Saints’ Hartley ready for the fight of his life
 

Saints kicker Garrett Hartley has trimmed down to fighting weight in anticipation of a challenging training camp battle with veteran John Kasay.

With the help of the P90X workout program, Hartley has shed nearly 25 pounds since suffering a season-ending hip flexor injury in August and now weighs a svelte 181.

Hartley is entering the second year of a five-year, $10.3 million contract that includes $3 million in guaranteed money. He is scheduled to earn a base salary of $700,000 this season and annual base salaries of $734,000, $822,000 and $910,000 through the 2015 season.

“We both know that only one guy will be the guy and the other guy will be looking elsewhere for a job,’’ Hartley said during the team’s full-squad minicamp. “There’s no doubt in my mind that as well as both of us are kicking right now, both us will be kicking somewhere next year.’’

Hartley, one of the many heroes of the Super Bowl XLIV season in 2009, said he welcomes the challenge from Kasay.

“I believe that not one person in this locker room got here without competition,’’ Hartley said. “Now having one of the best kickers to have ever played the game and have him in a locker right next to mine can only help me.”

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I'm pulling for you Hartley!

If Hartley doesn't make it, he can't claim he wasn't given enough chances. The guy's had some ups & downs, I hope he comes out on top.

Me too!

I love Kasay too, he has been good for us but I want the younger guy to pull trough!

Tough decisions like this are where we are going to miss Payton the most.

Nothing against Kasey. But I'm pulling for Hartley ! Super Bowl winning Kicker.

Yup. Old guys can break your heart.

I want Hartley to win this battle but he needs to be able to hit distance consistently and not pull his kicks. There's nothing better than having a kicker you know is a sure thing under 40 yards.

If Hartley's head is in as good of shape as he is, I'm all for him. Kasay was as great of an addition when we needed it as any we had. He is not the future though, so we need to look younger.

I can't wait to see what he can do this season!