American Football
Charlie Smyth: Why the Saints cut then re-signed Irish kicker
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Charlie Smyth is staying in New Orleans, with the Saints re-signing him to their practice squad on Monday after he went unclaimed on waivers.
Sunday's roster cutdown left him without a spot on the 53-man squad, opening a 24-hour window in which any of the league's other 31 teams could have offered him a deal before waivers cleared at 5pm BST on Monday.
None did, and New Orleans took advantage of Smyth's NFL International Player Pathway status, which allows teams to carry an additional player on their practice squad beyond the standard 16-man limit.
The Mayobridge man acquitted himself well last year, converting all 13 of his extra points and 12 of his 16 field goal attempts, including a 56-yarder in November.
But with Tanner Brown challenging throughout camp, and two-time All-Pro Daniel Carlson joining in late August, the kicking room became crowded.
DAZN analysis
NFL writer, Jason Abbey
Losing the starting job is a setback, but by using a roster exemption to keep Smyth rather than letting him test the market, the Saints have sent a message that they rate him highly.
Smyth said earlier in the year that he is "Looking at every little thing" in an effort to refine his craft, and NFL teams covet players with that kind of dedication.
That mentality, combined with the swell of support in Ireland driving him on, means Smyth's future remains bright, even as he finds himself on the outside looking in.
He may not be the starter when the Saints visit Detroit to take on the Lions in Week 1, but do not rule out the possibility that we'll see Smyth kicking 50+ yarders again in the near future.
