By GLENN MILLER
The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press

SAN DIEGO - In October, Ryan Benjamin was working for his father's air-conditioning business in New Port Richey, Fla. On Sunday, he'll be playing for the Tampa Bay Bucs in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Benjamin, 25, is from the Tampa Bay area, a graduate of River Ridge High School in Pasco County. He was a four-year letterman as a snapper at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

For the first several weeks of the 2002 season, Benjamin was a former football player, an obscure specialist who was with the Chicago Bears in training camp but was cut on Aug. 27.

"I got released," Benjamin said. "I didn't know what my future was. Here I am. I've been in an NFC Championship Game. I got a new baby born Jan. 10 and getting ready to play in the Super Bowl. Biggest game on Earth."

He's here because the Bucs ran into snapping problems. Mike Solwold started the season as the snapper but was lost for the year on Oct. 1 because of an injury. That same day, the Bucs signed Morris Unutoa to snap. He didn't work out and was released. The Bucs knew about Benjamin. They signed him Oct. 14.

He hasn't disappointed. He's provided steadiness at this important but often over-looked task. Snappers are usually noticed only when they mess up. Not many football fans had heard of veteran Trey Junkin until he made a bad snap for the New York Giants on the final play of their playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

For Giants fans, Junkin may be remembered the way baseball player Bill Buckner is remembered by Boston Red Sox fans. Buckner had a long career but is now best remembered for letting a ground ball go between his legs in the World Series.

"I mean, he played in the league for 19 years," Benjamin said of Junkin.

"You don't do that for 19 years and not be one of the best in the league. It's unfortunate for him to go out like that."

Benjamin understands what it must be like for Junkin.

"My heart really goes out to him," Benjamin said.

Benjamin tries not to think about the pressure of getting the ball swiftly and accurately to holder Tom Tupa so field-goal kicker Martin Gramatica has a decent shot at making a field goal.

"You're a professional," Benjamin said. "You're in your position for a reason. You got to be confident in what you can do. When the time calls for you go out there and do a job, that you're going to get it done."

His teammates appreciate Benjamin's work.

"Ryan has done an unbelievable job," Tupa said. "He came in here as a young guy. I feel good with him in there."

Like Tupa, Gramatica appreciates Benjamin's steadiness.

"He's done an awesome job," Gramatica said. "We had a guy who was here for around three weeks and got hurt. Then another guy was here for two weeks and it didn't work out."

Benjamin feels appreciated.

"I come off the field, my teammates are the first ones to slap my hand, give me high fives," Benjamin said.

That's about all long snappers can expect. It's a safe bet Benjamin will not be named the Super Bowl MVP and awarded a 2004 Cadillac XLR.

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