Shaun Suisham

The Steelers' offense made considerable strides last season, finishing seventh in points, which was buoyed by Suisham's third consecutive season making at least 90 percent of his field-goal opportunities, along with a career-high 45 PATs. While his accuracy isn't questioned, he is not used much from long distance. Two of his three misses came from at least 50 yards (on three attempts). Alas, Suisham tore his ACL in August and will now miss the 2015 season.

For the second consecutive campaign, Suisham eclipsed the 90-percent mark on field goal attempts, an unforeseen surprise after he hit just 74.2 percent of his attempts in first full season with the Steelers back in 2011. The unfavorable field conditions of Heinz Field coupled with Suisham’s own lack of range resulted in no tries from 50 yards or more in 2013, but he still managed to finish 11th in total points simply by hovering close to the league average in both field goals attempts (32, 13th in NFL) and PATs (39, tied for 17th). Expect similar results from Suisham in 2014, as he’s attempted between 31 and 32 field goals and 34 and 39 extra points each of the last three seasons.

Despite demonstrating poor accuracy rates throughout his career, Suisham made a huge leap forward in 2012, converting 28-of-31 attempts despite playing half his games at Heinz Field, where notoriously poor field conditions make it arguably the toughest place to kick in the NFL. Although last season's production was impressive, Suisham's uninspiring track record shouldn't be taken lightly, nor should his team's reluctance to grant him kicking opportunities beyond 50 yards due to his weak leg (1-of-3 last season). Furthermore, Suisham is supported by an offense that figures to rank around the league average, limiting his potential to rack up a huge amount of PATs (34 in 2012, 36 in 2011).

Suisham has been far from an elite kicker in his career, demonstrating a lack of range (4-of-11 from 50-plus yards) and accuracy (79.5 percent) in his seven seasons. After a career-high 93.3 percent in 2010, he slumped to a league-low 74.2 in 2011. Things don’t figure to get any easier in 2012, as the Steelers play four December games at AFC North venues, including three at Heinz Field, arguably the game’s toughest kicking environment where Suisham went 10-of-14 (71%) last season.

Suisham replaced an ineffective Jeff Reed midseason last year and scored an impressive 61 points in seven games, making all but one of his 15 field-goal attempts. The Steelers provided a healthy 37 field-goal attempts last season, up from 31 the previous two seasons, though 12 came during Ben Roethlisberger's four-game suspension. Suisham struggled with long-range kicks in his only two years as a full-time kicker in 2007-08, but he's made 14 of his last 16 attempts from 40-plus yards. He won't offer bonus points for 50-yarders, though – just 3-of-9 in his career (0-for-1 last year). Heinz Field is a notoriously difficult stadium for kickers, and three of Pittsburgh's last five games are at home with another bad-weather game at Cleveland mixed in. Expect fewer field-goal opportunities for Suisham, who's only an 80.5-percent career kicker anyway.

Suisham led the league in field-goal misses with 10 last season, posting a league-low 72.2 field-goal percentage, and the Redskins scored just 25 touchdowns. Jason Campbell has gone from quarterback of the future to a man the Redskins just don’t seem to want after they made overtures to acquire both Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez. This, plus the aging Clinton Portis, poses questions about whether the Redskins can find more consistency than last year when the offense collapsed in the second half of the season.

Suisham proved capable in his first full season with the Redskins. His 29 field goals tied for fifth in the NFL. Jason Campbell is developing at quarterback, and the Redskins concentrated on getting him weapons in this year's draft to continue the offensive growth. We see this as a push for Suisham – the Redskins might get into the end zone more, but it might cost Suisham some field goal attempts.

Suisham was 9-of-11 in eight games last season and made all 14 of his extra points. That projects to 82 points, which would have ranked Suisham 31st last season. With the inexperienced Jason Campbell slated to be the opening day starter, expect defenses to key on Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts and make life tough for the Redskins offense.

Potential kickoff specialist with Mike Vanderjagt now a Cowboy.