Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith says punter Pressley Harvin III kicking well, but it doesn’t mean much right now.
“He’s great,” said Smith. “We’re undefeated, unscored upon, he got a 58-yard average and we got a 45-yard net, he’s killin’ people right now and it don’t mean sh*t.”
On a serious note, Smith says Harvin is one of the most talented kickers he’s ever been around but he still needs to get it done on the field.
“He’s got to establish consistency in his game,” said Smith. “He’s got to mature as a young man and I don’t mean that in a negative sense, I’m just saying it’s a natural maturation process for a rookie coming into this league.”
Harvin was taken by the Steelers in the 7th round of the 2021 draft, seemingly spelling the end of veteran kicker Jordan Berry and that ended up being the case with Harvin winning the job.
While Smith said that Harvin didn’t get more of a shot than other kickers, he did say that draft picks get every opportunity to play when they’re taken by the Steelers.
“He’s a draft choice, all of them get good shots…Pittsburgh, PA, draft choices get a good shot,” said Smith. “If I get drafted, I want to get drafted in Pittsburgh . . . I’m just speaking the truth, some other teams ain’t like that, I’m not saying that’s good or bad but if you get drafted in Pittsburgh, PA you’re expected to make it and they’re going to give you every opportunity to get that.”
Smith adds that he wants Harvin to continue his work over the next few weeks before training camp.
While he believes he has improved “a lot” he isn’t ready to call him a pro yet.
“I told him the other day, ‘I’m going to give you the P in pro right now, you ain’t a pro yet’.”
Smith said he is a pro when it comes to holding, but he still has work to do before he is considered one at kicking.
When it comes to his own career, Smith says at 68 he doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon.
"I'm not a golfer, I'm not a traveler, that's a pain in the ass anymore, I don't know what the hell I would do if I didn't have this place and football."