LS Drew "Chucky" Norman (official thread)

[BB73]

His nickname came from JT, per the ozone:

ozone.net

Chucky's Challenges: Nicknames are common on athletic teams, and are usually signs of respect and endearment among team mates.

What is not common is the head coach of a football team hanging a nickname on a player, but that's exactly what happened to OSU long snapper Drew Norman, who has been known throughout his Buckeye career as "Chucky".

"Coach Tressel gave me that nickname after the basketball tournament after my true freshman year," said Norman.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=100 align=right><CAPTION align=bottom>Drew "Chucky" Norman </CAPTION><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Norman has no idea what prompted Tressel to give him that nickname, but figures that the one thing you never do is question the head man.
"I've never asked him about it," said Norman.

"I suppose whenever I graduate I might ask him, but I figure if he's got a nickname for me, at least he knows who I am.

"I really have no idea.

"The first time he said it I said 'Who?', and he said 'You.' I'm never called Drew over here (at the football facility). Everybody calls me Chucky. I go home to my house and people call me Drew and I wonder who they're talking to."

Call him Drew, or call him Chucky, it doesn't matter, Norman has been an exceptionally reliable performer as a long snapper, an accomplishment that involves more than just snapping the ball. Chucky also has to put up with a considerable amount of intimidation and physical abuse to get his job done. The opposition often goes to great lengths to try and disrupt field goal and punt attempts by
intimidating the long snapper.

"Guys talk every now and then, but nothing that doesn't go on on every play," Chucky said.

"I've never had anyone try to swipe it or anything. The most common thing is for a guy to get as close to you as he can get and make you feel his presence.

"For punts we have a zone protection scheme, so I go right or left, and anything that threatens my gap I'm responsible for. It's more of a thing of getting back because they put a lot of fast guys on the rush team.

"Field goal, it's just a war down there. There's some times where I'm on my back and I have no idea, and other times where no one comes over me," he said.

"A lot of it depends on the defense. If they're coming hard, I'm on the ground."

Uh....ground Chucky?

[ntd]

Originally Posted by BB73

His nickname came from JT, per the ozone:
"I suppose whenever I graduate I might ask him, but I figure if he's got a nickname for me, at least he knows who I am.

"I really have no idea.

Of course Tressel knows the long snapper's name, that's the center of our entire offensive strategy

[BB73]

ozone

It's a Snap...and More
By John Porentas

You trot out onto the field, you bend over, snap the football, and you trot off. It's the easiest job on the football team.

If you buy into that you haven't been watching a lot of football. The life of a long snapper involves a whole lot more than being able to launch spiral while upside down, just ask OSU snappers Drew Norman and Dimitrios Makridis. Making the snap is just the start of their responsibilities, because once the ball is snapped, there is a football play going on, and they are a part of it in every sense of the word. On punts, they are required to block, then are a part of the kick coverage team whose job it is to get downfield and make a tackle. On PATs and field goals, they must block to protect a holder and kicker who are just seven yards back from the line of scrimmage.

Drew Norman
Photo by Jim Davidson

"On the punt snap we have a matchup zone theory," said Norman.

"Usually you have a gap or an area, but usually its a man because a man is going to threaten your area.

"On field goals though its just get down and let them come and try to stand your ground.

"Coach Tressel always says he needs 1.3 seconds of perfection on field goal protection, so I figure if I can hold my ground for 1.3 seconds we're going to be just fine," Norman said.

Both Norman and Makridis were linebackers in high school, and both say that the punt snap on which they become the hunter after the ball is off is much more fun than the place kick snap when they are likely to be on the receiving end of a blow from a defensive tackle the likes of say Quinn Pitcock.

"On the punt after we snap the ball and block we get to run down just like a linebacker and it's kind of like the old days again, so it's kind of nice," said Makridis.

"I love it. I love running down trying to make the tackle. It's my favorite part," Makridis said.

Dimitrios Makridis
Photo by Jim Davidson

Makridis could have gone to school elsewhere and played linebacker, but chose to come to OSU instead.

"I had offers and all that but I wanted to come here ever since I was a kid," Makridis said.

"I could have gone to Wisconsin and actually I could have gone to Harvard to play, but obviously it would have been a little bit more money, and 105,000 come to watch us here. That's why I came here."

