Akers Flying To Cincy For Second Opinion

[PhillyPhreak54]

Eagles Notes | Akers gets 2d opinion, hopes for quick return

Eagles Notes

David Akers left Philadelphia yesterday and is going to visit a doctor in Cincinnati for a second opinion on his torn right hamstring.

The Eagles kicker said he hopes to be back on the field by Oct. 23, when the Eagles return from a bye week to play the San Diego Chargers at Lincoln Financial Field.

"I don't want to stay away too long," Akers said. "People might forget who I am. But I can't rush back from this, either."

Akers injured his right hamstring in a Sept. 18 game against the San Francisco 49ers, then suffered a tear in a lower portion of the hamstring Sunday against Oakland.

In Akers' absence, though no roster move has been made yet, Todd France will kick in his first NFL game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"He has to be confident," Akers said when asked about his replacement. "He has to realize that somebody believes he has the ability to kick in this league. You're going to have butterflies and stuff like that, but he has to perform just like he has in practice. I'm sure he's going to be fine."

Eagles special-teams coach John Harbaugh said France has looked good in practice.

"He's done a good job at practice, and he did a good job when he came in here last week," Harbaugh said. "He made nine out of 10 field goals [Wednesday], so that was a positive. He's got leg strength. I think he made one from 52."

Harbaugh admitted he still wasn't sure how France would perform under the pressure of a game situation, but he was confident enough to predict that the kickoffs will be better against the Chiefs than they were against the Oakland Raiders. Long-snapper Mike Bartrum had to fill in for Akers against the Raiders, and he mastered the 40-yard grounder.

A bigger concern than France's kickoffs Sunday is the man returning them for the Chiefs. Dante Hall, who is in his sixth year in the NFL, is one of the league's most accomplished returners. He has returned five kickoffs and four punts for touchdowns during his career.

"He's probably the most elusive punt returner in the league," Harbaugh said. "But their return units are good, too. They do a great job blocking. I think their wedge on the kickoff team is as good as any in the league right now."

After I read this this morning it occured to me that Akers is paranoid about losing his job, Pro Bowler or not. We all know he's going nowhere, but since he was like every other kicker (except for Sebastich "GHB" Janikowski) in the sense that he bounced around until finally catching on he's sweatin' it. I guess that's a natural kicker reaction.

On another note...Dante Hall must be contained.

Hopefully Diggler can pin him against the sidelines like he did with Chris Carr last week.

[rjs246]

After I read this this morning it occured to me that Akers is paranoid about losing his job, Pro Bowler or not.

I don't see why he would be. It's not like he complained about his contract to a team that doesn't take kindly to it only to get his ass injured and go 2-5 on field goals to start the season.

Extension time!

[SD_Eagle5]

Just a hunch, but I get the feeling France will be fine, so I hope Akers takes his time and recovers fully.

As far as Hall goes, he hasn't really done squat since his breakout 2 years ago.

[SunMo]

i can't believe how paranoid he is.  he's a top kicker in the game, not easily replaceable. 

maybe he thinks that he is scheduled for termination since he stirred the pot with his contract talk.

[PhillyGirl]

Honestly? I think he just loves to play. The guy is one of the few kickers in the league who makes big tackles on ST after he finishes kicking. He's not a wuss, he's a tough dude...as much as a kicker can be, anyway. How many times have we said on here he's a linebacker in a kicker's body?

I think he just wants to play and sitting on the sidelines blows.

[rjs246]

There's no crying in football.

[PhillyPhreak54]

i can't believe how paranoid he is.  he's a top kicker in the game, not easily replaceable. 

maybe he thinks that he is scheduled for termination since he stirred the pot with his contract talk.

But if you think about it, I like that attitude of never being satisfied with having the job. In a league where they'll dump you faster than farg, he wants to keep on getting better and be out there doing his job. I'm sure he knows he's great, but he doesn't rest on that fact.

I doubt he's concerned with the contract thing affecting him. On the scale of contract whining in Philadelphia he rates way low.

[ice grillin you]

he needs to go seek professional help if todd franz (btw its officially franz...sounds like prawns...not france) makes him paranoid

[Wingspan]

How many times have we said on here he's a linebacker in a kicker's body?

i never said that. but i know what you mean. but that makes it funny and accurate to say Mark Simoneau is a kicker in a linebacker's body.

[ice grillin you]

akers is a kicker in jeremy thornbirds body

[MURP]

I thought Akers was a pretty down to earth guy, but lately it seems he is a little nutty in the head.

[ice grillin you]

^^^

lolol...for real

[rjs246]

I thought Akers was a pretty down to earth guy, but lately it seems he is a little nutty in the head.

i couldn't have put it better myself.

[T_Section224]

I thought Akers was a pretty down to earth guy, but lately it seems he is a little nutty in the head.

i think all kickers are a little nutty in the head

[PhillyGirl]

I thought Akers was a pretty down to earth guy, but lately it seems he is a little nutty in the head.

i think all kickers are a little nutty in the head

Some more than others...