FanPost

Out with the Old (Mike Karney), In with the New (Heath Evans)

Pat Y's rumor is confirmed. Say hello to Heath Evans and goodbye to Mike Karney at FB. I'm more than a little shocked at this. I always thought Karney was much appreciated by Pay-Loo. I guess I was wrong. Well, there can be no doubt that Payton means to do a slight overhaul to the offensive backfield. I don't really understand why they would bring in a 30 year old back when they just released one in Deuce McAllister, although I know the knee injuries were a large part of that decision. I'm stunned. Goodbye Mike! We're sorry to see you go. Here's a link to the Times-Pic.

The Saints just confirmed that they have agreed to a deal with free agent fullback Heath Evans and will release fullback Mike Karney.

More from the Boston Globe:

"Heath is a versatile and fundamentally sound fullback who can help our offense in a variety of roles, whether it be as a lead blocker, as a runner or receiving option out of the backfield as well as on special teams,” Saints executive vice president/general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement. “He has played in a few different offensive systems and has adapted quickly and been a contributor to all of them.”

“Heath is a tireless worker and someone we were very impressed with after spending time with him,” Saints head coach Sean Payton said in a statement. “He’s very excited about the various things we do from an offensive perspective and is a well-rounded and versatile player. In addition he has played quite a bit on various special teams units throughout his career and been a reliable and dependable player in many different situations.”

They say it's a two-year contract.

More from the Times-Pic:

"My first reaction is that the writing's been on the wall (since the Saints started looking at other fullbacks in free agency)," said Karney, who ironically also happens to be getting married tomorrow in California. "So I wasn't surprised or caught off guard. And I respect the decision that Sean (Payton) and Mickey (Loomis) made collectively. I have no hard feelings, and I'm happy that they didn't string it out."

Karney, 27, has plenty of friends and family around for support right now - including former Saints backfield mates Deuce McAllister and Aaron Stecker, both of whom are free agents themselves right now, and former Saints fullback Lorenzo Neal, who has played for seven different teams in his 16-year career.

When did Aaron Stecker get released? It refers to him and Deuce as former Saints. Did I miss that?

"I have great memories of being a New Orleans Saint," Karney said. "I had some great games. I felt I stood tall through the victories and the losses and I was part of taking an organization to the NFC Championship Game, which had never been done in the history of the organization, and I met a lot of great people, established a lot of great relationships. The fans have been outstanding. Their support for me has been out of this world. It's sad in that respect, but it's time to move on, it's time for a new life.

"Now it's a new ballgame, and we'll see who's interested."

Damn! To top it all off, the poor guy is getting married tomorrow! I hate that he got such an awful wedding gift from the Saints. We'll miss you Mike.

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.