mayock, and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58), safety Erik Harris (25), linebacker/defensive end James Cowser (49), linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50), and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders alumnus George Atkinson and defensive end Alex Barrett (93) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Model Josephine Skriver, Raiders alumnus George Atkinson, and musical artist Bohnes on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders alumnus George Atkinson and director of pro scouting Dwayne Joseph on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders guard/tackle Denver Kirkland (79) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive quality control coach Travis Smith and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and alumnus George Atkinsonon the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback D.J. Killings (40) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Johnathan Hankins (90) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders assistant defensive backs coach Taver Johnson and safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders safety Curtis Riley (35) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (38) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders running back Mack Brown (34) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Koa Farmer (46) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Te'von Coney (56) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive tackle Anthony Rush (60) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback Isaiah Langley (43) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback Dylan Mabin (37) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders safety Jordan Richards (39) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive end Alex Barrett (93) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders tackle David Sharpe (72) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks (63) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (89) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver Ryan Grant (19) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El (9) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver/return specialist Dwayne Harris (17) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver J.J. Nelson (15) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6), kicker Daniel Carlson (8), and long snapper Andrew DePaola (48) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks (63) and tackle Tyler Roemer (76) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and safety Erik Harris (25) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) and head coach Jon Gruden on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) gives a fan a football from practice on the sidelines at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) and wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Hard Knocks film crew on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders running back James Butler (36) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders tackle Andre James (68) and defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks (63) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders running back Doug Martin (22) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and head coach Jon Gruden on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Devey (65) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (52) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) and linebacker Marquel Lee (52) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders running back Doug Martin (22) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden huddles up the team on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30), model Josephine Skriver, and musical artist Bohnes after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Model Josephine Skriver on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Musical artist Bohnes and model Josephine Skriver on the sidelines for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, musical artist Bohnes, and model Josephine Skriver after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Musical artist Bohnes, model Josephine Skriver, tight end Foster Moreau (87), and tight end Luke Willson (82) after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver J.J. Nelson (15) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Musical artist Bohnes, quarterback Derek Carr (4), and model Josephine Skriver after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Model Josephine Skriver and Raiders head coach Jon Gruden after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Model Josephine Skriver and Raiders head coach Jon Gruden after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Musical artist Bohnes and model Josephine Skriver receive their honorary Raiders jerseys after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Model Josephine Skriver, musical artist Bohnes, and Raiders head coach Jon Gruden after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden gives his practice-worn hat to George DeLeon, father of musical artist Bohnes, after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Governor of California Gavin Newsom on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Musical artist Bohnes, his father George, and model Josephine Skriver on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
