APAs the Lions’ kicking game continues to struggle, the team is at least checking on the availability of replacements. But for now, they’re sticking with David Akers.
Havard Rugland, the Norwegian YouTube sensation known as Kickalicious, was among multiple kickers who worked out for the Lions today. Tim Twentyman of the team’s website reports, however, that the Lions were just taking a look at some of the kickers available and aren’t signing anyone.
Still, the fact that the Lions brought in Rugland — who kicked very well for them in the preseason — indicates that they’re not completely confident in Akers. And really, why should they be? Only three kickers in the NFL have a lower field goal percentage than Akers, who turns 39 in a week and just doesn’t appear to be as good a kicker as he once was.
The Lions could also use an upgrade on kickoffs, which punter Sam Martin handles: On Thanksgiving Martin twice booted kickoffs out of bounds. If Kickalicious can kick the ball long and straight, he’d seem to be a player the Lions should consider signing. If they don’t, and if Akers misses a crucial field goal with a playoff game on the line, the Lions will be kicking themselves.
I thought Sam Marting was expecting to have a gunner that would field that ball for a TO or force GB to play the ball inside the 20. His second kick out of bounds was even more playable and he was upset that they didn’t try to cover those balls when there was nothing else to do if GB is going to play the bounces.
Do it, sign him! Akers is a 30 yd field goal from his leg falling off. He was great at one time, but now its a new era. Sorry Dave. You had a great career, but it’s time to hang up the cleats one last time.
With all due respect to Mr. Akers, his dependability had been waning for a couple years now and came to a head on Thanksgiving. This Lions team misses Jason Hanson beyond words but giving Rugland a shot may not be a bad idea, all theatrics aside, considering how well he played in the preseason. This would be contigent upon whether he has been keeping up on placekicking practice.
Time for Akers to go. He just doesn’t have it anymore.
He went from most loved to hated here in the bay area, such a sudden turnaround. Wonder how that groin injury affected him.
Please sign Kickalicious, like you should have in August. Better late than never.
Akers scares me every time he trots out.
Luckily kicking OB didn’t hurt on Thanksgiving, but we won’t be so fortunate should Martin continue the trend over thethe next few weeks.
Sign him now before someone else snatches him up.
Kickalicious = Probowler in 2014
If they were going to sign Kickalicious they should have done it at final cuts and sent Akers on his way. Kid needed a full season. Don’t know if I’m sending a rookie into elimination game conditions no matter what. I wish they’d of gone with him: we have to have two kickers in a fantasy league for some reason & I drafted Kickalicious in the final round before he got cut.
Other than the inexplicable messups on Thanksgiving, Martin has been great on kickoffs. As for Akers, half of his misses have been due to mishandled snaps or blocks that weren’t his doing. He’s been a little shaky, but not as terrible as his numbers look. Would I like a better FG kicker? Sure. But Rugland ain’t that guy.
Lions playing in Philly Sunday. Akers Homecoming. Could be a last second field goal game to win or lose (46 yarder). Does he miss it or make it??
I will cheer for any team that signs Kickalicious, the Trick shot QB, Tim Tebow, TO, and Tiki. Jags, you’re up.
If the Patriots didn’t have a stud kicker The Genius would have signed the Norwegian. He is built like Janikowski, has tree trunk legs and a easy stroke. I bet he was a nasty left back on his soccer team, just crushing balls into the box.
Trade Suh for Blair Walsh
Akers is junk, he gave a game or two away for SF last season. Not sure what the lions saw that made them choose him over Rugland to begin with.
Kickalicious? Tim Twentyman? Where do the Lions find these people? Sounds like characters from Anchorman 2
Kickalicious, good new or bad news?
Good news is that you get a free trip to the U.S and a tryout with a pro team.
Bad news? It’s in Detroit.
Akers has cost the Lions at least two games this year already. With the Lions losing two games by three points and one by four points the Lions would be sitting at 9-3 if they still had Hanson. I will accept the loss by Cincy due to a poor punt by the rookie punter, but if you take that one away, the Lions have a shot at 10-2. It’s sad how a couple guys that kick can change the record that much.
I’m not sure if Kickalicious is the answer, but I know David Akers is not.
And let’s be real for a minute, who wouldn’t want a jersey that read Kickalicious on the back?
Give him a run. Can’t be worse than Akers and they need some young blood. Develop him into the long term solution for decades like Hanson. Would be a good story for the NFL in general
In spite of Akers’ struggles, Rugland is still not as good of a kicker. He was missing FGs like crazy during camp towards the end.
He COULD be a very good kicker with some practice and a few years of playing. But he’s just not there right now.
Great story, and I like him too. I was pulling for him to beat out Akers this preseason. But… he didn’t and couldn’t. Nor could he beat out any other kicker for a job, based on the fact that no one signed him.
They passed on him since he doesn’t know how to lead with his helmet.
Martin is fine. He’s a rookie and he hasn’t had any major issues to worry about. Pointing at the kicks on turkeyday is silly. One of them took a sideways bounce you won’t see again for a decade. He has been great in the field position battle all season and excellent at booting out of the end zone.
@wabbitslayer: You crafty Viking fans just never stop do you, lol!
Kickalicious doesn’t know the rules. What happens if there’s a bad snap or a blocked kick? Does he know what to do? Kicking the ball is the easy part. Knowing what to do when things go awry isn’t.
Akers vs. Eagles this week…
Akers is a loser, period, end of story.
BRING ON KICKO-LICOUS or beg Hanson to come back for the playoff run.
isphet71 says:
Dec 2, 2013 9:32 PM
In spite of Akers’ struggles, Rugland is still not as good of a kicker. He was missing FGs like crazy during camp towards the end.
He COULD be a very good kicker with some practice and a few years of playing. But he’s just not there right now.
Great story, and I like him too. I was pulling for him to beat out Akers this preseason. But… he didn’t and couldn’t. Nor could he beat out any other kicker for a job, based on the fact that no one signed him.
Hey isphet71……whats your source on these “camp” accusations?
“Believe in him” Um, it’s more like he’s getting up there in age?
We want Kickalicious!!! That guy is amazing…and we need him on our team. Stafford, Megatron, Burleson, Suh, Bell, Fairley, Bush….and Kickalicious!
Sounds like SB winners to me!
Go LIONS!!!
Since the Lions apparently don’t think Rugland is ready yet, maybe they should reach out to Jason Hanson and see if he would mentor the obviously talented Kickalicous. He could be ready to sign for next season after Akers continues to prove he should have retired last year.