"I was a middle linebacker in high school, but I did the long snapping for our high school team because there was really no one else that could do it. A lot of people can't do it very well, but I could do it and I didn't have to think about it too hard. I figured I didn't have much of a chance to play linebacker here because the guys who play linebacker here are really very big and very fast, so I figured I may as well try and long snap."

According to Norman, perfection is expected on every snap, but the snappers are expected to be more than just specialists at Ohio State. They have to be able to make tackles on the punt squad, and on the place kick squad must take the wrath of angry defensive linemen.

"Coach (P. J.) Fleck came in from Northern Illinois and he's working with us now," Norman explained.

"His thing is that we're football players, we're not just specialists.

"I look at that we have guys (receivers) go across the middle and get their lunch handed to them, Troy gets hit from behind, we've got linebackers butting heads with fullbacks, so I've got my thing (on place kicks). It's something that I want do to help the team, and I kind of like a little contact. Being a former linebacker I like to get in there a little bit and mix it up a little bit. I kind of enjoy it," Norman said.

There have been NCAA rules enacted to try to protect long snappers from taking a pounding while in a vulnerable position after making a snap, but Norman says he sees little proof that those rules are making much difference.

"Before each and every field goal snap the ref says 'Stay off that snapper.' I'm still waiting for the flag. In the back of my mind it would be nice but I'm not a dummy, I know its going to happen. Usually I'm in for a battle," Norman said.

A. J. Trapasso
Photo by Jim Davidson

While long snappers sometimes go unnoticed by the fans, there is a group of people who do appreciate them, most notably kickers and holders.

At Ohio State, A. J. Trapasso doubles as both punter and holder on field goal and PAT attempts. Trepasso has developed an abiding admiration for long snappers.

"I've got a lot of respect for the snappers," he said.

"They get down and they're in a real vulnerable position as soon as they let go of the ball, and they have big 280 pound guys trying to crush you. When they're down in the trenches they're working hard. Both Dimitrios Makridis and Drew Norman are having a heck of a camp. I don't think I could do it. I wouldn't want to be blocking somebody like
Quinn Pitcock or somebody like that."

Trapasso says the long snapping duties are in good hands at OSU.

"Drew Norman is phenomenal," said Trapasso.

"Next to Kyle Andrews who is now playing for Pittsburgh (Steelers) he's the next-best thing. Drew will be right there with Kyle in the next year or so.

"He can fire it back there in .6, .5 seconds on punts. I catch the laces up and he's really good about putting it between your hip and your shoulders. He's great.

"On place kicks he takes a little bit off and keeps it a little bit lower. We have it down where I'm catching the laces forward every time. It never changes. I catch it with the laces forward every time. It's amazing," Trapasso said.

And he makes it look easy, like there's nothing to it, like it's just a snap.

[osugrad21]

Official Site

Anonymity is a Good Thing




Drew Norman
Oct. 28, 2006
By Scott Dodge
Complete Story in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
All eyes become fixed upon the majestic quarterback as he gracefully drops back to pass. People hold their breath as he releases the ball and watch it sail through the crisp autumn air toward a speedy receiver in full stride downfield. The ball is caught for a touchdown sending 105,000 fans into ecstasy as people shout about how they love the quarterback and receiver, noting each player by name.
"A lot of specialists like me are kind of obscure, and that's the way I would like to keep it," Drew Norman, the long snapper for the Buckeyes, said. "They say if someone knows your name, then you have made a mistake."
Usually the long snapper is not a position which comes to mind when thinking about football. At least it is not at other schools. But at Ohio State, where there is a strong emphasis on the kicking game and field position, it is one of the most important positions on the field.
Norman, a fifth-year senior, enjoys the role he plays for the Buckeyes. He loves coming on the field knowing the pressure is on him to deliver the most accurate snap he can to the punter. He loves being a part of special teams when the Buckeyes pin the opponent deep in their own territory. And he especially loves being the first person to touch the ball on a game-winning field goal. However he might not be where he is today be it not for encouragement from his childhood friends.

