David Akers Named to NFL's All-Decade Team

by Bob_Q on Jan 27, 2010 10:59 PM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

Earlier today, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee selected Eagles kicker David Akers to their All-Decade team. Coming off of one of his best years as an Eagle, there's no wonder the committee felt the need to honor our franchise's most highly touted and decorated kicker. In his eleven years with the team, Akers has been selected to four Pro Bowls and has broken the following NFL records:

Consecutive postseason field goal conversions: 19
Points in a single decade (2000-2009): 1,114

Akers has also broken several team records, including the record for breaking the most kicking records. Here are a few:

Single-season field goal conversion success rate: 88.2%
Field goals made in a single season: 33
Career field goal conversions: 262
Single-season extra point conversion success rate (tie): 100%
Career extra point conversions: 394 (only 6 missed out of 400 attempts)
Career games started: 172
50+ yard field goal conversions (lifetime): 14
Points scored (lifetime): 1,180

More on Akers' reaction to being selected after the jump.

In an interview with PE.com's Dave Spadaro, Akers expressed his gratitude to all the helpers he's had over the past ten years:

It is obviously a huge honor just to be have that length of time to be able to be looked at in that high regard is surreal to me. I couldn't have done it without the Mike Bartrums, the Koy Detmers, the Jon Dorenboses, the Sav Roccas and great offensive lines and coaches helping me along the way. The Eagles have always believed in me and I am truly grateful for that.

With all the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback and safety positions this offseason, it's nice to know that the Eagles have a rock-solid kicker that they can count on, if only for a few more years. Akers will turn 36 next season, but has shown little signs of slowing down thanks to a rigorous physical regimen that has kept his legs in top shape.

Former Eagle Brian Dawkins was the only other Eagle selected to the squad. The Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware also managed to earn All-Decade Honors despite only playing for the second half of the decade.

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Nice post

Akers to me was arguably the biggest pleasant surprise this year after Justice. He finished the previous year on an ugly note with a really poor NFC championship game. He also struggled at times from 40+ yards & getting the ball into the endzone on touchbacks.

I honestly thought that Akers might be nearing the end of the road after a mediocre camp this year. Well he proved any doubters wrong with yet another strong season. Arguably had the most consistent season of any Eagles’ player this year on the entire team.

Eagles’ fans clearly appreciate Akers too as he remains a fan favorite with plenty of people who wear his jersey at home games. Hopefully Akers has another strong year or two left in him.

Congrats to one of my favorite Eagles’ of the last 25 years.

by MG77 on Jan 27, 2010 11:13 PM EST reply actions

One game

Maybe you can argue that Akers had a so-so game in Oakland by missing though 2 FG attempts from 40+ yards but neither was a chip shot either. Otherwise he was really solid again this year.

by MG77 on Jan 27, 2010 11:16 PM EST up reply actions

Haha, awesome. With as much kicking problem the NFC East had this season, I love seeing this.

Shame Akers is 36; he’ll only have a couple more years left in him, but it has been great having him. Picking Akers up goes right up there with drafting Westbrook in the third round in term of steal.

RIP Jim Johnson, best ever.

by Imp on Jan 27, 2010 11:17 PM EST reply actions

Akers has been very good for a long time

I remember how the Eagles struggled to find a good kicker during the Buddy Ryan years and how both Tony Franklin and Paul McFadden seemed to go to shit after 3 years.

Sometimes it's just fun to take the family for a spin around the lake in the old boat. Even if it's not your family or your boat, and they're screaming for you to stop.

by Baron Dainer Von Tresvant on Jan 27, 2010 11:29 PM EST reply actions