NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints signed free agent long snapper Jason Kyle and released Kevin Houser, who had been with the team since 2000.

General Manager Mickey Loomis said Monday that Kyle will upgrade the kicking game. He also thanked Houser for nine seasons of “excellent service.”

Kyle, a veteran of 14 NFL seasons, spent the past eight years as the long snapper for the Carolina Panthers. A fourth-round selection of the Seattle Seahawks in 1995, the former college linebacker took over snapping duties in his second pro campaign.

Houser was a seventh-round pick of New Orleans in 2000 and was the long snapper in all 144 regular-season as well as four playoff games. He ranks 11th in Saints history in games played.