In 1995, Norman, then 12 years old, was in the sixth grade. He loved to play football but found playing time a little hard to come by. One of his friends suggested he try to be the long snapper for his local Pee-Wee team. The friend noticed Norman had a knack for delivering an accurate snap from distance.
"I thought of it as being a good way to get on the field and get some playing time," Norman said. "I had messed around snapping to some of my friends before. They told my coach I knew how to do it when he was looking for some one to long snap. So I guess I owe them a big thanks."
In addition to his long-snapping duties, Norman also played running back and linebacker at Indian Valley High School in Dennison, Ohio. With a student body of only 400, playing multiple positions was common practice for most of the Indian Valley team. He knew he wouldn't get a scholarship to a Division I school as a running back so he came up with a plan.
"I really wanted to play Division I football," Norman said. "And I knew the best chance I had was to try and walk on as a long snapper. So that is exactly what I did."
Norman made the Buckeye squad in 2002, but did not see on the field action until the final game of the 2004 season. His first play as a college football player came in the played 2004 Alamo Bowl when the Buckeyes beat a very good Oklahoma State team 33-7. Norman came in and centered for the last punt of game. Since then, he has been the Buckeyes' starting long snapper and has played in every game.
Ohio State's glorious football past is something not lost on Norman. One of the reasons he wanted to play for the Buckeyes was to become part of one of the most storied programs in college football. Norman realizes the honor involved in putting on the scarlet and gray every Saturday.
"It is really something special to wake up Saturday knowing you will be walking into Ohio Stadium to play in front of some of the most passionate fans in the country," Norman said. "I absolutely love walking through Skull Session before games then walking to the stadium. Giving your all is never a question because you feel required to give everything you have and to put the work in for the fans, and everything OSU stands for."
An OSU football player is constantly reminded of the past. Inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the Buckeyes indoor training complex, there are banners high on the wall of Ohio State's historical triumphs. Some might feel those banners create a burdensome weight of expectation. Norman feels the opposite.
"I see Ohio State's past as something for our team to strive for," Norman said. "It is something I feel obligated to try and emulate."
Being the center on a key punt requires an immense amount of focus and concentration. One way Norman hones those skills is by playing golf. Norman enjoys trading the din of Ohio Stadium for the serene setting of a local golf course. He finds ways to take bits and pieces from each sport and integrate them into each other.
"I can't even imagine the amount of focus it must take to close out the back nine of a major when you're winning by a couple strokes," Norman said. "Those guys have to block out everything even when they know all eyes are watching them. The amount of pressure is unbelievable. But the great ones are able to focus on the task at hand and not worry about anything else."
Tiger Woods, the world's No. 1 golfer, is someone Norman admires for the way he handles himself as a player.
"Tiger Woods is just so competitive and focused," Norman said. "He also displays that killer instinct few players have. That's why his Sunday record is so good. You can just look in his eyes and he's got that look that shows he's come to play. He only has to make a few good shots early on and the people he is playing against say, `Uh-Oh, Tiger is here to play today.'"
Norman thinks the Buckeyes are beginning to develop one aspect of Woods' game - that instinct that makes a winner. Coming through in the clutch is something which separates good teams from champions.
"As a team we are starting to develop a killer instinct," Norman said. "If we can make a couple big plays early in the game people will say, `Uh-Oh, Ohio State is here to play today.' It puts them on the defensive because they are worried about what we are going to do instead of what they need to do and they don't play as well as they can."
Norman feels an excellent example of that sense was the game against Penn State which the Buckeyes won 28-6.
"Penn State is a perfect example," Norman said. "We had two great teams slugging it out in an old fashion Big Ten battle. It was a very even game and the conditions were not the best. But we put ourselves in a position to make some big plays in the fourth quarter to put the game away. I think you have to treat every game like that. Every game in the Big Ten will be close and we need a great fourth-quarter performance if we are going to keep getting victories. I think that was a big step that we took."
Norman said the Buckeyes need to act as if they do not know the score.
"We need to try to win each quarter regardless of what the scoreboard says," Norman said. "Execution is key. I think the best way to do that is to act as if we don't know the score. Winning a Big Ten game is not easy, and we need to play with the same amount of focus in a blow out as we would in a tight game. We know what needs to be done and realize the game isn't won until we have more points than our opponent and the clock reads zero."
With the Buckeyes' high-powered offense, Drew Norman may find his playing time become scarce once more. However, this time he will be more than happy to stay on the sidelines, that is, until he is needed to snap for extra points.

