Eagles Sign Kicker

[PhillyPhreak54]

Todd France

per Daily News Live..


Runyan says "Who?!"

[WEST is GOD]

Did they put someone on the PS?

[MURP]

thats sounds like a very Hetero player

[PhillyGirl]

Eagles audition two kickers today

By Bob Brookover
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

The Eagles auditioned two placekickers this morning for the role of insurance policy in case David Akers cannot kick Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

One of the kickers brought in was Todd France, a Toledo University and NFL Europe product who was beaten out by Matt Bryant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicking job this summer.

France, 25, was the top kicker in NFL Europe in the spring. Working for the Hamburg Sea Devils, he hit 24 of 34 field-goal attempts and converted on all 17 of his extra-point attempts for a league-leading 91 points. His longest field goal was from 54 yards.

In addition to Tampa Bay's training camp this summer, France was in camp with the New York Giants in 2004, and the Minnesota Vikings in 2002 and 2003. He also played for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe in 2003.

France set the school and Mid-American Conference career record for points by a kicker while at Toledo with 320. He also holds the school record for the longest field goal at 55 yards.

Akers suffered a strained right hamstring kicking off in the second quarter of the Eagles' win over the San Francisco 49ers Sunday. He underwent an MRI Monday morning and coach Andy Reid said those results were encouraging.

With Akers down briefly Sunday, the Eagles had to turn to linebacker Mark Simoneau to kick an extra point and long snapper Mike Bartrum for the kickoff. If Akers were unable to kick, the Eagles would have to release someone from their 53-man roster.

France'll never see the field.

[PhillyPhreak54]

He's a nutty dude...I remember reading an article on him when he was in Giants camp last year and he sounded non-hetero.

He was cut by the Bucs this year

No announcement as to who they released...

My guess is Jeremy Thornburg

My hope is Reno Mahe

[WEST is GOD]

They cut Gasperson.

I might actually prefer Akers to sit out. Heal up, and get his head straight. Hammys linger.

[General_Failure]

They're cutting Moats.

[PhillyGirl]

Gasperson?

Good. Glad it wasn't Thornberg.

[WEST is GOD]

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/homeNewsDetail.jsp?id=35197

The Eagles gave themselves some extra insurance if kicker David Akers can not play this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders by signing free agent kicker Todd France to the practice squad Tuesday.

France (6-3, 200 pounds) earned a spot on the All-NFL Europe team this past spring playing for the Hamburg Sea Devils. He connected on 24 of 34 field goal attempts and all 15 extra point attempts.

Akers suffered a hamstring strain against the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday during a kickoff in the second quarter. He returned to play in the second half, but his kickoffs were much shorter than normal.

Head coach Andy Reid said Monday that Akers has been getting treatment and will determine if he can play over the next couple of days.

"We have to see how he feels and that is what you have to rely on," Reid said. "We have done the medical part of it and we have to still do the treatment on the area and we will see how he feels as we go along here."

Originally signed by Minnesota as a rookie free agent in 2002, the 25-year old France has spent time in training camps with the Vikings (2002 and 2003), Giants (2004), and Buccaneers (2005).

A native of Holland, Ohio, France finished his career at Toledo as the all-time leading scorer among kickers in Mid-American Conference history with 320 points.

To make room on the eight-man practice squad, the Eagles released wide receiver Michael Gasperson. Players on a practice squad are still free agents and can be signed to another team's active roster at any time.

[PhillyPhreak54]

K SIGNED TO PRACTICE SQUAD 




September 20, 2005
By CHRIS McPHERSON


The Eagles gave themselves some extra insurance if kicker David Akers can not play this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders by signing free agent kicker Todd France to the practice squad Tuesday.
France (6-3, 200 pounds) earned a spot on the All-NFL Europe team this past spring playing for the Hamburg Sea Devils. He connected on 24 of 34 field goal attempts and all 15 extra point attempts.

Akers suffered a hamstring strain against the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday during a kickoff in the second quarter. He returned to play in the second half, but his kickoffs were much shorter than normal.

Head coach Andy Reid said Monday that Akers has been getting treatment and will determine if he can play over the next couple of days.

"We have to see how he feels and that is what you have to rely on," Reid said. "We have done the medical part of it and we have to still do the treatment on the area and we will see how he feels as we go along here."

Originally signed by Minnesota as a rookie free agent in 2002, the 25-year old France has spent time in training camps with the Vikings (2002 and 2003), Giants (2004), and Buccaneers (2005).

A native of Holland, Ohio, France finished his career at Toledo as the all-time leading scorer among kickers in Mid-American Conference history with 320 points.

To make room on the eight-man practice squad, the Eagles released wide receiver Michael Gasperson. Players on a practice squad are still free agents and can be signed to another team's active roster at any time.

[Feva]

They're cutting Moats.

As much as they've used him, I wouldn't doubt it.

[PhillyGirl]

They're cutting Moats.

As much as they've used him, I wouldn't doubt it.

Riiiight.

You realize he's not being used because he's showing in practice that he just doesn't know the offense yet? LIstening to Bergey in the post game show and he was talking about how Moats is having trouble picking up the blitz and getting the plays down and until he proves that he can do so, he won't be activated.

[General_Failure]

Once again, PG shows that she doesn't get jokes.

[Feva]

Once again, PG shows that she doesn't get jokes.

Maybe I should have used the: "[/sarcasm]" feature...

[PhillyGirl]

yeah, maybe.