METAIRIE, La. -- After scoring another three touchdowns on Sunday, New Orleans Saints fullback John Kuhn explained the secret to his success as a four-time Pro Bowler.
"I'd consider myself pretty low on the pecking order of targets to try and stop for the other team," Kuhn said. "So that's why I feel like I can kind of sneak in there like an ace in the hole."
Kuhn -- aka "Kuuuuhhhhn!" -- has been doing it his whole career. He scored 30 TDs in nine years with the Green Bay Packers, including the playoffs.
But luckily for the Saints, the rest of the NFL was still apparently sleeping on the 34 year old this offseason after the Packers decided to move on to a younger option.
Kuhn was somehow still waiting for a call when the Saints needed a fullback in August while former starter Austin Johnson was dealing with an injury.
And it hasn't taken long for Saints coach Sean Payton to start trusting Kuhn as his own "ace in the hole."
"If you need a yard, he's probably gonna get you a yard and a half," Payton said.
Kuhn scored on two 1-yard runs and a 4-yard catch Sunday as the 1-3 Saints came fro behind for their first win of the season, 35-34, at the San Diego Chargers. Kuhn's other two touches went for first downs in third-and-short situations.
"A lot of times, I don't like running behind a lead back when you're just trying to get inside of a yard," Payton said, "and he has a good feel for finding a soft spot in the defense."
Mark Ingram's fantasy owners can't be too thrilled about that, since much of Ingram's fantasy value is how much the Saints have relied on him in those goal-line situations in recent years.
But Ingram did have a 1-yard TD run of his own Sunday, plus a 5-yard TD catch the week before. And at some point the Saints might have to stop feeding Kuhn because they're at risk of becoming too predictable.
The 6-foot, 250-pounder leads New Orleans with four TDs this year, even though he has only touched the ball a total of 11 times.
"I just believe it's a little bit of luck," said Kuhn, who is obviously being a bit humble, based on his history.
He had a three-TD game before, in 2010 against the New York Giants. And he is the only player in Packers history to have two career postseason games with both a rushing TD and a receiving TD (after the 2010 season and 2012 seasons).
"When it comes to short-yardage plays, you've just gotta find a crack and try and hit it," Kuhn said. "But honestly, our line does a terrific job. And when you have so many weapons on offense like we do, it keeps defenses really honest, and you can't really focus on any one position. ...
"Each and every one of us is just out here trying to do the most that we can do for our team. And I'm thankful enough that I got five, six, seven opportunities to do so."
Kuhn said this summer that he was hoping to re-sign with the Packers. But he was eager to continue his career elsewhere if needed, as long as he felt like it was with a team that could contend.
That call never came from Green Bay, which has barely used the fullback position this year since moving on with second-year fullback Aaron Ripkowski.
But Kuhn insisted he isn't fueled by any ill will.
"No, I don't feel like I'm angry. Honestly, I'm having a blast this year," Kuhn said. "And what a locker room. These guys really took me in and made me one of them. I couldn't be any more appreciative, and I'm happy to be here. I'm having a blast. This is a great team. And I only look forward to bigger things now."
