The Steelers invited Mizzouri kicker Grant Ressel to their rookie mini-camp last week, but his name is no longer listed on the Steelers roster. All other undrafted rookies are still listed on the roster; it seems the Steelers have already cut Ressel and are looking for another kicker to compete with Shaun Suisham during training camp. Last week the Steelers hosted three free agents including linebackers Matt Roth and Brandon Johnson as well as kicker Dave Rayner. Rayner has a career average of 72.2 on made field goals; Suisham sits at 79.5.
There aren’t many veteran options left on the market. Ryan Longwell was released by the Minnesota Vikings last week; Longwell has an 83.2 field goal percentage and has been up and down throughout his 15 years in the NFL. The Redskins have Graham Gano and Neil Rackers on their roster and one will likely be avaliable at some point during training camp. No matter where they find him the Steelers will need to bring in at least one kicker to compete with Suisham for the starting job. Kicker has been an issue for the Steelers over the years with good and bad season from players such as Todd Peterson, Kris Brown, and Jeff Reed.
With consistent problems at kicker the Steelers could use a bit of luck and a young/accurate leg. Justin Medlock played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL last season is signed to a rookie deal with the Carolina Panthers. If he hits the open market the Steelers should give him a shot to push Suisham. Medlock made 49 of 55 field goals in 2011 including a 57 yarder. He is only 28 and has shown he can be a solid kicker in the CFL if he can do the same in the NFL someone will be getting a great deal.
Medlock, however, is not the only good kicker in the CFL and with the lack of NFL kickers avaliable the Steelers should take a look North for someone to compete with Suisham.
former draft pick ala Daniel Sepulveda so if Butler performs well, I imagine he’ll make the team. The Steelers also signed a kicker from Missouri, Grant Ressel, but he’s probably just training camp filler. Teams always bring multiple punters and kickers into camp just so the non-football players have somebody to drink coffee and hang out with while the actual athletes get into football shape. Ressel had outstanding accuracy his first couple seasons, missing only 3 FGs out of 46 attempts, but a hip injury last season caused him to go down the crapper (9 for 16) and fall off the NFL’s radar. Even though Shaun Suisham absolutely sucks, I can’t see the Steelers going with a rookie kicker unless he makes multiple 60 yarders.
Suisham is very bad, but Ressel has already been cut. They will need to add a kicker if they plan to have someone compete with Suisham