SANTA CLARA – During Thursday’s kicker competition, David Akers made 16-of-21 field goals. He missed from 53 yards out, 52, 48, and 43 twice.
He spoke at his locker after practice. Here’s what he said.
AKERS: It’s out of my control right now what they’ve decided. At the start of last year, 2012, I started out with a double sports hernia surgery in February, rehabbed all year, came into training camp and was kicking real well.
Had a great preseason I thought. Started off my first game kicking a 50 and a 55-yarder against Houston. Started off the first game of the season obviously with the magical day in Green Bay.
And then obviously this has gone into an up-and-down season. Fell out here on the field and it flared up where I had surgery. Flew back to Philly and got some work done on it. My number one job is to perform for the organization, the fans and obviously my family because this is my career and this is how I provide. It’s been disappointing to say the least.
Two games came down to a missed kick, and I hated to be the reason we tied one and lost the other one. My number one goal is to do what I have to do, to help the team out in every situation where I’m put in the game. Right now, obviously they’re making some decisions whether I’m going to be here or not. It’s out of my control.
I can’t really think of it as a competition because it’s going into the second week of the playoffs in our books. I’m going to practice how I normally practice and not put anymore into it.
Q: When did you have the double sports hernia in your abs?
AKERS: In February.
Q: When did you get it treated during this season?
AKERS: After the Saints game.
Q: What did you have done there?
AKERS: Had some injections. It’s one of those things that you need some rest. It’s been one of those up-and-down year. I would definitely give that 63-yarder back to make those two against St. Louis.
People talk about demeanor being bad. Listen, I take my job seriously. I feel when I miss kick that I let the team, the organization, the fans down. I take it personally. Sometimes I care too much about it, but that’s just who I am. I have no problem talking to y’all and being real. I’m disappointed in myself. There’s nothing I can do about it now. I’ve got to try today to get better and figure out why they’re not going between the poles. If I had an answer, I would have fixed it a long time ago.
Q: How does your double sports hernia today?
AKERS: I feel the same as I’ve felt all season. I’ve kicked well in practice. I’ve kicked well in pregame. Anybody who’s watched knows I’ve done very well. I’m kind of frustrated and befuddled about the whole season.
Q: When it flared up, why didn’t you take a week off?
AKERS: Because I could kick through it. I went on what the doctors and the trainers said. I’m just happy that last week I didn’t end up costing the team the division. Now we’ve got the bye and a lot of good things. I’m just going to go out and keep kicking like I’ve been in practice, and hopefully it will transfer over to the game eventually.
Q: When did you start having discomfort again this season?
AKERS: I don’t have any structural issues. I fell out on the field on a kickoff and it kind of flared up from then.
Q: Was that during the Saints game?
AKERS: No, it was before that. Weeks before that.
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
I hope he gets his leg back. Hang in there Akers.
Looking at the numbers on DA:
0-39 yds = 20/23 (87%)
40-50+ = 9/19 (47%) breakdown: 40-49 = 7/13 and 50+ = 2/6
Plus a record 63 yd FG
I’m re-posting the stats from my comment (SY article). Reviewing the numbers, 39 yards and in, DA is fine. It is more the length that is the issue. He missed 4 at 50+. Again, I’d stick with him just based on the 87% on FGs 39 yds and less.
Ackers is the kicker, you hang with the guy unless his replacement is lots better and he is not.
+1
So, let Cundiff kick off and try the long ones, but only if it’s 4th and 10+ or the end of the half or the game. Otherwise go on 4th!!!
He keeps saying its out of his control that’s loser talk right there maybe that’s why he’s missing, it is your control bang the ball thru the pipes!!
Akers was saying that Harbaugh bringing Cundiff is out of his control at this point. How is he wrong about that?
NYniner,
Well said. Out of his control my a$$. All he has to do is make field goals and the job is his.
Akers says
I can’t really think of it as a competition because it’s going into the second week of the playoffs in our books. I’m going to practice how I normally practice and not put anymore into it.
I’m sure that will make JH happy. Going 16 for 21 doesn’t help much either. Akers needs to watch some film. Every miss goes wide left.
“Every miss goes wide left.”
You watched all the practices?
I meant during the game
I say we just go for it on 4th down why is kaepernick so shy with running the ball now he hasn’t ran it committed for a while its irritating watching him think about it for to long then deciding to run and I ky get 2 -3 yards
I’d think he will work that out with experience. He looks a bit tentative with seeing things clearly right now. However, he is always looking to pass, a requirement for an NFL QB and one of the reasons he is better than RGIII.
Ok my opinion of this guy just went down. It is quite rare to hear a pro athlete do this. There have been many kickers go into the tank over the years in the NFL. There have been many incumbent kickers in the league forced into competition with a free agent to hang onto their jobs. But this is the first time I can recall that as soon as the competition starts up, the incumbent starts making excuses. And it is effective, judging by some of these postings, he has just bought sympathy with some of the more gullible fans. This is such a setup people, mark my words, if Harbaugh goes with Akers, he/we will get burned….
Did not get the idea that he was making excuses. I think he was just being honest and giving as informative a picture as he could. Found it interesting. Nothing more than that. Will be interesting to see if they keep Cundiff and who would do kickoffs in that scenario.