Deja vu: The Falcons bring back Andersen

By Darrell Laurant  |   Thursday, September 21, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Atlanta Falcons
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A piece of Atlanta Falcons history was plugged back into the present this week when the team signed placekicker Morten Andersen.

"Morten Andersen is one of the finest field goal kickers in the history of the National Football League," Atlanta coach Jim Mora told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "His career speaks for itself."

So does his age -- 46. But the idea is for Andersen to supply the short field goals while incumbent Michael Koenen dials long distance. Koenen will also remain the team's punter and kickoff specialist.

Certainly, no one can argue with Andersen's short-range accuracy. He has hit 160 of 164 field goals under 30 yards and 171 of 196 between 30 and 40. Koenen, meanwhile, missed kicks of 30, 36, 30 and 40 yards against Tampa Bay last week and a couple of 50-yarders in the opener with Carolina. This after going 8-for-8 in preseason.

Andersen will probably serve a dual purpose for the Falcons, both as a kicker and a mentor to Koenen. He is perhaps best-remembered by Falcons fans for kicking the 38-yard overtime field goal that beat Minnesota in the 1999 NFC championship game.

"In my heart, I know I can still kick," Andersen said.

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