2013 Super Bowl: Jim Harbaugh says David Akers is not in a slump
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| David Akers had made just nine of 19 field goals of at least 40 yards this season. (US Presswire) |
If Super Bowl XLVII comes down to a David Akers' field-goal attempt, 49ers fans may cringe.
The six-time Pro Bowler, however, said he won't be thinking about his season-long struggles.
“I guess it's no different than a relief pitcher or a DB who got burned on a long play,” he told reporters. “You've got to go out and let your body mechanics take over. … The team obviously has faith in me. They kept me here, so I'm going to go out and give everything I have every time. That's my mentality.”
Coach Jim Harbaugh is sticking with Akers, though he's missed 14 of his last 38 tries and is nine of 19 on field goals of at least 40 yards. Harbaugh even disputed the notion that Akers is in a slump.
"We all have great faith in David. He's done a lot for our team," Harbaugh said. "I believe he's really been hitting the ball well consistently now for weeks. I can't agree that he is in a slump. All we can do is, we can make the snap, make the hold, give great protection, and him keep hitting the balls. And we'll have confidence that those will go in."
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Akers, who's played in 23 playoff games, including the Eagles' Super Bowl loss to New England eight years ago, banged a 38-yarder off the left upright in the NFC championship game. He nailed a 36-yarder in the divisional-round win against Green Bay.
“I've felt good all year,” said Akers, 38, who underwent double sports hernia surgery a year ago. “I've had a great practice season and training camp and pregame and all that. So it's been kind of a head-scratcher, but I'm still going to be positive about going into this game. We're 60 minutes from the possibility of being a world champion. That's a cool thought.”
Last season, Akers made an NFL-record 44 field goals.
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