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 |
Packers must be leery of up-and-coming Lions
After playing second fiddle for what seems forever to the Bears and Vikings as a noteworthy divisional opponent for the Packers, the Lions have become a potential sleeping giant in the NFC North.
Lions DT Fairley in walking boot for injured ankle
Lions DT Nick Fairley is in a walking boot after injuring his left foot in a pass-rush drill during a team practice on Monday.
Lions re-sign CB Houston
CB Chris Houston has agreed to a two-year contract with the Lions, filling a major area of need for the team.
Lions bring in LB Tulloch
The Lions continued to upgrade their linebacking corps, signing former Titans LB Stephen Tulloch to a one-year deal on Sunday.
Lions sign entire draft class, including Fairley
The Lions signed all of their 2011 draft picks on Thursday, including their top pick, first-round DT Nick Fairley.
Reports: Lions agree to deal with WR Davis
WR Rashied Davis will remain in the NFC North, agreeing to a deal with the Lions, multiple media outlets reported.
Report: Lions agree to two-year deal with LB Durant
The Lions agreed to terms with former Jaguars LB Justin Durant on a two-year contract, Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reported.
Lions agree to re-sign Stanton, Wendling
The Lions have agreed to re-sign No. 3 QB Drew Stanton to a one-year deal and special-teams contributor John Wendling to a three-year deal.
Reports: Lions will cut WR Johnson
The Lions will release WR Bryant Johnson, according to multiple reports. Johnson was due to make $3.2 million in 2011.
Lions' decisions on Carpenter, Rayner ones to watch
The majority of the Lions' core players are under contract for 2011, but Detroit is still left with some interesting decisions in free agency, ones that could signal position battles to come.
Report: Lions OLT Backus suffers pectoral injury
Lions OLT Jeff Backus could miss the start of training camp after recently suffering a left pectoral injury, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Report: Asomugha "too expensive" for Lions
The Lions could use help at cornerback, but according to a newspaper report, the top player on the free-agent market at the position might be out of their price range.
Pass rush could lessen blow if Lions don't add big-name cornerback
There is some sentiment that if the Lions don't sign a top free-agent cornerback, the team will not be in dire straits thanks to what should be a strong pass rush.
Lions' Stanton overcomes 'hiccups,' makes strides
If he had his preference, Lions QB Drew Stanton would test the free-agent market, but he told PFW he would be "comfortable" with re-signing with Detroit.
NFC North best bets to break through in 2011
PFW identifies four players from the NFC North who are ready for coming-out parties in 2011 (clockwise from left) — Henry Melton, Matthew Stafford, Brian Robison and Mike Neal.
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.
