Cleveland Browns Waive Long Snapper Ryan Pontbriand
In a move that was hinted by head coach Pat Shurmur on Monday, the Browns have gone ahead and waived long snapper Ryan Pontbriand, who, up until this season, was typically only mentioned when named to the Pro Bowl.
Pontbriand has had a rough couple of weeks, starting with a snap that ricocheted off the foot of center Alex Mack against the St. Louis Rams (leading to a failed 22-yard field goal attempt) and ending with a low snap on a missed 55-yard field goal attempt Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pontbriand has had a long and dependable career with the Browns, but those two mistakes were large enough to send Pontbriand packing. Such is the life of a special teams player in the NFL.
In his ninth season with the Browns, Pontbriand was the second-longest tenured member of the team, trailing only kicker Phil Dawson. He is also one of only two Browns since 1999 to be named to multiple Pro Bowls, with two trips to the game. Left tackle Joe Thomas is the other multiple-time Pro Bowler, with four.