\n<\/p>\n
After regular kicker Blake Grupe was waived by the Saints, Smyth, who had been on the practice roster for 18 months, was in a shootout with veteran Cade York to play against the Dolphins.<\/p>\n
Galiano said Smyth “showed he was ready” with his performance in the competition, and he was “locked in and focused”.<\/p>\n
The 48-year-old was also impressed with Smyth’s field goal attempt in the game in Miami, which he felt would have been good from 70 yards. <\/p>\n
Galliano also felt that, if needed in the last play of a game, Smyth had the range for 68 yards – the current record distance for a field goal in the NFL.<\/p>\n
“He does get it up really high, and you want that,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s harder for the big guys to block, which you see when they are lower. <\/p>\n
“The higher you get it the less chance you have of it being block, but one of the things that caused him a lot of issues that we’ve been working through, was when we were in California and it was a windy day.<\/p>\n
“The further back you go then the wind can affect it a little bit more, so you have to slightly change how you kick the ball. That’s another thing for him to get used to.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n