http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFre ... 0-sun.html
by Steve Coad, Free Press Sports Reporter
Wallaceburg's Shaun Suisham, a record-setting placekicker during his U.S. NCAA days at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, has signed with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
Suisham, 23, cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers last Monday after a solid -- although ultimately unsuccessful -- three-week preseason stint, left for Dallas on Thursday and signed Sunday. Truthfully, the Pittsburgh assignment was a toughy as the Steelers made no bones about being happy with their incumbent, Jeff Reed, who hit 28 of 33 field-goal tries last season.
Still, the six-foot, 199-pound Suisham, whose 45 NCAA field goals shares a Bowling Green record, gave a good account of himself at Steeler camp. Signed as a free agent just minutes after this year's draft in April, Suisham hit his lone preseason field-goal try, a 46-yarder with room to spare against Philadelphia. He also showed a strong leg while kicking off in exhibitions with Philly, Miami and Washington, nailing two of his four kickoffs for touchbacks.
"I had a really good camp," Suisham says. "I hit the ball well all through camp, not just during the games. I went there for an opportunity to showcase my talent. And now I've got another opportunity (in Dallas). That's all I can ask.
"I'm extremely confident right now; I'm in great kicking shape. I'm getting anxious to get out there and help some team."
Should Suisham fail to hang on in the NFL, the Ottawa Renegades -- who drafted him in the third round of this year's CFL draft -- would love to have him.
"If he's available, we'll pursue him," Renegades head coach Joe Paopao told Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun, acknowledging the "probability" Suisham would be his kicker if he comes to the capital. "He's still got to kick them through . . . but the indicators (he can) are there."
While his goal is to kick his way into the NFL, Suisham is flattered by Ottawa's flat-out interest.
"I'm excited that they're so interested in having me there. We'll just have to see what happens."