SANTA CLARA – After a two-week-long kicker competition, im Harbaugh named David Akers the starting kicker on Thursday. Here’s everything Harbaugh said.
Q: Who’s going to be your kicker Saturday?
HARBAUGH: David Akers.
Q: Why is that?
HARBAUGH: I feel like he gives us the best chance.
Q: What did you see from him the last week of practices?
HARBAUGH: Suffice it to say we feel confident in David giving us the best chance to week.
Q: How do you feel about how he responded to the competition?
HARBAUGH: Good. Responded like a football player does. Competed and not anything more to say about it.
Q: Will you keep Billy Cundiff on the team?
HARBAUGH: Yes.
Q: Why is that?
HARBAUGH: Our decision. Again, what we think is best for us.
Q: Will he be active on Saturday, or is that to be determined?
HARBAUGH: To be determined.
Q: If at some point in the playoffs you had to turn to Billy Cundiff, how much confidence do you have in him?
HARBAUGH: I’m not going to go into any kind of speculation. He’s done a nice job. David’s done a better job. He gives us the best chance to win. I can’t possibly think of anything more to say about this.
Q: Did Akers’ playoff experience factor into your decision?
HARBAUGH: Can’t possibly….I feel like we have plowed that ground as thoroughly as it can possibly be plowed.