Detroit Lions
David Akers - K
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 5' 10"/ 200 lbs. |
| Birthday | 12/09/1974 |
| Birthplace | Lexington, KY |
| College | Louisville |
| Years played | 15 |
Detroit Lions: 2013 team needs
We highlight the top three needs on offense and defense for the Detroit Lions, and take a look back at their 2012 draft class.
Lions re-sign LB Levy
The Lions re-signed LB DeAndre Levy to a multi-year contract on Wednesday, the team’s website confirmed.
Lions re-sign OT Hilliard
The Lions agreed to a two-year contract with OT Corey Hilliard, the team’s webiste confirmed.
Schwartz won't say if Calvin Johnson broke three fingers
Lions head coach Jim Schwartz would not confirm if WR Calvin Johnson suffered three broken fingers.
Reports: Rams to hire Walton as defensive coordinator
The Rams will hire Lions secondary coach Tim Walton as their defensive coordinator, ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported.
Rams claim former Lions WR Young
The Rams claimed WR Titus Young off waivers from the Lions on Tuesday, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora first reported.
Lions release DE Vanden Bosch
The Lions informed DE Kyle Vanden Bosch he will be released, Mike Garafolo of USA Today Sports first reported.
Lions release ORG Peterman
The Lions released ORG Stephen Peterman on Tuesday. Peterman had started every game for Detroit over the past three seasons.
Lions hire former Broncos GM Xanders
The Lions hired former Broncos GM Brian Xanders as a senior personnel executive, the team confirmed Monday.
Bucs WR Jackson replaces Lions' Johnson in Pro Bowl
WR Vincent Jackson has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, replacing Detroit's Calvin Johnson.
Bills hire Crossman as special-teams coordinator
The Bills hired Danny Crossman as their special-teams coordinator on Monday.
Lions make coaching-staff changes
The Lions hired Curtis Modkins and Bobby Johnson to join the offensive coaching staff, among several changes announced Monday.
Running back a need for Lions
A change-of-pace back is one of the bigger needs for a Lions offense that looks relatively stable compared to the defense.
Lions, Senior Bowl a logical fit
If ever there were a team that needed to coach the Senior Bowl, the Detroit Lions fit the bill.
PLAYER NEWS
The Detroit Lions have added Akers one day after Jason Hanson retired.|||||||
San Francisco released Akers a month ago after he slumped during the 2012 season. The six-time Pro Bowl kicker made 73 of 94 field goals over two seasons for the 49ers. He underwent double hernia surgery in February 2012 then aggravated the area during the season when he slipped on the field during practice. Akers has made 367 of 453 field goals in his career with Washington, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Six-time Pro Bowl kicker David Akers has been released by the San Francisco 49ers after two seasons filled with record-breaking highs and incredible lows. General Manager Trent Baalke thanked Akers in a statement Wednesday, calling him a "true professional who represented himself and this organization with class." Akers appeared in all 32 regular-season games and five playoff contests the past two seasons. He connected on 73 of 94 field goal attempts and all 78 PATs.|||||||
In 2011, Akers set NFL records with 44 field goals made and 52 attempted. He also tied the league mark for the longest made when he kicked from 63 yards in last season's opener at Green Bay. But Akers made just 29 of 44 attempts last season, his lowest percentage since 1999. The 49ers even brought in Billy Cundiff to compete against Akers before the divisional-round playoff and NFC championship game.
Akers calls his struggles this season a "head scratcher" and says if the 49ers win the Super Bowl it will erase all of his 14 misses this season.|||||||
Akers missed an NFL-worst 13 field goals this season and then hit the upright on a 38-yarder in last week's NFC championship game at Atlanta. He says he feels like he is kicking the ball well and he's off by a matter of inches, which is frustrating because "an inch is a mile in our game."
Akers is keeping his job as San Francisco's starting kicker. For now, anyway.|||||||
Jim Harbaugh made the announcement after practice Thursday, two days ahead of the 49ers' NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers (12-5) at Candlestick Park. The 49ers signed Billy Cundiff on Jan. 1 to compete with Akers, a 15-year veteran who has struggled this season while making only 29 of 42 field-goal attempts. Akers revealed last week he underwent double hernia surgery last February.
Akers and Billy Cundiff were taking their competition to be San Francisco's playoff kicker to Candlestick Park on Monday.|||||||
Coach Jim Harbaugh says there's a "good chance" both kickers will be on the roster for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, though he didn't specify whether each would be active. Harbaugh indicated "we have a leader in the clubhouse," but wouldn't say who it is.
