Carney to Kick for New Orleans

By Justin Worsley

When Garrett Hartley missed an easy 29-yard field goal in the New Orleans Saints overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week, it not only cost the Saints the game, it cost Hartley his job.

According to sources, the Saints have brought back John Carney and he will kick for the team in Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers.

Hartley, 24, has already missed three of seven field goals this season. Entering this season, Hartley had only missed two kicks in his career, both were longer than 30 yards.

The Saints signed Hartley midway through the 2008 season and he had a breakout campaign, making all of his 13 field goals. Hartley entered the 2009 season expecting to be the starting kicker for New Orleans, but was handed a four game suspension by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy. The Saints used Hartley in only five games.

Carney, 46, started in Hartley's place last season, making 13 of 17 field goals, his worst percentage since 2003.