Saints signed Kicker Charlie Smyth (re-signed to 2 year deal) (1 Viewer)

[CajunSaint08]

Can we also sign USFL players? Jake Bates, kicker for Michigan Panthers, who hadn't kicked a field goal since high school, kicked two 64 yard field goals back to back. First one, the opposing team called time out before the snap. So he did it again. Would have made both from 70 yards out. Go to the 1:42 mark to watch him.

Michigan Panthers

The United Football League (UFL) is set to launch as the premier spring football platform.

www.theufl.com

 

[SonOfNOLA]

Can we also sign USFL players? Jake Bates, kicker for Michigan Panthers, who hadn't kicked a field goal since high school, kicked two 64 yard field goals back to back. First one, the opposing team called time out before the snap. So he did it again. Would have made both from 70 yards out. Go to the 1:42 mark to watch him.

Michigan Panthers

The United Football League (UFL) is set to launch as the premier spring football platform.

www.theufl.com

I don’t think we’ll carry 3 kickers into camp even if Smyth doesn’t count against the roster right now. Camp competition and rest reps are needed during preseason. But Grupe doesn’t seem to be battling for his job enough for 3 kickers to compete.

I think Charlie Smyth signed with the intent to push Grupe and see who shows more consistency between those two. Smyth and Bates kind of have the same kicking profile as strong 65+ yd legs who haven’t kicked a FG in years/ever. Both would be kicking a FG in front of large crowds for the first time. Jake Bates would have a better opportunity to win a kicker job elsewhere than to agree to put himself in a 3 man race here. It would be a great competition to have though.

 

[Belfast Saint]

Here's Charlie at his old school in Newry teaching some kids how to kick and with some of the lads from my team....

 

[UFCSaint]

lol he looks like the

Here's Charlie at his old school in Newry teaching some kids how to kick and with some of the lads from my team....

Here's Charlie at his old school in Newry teaching some kids how to kick and with some of the lads from my team....

lol he looks like the kid from The Righteous Gemstones:

 

[Artifactual]

Watching him and Grupe in camp practices will look like a big brother, little brother competition with Smyth at 6'4", 210 pounds and Grupe at 5'7", 157 pounds.

Their leg strengths are not that far off. Grupe has shown range into the lower 60s but not mid 60s as Smyth has.

However, with kickoffs no longer being an advantage as a touchback the requirements for a strong leg for attempts over 60 yards are a limited part of the equation. It's not that often that a coach would have a kicker attempt a kick from 60+ yards due to where the opponent would get the ball in the event of a failed attempt. Those attempts would be limited to end of the half or end of the game situations.

Accuracy will be the most important factor regarding the kicker. That's the single thing that Grupe must improve upon. Having a year under his belt and now knowing he belongs in the league should boost his confidence even more than what he had before, which he didn't lack for.

With the new rules for the kickoff, it will be interesting to see if special team coaches opt to have the kickers get more elevation with the ball coming down inside the 5 yard line, hoping for a muff, or possibly having the kickers perfect a line drive squib knuckleball kick that drops down inside the 20 (landing zone) and dribbles through the endzone.

 

[Saint Greg]

I have a feeling he's just going to sit in that international spot on the practice squad this season and develop. When I've heard people talking about his tryout I've heard 75-81% which makes me think he's not consistent enough yet.

 

[AARPSaint]

Soon, there will be a new rule from the NFL Office: international player roster exemption to exclude kickers.

Seriously, however, it wouldn't really surprise me.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

I have a feeling he's just going to sit in that international spot on the practice squad this season and develop. When I've heard people talking about his tryout I've heard 75-81% which makes me think he's not consistent enough yet.

Considering Smyth just began kicking FGs for the first time last fall, a possible 75-81% isn’t bad to start off at as a first time kicker. He’s already as good as Grupe’s 81.1% FG percentage last year. It was good enough to get signed to see if he continues to progress in the next 4 months. If he continues to improve significantly above the 81% during minicamp and TC/preseason, Smyth could become the main kicker here or for another team.

 

[Saint Greg]

Considering Smyth just began kicking FGs for the first time last fall, a possible 75-81% to start off isn’t bad. He’s already as good as Grupe’s 81.1% FG percentage last year. It was good enough to get signed to see if he continues to progress. If he continues to improve upon the 81% during minicamp and TC/preseason, Smyth could become main here or for another team.

Well we aren’t talking about kicking in a game so no it’s not the same as grupe. From his interview he said kicking the Gaelic version of a field goal…with a different ball of course…was kind of his thing so I was surprised to see the accuracy that low. Maybe it will get better but I think people thinking he’s going to be our kicker next year based on the one clip we have is extremely premature.

 

[efil4stnias]

Flip on UFL.

Jake Bates. Kicks GW 64 yd fg...down middle...but wait. TO called by defense to ice.

Kicks again. 64 yds right down middle to win.

Oh and didn't kick in college. Was kick off specialist who also played soccer. Coach Nolan tried him out at FG and whaddya know, he can kick.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

Well we aren’t talking about kicking in a game so no it’s not the same as grupe. From his interview he said kicking the Gaelic version of a field goal…with a different ball of course…was kind of his thing so I was surprised to see the accuracy that low. Maybe it will get better but I think people thinking he’s going to be our kicker next year based on the one clip we have is extremely premature.

In comparison of pure FG kicking ability, those are similar FG percentages. They can only prove their consistency in offseason practices for now until game action in 4 months. I agree that Smyth has to prove that he can be a consistent kicker during live games. My expectations is that he’ll provide a great offseason competition. Grupe’s safe as the main kicker unless Smyth stands out in short time.