[BB73]

Congrats to Drew on being names special teams player of the week for the Minnesota game. From today's press luncheon:

official.site

Our special units player was Drew Norman who has been a solid snapper all along. He had seven field goal snaps on Saturday, which every single one of them was in the perfect window, which is a little unusual. Occasionally you'll get one in or outside or whatever, and he just had an extraordinary week and was the special units player.

[OhioState49]

good job norman!

[BB73]

official.site


Oct. 31, 2006
Drew Norman, senior long snapper

On approaching the end of the season

"I think it's one week at a time and that is why we've had a great focus all season. Our coaches do a great job on Sunday, after a game, when they come in and inform us on the new team. Coach Tressel's mantra is to get better each and every day. We are in great condition - mentally and physically. When you combine those two things you are going to have a good November."

On the Illibuck trophy

"Any time you are playing for something, you always play to win. We want to head to Illinois and come back successful, especially when that trophy is on the line. None of us on the team have been to Champaign for a game, so we want to make it count."

On the team's progress

"We are getting better, as you can see when you turn on the film. From a special teams' point of view, I think I've gotten better as the season goes on. Everyone on the team is getting better - but we still have a long way to go. We want to take one step further and get it done. Everyone is pretty focused and not very concerned with everything else that is going on around us."

On teammate Aaron Pettrey

"He is relaxed, funny, down to earth - loose when he goes out on the field and very confident in himself. Special teams are so important to us. Our expectations bring out the best in our guys. Aaron has always had a lot of confidence and holds his head high. We know he will go out there and put the ball in the uprights. As long as I do my job, and A.J. (Trapasso) does his, there is no doubt that the ball will go through the uprights."

On the team captains

"All four have their own unique personality. I enjoy them. It is neat to see all four, different guys take on a different perspective of the game. Troy is the most calm - he always comes out and tells us what needs to be done. When we get out of our players' meeting on Thursday, we know what needs to be done, because our captains do a great job."

On the field

"I think it's great. Our ground keepers do a great job. They work as hard as they can and do they best they can. Our support staff will stop at nothing to make sure we have the best equipment and the best field."

On special teams

"As Coach Tressel always says, `Special teams win championships.' He gives us just as much credit for a win as the offense and defense. He understands we are all equal in having a part in the win."

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Scout.com (Free)

Bucknuts Mag Excerpts: The Family Business

[Best Buckeye]

Here's a hat's off to Drew. He plays a position that is usually filled by players who otherwise would never get to see the field.
long snapper is a position thats gets no applause and few laurels. The guys who do this usually do it so they can be on the team that they want to play for , no matter the cost. They give up offers from other schoolsand work long and hard to achieve.
They enjoy the hard work and sweat and pain just as long as they can be involved.
So here's to you Drew Norman A TRUE BUCKEYE!!!!

[Buckskin86]

Norman feels at home at OSU - IV product enjoying senior year as snapper for Buckeyes
By JEFFERY WILLIAMS, T-R Sports Writer


When he decided to go to Ohio State University as a walk-on long snapper in the fall of 2002, Drew Norman didn?t know exactly what he had gotten himself into.

?I can remember the first day I got here and everything was so big and there were so many people, I just thought: ?What am I doing here??? the 2002 Indian Valley High graduate said. ?But as each day goes by, I?ve gotten more and more comfortable and I?ve grown to love it here.?

From walk-on to scholarship player and from scholarship player to Ohio State award winner, Norman has stepped up big time in his senior season for the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes, who will face Florida in

the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.

Norman was honored with the Ike Kelley Special Teams Award at this year?s Senior Banquet. The award is given to the top special teams player at Ohio State.

?I was in disbelief,? the son of Kathy and Andy Norman said. ?We have so many great players on this team that it could have gone to. I?ve always told people that the best thing to happen for me is that nobody knows my name because that means I?m doing my job and people don?t have anything to talk about. So winning this award kind of contradicts that statement.

?It was definitely an honor and when (assistant) coach (Luke) Fickell called my name, I couldn?t believe it at first. With guys like Teddy (Ginn) and Gonzo (Anthony Gonzalez) taking it to the house or (punter) A.J. Trapasso and (kicker) Aaron Pettrey who?ve both had great years, or James Laurinaitis who pounds guys on our coverage teams. I?m at the very end of that list.?

Norman did take time to fully appreciate the honor, though.

