Saints signed Kicker Charlie Smyth (re-signed to 2 year deal)

RJS said
I wonder if there's any chance with the new rules that the Saints could carry Grupe as the FG kicker and Smyth as a kickoff specialist?

Saint Greg said
I hope not. I don’t want to use a game day roster spot on another kicker. If that’s how it goes we need to find a punter who can handle the kickoffs.

Waymer said
It wouldn't be worth it. Distance is not what teams will be looking for this season on kickoffs. Remember, under the new rules, if a kickoff goes into or out of the endzone this year the touchback comes all the way out to the 30. The new rules are designed to have balls land between the endzone and 20 to encourage returns, but theoretically safer ones.

He won't count against the Saints 53-man roster, but he would count against the gameday roster if suited up.

As Waymer stated above, kickoff distance is no longer a plus with the new rules in place. Also, the new kickoff rule doesn't allow the kicker to go beyond mid field.

However, as a last line of defense on the kickoff team Smyth (6'4", 210 pounds) would present a much bigger presence than Grupe (5'7", 157 pounds) and coming from Gaelic Football is used to roughing it up some. We don't know yet what other measurements Smyth has in regard to speed and strength.

Wouldn't it be a pleasant surprise to find out in training camp that Smyth is a natural special teams force with speed, strength, agility, and a desire to be a special teams headhunter who can lay the wood on the opponent and makes the team as a core special teamer. Special teamers will now have more value than before. It will be interesting to see what all this lad has to offer or what he is limited to.