49ers Sign Kicker Phil Dawson, Upgrading The Almost Super Bowl Champs Where They Desperately Needed Help [VIDEO]
The San Francisco 49ers signed Phil Dawson to fill in the one area they didn't excel in last year, kicking.
"I am humbled & thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my career with my new team, the SF 49ers!" Dawson tweeted Tuesday.
What does this signing mean for a team that was a play away from a possible Super Bowl victory in February?
Last season marked the worst statistical season for Niners place kicker David Akers. He led the NFL in most missed field goals (13), according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He was second from the bottom in FG percentage (69). Akers did record the longest field goal of the season when he nailed a 63-yarder.
Akers' troubles were the weakest area for the 49ers, which were able to find their way to the Super Bowl, but lost to the Baltimore Ravens. The 38-year-old did convert all three of his field goal attempts in the big game.
The six time All-Pro kicker had a dramatic fall last season after three consecutive All-Pro selections.
Either way, San Francisco decided to move in another direction. Akers was released earlier in March, freeing up the spot for Dawson, who signed Tuesday.
According to rotoworld.com, Dawson converted 84 percent of his 363 career field goal attempts, which all came in a 14-year career with the Cleveland Browns. He connected on 29 of his 31 field goal attempts in 2012. No other kicker converted more field goals with the maximum of 31 attempts.
Dawson's 93.5 made field goal percentage tied him atop kickers with at least 30 attempts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. His percentage marked the highest of his career.
He kicked perfectly from beyond 50-yards, going 7-for-7 in the category.
Dawson made the All-Pro team last season, which was the second in his 14-year career.
Dawson expressed his gratitude toward the Cleveland faithful.
"Playing for you has been one of the great joys of my life, and I wish you all the best ," Dawson tweeted.
Phil Dawson is even one-for-one in pass attempts, when he completed a ten-yard pass in 2009.