August 1, 2006
Release courtesy of Nick Huber, Buena Vista Univ. sports information director

STORM LAKE , IOWA . . . Former Buena Vista University kicker Carlos Martinez was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. This is the third NFL team for Martinez, who has spent the past three seasons with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.

Martinez tried out on Monday morning for Atlanta, was promptly signed, and took part in the team's afternoon practice. He will be competing with former Iowa State University player Tony Yelk in training camp for the team's kicking job. 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.

Martinez, who also tried out for the Dallas Cowboys last month, finished third among AFL kickers last season with 141 points and set league records for extra points attempted (130) and converted (117). He was 8-for-14 on field-goal attempts and recently won the kicking portion of the ArenaBattle Skills Challenge.

Martinez spent training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003 but was released before the season began. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of the 2003 season but was released in March 2004.

At Buena Vista, Martinez kicked 48 field goals, the second most ever in Division III football. He connected on 48-75 attempts for his career, with his longest being from 52 yards as a sophomore. He was a three-time all-conference selection and the MVP of the 2001 Aztec Bowl. Martinez missed just nine extra points in 115 attempts for the Beavers. He also holds the season field goal mark in the Iowa Conference with 17 (in 2000). He set the NCAA Division III career field goal attempts with 75. During his career, Martinez twice helped the Beavers to victory by connecting on 5-5 field goal attempts in a single game.

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