Grading Every Pittsburgh Steelers Position Group Performance So Far this Season
By Chris Ross
Special Teams
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers special teams, there is plenty of good and also plenty of mediocre. That said, consistency is generally positive when discussing this phase of the game, and the Steelers have been exactly that.
Let’s start with the mediocre. Though he seems like a high-character, likable guy off-the-field, there is literally no reason for Ryan Switzer to be a return man at this point. If the point of a return man was to call for a fair catch nearly every single time the ball is in the air, then Switzer would be perfect. Unfortunately, teams generally prefer for their return men to pick up actual yardage on returns, and that’s something Switzer has yet to prove he can do.
Elsewhere, the Steelers have been exceptional. In terms of kick coverage, the team has played well, frequently flocking to the ball and mitigating returns. Punter Jordan Berry has also played well with a net average of 41.5 yards per punt. He’s hitting the ball well, with enough hang time to give his coverage units plenty of time to get to opposing return men.
The best part of the Steelers special teams so far has been the play of kicker Chris Boswell. After struggling last season, Boswell entered the offseason with questions looming about his job security. Given that he has yet to miss on either a field goal or extra point attempt so far, those job security questions have been put to bed, and the Steelers once again have one of the league’s best kickers.