Post by ccboy on Dec 23, 2009 3:34:29 GMT -7
Suisham gets shot at revenge
Wade Phillips likes that his kicker is familiar with the Redskins' field.
By Tom Orsborn - Express-News
Newly signed Dallas Cowboys placekicker Shaun Suisham says he won't travel to Washington this weekend with revenge on his mind.
But special teams coach Joe DeCamillis suggested Suisham will be plenty motivated Sunday night to shine against the team that cut him.
“I think he's excited to get back in the league, get a check and try to go up and beat the team that didn't have confidence in him,” DeCamillis told reporters Tuesday in Irving.
The Redskins released Suisham on Dec. 8 after he missed a string of crucial field goal attempts.
“I was surprised to get released, but when you miss a field goal, you put yourself in that situation,” Suisham said.
Dallas signed Suisham on Monday after it ran out of patience with Nick Folk, the slump-ridden former Pro Bowl kicker who missed field goals in six straight games, including a vital 24-yarder in Saturday night's 24-17 win over previously undefeated New Orleans.
“I've got the utmost respect for him and it wouldn't surprise me if he started kicking well again in the league,” DeCamillis said of Folk. “He just kind of went into a little funk and unfortunately we couldn't get him out of it.”
Coach Wade Phillips said Suisham's familiarity with the conditions and grass field at the Redskins' home, FedEx Field in Landover, Md., factored into his signing. Sunday night forecasts call for partly cloudy skies, temperatures in the high 20s and 6 mph winds.
Over the past three seasons with Washington, Suisham was 73 of 92 (79 percent). He was enjoying his best season — 18 of 21 — when he was cut.
For his career, Suisham is 38 of 52 at FedEx Field (73 percent), including 12 of 13 this season. His only miss was a 23-yarder that would have sealed a victory over the Saints on Dec. 6.
Instead, New Orleans rallied to win 33-30 in overtime. His other misses this season were from 39 and 50 yards in a 7-6 loss at Dallas on Nov. 22.
After Washington cut him, Suisham worked out in Virginia while waiting for another team to call.
“I'm confident in my ability,” Suisham said. “I'm not trying to start over. I'm not rebuilding or anything like that. I missed three field goals. There isn't anybody who's perfect. I feel like I should be. But I certainly am not hanging my head or lacking in confidence because I missed a few kicks.”
Phillips said Tony Romo will continue to hold. The Cowboys gave the chore to him after Folk complained two weeks ago of shaky holds by Mat McBriar.
“Romo's the best holder right now and we have a new kicker,” Phillips said. “Since we have a new kicker, I want everything to be as good as it can be.”
Suisham got off to a good start in practice Tuesday, kicking a 55-yarder with the wind at his back in a performance Phillips termed “fine.”
While he acknowledged there are risks in changing kickers so late, Phillips is optimistic Suisham will at least make the chip-shots.
“You have to say, ‘Hey, we have a professional kicker and we expect to make the ones you expect to make,'” Phillips said. “You're not going to make them all, but I don't think you change (the game-plan) too much.”
Wade Phillips likes that his kicker is familiar with the Redskins' field.
By Tom Orsborn - Express-News
Newly signed Dallas Cowboys placekicker Shaun Suisham says he won't travel to Washington this weekend with revenge on his mind.
But special teams coach Joe DeCamillis suggested Suisham will be plenty motivated Sunday night to shine against the team that cut him.
“I think he's excited to get back in the league, get a check and try to go up and beat the team that didn't have confidence in him,” DeCamillis told reporters Tuesday in Irving.
The Redskins released Suisham on Dec. 8 after he missed a string of crucial field goal attempts.
“I was surprised to get released, but when you miss a field goal, you put yourself in that situation,” Suisham said.
Dallas signed Suisham on Monday after it ran out of patience with Nick Folk, the slump-ridden former Pro Bowl kicker who missed field goals in six straight games, including a vital 24-yarder in Saturday night's 24-17 win over previously undefeated New Orleans.
“I've got the utmost respect for him and it wouldn't surprise me if he started kicking well again in the league,” DeCamillis said of Folk. “He just kind of went into a little funk and unfortunately we couldn't get him out of it.”
Coach Wade Phillips said Suisham's familiarity with the conditions and grass field at the Redskins' home, FedEx Field in Landover, Md., factored into his signing. Sunday night forecasts call for partly cloudy skies, temperatures in the high 20s and 6 mph winds.
Over the past three seasons with Washington, Suisham was 73 of 92 (79 percent). He was enjoying his best season — 18 of 21 — when he was cut.
For his career, Suisham is 38 of 52 at FedEx Field (73 percent), including 12 of 13 this season. His only miss was a 23-yarder that would have sealed a victory over the Saints on Dec. 6.
Instead, New Orleans rallied to win 33-30 in overtime. His other misses this season were from 39 and 50 yards in a 7-6 loss at Dallas on Nov. 22.
After Washington cut him, Suisham worked out in Virginia while waiting for another team to call.
“I'm confident in my ability,” Suisham said. “I'm not trying to start over. I'm not rebuilding or anything like that. I missed three field goals. There isn't anybody who's perfect. I feel like I should be. But I certainly am not hanging my head or lacking in confidence because I missed a few kicks.”
Phillips said Tony Romo will continue to hold. The Cowboys gave the chore to him after Folk complained two weeks ago of shaky holds by Mat McBriar.
“Romo's the best holder right now and we have a new kicker,” Phillips said. “Since we have a new kicker, I want everything to be as good as it can be.”
Suisham got off to a good start in practice Tuesday, kicking a 55-yarder with the wind at his back in a performance Phillips termed “fine.”
While he acknowledged there are risks in changing kickers so late, Phillips is optimistic Suisham will at least make the chip-shots.
“You have to say, ‘Hey, we have a professional kicker and we expect to make the ones you expect to make,'” Phillips said. “You're not going to make them all, but I don't think you change (the game-plan) too much.”