Three kickers in two weeks
Redskins cut Akers, sign former Colt Blanchard
Posted: Tuesday September 22, 1998 06:00 PM
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Blanchard, a five-year veteran, kicked the second-most field goals in the NFL in each of the past two seasons Brian Bahr/Allsport |
ASHBURN, Virginia (AP) -- The winless Washington Redskins
released rookie kicker David Akers on Tuesday and signed veteran Cary Blanchard.
It was the second kicking change in a week for the Redskins (0-3), off to
their worst start since 1981 when the club lost five straight at the start
of Joe Gibbs' rookie season as coach.
Scott Blanton, the Redskins' kicker the past two seasons and the first two
games this year, was waived September 15 after missing two field goals and
booting several short kickoffs in Washington's 45-10 loss to San Francisco.
Akers replaced Blanton, but the rookie also missed two field goals (48 and
49 yards) and had two short kickoffs in his NFL debut in Sunday's 24-14
loss at Seattle.
Blanchard, a Pro Bowl kicker for the Indianapolis Colts in 1996,
was released by new coach Jim Mora at the end of training camp last month.
"We found somebody with a resume," Redskins general manager Charley
Casserly said. "We felt that Blanchard was the best available kicker. He's
had some battle-tested success."
Blanchard, a five-year veteran, kicked the second-most field goals in the
NFL in each of the past two seasons, but the Colts released him in favor of
rookie and Canadian Football League standout Mike Vanderjagt.
The Colts were unsatisfied with Blanchard's kickoff distances -- punter Chris Gardocki had taken
over the duties -- and Blanchard missed important field goals in five games
last year.
Blanchard's release from the Colts wasn't the first time he's been cut by
Mora. After being released by the Dallas Cowboys before the
1991 season started, he went to camp with the New Orleans Saints in
1992. Mora waived Blanchard twice and bumped him from the Saints practice
squad twice in 1992 before the New York Jets picked him up.
Blanchard kicked 33 field goals in 1992 and 1993 for New York. He was
waived by the Jets in 1994 and missed the season after the Minnesota Vikings let him
go in the final training camp cut.
In 1995 Blanchard signed with the Saints again and was once again cut by
Mora at the end of camp. The Colts signed him in October that season.
Blanchard was 36-for-40 in field goals, including 5-for-5 from 50 yards and
longer, in his Pro Bowl season. Last year Blanchard went 32-for-41 in field
goals.
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