The Kicker of the Aughts

The accolades just keep on coming for our Philadelphia Eagles (joke). Today, the NFL annouced some of the All-Decade Team (just the members that made this year's Pro Bowl teams) and our own David Akers has made the cut. The rest of the team will be annouced shortly before Sunday's game, apparently during ESPN's NFL Countdown.

The Wiz Wit sends out a hearty congratulation to Mr. Akers, he's easily been the most consistent part of this team for the last decade. I know I'm guilty of taking for granted always having a good kicker and, even though his leg isn't what it once was, he's still as close to an automatic three points as you can get. We all hope he's got enough left in that leg for a few more years.


So, as an ode to our beloved kicker (that is if a kicker can actually be beloved), here is a countdown of David Akers top five moments as an Eagle:

Moment #5: Eagles 41, Cowboys 14 - September 3, 2000

Now you are probably asking why this game would matter so much, especially considering the Eagles won by 27. Well, this was the game that the Eagles started with that famous onside kick, a kick that David Akers executed perfectly. It set the tone for that season, the team gained confidence and would then go on to make the playoffs for the next five years, winning four straight division titles. Can that all be attributed to a perfectly executed onside kick? Yes, it can.

Moment #4: Eagles 10, Cowboys 6 - December 16, 2007

On this day, also known as the day Brian Westbrook did this, David Akers became the Eagles franchise leader in career points scored. Quite an accomplishment for a guy who bounced around three teams before finally latching on with the Eagles. (On a side note I can't believe I'm doing a "Top 5 David Akers Moments" list. Where the hell is my life going??)

Moment #3: Eagles 24, Giants 21 - December 30, 2001

It had been 13 years since the Eagles had last won the NFC East until David Akers kicked a game winner with seven seconds left. The Eagles, down late in the fourth, road a McNabb to Chad Lewis TD pass and the Akers kick to their first NFC East crown since 1988. You'll also probably remember the Giants almost scored on a last second lateral play, with Damon Moore tackling Ron Dixon to save the day.

Moment #2: Eagles 23, Giants 20 - January 7, 2007 (NFC Wild Card)

I hate the Giants. We all hate the Giants. So imagine how pissed everyone was when the GMen scored late to tie the game at 20. Well, Jeff Garcia drove the Eagles down the field and David Akers nailed a 38-yarder as time ran out. We all celebrated and continued to think that Jeff Garcia could carry us to the Super Bowl. We lost the next week, to the USA Saints (or at least that's what they felt like that year).

Moment #1: Eagles 20, Packers 17 - January 11, 2004 (NFC Divisional)

4th & 26. Akers nails a 37-yarder to tie it then a 31-yarder in OT to win it. It doesn't get much better than that.

So, again, congrates to David Akers on a well deserved honor. Here's to you kicking the game winner in the Super Bowl one day...(next year)...I hope.