The New Orleans Saints may have unearthed their kicker of the future.
Charlie Smyth, from Northern Ireland, was the hero on Sunday as he kicked the game-winning field goal for the Saints to upset the Carolina Panthers.
The Saints now have a decision to make on Smyth. They've elevated him from the practice three times, which is the maximum a team can do in a season. For Smyth to keep kicking for the Saints, they'll have to sign him to the active roster permanently.
Seems like an easy decision, really.
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In Smyth's debut, his first-ever NFL field goal was a 56-yarder with plenty of room to spare. And now with the game-winner under his belt, Smyth is quickly becoming beloved in New Orleans.
"Smyth was essentially given a tryout after the Saints cut former starting kicker Blake Grupe, and in three games, he has proven that the Saints should put him on their active roster," ESPN's Katherine Terrell writes. "The Saints have to decide because they are out of elevations for Smyth. Should they stick with him, or give Cade York a try from the practice squad? That decision likely won't take very long. Smyth showed he can win under pressure after nailing a 47-yard field goal to beat the Panthers with two seconds left."
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There's still plenty for the Saints to figure out.
Tyler Shough has proven that he probably deserves to get a longer look at quarterback, but that's a position that will always be in the spotlight.
The Saints can do themselves a solid by securing their kicker spot for a while. Smyth appears to deserve it.
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