Zak DeOssie is the unquestioned heart and soul of the New York Giants’ special teams units. The long snapper made the Pro Bowl last year and capped off a great season with a Super Bowl championship. In this Q&A, DeOssie tells us about his rapport with punter Steve Weatherford, the art of long snapping and the benefits of having a father who played in the NFL.
Q: When the Giants were 7-7 last season, did you ever imagine you guys could make it to the Super Bowl, let alone win the Super Bowl?
A: When we were 7-7, we were more focused on the next game and I wasn’t thinking too far ahead. It was a pretty tumultuous, up-and-down season but when our back is against the wall we perform and we perform well.
Q: How did your collegiate career at Brown help you reach the NFL?
A: It’s not the most typical route to the NFL, but having the opportunity to go to Brown was exceptional for me and one of the best decisions I ever made.
Q: Can you talk about punter Steve Weatherford, and what he brings to the table for the Giants?
A: Steve brings a certain energy to the specialist community, as well as the rest of the team, that’s unmatched. He’s passionate about his job, he’s passionate about his teammates and he loves to work hard and perform well. I couldn’t be happier to have him as my teammate.
Q: Talk about Weatherford’s athletic ability, which belies the impression most people have of punters.
A: He’s devoted to his fitness. Normally the long snapper is traditionally stronger than the punter, but with Steve, I’m battling to try to compete with him in the weight room. He’s a freak. He’s a physical freak of nature and if you see him run, he runs like a deer. Everyone knows he was a decathlete in college and it’s impressive how athletic he is.
Q: As the long snapper, how would you describe your relationship with Steve, the punter? How important is it for the two of you to be on the same page?
A: Steve has been on a couple teams before he got here, and I always knew he was a talented punter. He came in with this sort of tenacity to just be the best at what he can do, and he’s always working as hard as he can no matter what. He’s consistent with his routines and most importantly, he’s confident. As a punter, you need to be confident and he exudes confidence.
Q: What message would you give to incoming rookies on the Giants?
A: Rookies have to show up and be accountable, and they have to do what they can to get on the field and contribute to this team. They have to understand it’s a job and also have fun with it.
Q: Does part of you wish you could still play inside linebacker?
A: Always. I love linebacker and don’t think I’ll ever get a chance to play again. I found a position that I’m really good at here and that I’m comfortable at and one I can make a living with. I will always consider myself a linebacker, but my linebacker days are over.
Q: How did you measure the art of long snapping?
A: Repetition. They say [if] you do something 10,000 times in a row, you become a professional at it. I always long snapped in college, finally did it my senior year, sort of fell into this position at long snapper here with the Giants and fine-tuned it with the help of my coach and hard work.
Q: How valuable is it to have your father, who played in the NFL, as a resource?
A: It’s been great. He knows the intricacies of my job intimately and when I need someone to talk to about my job or this and that, he’s the first person. He snapped his whole career. He did it for 12 years and I’m hoping to do the same thing.
By Khalil Garriott
