King: Saints Paid Price For Mare

The only issue is that no one knows how much a kicker is worth... If the Saints had decided that Carney was done, and that they needed a new kicker, what's the right path?

Apparently, they weren't too thrilled with anyone on the FA market...

I don't think you could assume that any kicker we'd pick in the 6th round would be a better move than going out and getting Mare... For all we know, the Saints had already decided that they would be taking a kicker with a later round pick! If you look at what's available, and Mare's better, and you can get him for the same pick you were planning to use, you go for it!! Rookie kickers can be dicey, even if they seem like they're can't-miss... see Russell Erxleben

The fact that he can kick off is a bit overrated, but leading the league in touchbacks is kind of a big deal...

No team should need 3 kicking specialists like we carried last year... Before Gowan got hurt, I know the plan was for him to kickoff... Weatherford doesn't kick off, but I'm not sure why we're so thrilled with him, seems like we could easily find a good punter who can kickoff, assuming Gowan is done... But Mare takes care of all of those problems, and he has a good track record as a kicker... Carney was no prize when San Diego let him go, but a reliable veteran with a strong leg will do fine in the Dome... I think it was a good move.