Kicking change coming for Saints

MatthewT · 12-06-2009, 09:14 AM

Here it is, no Carney this weekend:

Posted by Michael David Smith on December 6, 2009 9:03 AM ET
The New Orleans Saints haven't had many weaknesses this season, but the kicking game has been one of the few.

New Orleans plans to make a move to turn that weakness into a strength.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Garrett Hartley -- not John Carney -- is expected to kick for the Saints today against the Washington Redskins.

Hartley played half the season for the Saints last year and made all 13 of his field goal attempts. But he was suspended the first four games of the 2009 season for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances, and he has yet to see the field this year as Carney has handled the kicking duties.

That is expected to change today, thanks in large part to Carney's performance Monday night against the Patriots, when he missed a field goal and barely made another after it bounced off the upright. The Saints want more consistency in their kicking game, and they hope to get that consistency from Hartley.

foreverfan · 12-06-2009, 09:20 AM

It's a good thing we score a lot of touchdowns.

TopCow · 12-06-2009, 09:37 AM

Sounds like a good move. Beginning of the season, Carney was fairly reliable on short and mid-range licks, excepting a missed EXTRA POINT against Miami. Jeez. But he has not been dependable beyond 42 or 43 yards all season, Combination of his weak leg and recent lack of consistency make this move inevitable. Seems a bit like an experiment in a game that we should be able to cover if all goes right.

C17-BING · 12-06-2009, 09:40 AM

This should come as no surprise to anyone ... I'm not sure we should cut Carney quite yet though. (And I doubt we will)

exile · 12-06-2009, 10:01 AM

Please delete. Already posted and my search skills are off this morning.

exile · 12-06-2009, 10:05 AM

Good move IMHO. Carney was struggling and this is a good game to give Hartley a tryout.

ScottF · 12-06-2009, 10:07 AM

I like it, but how much are we going to learn about Hartley on a frozen field?

3 out our next 4 games are in domes, and the playoffs will be also.

if this is a permanent change, I love it. if this an audition, it's not really fair to Hartley.

D_it_up · 12-06-2009, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by ScottF

I like it, but how much are we going to learn about Hartley on a frozen field?

3 out our next 4 games are in domes, and the playoffs will be also.

if this is a permanent change, I love it. if this an audition, it's not really fair to Hartley.

My thoughts exactly.

Boutte · 12-06-2009, 11:57 AM

I don't see it as an audition. He got one last year and passed with flying colors.

neugey · 12-06-2009, 12:13 PM

Good deal. Roll the dice on Hartley, he did well last year. Cut Carney, we need the room on the roster. Also I think it would help not having Hartley look over his shoulder, give him the vote of confidence.

12-06-2009, 09:14 AM	#1
MatthewT 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,729	Kicking change coming for Saints Here it is, no Carney this weekend: Posted by Michael David Smith on December 6, 2009 9:03 AM ET The New Orleans Saints haven't had many weaknesses this season, but the kicking game has been one of the few. New Orleans plans to make a move to turn that weakness into a strength. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Garrett Hartley -- not John Carney -- is expected to kick for the Saints today against the Washington Redskins. Hartley played half the season for the Saints last year and made all 13 of his field goal attempts. But he was suspended the first four games of the 2009 season for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances, and he has yet to see the field this year as Carney has handled the kicking duties. That is expected to change today, thanks in large part to Carney's performance Monday night against the Patriots, when he missed a field goal and barely made another after it bounced off the upright. The Saints want more consistency in their kicking game, and they hope to get that consistency from Hartley.

12-06-2009, 09:20 AM	#2
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Kicking change coming for Saints It's a good thing we score a lot of touchdowns.

12-06-2009, 09:37 AM	#3
TopCow 100th Post Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 299	Re: Kicking change coming for Saints Sounds like a good move. Beginning of the season, Carney was fairly reliable on short and mid-range licks, excepting a missed EXTRA POINT against Miami. Jeez. But he has not been dependable beyond 42 or 43 yards all season, Combination of his weak leg and recent lack of consistency make this move inevitable. Seems a bit like an experiment in a game that we should be able to cover if all goes right.
TopCow 100th Post Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 299

12-06-2009, 09:40 AM	#4
C17-BING 100th Post Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 231	Re: Kicking change coming for Saints This should come as no surprise to anyone ... I'm not sure we should cut Carney quite yet though. (And I doubt we will)
C17-BING 100th Post Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 231

12-06-2009, 10:01 AM	#5
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608	Hartley to Kick Against Skins Please delete. Already posted and my search skills are off this morning.
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608	Last edited by exile; 12-06-2009 at 10:04 AM..

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12-06-2009, 10:05 AM	#6
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608	Re: Kicking change coming for Saints Good move IMHO. Carney was struggling and this is a good game to give Hartley a tryout.
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608

12-06-2009, 10:07 AM	#7
ScottF 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 6,324	Re: Kicking change coming for Saints I like it, but how much are we going to learn about Hartley on a frozen field? 3 out our next 4 games are in domes, and the playoffs will be also. if this is a permanent change, I love it. if this an audition, it's not really fair to Hartley.

12-06-2009, 10:12 AM	#8
D_it_up Faqda Falcons Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ruston, Louisiana Posts: 3,465 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Kicking change coming for Saints Originally Posted by ScottF I like it, but how much are we going to learn about Hartley on a frozen field? 3 out our next 4 games are in domes, and the playoffs will be also. if this is a permanent change, I love it. if this an audition, it's not really fair to Hartley. My thoughts exactly.

12-06-2009, 11:57 AM	#9
Boutte Site Donor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belle Chasse Posts: 1,701	Re: Kicking change coming for Saints I don't see it as an audition. He got one last year and passed with flying colors.

12-06-2009, 12:13 PM	#10
neugey Hu Dat! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,697 Blog Entries: 13	Re: Kicking change coming for Saints Good deal. Roll the dice on Hartley, he did well last year. Cut Carney, we need the room on the roster. Also I think it would help not having Hartley look over his shoulder, give him the vote of confidence.