That was definitely the reason why Harbaugh brought in Cundiff – and he stated this many times – was not to replace Akers but to create a competition where either Cundiff beats out Akers or Akers rises to the challenge and remains the starting field goal kicker. He basically had to re-apply for his job. Harbaugh was “building a fire under his a**”. It was a Field Goal Kicker Controversary! But like in the QB realm, artificially generated by Mister Mind Game himself, Jim Harbaugh. In some ways he’s much craftier than his “just a dumb coach” routine at the Pressers indicates. He’s like a nasty cross between Bill Walsh and Phil Jackson.

That’s why we never went after Longwell. Harbaugh didn’t want another Kicker. He wanted the Kicker he had but without his head up his ***. Its tough for Akers to have those two documented injuries and then to have to face competition like that where losing his job was another kick away. But that’s football. Everybody wants to win at all costs.