Return to the Steelers No Sure Thing for Shaun Suisham
Shaun Suisham - Pittsburgh Steelers
Wallaceburg, ON – Despite his solid performance with the Pittsburgh Steelers after replacing long time kicker Jeff Reed, a return to the Pittsburgh Steelers is no sure thing for Wallaceburg native Shaun Suisham.
Suisham, 29, is a free agent and there are rumours circulating that Pittsburgh is unsure how to approach their kicking situation for the upcoming season. As well, with the NFL lockout in action, Wallaceburg residents and Steelers fans will now have to wait until after the lockout is resolved to learn the fate of hometown hero Shaun Suisham.
Suisham finished last season 14-15 in the regular season on field goal attempts. In Super Bowl XLV, which Suisham’s Pittsburgh Steelers lost 31-25 to the Green Bay Packers, Suisham kicked a successful 33-yard field goal, and also made two extra point attempts, although he missed a 52-yard field attempt.
Even though Suisham was consistent and a positive member of the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room, his place with the team is still in limbo as kicking was seen as a weakness for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
One thing that bodes well for Suisham is the fact that the NFL free agent list of kickers is thin this offseason, as is the NFL draft class of kickers. The main knock on Suisham’s 2010-2011 performance with the Steelers was his kickoff length.
As a highlight of last season, other than his Super Bowl XLV appearance, Suisham also kicked four field goals in a single game from more than 40-yards out against the Buffalo Bills, including the game winner in overtime. Suisham is the only kicker in NFL history to have kicked four 40-yard field goals in a game, a feat he has accomplished twice in his career.
Leading up to Super Bowl XLV, Pittsburgh Head Coach Mike Tomlin had this to say about Shaun Suisham in a press conference, ”
“We enjoy Shaun. He’s an extremely low-maintenance guy. He fits in. All he wants to do is contribute. He’s definitely been a shot in the arm for us. All you have to do is point back to his second week with us, when he banged four 40-plus-yard field goals in Buffalo for us to win. He is a valued member of our team. He’s earned that, and we’re glad he’s one of us.”
If Tomlin’s words hold true, Suisham will be back with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but NFL analysts are still questioning the future direction of the Steelers’ kicking role.
CKSN will have continued updates on this story as it develops over the offseason.
Personally I think this is a no brainer. Suisham was amazing for the Steelers in the regular season and solid through the playoffs. Look at Tomlin’s quote in the article, he’d be a fool to go back on what he said their. They could end up with another primadona like Jeff Reed that would hurt the team more than anything else. Suisham’s only slip was a way wide 52-yarder in the Super Bowl. That’s a 50-50 kick at best for anyone in the league. He’ll be back for sure, and if he’s not, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a screw loose.
I have followed Shaun for a few years now and feel his ability is only outpaced by his character. To me, that “character” is a valuable intangible both on and off the field. The Steelers should keep him!