SANTA CLARA, Calif. – As punter Andy Lee and long snapper Brian Jennings playfully practiced their golf swings in the San Francisco 49ers locker room Tuesday, the usually delightful David Akers had no time for laughs while getting dressed for his next meeting.
The kicker certainly hasn't been himself lately.
After missing a winning field goal in overtime in two of the last four games, Akers and his fellow 49ers (8-3-1) special teamers are as perplexed as anybody about what has gone wrong. The six-time Pro Bowl kicker is 21 for 30 on field goals this season.
Just a year ago, Akers set an NFL single-season record with 44 field goals. He missed only eight kicks.
The success of last season has made this year's shortcomings maddening.
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