Henery: 'Last Year Is Over With, It Is What It Is'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Alex Henery blocks out the white noise, just like the Eagles' kicker shuts off the crowd when it's about time for an important kick.
It's worked for the 27-year-old fourth-round draft choice out of Nebraska. It has to work.
Henery enters his fourth NFL season coming off the most trying year of his career. In 2013, he made a career-low 82.1-percent (23-28) of his attempts, including going 15-20 beyond 30 yards or more—and missed field 48-yarder that missed wide left in the 26-24 playoff loss to New Orleans.
There are those that believe the Eagles can't rely on Henery in a critical spot. Henery says they can. He's a little larger, and a little stronger than he was this time last year. That's manifested in his kickoffs reaching the end zone this pre-season.
But he missed a 47-yarded against New England. Still, Henery says it's been a good training camp for him.
"Training camp has gone pretty well, I've been hitting the ball good, and I know I could have hit the ball better in the game, but more opportunities will hopefully come, hit 'em well and be ready for the season," Henery said. "Last year is over with, it is what it is. It's one of those things I've moved on from and hopefully want to get better from there.
"I don't think back to last year, or my last kick, and that's the way you have to be to be a kicker. You can't really worry about what people are saying or anything like that. You move on and hit good balls."
Henery spent the off-season working out, kicking and honing his accuracy. He also concentrated on working location on kickoffs.
"You really want to improve on everything you do, you can't section off and work on just one thing," said Henery, who had a great rookie year hitting 24 of 27, including six field goals beyond 40 yards. "But there is room to improve, even after you have a great year."
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