SCU Awards: Steelers Special Teams Player of the Year

by Eric Herrmann (SteelersGrind) on February 8, 2017

Steel City Underground presents the 1st annual SCU Awards. Our panel of contributors all voted on various awards for the Steelers with the player getting the most votes being the winner. Each article will have the list of nominees with one of our contributors stating their case for why that player earned their vote and deserves the award. Comment and let us know if you agree or disagree with our winners and nominees.

The Steelers special teams unit has seen a lot of struggles over the recent years. For consecutive seasons they bounced around from punter to punter and even last year they had to try out multiple kickers once Shaun Suisham went down with an injury. We’ve finally reached a point of consistency with our specialist with Jordan Berry and Chris Boswell.

Both Boswell and Berry had great years with the Steelers, coming through in clutch moments and even winning games for the Steelers. Vince Williams shouldn’t be forgotten either. Arguably the heart and soul of special teams, Williams always finds himself around the ball and brings fire and intensity to special teams.

All 3 of these players are worthy candidates for Special Teams Player of the Year.

Chris Boswell

I voted for Chris Boswell as Special Teams Player of the Year largely because he single handily won the against the chiefs going 6/6. Along with that performance though, he had an all around great season, proving to be clutch in big moments and not letting the elements or magnitude of situations get in his head.

People tend take Boswell for granted. He joined the team following the Josh Scobee debacle and has been one of the most consistent kickers in Steelers history. He may not have a cannon leg like some kickers in the league, but when between the 40-49 yard line he has one of the most consistent legs in the league. Having recently signed a contract for the 2017 season, Boswell has a bright future ahead of him.

– Dan Lee

Jordan Berry

I’m very biased toward kickers and punters, because face it: they’re people too!

I know all of my colleagues went with Boswell on this one, but I had to give a nod to Jordan Berry. I know Boz practically won two games with his leg this season, but Berry set a franchise record for net punting yards. I can remember several seasons where the punters were flat out miserable, and teams were getting great field position to start possessions. Those days are long gone.

Gaining an advantage with field position skews game plans and play calls as much as anything, and Berry should receive some credit for his role in doing so.

– Joe Kuzma

Vince Williams

It was too easy to pick the kicker for me in this one. Williams is borderline good enough to be a starter and may even start if Lawrence Timmons isn’t resigned.

He seemed to be in on every big hit in kick coverage and was routinely the first guy to the ball. He has flashed in his brief time playing on defense, but he shows no bitterness as a back-up and always gives everything he has when playing special teams. He’s a true team player that wants to contribute however he came. Williams has continually proven to be one of the best special teams players on the team.

– Jim Racalto

Winner: Chris Boswell (7 votes)

Runner ups: Berry (1 vote), Williams (1 vote)

Boswell made 21 of his 25 field goal attempts this season, with a 49-yard long. He missed two attempts from 50 yards or more, and one each in the 30-39 and 40-49 range.