SHAUN SUISHAM

[Rollo83]

I agree that kicking in the NFL is a brutal way to make a living. You are only as good a your last kick. Miss a few, especially at key moments, and you're gone. Like the Godfather said..."Nothing pesonal, its strickly business."

Shaun has earned some rope for sure, but if he's inconsistent the last five games the Steelers wouldn't hesitate to go in a different direction heading into the playoffs. Just the way it is...

[jpfalcon09]

Good for Shaun, sadly as great as yesterday was, one bad game could have him back on the NFL unemployment line. I hope he continues a strong year, he's a good kicker who IMO hasn't been given a fair shake anywhere.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I agree that kicking in the NFL is a brutal way to make a living. You are only as good a your last kick. Miss a few, especially at key moments, and you're gone. Like the Godfather said..."Nothing pesonal, its strickly business."

Shaun has earned some rope for sure, but if he's inconsistent the last five games the Steelers wouldn't hesitate to go in a different direction heading into the playoffs. Just the way it is...

Again, this just isn't true. Maybe it is for 90% of the NFL, but the Steelers don't operate that way, sometimes to their detriment. Look at how quickly other franchises go through coaches and kickers, then look at how many coaches and kickers the Rooneys have employed the last 20 years. They would absolutely hesitate. I don't know how else I can spell it out.

Going even further, as I said before, if Shaun doesn't blow a playoff game he'll have an excellent opportunity to solidify a spot on the roster for years to come. No better kicking or coaching job in the NFL, in spite of treacherous Heinz Field.

Jeff Reed was close to the worst kicker in the league this year. If he were a model citizen, he'd STILL be missing kicks for Pittsburgh, and they would be 7-4 right now.

[Rollo83]

I agree that kicking in the NFL is a brutal way to make a living. You are only as good a your last kick. Miss a few, especially at key moments, and you're gone. Like the Godfather said..."Nothing pesonal, its strickly business."

Shaun has earned some rope for sure, but if he's inconsistent the last five games the Steelers wouldn't hesitate to go in a different direction heading into the playoffs. Just the way it is...

Again, this just isn't true. Maybe it is for 90% of the NFL, but the Steelers don't operate that way, sometimes to their detriment. Look at how quickly other franchises go through coaches and kickers, then look at how many coaches and kickers the Rooneys have employed the last 20 years. They would absolutely hesitate. I don't know how else I can spell it out.

Going even further, as I said before, if Shaun doesn't blow a playoff game he'll have an excellent opportunity to solidify a spot on the roster for years to come. No better kicking or coaching job in the NFL, in spite of treacherous Heinz Field.

Jeff Reed was close to the worst kicker in the league this year. If he were a model citizen, he'd STILL be missing kicks for Pittsburgh, and they would be 7-4 right now.

Believe me, I get the Steeler organization being loyal and a model of consistency over the years with the Rooney family. But they are also not dumb. They excel at putting the right people in the right situations and expect them to succeed. I think they would do whatever gives them the best chance to win if the situtation arises where Shaun wasn't getting the job done. Lets hope it doesn't come to that.

[tiznow]

Lets not look at what may happen if Shaun misses some field goals. The tone seems to be he will fail eventually.

He made 4- 40 yard plus field goals and except the one kickoff into the wind, his kickoffs were 5 -10 yard further then Reeds as well.

[Redwingtom]

But look also at the history of kickers in the NFL. THEY ALWAYS FAIL. There are very few Jason Hanson's that stay on one team for that many years.

Everyone wants Shaun to do well and I believe he will. But if he misses a couple of big kicks can you honestly say that Steeler nation will not be clamoring for a replacement?

I think we're just trying to be realists. That's all.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

But look also at the history of kickers in the NFL. THEY ALWAYS FAIL. There are very few Jason Hanson's that stay on one team for that many years.

Everyone wants Shaun to do well and I believe he will. But if he misses a couple of big kicks can you honestly say that Steeler nation will not be clamoring for a replacement?

I think we're just trying to be realists. That's all.

Steeler Nation can clamor all the want. Shaun's game on Sunday locked him on to the roster for the rest of the year, including the playoffs, unless he goes about 0 for his next 15 kicks and fights some cops at McFadden's after a game. You guys are saying that if he misses a couple kicks, he'll be out on his ass. That's not how it works in Pittsburgh. He will have to fail miserably to be cut mid-season.

[Redwingtom]

But look also at the history of kickers in the NFL. THEY ALWAYS FAIL. There are very few Jason Hanson's that stay on one team for that many years.

Everyone wants Shaun to do well and I believe he will. But if he misses a couple of big kicks can you honestly say that Steeler nation will not be clamoring for a replacement?

I think we're just trying to be realists. That's all.

Steeler Nation can clamor all the want. Shaun's game on Sunday locked him on to the roster for the rest of the year, including the playoffs, unless he goes about 0 for his next 15 kicks and fights some cops at McFadden's after a game. You guys are saying that if he misses a couple kicks, he'll be out on his ass. That's not how it works in Pittsburgh. He will have to fail miserably to be cut mid-season.

That's not really what I'm saying. I was talking about game winning kicks...or a couple timely misses...or a couple of chip-shots or something. Not just a long attempt here and there. I don't think I said...or I never meant to imply anyway...that all NFL teams except the Steeler's replace their kicker everytime they miss a kick.

[Falconfreak90]

I'll trust J4H on this one...and hopefully Shaun continues to kick well. Hey, it gives me a reason to watch the Steelers and NFL besides Scotty M in San Diego and Kory L in Washington.

Way to go, Shaun!!

[1987alum]

I hate the Steelers, but agree that the franchise is loyal (almost to a fault).

And I hope Shaun kicks azz the rest of the year!

[Falconfreak90]

I hate the Steelers, but agree that the franchise is loyal (almost to a fault).

And I hope Shaun kicks azz the rest of the year!

As a die hard Browns fan until that ahole moved the team, I was always very jealous of the Steelers for having such a great owner in Rooney while we had that ahole. Rooney knew how to hire the right folks and LET THEM DO THEIR JOBS without butting in.

[tiznow]

I hate the Steelers, but agree that the franchise is loyal (almost to a fault).

And I hope Shaun kicks azz the rest of the year!

As a die hard Browns fan until that ahole moved the team, I was always very jealous of the Steelers for having such a great owner in Rooney while we had that ahole. Rooney knew how to hire the right folks and LET THEM DO THEIR JOBS without butting in.

Canton / Akron is Steelers country. It is ok to root for them. In all seriousness, there are a lot of Steelers fans in Stark and Summit counties. When I lived in Yougstown 93-95, it was about 50/50, except the radio and tv were by far Browns supporters. The morning guy on the rock station out of Warren/ Youngstown hated the Steelers. He railed the Steelers all the time. I got into it good natured at a remote one time with him.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

Shaun has been forced into punting duties tonight, and has acquitted himself well. He's also 2-2 on FGs including a 45 yarder.

[gmartin]

Shaun is now 5 for 5 on FG from 40-49 yds. Jeff Reed was 0-5.

Shaun is now 7 for 7 on FG for the Steelers.

He also punted 4 times for a net of 39 yds. Not pretty as he bobbled nearly most of the snaps but he was effective enough. If not for two penalties on the punt he would have twice pinned the ball inside the 5 yd line.

[Rollo83]

If you think Shaun endeared himself to the Steelers last week, they must be ready to enshine him this week. He serves as the emergency punter, handeled kick-offs and the field goal kicker. Tomlin sought him out after the game and gave him a big hug at mid-field. He actually had some punts downed inside the 10. He seems to have found a home.