Suisham Gets Bashed by Popular Steelers Blog
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham of Wallaceburg was the target of some harsh criticism by popular Pittsburgh Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain this week.
The article, which discusses how the Steelers kicking has dropped from first in the NFL four years ago, to last this season, pointed to Suisham’s field goal percentage as a major issue this season stating,
“The more glaring problem is with K Shaun Suisham. Or, more specifically, his problem with field goals of 40 yards or more.”
Suisham’s 73.1% success rate currently ranks last among NFL kickers this season. Last season however, Suisham was a sparkling 14-for-15 after replacing Jeff Reed.
Suisham hit a 52-yard field goal last week in the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
Although Suisham is currently struggling, particularly from longer distances, Behind the Steel Curtain is reporting that there are no current rumours regarding the Steelers looking for a replacement kicker. Susiham has been accurate from short distances, however, as the Steel Curtain article points out, he is struggling from longer yardages,
“It’s the longer ones that make or break a kicker’s career. Missing 40+ yard field goals has been an alarming trend for Suisham – and the Steelers recently.”
Click Here to read the original article on Behind the Steel Curtain.
Suisham is not alone in misses over 40 yards. Other veteran kickers are also having bad years in 2011. I do hope the Steelers look beyond his recent struggles this year and realize that his strong work ethic can help produce the results they need.
I think we all know that when it’s 40 yds or more it’s a risky thing to kick a field goal. As a coach, I would like to know that my kicker is going to nail it, if I can get him inside the 40yd FG range.
The problem I see is when he is on the hash marks he is more at risk of missing then when he is a foot or two inside the hash marks. The other problem I see is with Big Ben and the interceptions and fumbles that lead to the opponents putting points on the board more than a missed field goal.