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 |
Bears top Lions with fourth-quarter TD
Jay Cutler threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Brandon Manumaleuna one play after an eyebrow-raising penalty midway through the fourth quarter, lifting the Chicago Bears to a 24-20 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Lions' Smith still has plenty of promise
Lions CB Alphonso Smith came under fire for his poor play in the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Patriots, but he has a lot of promise.
Report: Chiefs filed tampering charges against Lions
The Chiefs have filed tampering charges with the NFL against the Lions, according to a report by Fox Sports reporter Alex Marvez.
Report: Lions to place PK Hanson on I.R.
The Lions reportedly will place PK Jason Hanson on injured reserve and stick with Dave Rayner as their placekicker the rest of 2011.
Lions announce sellout for Sunday
The Lions have announced that Sunday's game against the Bears has sold out and will air live in local television markets.
Bears-Lions matchup of the day: Tuesday
Keeping Lions DTs Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams from knifing into the backfield to disrupt QB Jay Cutler or blow up a running play will be tough for the Bears' interior offensive linemen.
Lions trying to find ways to win
One of the greatest chores for a young head coach is to try to find ways to teach his team how to win games, which is the Lions' biggest problem now.
Brady leads Patriots past Lions 45-24
Tom Brady threw a season-high four touchdown passes, all in the second half, to help the New England Patriots rout the Detroit Lions 45-24 on Thursday.
Brady will start against Lions
Patriots QB Tom Brady will start Thursday against Detroit despite missing practice Tuesday with a foot injury.
Schwartz needs Lions to win now
Although the Lions' faithful has yet to turn on Jim Schwartz, the local papers are starting to bear down and chirp a little. A win against the Patriots would do a lot of good.
Meriweather key in slowing down Megatron
Each Wednesday throughout the season we'll identify one player or area of the team that is most under the microscope. This week, S Brandon Meriweather is the choice.
Patriots-Lions matchup of the day: Wednesday
Here's a matchup to watch in the Week 12 Thanksgiving Day game between the Patriots and Lions: Lions defensive line vs. Patriots offensive line
2011 NFC North free-agent preview
If WR Sidney Rice hits the free-agent market in March, how hard will the Vikings try to re-sign him? Here is our exclusive team-by-team list of NFC North players likely to become free agents in March.
Lions release LB Campbell, sign OG Thomas
The Lions released LB Caleb Campbell on Tuesday and signed OG Donald Thomas, two days before they host the Patriots on Thanksgiving Day.
Patriots-Lions matchup of the day: Tuesday
Here's a matchup to watch in the Week 11 Thanksgiving Day game between the Patriots and Lions: Lions WRs Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson vs. Patriots CBs Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington
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.
