NFL notes

49ERS Cundiff signed

SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco 49ers signed kicker Billy Cundiff on Tuesday to compete with struggling veteran David Akers.

“He’s thrilled with the opportunity to be in a position to help the team in any way he can this postseason,” said Cundiff’s agent, Paul Sheehy.

The team announced the move a day after Coach Jim Harbaugh said that the NFC West champion Niners (11-4-1) - off this week as the NFC’s No. 2 seed - planned to try out kickers because of Akers’ prolonged funk.

Cundiff was released by the Washington Redskins on Oct. 9 after missing 5 of his 12 field-goal attempts. He already had worked out once for the Niners on Nov. 27 before they invited him back this time, as Harbaugh initially chose to stick with Akers.

Now, Akers and Cundiff will compete to see who kicks in the team’s NFC divisional playoff game in prime time Jan. 12 at Candlestick Park. San Francisco will play Green Bay, Seattle or Washington.

The 49ers cleared a spot on the 53-man roster for Cundiff by waiving linebacker Eric Bakhtiari.

Cundiff spent the 2009-2011 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, who are coached by Harbaugh’s big brother, John. But Cundiff was cut after last season, when he missed a potential tying 32-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the AFC Championship Game that sent NewEngland to the Super Bowl.

Akers, who made 44 of 52 attempts in 2011, his first year with San Francisco, is just 29 for 42 this year. He is only 7 for 13 from 40-49 yards and missed wide left twice from that range in Sunday’s 27-13 victory against Arizona.

CARDINALS Horton interviews

PHOENIX - The Arizona Cardinals officially have begun their coaching search with a formal interview of defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

The interview, conducted Tuesday by team President Michael Bidwill, was the first in the team’s search for a replacement for Ken Whisenhunt, who was fired Monday after six seasons on the job.

The team has reached out to Andy Reid but had not scheduled an interview. Reid was fired Monday after 14 seasons as head coach in Philadelphia.

Bidwill plans to fly to Denver over the weekend to interview Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.

Horton, Reid and McCoy are the only candidates thus far identified by the Cardinals.

Horton is a rising star in NFL coaching circles, despite Arizona’s lack of success.

The Cardinals’ defense was among the league leaders in several categories, with the 5-11 overall record due mostly to the worst offense in the NFL.

Sports, Pages 18 on 01/02/2013

Upcoming Events