David Akers Searching for Stride

Really Lost One · Sep 30, 2008

Akers has long been one the most reliable and accurate kickers in the league, from any distance. But lately the long-distance kicks have eluded him -- and misses from 47 and 50 yards Sunday had Akers blaming himself for the Eagles' 24-20 loss to Chicago.

"I let the organization down by missing those kicks," Akers said Monday. "We're talking about two feet, total. If I hit them, we're talking about a victory instead of talking about missed kicks."

In 2004, when the Eagles went to the Super Bowl, Akers hit a stunning 17 kicks longer than 40 yards, an NFL record (since broken). He was 15-for-18 from 40-49 yards. But in the three years since, Akers was 13-for-23 from 40-49 yards and 2-for-6 from longer than 50.

Last year, a season that Akers admitted gnawed at him all summer, he was 1-for-6 from 40-49 yards and 1-for-4 over 50.

This season Akers hit his first long kick (44 yards vs. Dallas) before missing two against the Bears. So, what's wrong? What's the reason?

"If you have one, I'd be happy to hear it," Akers said.

Uh, well. . . . don't have any. It's not leg strength -- Akers' misses Sunday were plenty long enough. It's not accuracy -- Akers said he hit the exact spot he was aiming for, but just misread the wind.

"I go out and try the opportunities that are presented to me," he said. "It's not like you can make the kicks from 39 yards and from 41 you're not able to make them. I'm just off a little bit.

"In this game, at my position, you can't be off. It's a precision-based position. You have to be able to hit them. If you don't, you're out of a job."

It's possible there is no reason. It might just be a quirk that will right itself soon enough, and Akers will be back to knocking down nearly every kick the Eagles ask of him. He reported to training camp in the best shape of his career, and his leg strength has been excellent (Akers' kickoffs, for example, are much improved).

"I felt good going into the year, and I had one of the best training camps I've ever had," Akers said.

In fairness, Akers hit the ball great Sunday -- which he believes may have been the problem.

Eagles coach Andy Reid, asked whether he still had confidence in Akers, said flatly: "I do. Yes."

"He needs to make those kicks, but I do feel that way," Reid said Monday.

"I think the leg strength is still there. He's kicking the ball off as well as he ever has. Whatever the problem was, it has to get solved, so he and I will work on that."
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http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/SPORTS02/809300350/1015

All right, first of all, let me just say that I respect everything Akers has done for this team. He was one of the top kickers in the league back in the day, but right now, he is simply not cutting it. It sucks to see him miss field goals again and again, and against the Bears, he pretty much cost us the game. I hope Akers can return to his pre-injury form, but I highly doubt it. Or maybe he just needs Koy Detmer?

Who knows and who cares. All I know is, he better shape up soon or else the Eagles must shop for another kicker next offseason.

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David Akers Searching for Stride

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