Saints Minicamp Updates Day 2 / 6-12-24

St. Widge said

I don't think anything is set a kicker or punter. Grupe and Hedley were not good enough last year to give them the positions this year without competition. Hedley, in particular, was not very good and there are articles about how he needs to improve and what he is doing to improve. And the Saints brought in real competition. Smyth has a big leg and is a guy that could end up being a very good kicker and Hayball is another Aussie punter that was very good at Vandy and will compete with Hedley for the job.

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While I stated that the kicker and punter positions are set, I'll agree nothing is set 100% in stone. However, barring injury, Grupe and Hedley are returning starters that the Saints are expecting to remain as such. Both have shined in OTAs and Mini Camp practices so far. Although Smyth did make a 66-yard FG after practice yesterday, there hasn't been much buzz about Smyth or Hayball otherwise.

St. Widge said

I suspect Grupe wins the Kicker job but the concern is for kick coverage under the new kickoff rules. Grupe is like 5'7" and 157 Lbs. He isn't going to make any tackles on special teams at that size That's why the K.C. special teams coach recently talked about using a Safety with kicking experience for kickoffs. So, it's entirely possible that Rizzi will decide he needs a guy who can tackle to kickoff.

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Rizzi dismissed the thought of using a non-traditional kicker for kickoffs in his post practice interview yesterday. He covered a good bit of information on why he thinks that poses a bigger risk than reward. On Hedley he explains that he did what they wanted him to do and his numbers were actually good in the areas of most concern. And while his gross and net punting yard average ranked in the bottom of the league Rizzi explains that those numbers don't tell the whole story relating to field position. Hedley is also working on traditional style punting and coffin corner kicking which he has shown to be doing very good at so far. They plan on having him do both traditional and Aussie style punting, depending on the situation.

These videos are worthy of a watch. Check them out. Rizzi answers many of the questions and concerns found here at SR.

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Darren Rizzi talks new kickoff rule preparations | 2024 Saints OTAs 5/28/24 -New Orleans Saints - YouTube Video​

Saints ST coach Darren Rizzi on new kickoff rules and adjustments - 6/11/24 - NOF NETWORK - YouTube Video​

St. Widge said

I suspect that Hedley and Hayball who both played Aussie Rules Football can tackle. And Smyth, who played some form of Gaelic Football, can likely tackle too. So, if one of them is good enough at kicking off, they could get the job. But, Smyth will have to beat out Gupe for the FG kicking job which I doubt he does. So, maybe it will be one of the punters. As you said, Rizzi is still figuring this new kickoff out so anything that can give the team an advantage is on the table.

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I like the idea of Smyth as the kickoff specialist if he can master what the Saints want and can prove to be a good tackler. If Smyth could prove to be athletic enough to tackle maybe he could become a Taysom Light type player who is used as a specialist on kickoffs. The Saints have a roster exception with him as being part of the International Player Pathway Program. One of the things Rizzi makes clear in the 2nd video above is that unlike in the past, now core players on offense and defense will be called upon to be part of the kickoff and kickoff return teams and will vary due to matchups. Could room for a 2nd kicker be made on the 53-man roster instead of keeping a depth DB or LB due to using regulars?

Before we get ahead of ourselves keep in mind that the Kicker cannot run past the 50 yard line on kickoffs. He will merely be a last line of defense who will attempt to slow down the return man long enough to get help making the tackle. The kicker won't be running downhill like a safety head hunting to make any tackles. Because of this I have to return to the traditional thought of one kicker on the 53 man roster. And with that, I expect that will be Grupe.