Falcons Sign Veteran Kicker Morten Andersen
ATLANTA -- Sept. 21, 2006 — -- In an effort to address a place-kicking situation that spiraled out of control in the first two weeks of the season, with second-year veteran Michael Koenen converting only two of eight field goal attempts, the Atlanta Falcons have reached for an old and familiar friend.
But it wasn't Todd Peterson, who connected on 23 of 25 field goals in 2005 but went unsigned by Atlanta this offseason, to whom the Falcons turned.
Instead, the team on Tuesday reached agreement with venerable kicker Morten Andersen, 46, who has not played in the NFL since 2004. Contract details were not immediately available but, given the club's salary cap situation, it is likely that Andersen signed a one-year contract for the minimum base salary.
As if there isn't enough irony involved in Andersen's return, his first game will be next Monday night against the New Orleans Saints, the franchise with which he entered the league. Andersen was one of the most popular players in Saints' history and his release in 1995 created considerable fan backlash. He still holds the New Orleans franchise record for scoring, along with the Atlanta career mark as well.
"Talk about a story, huh?" Andersen told ESPN.com when reminded of next Monday night's upcoming visit to the Superdome. "We should all get a lot of miles out of that one. If you [media] guys can't make that a story, you ought to retire."
A 19-year veteran, Andersen once noted that he planned to kick in the league until he was 50, and wanted to retire as the leading scorer in NFL history. He may get the opportunity to reach the second of the goals. Andersen has accounted for 2,358 points in his storied career and trails all-time leader Gary Anderson by 76 points.
Said Andersen: "When I said that I wanted to kick until I was 50, no one said I couldn't skip a year here or there. So I took last season off, right? Now I'm ready to go again. It's going to be great."
George Blanda is the only player older than Andersen to play in the NFL since 1960, retiring after the 1975 season at age 48.
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