New Orleans Saints could be looking for a new kicker
The New Orleans Saints are probably thinking that they should find themselves a new kicker. They watched their perfect record slip away after starting kicker Garrett Hartley shanked a 29-yard chip-shot in overtime, opening the door for the Atlanta Falcons,
who eventually won the game 27-24.
Not wanting to be the one to make a hasty decision, head coach Sean Payton explained the importance of not jumping to conclusions when asked about bringing in someone else to compete for Hartley's spot.
"You've got to be careful to turn around the day after and [not] make decisions that aren't well-thought out."
Garrett Hartley was spectacular in the Saints' run to becoming Super Bowl champions last season, and even became the first kicker to kick three field goals from over 40-yards in one Super Bowl, but he has struggled early this season, missing three times
in seven chances, including that embarrassing 29-yard attempt which would have won the game for the Saints.
Hartley was clear with the media about what kind of position kickers often find themselves in and what he thought about the current situation.
"At this position, sometimes you're the hero and sometimes you're the goat," he said. "[Sunday] I was wearing the horns. I'm still the starting kicker for this team and I'm going to prepare like that."
The Saints, Falcons, and Buccaneers are all tied with two wins and one loss, but the Saints loss to the Falcons on Sunday hurts all the more, since it gives Atlanta the edge in the division by virtue of having a better record head to head.
Hartley will have the chance to redeem himself when the Saints take on the lowly Carolina Panthers at the Superdome.
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