After two preseason games, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a glaring problem that may be impossible to fix with the current roster. It’s not as obvious as the offensive issues in August, but it’s important enough to take action on in next week’s roster cuts. The Steelers need to find someone who can better serve as a gunner on the punt team.
The Gunners are the first wave of offense against a punt return. They are the only players who can run down the field before the ball is kicked. But in the first two preseason games, the Gunners have not been a factor.
Against the Houston Texans, Dez Fitzpatrick and Beanie Bishop were first in line. Bishop never got himself in a position to make a play, and Fitzpatrick’s only highlight was a voluntary trespassing penalty. In Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, Danny Smith had Ryan Watts first in line to play gunner with Fitzpatrick. But the results didn’t improve. For some reason, Pittsburgh cornerback Cory Trice didn’t line up as gunner despite his speed and size.
If the Steelers offense continues to falter as it has so far this preseason, the punt team will become even more important in September. The starting position is one of those insidious stats that can make all the difference in a close game. Pittsburgh invested in Tyler Matakevich to bolster the special teams. Now they’ll have to keep an eye on roster cuts over the next week to see if they can reinforce Danny Smith’s squad again.
Last season’s Gunners were Miles Boykin and James Pierre, both of whom were special teams specialists. Boykin played some snaps on offense, but he was on 70 percent of the special teams snaps. Boykin signed with the New York Giants in the offseason specifically for a special teams role. His place in the blue and red seems secure. James Pierre played 64 percent of the Steelers’ special teams snaps. He’s now in Washington, where the cornerback position was a weakness in the preseason. But four of Washington’s cornerbacks are solid on the roster, so Pierre is firmly on the line.
If Washington doesn’t keep Pierre on its 53-man roster, Omar Khan should sign him as soon as possible. Pittsburgh’s current cornerback depth isn’t a strength that will keep Pierre from making that roster. No one else has stepped up for the Gunner role. The smart move is to bring in a proven veteran who has made an impact in the past. Get James Pierre back.
