phatoosdey

New Orleans Saints - Mare Raring To Go

Mare Raring To Go

by Dave Lawrence, NewOrleansSaints.com
Monday, August 27, 2007 - 5:45 PM



As the summer has gone along, the New Orleans Saints have rounded into shape with the regular season opener growing nearer and nearer. Following a few less than outstanding performances early in the preseason, the Saints have looked more and more like a team ready to defend their division title in 2007.

One newcomer to the team that has impressed in his early outings as a member of the Black and Gold has been kicker Olindo Mare. Since coming to town via a trade from the Miami Dolphins in April, the veteran has brought a strong leg and a lot of experience to the Saints locker room.

After having his first field goal attempt in the Superdome blocked by massive Buffalo offensive lineman Langston Walker, Mare has drilled all six of his three-point kicks along with six extra points to post 24 points through four preseason contests. The 11th-year man is pleased with his performance so far.


Mare kicks against Buffalo
“I feel like I’m doing well,” Mare said. “Obviously we had a problem with the blocked field goal against the Bills, but I don’t know if that was because the guy is 6-9 or because we didn’t have our timing down. We fixed that in the last few games.”

Not only is Mare remarkably accurate – he’s been good on 80.9% of his career field goal tries – but the Syracuse alum has shown off an extremely strong right leg by pounding 12 of his 16 kickoffs into the end zone this preseason. Six of those kickoffs have remained in the end zone for touchbacks, a number that would probably be even higher in regular season action.

“I think a lot of teams are taking their chances on running the kickoffs out because a rookie isn’t going to make the team by taking a knee in the end zone,” said the kicker. “As we’ve shown, our coverage is going to be good if not the best and we continue to work every day.”

Mare feels like there will be more of the same to come, especially kicking in the controlled climate of the Superdome eight times a year.

“There should be no reason that I don’t lead the league in touchbacks. If I’ve done it a couple times playing outdoors, I should be able to do it playing indoors.”

Although Mare is a longtime pro, Thursday’s game will produce a first for him as he lines up against the Dolphins for the first time after spending his first 10 NFL seasons with the South Florida outfit. The Saints new #2 may see a lot of his old jersey when the ‘Fins first-team offense hits the field, but he has no regrets.

“It might be weird to see my old #10 with Trent Green wearing it, but other than that I’m really over everything from Miami. I’ve been welcomed here and this is my team. It’s been eight months since I was last in uniform for the Dolphins, but it will be fun.”

Mare is eager to get the regular season started, but always appreciates the chance to get some more live snaps with his snapper and holder.

“It’s always good to get some game action with Kevin Houser and Jamie Martin and work a little more on our timing.”

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saintsrule

He seems to be able to kick it in the endzone everytime. This will be great if teams will have to start at the twenty everytime the Saints kickoff.

sarge06

I was really scracthing my head when they made this move.

Not anymore