This does not qualify as significant for fantasy purposes butvthe 9ers cut long snapper Brian Jennings one game short of breaking the franchise record for consecutive starts. He went out with class. I don't remember a bad snap in 13 years.
Long-snapper Brian Jennings figured to set the franchise record for most consecutive games played when the 49ers open the regular season next Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
But in a shocking move on cut day, the 49ers went with undrafted rookie Kevin McDermott to take the job Jennings held for the past 13 years.
Jennings, 36, a seventh-round draft pick in 2000, ends his 49ers career with 208 consecutive regular-season games, tying offensive lineman Len Rohde (1960-74) for the club record.
After he was released Saturday morning, Jennings issued a statement to CSNBayArea.com:
Today, I feel as though I've been honorably discharged from the team I love.
First, I'd like to thank the York family: Dr. York, Denise, Jed, Tony, Jenna and Mara. You have blessed my life. God bless you.
I'd like to thank the men who brought me to the team and trusted me to contribute: Bill Walsh, John McVay and Bill McPherson.
To the various coaches that I played for, thank you, specifically, the first staff led by head coach Steve Mariucci. It was that group that taught me how to be a pro.
In addition, I'd like to thank this most recent staff, led by coach Jim Harbaugh, who has returned the 49ers to playing dominant football. I love this game and these men are true football men.
I'd like to thank my teammates who are my brothers and heroes. Some of them who had the greatest influence on me and my closest friends include: Ray Brown, Garrison Hearst, Derrick Deese, Ken Norton Jr., Jeff Garcia, Derek Smith, John Engelberger, Jeff Ulbrich, Julian Peterson, Eric Johnson, Terry Jackson, Brandon Lloyd, Frank Gore, Mike Robinson, Joe Nedney, Andy Lee and Vernon Davis.
Currently, the team is full of men who are more than capable of not only carrying on a tradition of winning but bringing championships back to the 49ers.
In a very real way I learned to be a man while with the 49ers -- molded through the preparation and performance of game day, completely tested while on and off the field this game, this team and this group of men made me who I am today.
God has blessed me, protected me and guided my path. Now, as I move on, I have faith that God will continue to do for me what He has done my entire life.
God bless you and God bless the San Francisco 49ers.