?I?ve put in a lot of hard work since I got here and now I can look back and see that all the hard work has given me a great reward of getting to play for this school and this program and it?s something I?ll remember the rest of my life.?

The humble Norman, a fifth-year senior, is slated to graduate next spring with his degree in civil engineering and his minor in business. While always the consummate student, Norman is now thinking about his team?s recently announced opponent: the Florida Gators.

?Florida is a very good football team and the first thing that stands out is how athletic they are,? Norman said. ?From a special teams standpoint, I know that coach (Urban) Meyer works personally with his special teams and they have speed and athleticism there, too. They?re definitely going to be a challenge for us.?

And what about the controversy surrounding Michigan getting passed over by Florida for the title game?

?I think it?s a tough situation to be in when you don?t have two undefeated teams at the end of the season,? Norman said. ?To leave the decision in the hands of voters and computers is tough but (ESPN analyst) Lee Corso?s points were great. Both Michigan and Florida are deserving and you can say why Florida deserves to be in the BCS title game, but you can?t say why Michigan doesn?t deserve to be.

?Michigan had a great season and it was a great game with us. I?m sure they?re disappointed but I know coach (Lloyd) Carr will have them ready for their bowl game. It?s something people will continue to talk about but it?s the system we?ve got and until we get a new system, we have to go along with what it says.?

Norman said that since the Buckeyes had the final week of the regular season off due to the lack of a Big 10 championship game, he enjoyed some down time watching television -- but it wasn?t exactly what people would think.

?I have picture in picture and I spent most of the time watching USC and Florida, but there was a ?24? marathon on TV, too, so after the USC game I had the Florida game on full screen and ?24? in the corner,? he said with a laugh. ?It was kind of nice to sit back and just watch college football for two weeks. The way I look at it is that you go at it for 12 straight weeks and you never get a chance to just sit back and watch the sport you?re playing on TV and be a fan. But now that we have this 30-day window before our next game, it?s time to get things moving and get to work on Florida.?

And work he will as finals come to a close on the Columbus campus and Norman and his teammates prepare for Florida until they are given a break from Dec. 23-29.

http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=61623

[Buckskin86]

Browns | D. Norman trying out for team
Sat, 5 May 2007 00:11:58 -0700

Jeff Walcoff, of ClevelandBrowns.com, reports undrafted free-agent LS Drew Norman (Ohio State) is trying out for the Cleveland Browns at their minicamp.

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

[Buckskin86]

Drew is writing an article for the Dispatch...

Drew Bio...

The Columbus Dispatch : Drew Norman biography

Always a Buckeye
Routine is recipe for success
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
By Drew Norman
For The Dispatch



File Photo | Dispatch
Drew Norman

Drew Norman is a 2002 graduate of Indian Valley High School and a 2007 graduate from the College of Civil Engineering at Ohio State. A walk-on long-snapper on the 2002, '03, and '04 teams, Drew earned a scholarship prior to the start of the 2005 season. Each week, he gives a former Buckeye player's perspective on the game.

Routine. A routine is defined in Webster's Dictionary as: 1 a: A regular course of procedure. b: Habitual or mechanical performance of an established procedure.

We all have routines. Some followed more closely than others. Old routines are often abandoned for new ones. Some spend a great deal of time in search of that perfect routine, feeling that a perfect routine will yield the best success. Others change routines like the weather changes in this great state of ours. Is any one routine really that much better than another?


What did you do this past Friday? Did you wear your Scarlet and Gray to work? Maybe you listened to Hang On Sloopy during the morning commute. Was your Buckeye necklace hanging from your rear view mirror or was it around your neck? Whatever it is that you did, have you done it before? Will you do it again this Friday? The answer to this is probably most closely related to your perception of our performance against the Penguins.


One thing's for sure, though. There's a group of 105 young men who will do the same thing this Friday as last Friday. It also happens to be the same thing I did every Friday of every season from 2002 - 2006. The Jim Tressel Football Friday Routine is something I will never forget. Without trying, I have the routine committed to memory. It's more than just a way to the pass the day before the game. Rather, it's the link between preparation and competition. It's what helps set the tone for Saturday. It's what brings that focus that all of Coach Tressel's teams exhibit. It's the routine that has lead to 75 victories in the last 7 seasons + 1 game. With 6 of those victories coming against you know who.

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Routine is recipe for success