Saints Turn to Northern Ireland's Charlie Smyth as Kicking Savior in Miami Showdown
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NEW ORLEANS - In a bold move, the New Orleans Saints have chosen Charlie Smyth, a rising talent from Northern Ireland, to handle placekicking and kickoff duties in their upcoming game against Miami. Smyth, a Gaelic football background, is making his regular-season NFL debut after joining the Saints in 2024 through the NFL's International Pathways Program. The decision comes after Blake Grupe's struggles, missing eight field goals this season, ultimately led to his release from the team. Grupe's two misses in the last game were the final straw, prompting the Saints to seek an alternative solution. Under the guidance of special teams coordinator Phil Galiano, Smyth has shown significant improvement in his kicking technique since joining the team. His preseason performance, where he hit all four attempts, including two from 50-plus yards, caught the attention of the coaching staff. "We wanted to put a developmental plan in place for Charlie, as we believe he has the potential to become a top NFL kicker," Galiano explained. "However, his lack of experience in college and high school kicking was a significant concern.
