Saints extend lead blocker to four-year deal

By Jason Kirk  |   Thursday, July 13, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New Orleans Saints
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The New Orleans Saints have reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension with FB Mike Karney. The extension will begin next season when the final year of his original contract ends.

Karney, the Saints' fifth-round draft pick in 2004, has started 22 of the 32 games he has appeared in. New Orleans has used the 5-11, 258 pound fullback primarily as lead blocker. During Karney's rookie season, the former Arizona State Sun Devil helped RB Deuce McAllister rush for 1,074 yards. However, the Saints' coaching staff is expected to expand his role beyond run blocking and pass protecting; they will allow him to move around and be used in the passing game. In his career with New Orleans, Karney has 16 catches for 103 yards.

According to Saints' senior offensive assistant/running backs coach George Henshaw, "He's a guy, if things were to go his way, there's a possibility that he could go out there and catch 35-40 passes in a season." Going into his third year, look for Karney to embrace that new role with open arms, literally.
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