Pittsburgh Steelers undrafted kicker Danny Hrapmann put up a valiant fight during the preseason, but his release on Monday signals a vote of confidence by the organization in kicker Shaun Suisham.
Both kickers combined to make all 8 field goal attempts through the first three preseason games with the lone hiccup being a blocked 22-yard attempt by Hrapmann against the Indianapolis Colts that still made it through the uprights.
The Steelers gave Suisham a new four year deal prior to the start of the 2011 season, and while releasing him in favor of Hrapmann would have saved just over $1 million in salary cap space this year, it also would have created a dead money cap charge of $675,000 in 2013.
That money was not the sole reason that the Steelers kept Suisham as he could have easily floundered in the preseason and warranted being released, but in the end he made all of his attempts and kicked reasonably well on kickoffs.
While Hrapmann is now a free agent, it is unlikely he will land with another team prior to the start of the season. In addition, several other kickers are now free agents as teams across the league are making their final cuts. Notable kickers that have been released so far include Billy Cundiff, Neil Rackers and Josh Brown.
Suisham will start the season as the Steelers kicker, but he will likely have a short leash attached to him.
