Better kicker = Playoff team

Let's not blame it on the kicker. If the right plays were called we may have gotten the ball closer for him to make the kick. This whole team needs a good kick in the a** to get them rolling.

 

I want Suisham replaced ASAP...but I don't blame him for missing a 54 yarder..straight down the middle. Yes I would have liked to see him make those in clutch time...but I can not fault him for it....as much as I would love to.

HACK

 

It sure seems like my point has been missed. I never said Suisham is the problem. I was just playing a little numbers game in my head and concluded that a kicker with a slightly longer accurate range would save us some trouble and possibly produce a win or two per season. I don't dislike Suisham. We all know kicking at Heinz isn't easy and he's shown an ability to be consistent at home. He's fine. But he could go the rest of the year without missing a 35 yarder and I'd still be nervous when he's kicking a 45. Of course, I'd be nervous every time the rookie kicker got sent out too I guess.

 

A 55 yarder 75% of the time???

This isn't TECMO.

Right before the 54 yard try, if Ben runs it 3 yards, instead of throwing incomplete, the kick is good.

Just wondering..., how many kickers have a career % of 50% from beyond 50 yards? Hanson? Any?

 

Yes, in a career, ever.
Hanson is the first to come to mind, maybe Janikowski.
Have to research, a bit.

Making over 50% from 50+ in a year is outstanding, but a career?

 

Well, just so my time wasn't wasted...

Even with Mr. Internet, tough to find all-time FG% from 50+ yards.
Just a few I looked up, Elam 60% kicking in Denver, Hanson 56% in a dome, Janikowski 55%, of course Andersen and Vinatieri would be candidates, kicking in domes.

One interesting stat I saw, Suisham has a better career %, overall, than Gary Anderson.

 

Speaking of special teams, I am surprised no one is talking about another punt block.....After Tomlin fired the SP coach right before the season this starts happening. Nice move Tomlin!!!!

 

lets make the comparison 20 years from now ,if Suisham can last that long, which I doubt he will

 

How many of our three losses is Sqizem responsible for? He missed a tough kick Thursday, overall we have way bigger problems than swizzy missing a long field goal outdoors!

 

Yes, in a career, ever.
Hanson is the first to come to mind, maybe Janikowski.
Have to research, a bit.

Making over 50% from 50+ in a year is outstanding, but a career?[/quote:1nvjjr31]


Kickers are kicking better now than they ever did and they are kicking a lot better than most people think.

Some data:

So far in 2012, NFL kickers are hitting on 69.7% of FGs of 50yds+, the avg the last 5 yrs has been 61%

Since 2000, NFL kickers hits on 55% of 50+Yds
In the 90s, they hit on 47%
In the 80s, they hit on 36%

So I ssupect a lot of guys have or will have careers where they hit 50% over 50+,
Hell, even Suisham who I think most dont' think of as one of the best in the league is 4/10 (40%) lifetime at 50yders

Inn 2012, NFL kickers are making over 88% of ALL FGs attempts, the avg the last 5 yrs has been 84%

Since 2000, NFL kickers hits on 81% of all attemps
In the 90s, they hit on 77%
In the 80s, they hit on 70%

Gary Anderson hit 80.1% lifetime, above average in a universe where the average kickers is hitting 75% or so.
Shawn Suisham has hit 80.4% lifetime, below aveage in a universe where the average kicker hits 83% or so.

 

I think we should have looked for another kicker to replace Suisham, but no way you can blame him. We should have went for it. I think our chances were much better then trying to kick the field goal. How about maybe a fake field goal? I agree with others, our problems are much bigger then our kicker right now.

 

Live by the field goal die by the field goal. I don't blame Sush at all for the loss on the missed field goal. My issue this year is we are 1 -2 in field goal games which wouldn't be as hard to swallow if they were good teams that came down to the field goal difference. I personally think he shouldn’t have been in the position to need to make a 54 yarder to win this game. It never should have been this close.

When it came down to making a 54 yarder, it was the coaching staff’s decision to attempt the field goal that I challenge. I am just a fan that doesn’t see Sush in practice but I felt 54 yards was out of his range of accuracy with the game on the line. We punt the ball and it is almost guaranteed overtime which is where I would take my chances with the new OT rules.

With the above said I am still nervous on field goals this year every time Sush is out there game winning or not attempt.