From 2012 to 2014, a case could be made that Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham was one of the best kickers in the NFL.
Over that span, Suisham converted 87 of 95 kicks for a 91.5 percent conversion rate. He put up those incredible numbers kicking not only in the notoriously difficult conditions at Heinz Field, but playing in the AFC North, where conditions in places like Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati are not exactly optimal.
So when Suisham was lost for the season with a torn ACL in a preseason tilt against Minnesota, the ultra reliable kicker was suddenly no longer there to lean on, leaving the Steelers to scramble for a capable replacement. Garrett Hartley was brought in, but that experiment lasted all of two weeks before a hamstring injury would once again leave the Steelers scrambling for a kicker.
Seemingly out of viable options via the free agent market, the Steelers pulled the trigger and traded a 2016 sixth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Josh Scobee, a proven veteran with a strong leg who spent his entire 11-year career with the Jaguars.
Problem solved.
Or so it seemed until Thursday’s opening night game against the New England Patriots.
Scobee’s debut, which included misses from 44 and 46 yards, proved devastating in a 28-21 loss in Foxboro. Though Scobee would also convert two field goal attempts, the damage had been done, leaving many Steeler fans to wonder if Scobee is capable of handling the kicking duties this season.
Considering the Steelers traded a draft pick to acquire Scobee, it would seem that the Steelers will try to be patient and hope that less than optimal conditions Thursday night might have contributed to the early struggles.
Unfortunately for Scobee, “less than optimal conditions” tend to be the norm at Heinz Field, and after being spoiled the past few years by the lights out work of Suisham, Steeler fans are likely to lose their patience with Scobee quickly if the misses continue.
Patience already seems to be in short order with many Steeler fans who once again called for a return of former Steeler Jeff Reed.
It can’t be that bad, right?
The reality is the Steelers are going to give Scobee every opportunity to turn it around after one disappointing game. Scobee has been a relatively reliable kicker throughout his career, hitting just under 81 percent of his kicks. His leg strength is also a major plus and upgrade over Suisham, which should create a significant uptick in touchbacks on kickoffs.
Finally, that leg strength has made Scobee one of the more dangerous long-distance kickers in the league, as he has made 26 kicks from 50 yards or beyond over his career, including four last season in Jacksonville.
Scobee will get plenty of opportunities to get things going with the Steelers potent offense this season, something that was not often the case much of his career with the Jaguars.
With few options available, the Steelers can only hope Scobee gets things rolling starting this Sunday at home versus the San Francisco 49ers.
