Interviewing Casey Kreiter: The forgotten man of Denver’s special team’s trio

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6, long snapper Casey Kreiter #42 and punter Riley Dixon #9 of the Denver Broncos stands for national anthem during the preseaon NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Broncos 38-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6, long snapper Casey Kreiter #42 and punter Riley Dixon #9 of the Denver Broncos stands for national anthem during the preseaon NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Broncos 38-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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AMES, IA Ð SEPTEMBER 14: The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate their win over the Iowa State Cyclones 27-21 by carrying the Cy-Hawk Trophy to their fans at Jack Trice Stadium on September 14, 2013 in Ames, Iowa. Iowa defeated Iowa State 27-21. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA Ð SEPTEMBER 14: The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate their win over the Iowa State Cyclones 27-21 by carrying the Cy-Hawk Trophy to their fans at Jack Trice Stadium on September 14, 2013 in Ames, Iowa. Iowa defeated Iowa State 27-21. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)

From Iowa to the NFL

Since 7th grade, Kreiter wanted to be an NFL player, but it wasn’t until a conversation with his coach did he truly realize the possibility.

"It was going into my redshirt junior year, my special teams coordinator, Lester [Erb] said, “Hey, I don’t know if you know this, but you could play in the NFL”. He was very blunt with me and said you can get a lot better. Take a serious hard look and evaluate yourself."

It was this conversation that Casey needed.

Coming off what he thought was a fantastic redshirt sophomore season, he sat down and realistically evaluated his performance. Long snappers evaluate themselves on “Acceptable Snaps”.

Acceptable snaps are snaps delivered with the right placement with laces turned the right way. He initially believed he was around 80 percent. After careful evaluation, his acceptable snap percentage was more like 30 percent.

The focus on his dream intensified, and he began putting in even more work to achieve his dream.

"From then on, every snap, every practice I better be on. If you screw up, someone is watching."

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