The Pittsburgh
Steelers have some big decisions coming up which can shape the 2019 team.
The Pittsburgh
Steelers have been in the news for all the wrong reasons
lately, and most recently the Antonio Brown saga
has been the headline for any website covering the NFL. While fans of the
black-and-gold are engulfed in Brown news and rumors, there are still some
extremely important aspects of the team which should be discussed.
Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin and company have some tough
decisions to make this offseason and not just decisions on the fringe players
trimming the roster from 90 to 53, but decisions which could really change the
landscape of the team in the near future.
This will be a series breaking down each decision at a time,
and what better place to start than the player who many feel cost the Steelers
multiple games this year: Chris Boswell
PLAYER: Chris Boswell
ISSUE: Inconsistent Performance
REASON TO STAY: While Boswell’s performance in
2018 was anything but memorable, fans can’t forget about his 2017 season which
saw him in the Pro Bowl,
and the reason for many Steelers wins.
The question becomes, can Boswell find some consistency?
The Steelers are going to stick with Boswell, but not
without competition. I often wonder if Boswell didn’t have such a hefty
contract would the Steelers even be giving him another chance. Yes, he was that
bad in 2018.
Regardless of the reason, if Boswell can right the ship and
regain his form from 2017, the Steelers will not need to make any sweeping
changes to their roster, but will be able to simply move on as if 2018 was
nothing more than a speed bump on Boswell’s career trajectory.
REASON TO LEAVE: Did I mention how bad Boswell
was in 2018? Just look at these numbers from last season:
He was 13/20 on field goal attempts, and 43/48 in extra
point attempts.
Plain and simple, those 21 points on field goals, and 5
points via extra points very well could have decided outcomes of games. It
should be noted Boswell’s season was cut short due to a reported groin strain,
so the severity of this injury likely could be a reason for such a horrid
season last year.
PREDICTED OUTCOME: In my opinion, the Steelers
did what they had to do in 2018. They gave him more than enough opportunities
to get things straightened out, maybe more opportunities than most would have
liked, before shutting Boswell down with an injury.
By doing this the team was able to stash Boswell on the
Injured Reserve list, and not have to cut him and eat the dead money associated
with the contract he was rewarded prior to the start of the 2018 regular
season.
With that said, Boswell will report to camp, and I’m
guessing will look like a different kicker. Maybe he let the success of 2017
prevent him from working as hard as he did in years prior? No one knows that
but Boswell, but what everyone knows is Boswell’s job is one the line come
training camp. If he continues to show the ‘yips’, he will be unemployed rather
quickly.
My guess is he figures it out and keeps his job moving
forward.
What do you think will happen with Boswell? Will he return
to his 2017 form? Or are the Steelers just hoping and praying what they saw
last year wasn’t the new norm for the ‘Wizard of Boz’? Let us know in the
comment section!
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