From what I’ve seen in clips, Gaelic field goals aren’t regularly aimed above the crossbar on every kick for points. Ball goes inside the net like soccer a lot of the time. There could still be target adjustment and snap placement to get use to. 80% looks like his floor while he’s still getting accustomed to American football FG formation. An even % in the lower 80s won’t win the job so it’ll be interesting to see if he continues improving from there.

 

[Artifactual]

If Grupe Broke his leg in camp Smyth won't be the Saints kicker on opening day. The Saints would bring in another experienced kicker.

Smyth just started kicking an NFL football the past few months. There's no way an NFL team would have him win the starting Kickers job without having any experience at the college or even high-school level. Kicking in practice doesn't compare to kicking under pressure in real game situations with huge men rushing at you while 70,000 screaming fans are yelling at you.

As the Saints designated international player he won't count against the roster and will gain valuable experience this year along the way.

Now I will agree that should Grupe have a minor injury mid week it's possible the Saints might elevate Smyth for one game but not any more than that. My .02

 

[SonOfNOLA]

If Grupe Broke his leg in camp Smyth won't be the Saints kicker on opening day. The Saints would bring in another experienced kicker.

Smyth just started kicking an NFL football the past few months. There's no way an NFL team would have him win the starting Kickers job without having any experience at the college or even high-school level. Kicking in practice doesn't compare to kicking under pressure in real game situations with huge men rushing at you while 70,000 screaming fans are yelling at you.

As the Saints designated international player he won't count against the roster and will gain valuable experience this year along the way.

Now I will agree that should Grupe have a minor injury mid week it's possible the Saints might elevate Smyth for one game but not any more than that. My .02

I think it’s a safe assumption that the Saints could sign an experienced kicker if Grupe is out based on Smyth’s experience at first glance now. But that’s based on assuming Smyth won’t progress much during 4 months of a full NFL offseason to be ready to kick in games since he’s a crossover GAA sport player.

IMO I don’t think the Saints would have offered Smyth a contract if they didn’t think he was capable of preparing himself for real pro football game situations and legitimately competing at K this summer.
IPP program has roster exemption benefits but doesn’t necessarily mean that Smyth’s strictly viewed as a developmental prospect. IPP was mainly an outlet for Smyth to attract NFL interest since he’s coming from Ireland.

They could’ve signed a veteran FA kicker to compete with Grupe or waited until after the draft late April to sign another UDFA K with college football crowd experience. They still could add a college rookie. But signing Smyth at the beginning of the offseason doesn’t come off as a PS stash for a year imo. We’ll have to see where he’s at after working with the Saints kicking coach for a full offseason this summer before writing him off as a roster stash.

 

[Artifactual]

I think it’s a safe assumption that the Saints could sign an experienced kicker if Grupe is out based on Smyth’s experience at first glance now. But that’s based on assuming Smyth won’t progress much during 4 months of a full NFL offseason to be ready to kick in games since he’s a crossover GAA sport player.

IMO I don’t think the Saints would have offered Smyth a contract if they didn’t think he was capable of preparing himself for real pro football game situations and legitimately competing at K this summer.
IPP program has roster exemption benefits but doesn’t necessarily mean that Smyth’s strictly viewed as a developmental prospect. IPP was mainly an outlet for Smyth to attract NFL interest since he’s coming from Ireland.

They could’ve signed a veteran FA kicker to compete with Grupe or waited until after the draft late April to sign another UDFA K with college football crowd experience. They still could add a college rookie. But signing Smyth at the beginning of the offseason doesn’t come off as a PS stash for a year imo. We’ll have to see where he’s at after working with the Saints kicking coach for a full offseason this summer before writing him off as a roster stash.

Your points are valid, however, if Grupe was to get hurt the Saints would bring in several experienced kickers immediately for tryouts and sign one of them. I firmly believe that to be true regardless of how well Smyth progresses between now and then, even if he exploded on the scene. As you stated, IPP is mainly an outlet to attract NFL interest from abroad with the hope of developing these prospects into players in the league. Smyth will have a roster exemption. The Saints would be wise to use it to their advantage as long as possible. Don't rule out the Saints bringing in another Kicker before the start of the season to compete. Although it's not customary to have more than two in camp it doesn't mean they won't. Of course, this is just MHO. We shall see what happens in time.


Let's not forget that teams bring in players for tryouts/workouts every week during the season to kick the tires and when a kicker is struggling or hurt it's not uncommon for a team to bring in four or more to take a look at. For all we know Grupe will improve and remain healthy throughout the upcoming season while retaining his starting job. I am one of the few on this board that think highly of Grupe and have supported him amongst the many that have bashed him. I'm hoping he has a stellar 2024 season.

He's no Rookie now. But just to remind those that doubt the little fella, remember what this 5'7", 157 Lb. Undrafted Free Agent Rookie Kicker accomplished in 2023:

Blake Grupe Set 11 Saints Rookie Records, he Tied 2 Saints Rookie Records, he Set 3 All-Time Saints Franchise Records, and he Tied 2 All-Time Saints Franchise Records in 2023. No other Rookie in Saints History has set or tied as many records since the inaugural season in 1967. The Saints relied on him more often than they should have throughout the year by not scoring more touchdowns and also having him attempt 9 FGs of 50 or more yards out. He attempted the 2nd most FGs in Saints Franchise History with 37. He ended the year at 81.1% overall, however, he was a perfect 6 of 6 in the last 4 games. If Grupe can improve his overall accuracy in 2024 the Saints will have found a gem as an undrafted rookie free agent.

 

[Scorpius the Allfather]

Fighting Irish to straight irish
Interesting development

Obviously the fighters won and we're now dealing with the interesting irish