Anyone who thinks they can just wake up and kick in the NFL does not truly appreciate the work and effort that David Akers puts into his job. The position demands perfection and Akers does all he can to deliver, especially in the offseason.

"Working with Sav (Rocca) and Jon Dorenbos, we're just trying to get more and more consistent so we can make more kicks," Akers said of his routine between now and the start of the season. "Anytime you miss, you want to eliminate that, find out what you did wrong, and make sure that it doesn't happen again if at all possible."

That mindset has allowed Akers to become the Eagles' all-time leading scorer with 897 points and rank first in field goals made with 197.

With a year under their collective belt, the field goal trio of Akers, Rocca and Dorenbos are working on the overall consistency of their operation.

K David Akers and holder Sav Rocca

Akers says it's about making sure their times are "not slow, not fast; but consistent."

In his first full season with Rocca and Dorenbos, Akers connected on 24 of 32 field goals. His 75 percent accuracy was below his career average of nearly 81 percent; however, special teams coordinator Rory Segrest pointed out that the kicker's average miss was actually somewhere in the neighborhood of 48 yards.

Closer examination shows that Akers was five of six in the fourth quarter of games, with his only miss the 57-yarder against the Giants that clanked off the right upright on the final snap of the game. Akers was also excellent on home turf, making 13 of his 15 attempts.He said that Rocca, who doubles as the team's holder and punter, is "night and day" as compared to last year.

Akers expects even better things in 2008.

"He had never held before, he had never played football before, so every day was a new learning experience for Sav," Akers said. "But as the season progressed I think you saw his punting consistency increase. The same thing is happening with him holding the ball."

Adjusting to one another and spending time working in the offseason is what Akers thinks will help Rocca the most.

"Getting more reps, learning the game, getting more comfortable with the situations that he's in will give him more confidence," Akers said.

Talking about his personal goals, the outlook for the team and what to expect in 2008, Akers makes everything sound so simple.

"As long as you play well individually and everyone kind of takes that mentality, usually the team does very well because we are all working hand in hand together," Akers said. "You have to take care of yourself first and that's what I'm trying to do this offseason.

"The kicks count too, so as long as they are going through the uprights, it's all good."