The San Francisco 49ers were disappointed in the way David Akers kicked last season, which is one reason why they decided to release him and move on to Phil Dawson, who signed with the team on Tuesday after being with the Browns since they came back as an expansion team in 1999.
According to ESPN.com, the 49ers were not happy with Akers, who had a down year after making 9 of 19 tries from 40 yards and were looking for a veteran kicker to bring in. The 38-year-old Dawson has been solid from long-range over the past two years, making 14 of 15 tries from 50-plus yards, while also hitting 13 of 14 attempts from 40 to 49 yards. Akers needs hernia surgery last year, which may have been the reason for his down season.
"I haven't had any direct conversation with David, but he's a guy I hold in the highest regard, both on and off the field," Dawson said during a conference call Tuesday night. "There's worse people to follow than him. The career he's had is one we all wish we could have."
The 49ers have been an active team during free agency, bringing in Anquan Boldin in a trade and also signing wideout Marlon Moore to help with depth, as the team lost Randy Moss and Mario Manningham is returning from knee surgery. The team also lost safety Dashon Goldson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dawson has a strong leg for his age and although he was ranked in the bottom of the league in touchbacks, part of it could have been due to the weather in Cleveland. One of the main reasons the 49ers wanted to bring in a kicker is so that they didn't have to use a draft pick on one in April, even though they have 14 now after the Alex Smith trade.
The team also has been interested in Charles Woodson to replace Goldson. Woodson was injured last season but it still in the top tier of safeties after being a stalwart for the Green Bay Packers.
