Andy Reid knows a good story when he hears one.
His rookie kicker, Alex Henery, misses two field goals in his first game against the team that signed his former kicker, David Akers, the most prolific kicker in Eagles history.
In 12 seasons with the Eagles, Akers not only made five Pro Bowls but also became the teams all-time leader in games played, points, field goals and extra points. Now on the opposite sideline, Akers watched his replacement hit three straight field goals before missing twofrom 39 and 33 yardsin what somehow ended as a 24-23 Eagles loss.
Do the math. Thats what Reid did after Akers missed two field goals in the playoff loss to Green Bay last season.
We can all count, Reid said after the five-point loss that January nightand should have reiterated Sunday afternoon.
Instead, Reid just said, Im not into irony, but it will probably make a good story.
Not for Henery.
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I was very disappointed, Henery said. I got off to a good start, and those last two misses were my fault.
Henery said he made the same mistake both times and didnt make any excuses.
I didnt get my hips through. I was hitting a good ball. It went straightjust not straight through the posts, he said.
I dont blame anything today on the conditions. There was a little breeze, but when I was kicking the ball, it wasnt affected. My ball went straight, right outside the post. It was my fault and nothing the wind did.
Selected by the Eagles in the fourth round of this years draft, Henery finished his career at Nebraska as the most accurate field goal kicker in NCAA history, having hit 68 of 76 field goals.
He entered the game having hit all eight of his attempts this season from inside 40 yards. His only miss before Sunday was a 63-yarder in Atlanta.
After his second miss Sunday, Reid had a simple message:
He told me that we were going to get the ball back and that I should be ready to hit the game-winner, Henery said.
It appeared hed get a chance to redeem himselfbut Jeremy Maclin fumbled it away.
Its over now. There is nothing I can do now, Henery said. I will just go out there, practice and strive to be 100 percent. Thats pretty much all I can do.
As for Akers, who missed two field goals -- the latter blocked by King Dunlap -- he said his current club reminds him of the 2000 Eagles, who finished 11-5.
When Andy came in they were youngthey were able to get some last-minute wins, Akers said. This team is really a lot like that. It shows a lot of character in the way that we won this game. Winning can be contagious, and I think this team will have many more.
E-mail Andy Schwartz at aschwartz@comcastsportsnet.com