Falcons' Zelenka ready to long snap

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons recently signed long snapper Joe Zelenka, who was home relaxing with his family in Jacksonville when the phone rang Sunday.

The words "come to Atlanta for a tryout" were music to the ears of the self-proclaimed "full-time dad and husband."

In a dual of long snappers, he won out over Jeff Robinson, and the 10-year veteran is set to snap for the Falcons on Sunday against the Eagles.

In a conversation with the AJC, Zelenka, a native of Cleveland who played at Wake Forest, discusses his return to the NFL and the life of a long snapper.

Q: How quickly can you, the holder and kicker come together as a unit?

A: Anytime you line up for a field goal, you want everything to run smooth. You want everything to be just on point. I don't know what happened here in the past. But hopefully that's what Matt [Bryant] and I will bring, with Michael [Koenen]. Bring just some smoothness to the whole operation.

Q: Do you have enough time to get that unity?

A: It's going to be a quick study. Michael has to learn me in three or four days. I have to learn him. It's going to be fun, but it's going to be some serious hard work just so that we can get comfortable. When I walk out on the field on Sunday, I want Michael to know me inside out. When I line up I want him to have complete confidence in me and the same thing with Matt. I want them both to be completely confident in knowing that I'm going to get him the ball and give Matt an opportunity to make the kick.

Q: Did you know Matt before?

A: I know Matt and Michael strictly from just being around the league.

Q: How did the workout go?

A: Everything seemed to be pretty smooth. He's got a great foot on him. Kickers, their job is a lot harder than mine's. I just have to get them the ball.

Q: What are some of the things you like to do off the field?

A: I am a full-time dad and husband. I love to spend time with my kids. The twins are 3 years old. A little boy and little girl [Benjamin and Grace]. I love being with my wife, Rebekah. If I'm not doing those kinds of things that are family-oriented, like going to the zoo, Chick-Fil-a. I also love being out in the woods, hunting or fishing. Just spending time with God and his creations.

Q: No trips to Chuck E. Cheese?

A: Don't say that word. It's dangerous. It's going to stick to me, and my kids will get excited. I already have [been in the tunnels]. I've gotten stuck in the tunnels. They are fun. You kind of feel like a hamster. It's a little tight, but when your kids are little and they are adventuresome, they will climb up on those things.

There were a couple of times when my kids were a little scared. Here comes big ol' Dad climbing up in the tubes to get them and then we'll go down the slide together. I realize how much fun that is.

Q: Can you just talk about getting the call and getting back in the league?

A: Getting the call was great. Anytime you get a call from an NFL team, it's like getting a call from Mrs. America to go on a date. It was an awesome call to get.

Q: What was your approach to the workout?

A: I just wanted to show them what I could do, and they decided to make a change. I feel back for Bryan [Pittman]. I feel bad for Mike [Schneck] for not being able to finish the season, first of all. It's just a tough situation. That's what this league is, it's a tough business. If you don't perform, if I don't perform, you're going to be talking to somebody else next week. That's just the reality of this business.