Garrett Hartley

A four-game suspension in 2009, accuracy issues in 2010 and a hip injury in 2011 have prevented Hartley from taking control of the Saints’ kicking duties. In Hartley’s absence last season, the Saints relied on 42-year-old John Kasay, who finished second in the NFL in points at 147. At this stage of their respective careers, the younger Hartley is probably the better kicker. Because of the offseason shakeup of the Saints coaching staff and the re-signing of Kasay, which the Saints say was not merely for “insurance,” Hartley is a bit of a risk. He’s the favorite to win the job in training camp, but whoever claims the position figures to be one of the top fantasy kickers as the Saints offense was every bit as excellent as that of the Patriots and Packers last season – its 75 red-zone drives led the league.

New Orleans' offense predictably slowed last year after its league-leading 31.9 points per game during its Super Bowl season. But the Saints' drop to 24.3 points per game wasn't Hartley's only problem. Hartley missed five field goals (20-of-25), including four inside 40 yards, which helped him lose his job for two weeks early in the season to free-agent John Carney. Sitting those two games cost him six attempts, though a half dozen extra would have only vaulted him to ninth in attempts, largely because the Saints offense is so proficient. The Saints have averaged more than 28 points per game the last three seasons, but less than 4.5 points per game (69 field goals in 48 games) have come via field goal. And last season, the Saints scored 31 red-zone touchdowns, seventh most in the NFL. After signing a five-year contract in March, Hartley won't have to worry about Carney this season. And Hartley made his final 13 field goals last season, including three in the playoffs. Plus, the Saints should continue to provide plenty of PATs (43 last year, sixth in the league). Kicking in a dome only helps his status, as does a favorable late-season schedule that places the Saints indoors for six of the last seven games. Hartley only attempted two kicks beyond 50 yards, but he made them both.

Suspended the first four games of last season, Hartley didn’t become the Saints’ fulltime kicker until late last year, finally taking the job in December from John Carney, who kicked in the first 11 games. The pair combined for 126 points, which ranked fifth among kickers last season, with Hartley making 9-of-11 field goals. Hartley won’t have to share this season, which gives him great value kicking for perhaps the league’s most explosive offense. The Saints scored 63 touchdowns in 2009. And if their 61.3 red-zone TD percentage (fourth in NFL) doesn’t hold, that’ll just mean more field goals for Hartley.

The third-year kicker should have a world of confidence after his game-winning boot in the NFC Championship game last season and his three kicks of 40-plus in the Super Bowl, which set a record. With Drew Brees and company, Hartley should be a safe bet to put up outstanding fantasy numbers in 2010. Kicking in a dome only helps, but Hartley does have two potential bad weather games in Cincinnati and Baltimore in December where opposing kickers were just 2-of-4 in four late-season games in 2009.

Hartley scored 67 points last season in just eight games after winning the kicking job when Martin Gramatica went on IR with a groin injury. The undrafted rookie was perfect on 13 field goals and 28 PATs. We’re left wondering just how much leg he has, though, as he attempted only two field goals over 45 yards, the longest of which was 47. The Saints led the league in points, total yards and passing yards last season and should be productive again this season, giving Hartley a chance for a big year.

Hartley was brought in to compete for the kicking job with Matt Prater, but all indications appear to show the job will remain with Prater.