In the NFL, rookies are usually given leeway to develop at their natural pace, not being forced into action too early or put in a position that could hurt the team. However, when those rookies are specialists, there is no room for coddling.

Because teams typically carry only one placekicker and one punter, rookies at those positions who make the roster are expected, and counted upon, to perform immediately. The Eagles entered the 2011 season with a pair of rookies, placekicker Alex Henery and punter Chas Henry, at the two specialist positions. They've certainly proven themselves to be up to the task so far.

Henery has quietly been one of the most consistent Eagles this season. The rookie out of Nebraska is 19-of-22 on field goals on the year and is perfect on extra-point attempts. He's now gone nine-straight games without a field goal miss, hitting 11 in a row during that time.

"There's no secret to my success," admitted Henery. "I've just been able to get into a good rhythm. The game's slowed down for me, as of late. Early on, everything was moving very quickly. Now, I feel like I'm able to focus better.

"Mentally, it's been the same all year, and my entire career. You have to go out there in high-pressure situations and make kicks."

Henery knows a thing or two about making big kicks. He set an NCAA record at Nebraska, converting 89.5 percent of his attempted field goals during his college career. Having kicked at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., for four years, he is used to working against the forces of Mother Nature. The turn of the season here in Philadelphia will not catch him off-guard.

"We go outdoors every week here in practice," he said. "I come from Nebraska, so I have a lot of experience kicking in cold weather. Nothing changes, you still just try to maintain good form and stay focused."

It helps that he had arguably the strongest leg of any kicker coming out in the draft. He holds Nebraska's record for longest field goal (57 yards) and has converted all but one kick this season on attempts greater than 40 yards. The miss came on a 63-yard try at the end of the first half at Atlanta that would have tied an NFL record for distance.

Despite his achievements this season, Henery is continuing to take it one kick at a time.

"I'm just looking ahead to my next kick," he said. "Whenever it comes my way, whether it's an extra point or a game-winning field goal, I'll be prepared.

"My fellow special teams guys, (long snapper) Jon Dorenbos and (punter) Chas Henry always do a really good job of supporting me and keeping me focused. They're always there to help me move on from a bad kick when I have to."

Special teams coach Bobby April agrees that having a seasoned veteran in Dorenbos and a fellow-rookie in Henry has been comforting for the 6-1 kicker.

"Certainly, working with those two guys has helped him out," said April. "I think he's just getting very consistent in his daily routine; all of them have continued to work hard at it."

Henery and Henry are the first all-rookie specialist group the Eagles have had since 1979, when punter Max Runager and placekicker Tony Franklin took over their respective positions. The Hen(e)rys are hoping to break yet another record set by Runager and Franklin, their total of 72 games played together, which is the most of any specialist-duo in team history. With the current tandem playing at an extremely high level early on, that could become a reality.

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