The San Francisco 49ers have begun clearing cap space for free agent signings, and possibly a Darrelle Revis trade, by cutting ties with kicker David Akers. The move will save the team $3 million in cap space.
Akers, a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time first team All-Pro selection made a league-high 44 field goals in 2011, including seven of nine from fifty yards or more. He converted 84.6 percent of his field goal tries two seasons ago, the fourth-highest percentage in his illustrious 15-year career.
Last year, though, was a far different story. Akers' performance essentially dropped off a cliff-he missed 13 field goals (29-of-42) including seven misfires from between 40 and 49 yards out. As the season wound down, he missed four field goals in the final three games and had the 49ers bringing in veterans Nate Kaeding and Billy Cundiff off the street to try out for Akers' role. For the season, he was just 9-of-19 from beyond 40 yards. The 49ers decided to stick with the 38-year-old, who made four out of five kicks during San Francisco's run to the Super Bowl. Akers was dealing with discomfort during the year due to a double hernia surgery in February of last year that he aggravated during the season after slipping during a practice.
49ers general manager called Akers a ''true professional who represented himself and this organization with class," and wished him the best. Akers said through his agent Jerrold Colton that he is content with San Francisco's decision and that he plans on playing in 2013. Colton also said to USA Today that Akers did undergo a minor surgery to deal with his persistent hernia issues. During the year Akers returned to the doctor who performed the original operation for an injection that would allow him to stay on the field.
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