Lions Agree To Terms With Kicker David Akers
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Lions have filled a void on the field agreeing to terms with free agent kicker David Akers on Friday night.
According to sources Akers will replace the veteran kicker Jason Hanson, who announced his retirement on Thursday.
The Detroit Lions website notes that Akers was brought in this week for a visit but left without a contract.
Akers is coming off arguably the worst season of his 15-year career. The veteran kicker converted only 69 percent of his field goal attempts (29 of 42) in 2012, a number that ranked next-to-last in the league. Ten of Akers' 13 misses came last season came from outside of 40-yards. The 49ers released the 38-year-old in early March and replaced him with former Cleveland Browns kicker Phil Dawson.
Although Akers struggled in 2012, there's plenty of reason to believe he can rebound in 2013. Akers has finished in the top 10 in field goal percentage four times in his career and has converted over 80 percent of his attempts in nine of his 15 seasons. In 2011, Akers made an NFL record 44 field goals and scored 166 points for San Francisco, the fourth-highest point total in league history.
Akers will also get the benefit of kicking indoors for home games, something he hasn't had the luxury of in his 15-year career that has taken him to Washington, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Including games at Minnesota and Arizona, the Lions will play a total of 10 games indoors next season.
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