What is the point of the short snap anyway? I think it made sense in the past as a means of concealing pass vs. run as long as possible, but the whole game is based much more on passing than it was, and it seems to me that forcing the QB to turn his back and waste time backing up detracts from his seeing the field and his receivers. How many times do defenses not know the QB is likely to pass? Who is fooled anymore by the short snap?
I was listening to sports radio and the guy mentioned he talked with Joe Montana and he always preferred taking the snap from under center because he can always keep an eye on the defense, especially the middle LB. With the shotgun he had to divert his eyes to find the ball and catch it.
Add in the shovel pass, the screen, and the quick draw, why not give your offense’s commander a few extra seconds in the pocket?