Pittsburgh Steelers Hand Kicking Duties To Josh Scobee
By Larry Snyder
The Pittsburgh Steelers took action Monday and added another placekicker for the second time in three weeks when they traded for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Josh Scobee.
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The deal, involving a possible late-round draft pick, was reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and the NFL Network, Ray Fittipaldo of the Post-Gazette, and Neal Coolong of DKPittsburghSports.com.
The Longview, Texas native came into the National Football League as the fifth round choice of the Jaguars in the 2004 NFL Draft. Scobbee, who played for Louisiana Tech in college, spent 11 seasons with the Black and Teal, and was their longest-tenured player.
The 33-year-old Scobee made 81 percent of his kicks over his Jacksonville career, but lost a training camp battle with rookie Jason Myers from Marist College. He was entering the final year of his contract with the Jaguars.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Scobee was the team leader in field goals with 235 and points with 1,022. He contributed 20 of 26 kicks last season with three of those misses being from 50 yards or longer. Another one of the six was blocked. He did make 17 of 20 from distances of 49 yards and shorter last season.
When it comes to special teams, four of Scobee’s five preseason kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. He had 37 touchbacks in 2014 and just 20 kicks returned. Last season, Shaun Suisham had 32 touchbacks, but 54 of his kicks were returned.
It has been a tough preseason for Steelers placekickers. Suisham injured his knee in the Hall of Fame game against the Minnesota Vikings and is done for the season. Garrett Hartley, who was brought in as a replacement, damaged his hamstring during the first quarter of Saturday’s preseason contest in Buffalo against the Bills.
From The Clipboard: Also this just in from Twitter Monday afternoon…
Martavis Bryant's appeal is denied. Suspension will hold at four games. He will be eligible to return to lineup for Oct. 12 game in SD.
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) August 31, 2015
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