The first day in pads arrived as it always does at St. Vincent College, with a great deal of anticipation on the part of the players.
But kicker Shaun Suisham had already gotten his kicks.
Steelers specialists at Training Camp.
Suisham went 8-for-8 in a field goal drill on Monday. He connected from 33, 26, 20, 33, 37, 35, 33 and 39 yards out and he did so alternating between the left and right hash marks.
Suisham also blasted away with accuracy no matter who was doing the holding, a task that was handled by punter Brad Wing, tight end Heath Miller, quarterback/wide receiver Tyler Murphy, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and punter Jordan Berry on an alternating basis.
"It's a great time of year to give guys an opportunity and figure out what our best options are," Suisham said of the rotating holders. "It's best not to be caught by surprise," in the event a backup holder is suddenly required in a game.
Suisham's last field goal was from 33 yards out and was executed after the kicking team had run onto the field from the sideline with special teams coordinator Danny Smith loudly counting down from 10 to simulate a ticking clock.
Miller wasn't the holder for that one, but Suisham wouldn't have minded had that been the case.
"He can do anything," Suisham said of Miller.
As for Roethlisberger, "He can do anything he wants," Suisham added. "If he wants to kick it he can do that."
