Citing a league source and ESPN, The Times-Picayune is reporting that the Saints are bringing in veteran kicker John Carney for a workout today. Citing a league source and ESPN, The Times-Picayune is reporting that the Saints are bringing in veteran kicker John Carney for a workout today.
Just a few hours after Garrett Hartley missed a 29-yard field goal that would have clinched the Saints' overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints were making plans to call Carney back, the paper reported.
Carney, who is in his mid-40s, has two decades of NFL experience. He was signed by the Saints last year after Hartley was suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy (Hartley said he took a stimulant to stay awake during a long drive). Carney was cut in December, just as the Saints were headed into the playoffs, but rehired two days later as a kicking consultant.
In the first 11 games last season, Carney made 13 of 17 field goals and 50 of 52 extra points. Carney, who also played with the Saints from 2001-2006, is the second-leading scorer in franchise history with 750 points.
Other kickers are expected to be brought in as well because Hartley has been inconsistent this season, missing two field goals against Minnesota in the season opener but hitting a 37-yard game winner against the San Francisco 49ers last week. He ended the Super Bowl winning season in style, hitting field goals from 46, 47 and 44 yards (a record for over 40) - after a clutch field goal in overtime against the Vikings two weeks before.