<p>The Atlanta Falcons have a new contender in their search for a kicker who won't cost too much money.</p><p>The Falcons signed Carlos Martinez on Monday, bringing in a guy who already has been cut by two other NFL teams and spent the past three seasons with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.</p><p>The move came one day after Atlanta cut Zac Derr, one of two little-known kickers the team brought to training camp. The Falcons are hoping to develop a young kicker who will give them some leeway on the salary cap, but they also acknowledge that a veteran could be brought in before the regular season begins.</p><p>Martinez joins Tony Yelk in the kicking competition. The Falcons also are taking a look at punter Michael Koenen, who already handles the kickoff duties and was used for long field-goal attempts last season when the team had Todd Peterson.</p><p>"We are not sure if we want to place (on Koenen) the burden of being the punter and the placekicker," coach Jim Mora said. "He certainly looks capable physically of doing it. It's just a heavy burden."</p><p>The 5-foot-8 Martinez, who played at Buena Vista University in Iowa, spent training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003 before being released. He caught on with Tampa Bay after that season, but didn't even make it to training camp the following year.</p><p>The Falcons added kicking guru Steve Hoffman to their coaching staff in hopes of developing a young kicker. But one prospect was released over the summer, and Derr made it through only three days of training camp before he was let go.</p><p>"We want to find out if one of these young guys can do it for us," Mora said. "Quite frankly, it saves some cap room that we can use in other spots. But by no means do we want to sacrifice the chance to score three points for some cap room."</p><p>___</p><p>INJURY REPORT: Offensive guard Kynan Forney hobbled off the field near the end of practice and was taken to the locker room on a cart.</p><p>Coach Jim Mora, already reeling from the loss of receiver Brian Finneran to a season-ending injury the previous day, said Forney wasn't seriously hurt during 11-on-11 drills.</p><p>"He just twisted his ankle a little bit," Mora said. "It was the end of a long, hot day. His back was a little stiff to begin with. I don't think it's anything significant. It was just a tough day for the big guys."</p><p>Tight end Alge Crumpler, who underwent shoulder surgery after last season and has been slowed by an ailing knee, took the day off after skipping practice the previous evening.</p><p>Mora said the team is being especially cautious with one of its best players.</p><p>"Typically, Alge has been on a one-a-day schedule," the coach said. "Today, obviously, it was a no-a-day schedule. We're just trying to make sure he gets enough work to get into the rhythm of the offense, but at the same time we don't want to do anything to wear him out."</p><p>Crumpler led the team with 65 receptions for 877 yards last season, earning his third straight trip to the Pro Bowl.</p><p>"His shoulder is fine," Mora said. "But it's a long camp, a long season. The most important thing is having him ready for the first game."</p>
