During Monday’s preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Washington Commanders special teams not only produced one of the worst and best efforts anyone will ever see, but did so on one play.
Trailing 21-17 in the third quarter, the Commanders lined up for a 49-yard field goal. Joey Slye’s kick had the distance and accuracy, both with room to spare. Before Slye could get a foot on the ball, Tress Way, Washington’s punter and holder, did tremendous work to get the hold down in time. An abysmal snap from Camaron Cheeseman made that necessary.
Cheeseman’s snap came much closer to resembling a ground ball in baseball, or even a bowling ball down the lane than an actual snap one might see in a football game. Fortunately for Slye, Cheeseman’s snap, while a worm burner, was on target. Way managed corral the bouncing ball and get the hold down, with the laces out just in time for Slye’s right foot.
"This is a thing of beauty. That snap literally dribbled its way back to Tress Way. And somehow, he picked it up, got it on its end and Joey Slye hit from 49."
"You mean that's not how it's supposed to be snapped." pic.twitter.com/1iUsTnGfqV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 22, 2023
Normally, a hold is something that goes largely unnoticed, unless something goes wrong. A successful hold is not something that even die-hard fans will pay much attention to.
Sometimes, however, there are exceptions to that. This was one of those times.
GREAT HOLD @Tress_Way #Athlete
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 22, 2023
What a wormburner hold by Tress Way!!!! pic.twitter.com/mZMLN8rCsg
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) August 22, 2023
How does Tress Way get this up in time? That's incredible. https://t.co/jgHD1OHDAz
— Kyle Phoenix Barber (@KylePBarber) August 22, 2023
Dreadful snap from Cheeseman. They’ve gotta try out new snappers this week.
Brilliance from Tress Way to get that down. That was nuts.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) August 22, 2023
[Photo Credit: ESPN]
