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.
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