Well-tatooed youngster Steve Weatherford will have veteran competition for the Saints' punting job in 2007, as expected. After waiving veteran Mitch Berger last week, who hasn't punted for the Saints since 2005 after a groin injury ended his 2006 season before training camp, the Saints added former Jaguar punter Chris Hanson.

The Jaguars drafted Adam Podlesh in the fourth round, and essentially handed him the starting job.

Hansen, 31, has 428 career punts, all but four with the Jaguars where he has started since 2001. A 42.9 career average and never been blocked, Hansen will be tough competition for Weatherford, who as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2006 inherited the starting job when Mitch Berger was unable to play due to a bad groin injury.

Weatherford, 24, averaged 43.8 yards per punt last year, and had a memorable improvisation on a punt late in the fourth quarter of the Saints' divisional playoff victory. With an Eagle rusher in his face, Weatherford pulled the ball down, tucked it and ran for 15 yards and a first down. The play, near the end of the first half, prevented a disastrous special teams turnover before halftime. Brees attempted three more passes before the half expired.

Hansen has put 31.7% of his career punts inside the 20 yard line. Weatherford put 24.6% of his punts inside the 20 in 2006.