Philadelphia Eagles: David Akers Leaving the Nest

It seems the end of an era is near. In December of last year, the Philadelphia Eagles offered their longest current tenured player, David Akers, a contract extension that would have made him one of the top five highest paid kickers in the league. Akers declined.

At the end of last season, the Eagles placed the transition plan on Akers giving the team the right to first refusal if another team tried to sign him. Akers declined to sign. Now, it seems the Eagles have answered back.

For the first time in the Andy Reid era, the Eagles have drafted a kicker. And not just any kicker. Alex Henery, a fourth round draft pick, is a punter and kicker out of Nebraska and left school as the most accurate kicker in NCAA history (89.5 percent). Akers has put himself in a difficult situation.

True enough that many other teams are going to be looking for kickers when free agency opens. Each of the other teams in the NFC East, for example, could be looking for an upgrade.  Can you imagine Akers in a Giant's jersey?  So let's look at the options. Henery, as we saw, held punting and kicking duties in college. It doesn't seem likely that it'll happen in the NFL. This leaves an opportunity for Sav Rocca to retain his job.  Again, another strike against Akers.  The Eagles surely have Henery slated as a kicker.

In an article on Philly.com, Akers seemed to understand his predicament with the Eagles.  "Right now, I don't think I'm going to be back," Akers said. "It's pretty much that when you see a kicker drafted high. The writing's on the wall."

So right now, it appears that Akers will be gone.  We can say goodbye to a five time pro-bowler. Over his 12 seasons with the Eagles, Akers has 1323 points, the highest in Eagles history.  Eras come to an end and new ones start. It's been nice having you around.