Matt Maiocco, Eric Branch and Matt Barrows are all reporting that league sources have indicated the 49ers are bringing in Justin Medlock and Billy Cundiff to tryout for the kicker position. It is not surprising that the team had significant "internal discussions" about the position, so we should get some clarification on the position within the week.
Coach Harbaugh spoke about the position on Monday, and provided three options for the 49ers:
1. Keep Akers as the starting kicker
2. Sign a new kicker and release Akers
3. Sign a new kicker, keep Akers, and let the two players compete through next week.
Matt Maiocco provided background info on Cundiff and Medlock. Cundiff is most known at this point for his late miss against the New England Patriots in last year's AFC Championship Game. He signed with the Redskins to start the season, but struggled as he hit on 7 of 12 kicks before getting released. The team already worked him out once in late November.
Medlock has bounced around the NFL, CFL and UFL. He has 12 career field goal attempts compared to Cundiff's 184 career attempts.
Neither kicker really inspires much confidence, which is not particularly surprising given the fact that the team is looking for a kicker at this late juncture in the season. I don't remember the last time a team had to find a kicker at this point in the season, be it for injury or otherwise. I have to think it has happened, but I just can't recall it off the top of my head.
Whatever the case, kicker has climbed to the top of the needs list heading into the offseason. Of course, among all the areas of need, it is also the one that needs to be rectified ASAP this season. The 49ers are looking at their options, and we'll likely get some idea of what is going on within the next week or so.