After clinching home-field advantage and a first-round bye in the playoffs, the San Francisco 49ers are re-evaluating the team heading into the postseason. Jim Harbaugh and company are trying to correct their flaws before taking on their first opponent in the playoffs and appear to have created a viable backup plan at the kicker position.
With David Akers only converting 29 of 42 field goals (69 percent) during the regular season, the 49ers have brought in some insurance in the form of veteran Billy Cundiff according to ESPN.com:
The San Francisco 49ers signed kicker Billy Cundiff on Tuesday to compete with struggling veteran David Akers.
“He’s thrilled with the opportunity to be in a position to help the team in any way he can this postseason,” said Cundiff’s agent, Paul Sheehy. “It’s a great opportunity, with a great organization.”
It appears the 49ers are not taking any chances with Akers moving forward and using the motivating tactic of bringing in a savvy veteran to show that the team isn’t going to wait around for his production to get back to normal.
The 49ers are currently resting up and awaiting their first opponent in the playoffs. San Francisco is fairly banged up heading into the postseason with wide receiver Mario Manningham out for the season with a knee injury, defensive end Justin Smith’s playing status uncertain due to a partially torn triceps injury and tight Vernon Davis suffering from concussion symptoms.
Regardless of their injuries and problems Akers’ recent struggles, the 49ers have a solid chance of going the distance in the playoffs with a lockdown defense and a formidable offense. Despite being one of the teams in the NFC that has all the right pieces of the puzzle to go the distance, Harbaugh’s squad still has it flaws and may be exposed against their first opponent which will either be the Green Bay Packers or Minnesota Vikings.
