Morten Andersen signed by Falcons

[Colonel_Reb]

46 year old Denmark native Morten Andersen has been signed to a 1 year deal by the Falcons after poor performances by Michael Koenen in the first games of the season. Morten Andersen is second in NFL history behind Gary Anderson in scoring, and will be used mainly for shorter range kicks. Andersen, if he keeps using the one he had, will wear an old Dungard direct-mounted facemask, which is actually illegal. It is a one piece facemask, but has 2 bars across the face. Andersen last kicked for Minnesota in 2004, but his goal is to kick when he is 50, or in the 2010 season, to break George Blanda's record. Morten was drafted in 1982, the same year as Gary Anderson, by the Saints. This will be his 24th season! I wish the NFL was still as it was in 1982. Here are a few pics of Morten over the years.

Saints 1982-94 Yes, he played with Archie Manning!

Falcons 1995-2000 This pic was right after kicking the winning margin in the 1999 NFC Championship game.

Giants 2001

Chiefs 2002-2003

Vikings 2004

 

[backrow]

haha! good for him! although i think Koenan has a lot of upside and wouldn't want a young guy get cut in favor of veteran

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Koenen is mainly a punter, but he will also be used for longer kicks. I don't think he's in any danger of losing his job. He just went 2 for 8 on field goals in the last 2 games.

 

[backrow]

well Bucs blocked 2 FGs so blame is also on the line/blocking schemes

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Good point. We'll see if the blocking gets better. My thinking is, unless Morten has an unreal year, he will probably not get another contract next year. His leg isn't nearly as strong as it used to be, hence the short kick duties. Tennessee did this with Gary Anderson for a couple of his last years there.