John Carney didn't kick the most important field goal in New Orleans Saints history, the one that sent them to their first Super Bowl.

But he did help prepare the young man who made that 40-yarder in overtime against the Vikings, the one that had grown men crying on the Bayou.

And for that Garrett Hartley is forever grateful.

"John has honestly been a tremendous support," Hartley says. "He's someone that I can just lean on."

And here's the crazy part: Hartley took Carney's job two months ago. He's the reason Carney, the former West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman star, was cut loose at age 45.

There were a couple other offers out there for Carney to continue a kicking career that has taken him to Notre Dame and through 21 seasons in the NFL, including a Pro Bowl trip just last year with the Giants.

However, by the time the Saints came back to him with an offer to be a kicking consultant, someone who would work with Hartley and rookie punter Thomas Morstead, it was Week 14 and Carney was willing to stay on.

"I really wanted to finish the journey with this team," says Carney, who still wants to kick next season. "I felt I had a lot invested with this team."

Most of all, that meant being there for Hartley.

Their friendship began late in training camp, shortly after Hartley tested positive for Adderall, a banned substance he says he used in order to stay awake for the long drive from his Texas home to the Saints complex.

With Hartley looking at a four-game suspension, the Saints brought in an old friend who had kicked for them for six seasons (2001-06). The idea was Carney would keep the job warm, then likely move on to another team once Hartley returned.

Then the Saints raced out to a dazzling start. Carney had primary kicking chores through the first 11 games – all victories -- going 13 of 17 on field goals.

Hartley was getting the better of him in practice, however, and eventually forced himself back onto the active roster at the start of December.

Rather than sulk, Carney understood. Better still, he stayed.

When Hartley blew a potential game-winner against Tampa Bay, some were calling for the old man to return. But Carney wanted no part of such talk.

"John was my crutch at a time I was down, telling me to keep my head up," says Hartley, 23 and in his second season out of Oklahoma. "There's no ego with John. Honestly, would most people be willing to do what he has?"

Not in the cutthroat world of NFL kicking, where you're only as good as your last attempt.

Carney is different. He has already accomplished so much in his career, one that includes one previous trip to the Super Bowl with the '94 Chargers, he was willing to slide gracefully into a support role.

The biggest difference between coming here as a player and now?

Tickets.

"You're a little further down the totem pole," Carney says, smiling. "The envelope was a little thinner as a consultant."

But the sense of accomplishment is pretty similar, especially after Carney was able to take his young pupil aside midway through the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship and help him mentally prepare.

"Garrett, you're going to get in the zone," Hartley remembers Carney calmly telling him. "I want you to visualize everything: the perfect swing, the perfect kick. Keep the tempo light on the ball. Don't rush yourself."

After the kick went through, amid the wildest celebration the Superdome has ever seen, Hartley made certain he found one particular coach for an emotional hug and an expression of heartfelt thanks.

Carney. The man he replaced.

Mike Berardino can be reached at SunSentinel.com and read regularly on the Dolphins blog at SunSentinel.com/dolphins.