Tomlin talks about the release of kicker Jeff Reed

Mike Tomlin always seems rather direct in making statements about roster moves, and that was evident again on Tuesday when talking about a move that sent some shockwaves in the Steeler Nation – the cutting of kicker Jeff Reed.

“Jeff has had a distinguished career here,” Tomlin said about the team’s decision. “He has had a lot of individual success and contributed to our success as a team, but at this juncture we thought it was appropriate for us to make a change on our football team at that position.”

Going 15 for 22 doesn’t help matters, and that includes missing what is considered a chip shot (26 yards) by all standards in today’s game. Tomlin said today that it all added up that the team had to do something different as Reed was simply not getting the job done.

“It’s more of an accumulation with where we are,” said Tomlin in explaining the decision. “The kicking position is one that merits a special consideration. It is unlike other positions where you can simply bench someone and go to the backup. There’s only one kicker on a football team, so you don’t take these decisions lightly when you have to make a move. We are very respectful to the work that Jeff has done here, but at this time we thought it was appropriate we make a change.”

So the team moves forward with kicker Shaun Suisham, a guy who has had two separate stints with both the Redskins and Cowboys, and has made 87-of-110 field goal attempts (79.1 percent), with a long of 52 yards.

“Shaun Suisham was available, we worked him out, we like his resume and how he performed here today,” said Tomlin. “He’s experienced, of course, being here before. He is a veteran guy, no stranger to NFL competition, so we are extremely comfortable with the change and moving forward.”