Detmer, who Akers often raved about as being "the best holder in the league," took over in that capacity in 2000 after the team re leased quarterback Doug Peder son, who also was a very good holder.

The trio of long snapper Mike Bartrum, Detmer and Akers was as consistent as there could be from 2000-05.

"He's going through a lot," a source close to Akers said. "A new snapper, a new holder, that's not easy for a kicker. He had it made with those guys for a long time. They worked so well together."

This year he is 18-for-23 (78 percent). He has not attempted a field goal of 50 yards or more, and three of his misses are from inside 39 yards, including a 23-yarder Sunday in which Johnson did not get the hold down properly. Akers hadn't missed three kicks from inside the 39 in the past three years combined and had never missed inside 29 yards before Sunday.