CHARLIE IS READY TO KICK ON

Smyth focussed on becoming one of the 32 NFL kickers rather than a Mourne return

- BY KARL O'KANE

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ex-Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth reckons his time is coming and believes he can break into one of the 32 slots available for field goal kickers in the NFL.

The Mayobridge man is in the Saints' practice squad but his trajectory is upwards after winning a recent kicking contest and going seven for seven with his preseason kicks.

Smyth (24) is two years chasing his dream and for now any thoughts of returning to the Down squad are on hold as he throws everything at making the grade in American Football.

"Don't get me wrong, you are aware of it," he said of playing for Down again. "I've put a lot of time towards this. The stakes are one of 32 in the world to be an NFL kicker. That's still my main goal. I believe now, even in Week 1 there's a lot of kicking mishaps around the League (NFL). You just never know when that call could come. I'm 7 for 7 in preseason games. I just might have to be a little patient. But I do believe my time is coming with this.

"People at home probably are like, 'No, that's two years in a row he's been in the practice squad. He might be just this international guest that's never going to see any playing time.'

"I'm like, 'No, that's not the case. I genuinely believe my time is coming. Obviously, that could be down the line or whatever with Down.