Akers relates to Kyle

KYLE WILLIAMS is ignoring the barrage of hateful, hurtful, even threatening comments he has received via social media in the aftermath of his ill-timed fumble that cost the San Francisco 49ers the NFC Championship Game against New York.

Williams said yesterday he takes full responsibility for his fumble on a punt return in overtime of a 20-17 loss to the Giants on Sunday night that set up Lawrence Tynes' winning field goal, calling the moment "painful."

"I really didn't pay attention to Twitter. All the feedback I needed was family and friends, the guys in the locker room," Williams said.

Instantly, Williams was made a villain on the Internet.

He insisted it's part of his job to face the criticism in the aftermath of his mistakes and not hide out in a difficult time. Perhaps that will go a little way in calming down the angry fans, some of whom wished harm on Williams and his family after the gaffes.

"It's one of those things you have to take accountability for," Williams said. "Everybody is responsible for what they do on the field. It's something that I was responsible for and I made a mistake and it's time to own up to it and move forward."

Kicker David Akers took to Twitter yesterday asking people to stop with the harsh remarks directed toward his teammate, saying "ppl need to get a grip! Leave Kyle alone!" He also reminded everybody the NFC West-champion 49ers (14-4) win and lose together, so there would be no finger-pointing in the locker room.

"I was that guy last year," said Akers, who had a finger pointed at him by Eagles coach Andy Reid after he missed two field goals and Green Bay won by five points in the divisional playoffs. "It's tough because we're all competitors and we all give it everything we have."

Williams has spoken to his father, Chicago White Sox general manager Ken Williams, and also heard from players around the league who offered their support. Ken Williams said his son might have suffered a separated left shoulder in the third quarter. Coach Jim Harbaugh said tests yesterday on didn't reveal a separation but that Williams was extremely sore.

Williams, filling in for injured return man Ted Ginn Jr., also fumbled with 11:06 left in regulation. The Giants won a challenge that the ball touched Williams' right knee and Devin Thomas recovered. That gave the Giants the ball back at the 29 and Eli Manning then threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham with 8:34 remaining.

Williams said yesterday he still doesn't think the ball hit his knee.

In other NFL news:

* St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher named former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to the same positions on his staff.

* Washington hired former Giants star Ike Hilliard as receivers coach and announced that Bob Slowik will move from the secondary to linebackers coach.

* Cleveland hired former Eagle Tim Hauck to coach its defensive backs.

* Atlanta fired defensive-backs coach Alvin Reynolds.

* Carolina quarterback Cam Newton and Chicago defensive end Julius Peppers were named to the Pro Bowl to replace the Giants' Eli Manning and Jason Pierre-Paul.

* The Chicago Bears say they will bring back Kansas City college scouting director Phil Emery and New England pro personnel director Jason Licht for second interviews for their general-manager job this week.

Meanwhile, the Bears say offensive coordinator Mike Tice will not interview for Oakland's coaching job after the Raiders "moved forward with the second phase of their interview process."

* Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is telling the owners of the Vikings that the team's new stadium will have to be at the Metrodome site if a stadium bill is to pass the Legislature this year. The Vikings have said they prefer a Ramsey County proposal to build a $1.1 billion stadium in Arden Hills. The Vikings' lease at the Metrodome has expired.

* Former Chicago and Dallas receiver Sam Hurd hired new attorneys to defend him against accusations that he tried to establish a drug-dealing network.