When the San Francisco 49ers used a third-round pick to draft Jake Moody last year, they hoped it would define their position for years to come.
A shaky second half of Moody’s second season with San Francisco has called that into question heading into the offseason.
Moody missed his sixth field goal in the past seven games last weekleading to questions about whether the 49ers will have to replace him or at least bring in competition for next season.
Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in Moody on Thursday, attributing some of the trouble to a high ankle sprain he suffered in his kicking leg earlier this season.
“I still feel the same way about him, that I believe he will be our guy,” Shanahan said. “Everyone has to perform and do things like that and I think he’s had a tough year. I thought he was doing really well and then got a high ankle sprain on his kicking foot. He hasn’t done that since he’s been back. ” ‘Not been that consistent, obviously. But I think a lot of that probably has to do with that, just common sense.”
Moody got off to a strong start this season, making all six field goals he attempted in the season opener and going 13 for 14 before injuring his ankle trying to make a tackle on a kickoff return in Week 5.
He missed three games and has struggled since his return. He missed three field goals in the first opener at Tampa Bay, two more in the snow at Buffalo in Week 13 and then a 41-yarder last week against the Dolphins.
“The great thing about kicking is you can be as talented as anyone and you can wrestle,” Moody said. “I feel like I’ve had a hard time this year. It hasn’t really shaken my confidence or anything. I feel like my whole life I’ve been through struggles, I’ve been through highs. The most important thing is that I’m struggling have had.” is to just stay consistent, don’t change anything.”
Moody had an up-and-down rookie season, making 21 of 25 field goals in the regular season and missing just one extra point. But he missed a potential game-winning kick in a loss at Cleveland and missed field goals in playoff wins against Green Bay and Detroit.
Moody went on to make three field goals in the Super Bowl, two of which came from more than 50 yards, including a 53-yard lead late in the fourth quarter against Kansas City. But Moody also had an extra point blocked in that game.
“I believe we have the right guy and I think at the end of the day he showed that at times,” Shanahan said. “I thought he showed that at times in his rookie year. I thought he showed that great by starting 12 of 13 this year. And I think he’ll show us all that going forward.”
NOTES: The Niners placed LT Trent Williams on IR after his ankle injury did not heal as quickly as hoped. Shanahan didn’t think there were any long-term problems. … LB Dre Greenlaw (calf) will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after playing parts of two games in his return from a torn left Achilles tendon. …OL Spencer Burford (calf) did not practice but could play this week. … San Francisco signed two OLs this week in Matt Hennessy and Charlie Heck. … RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring, foot) was limited, but appears to be on the right track this week.
