From my perspective two things happened ...

Akers returned to full health.

Akers returned to full confidence.

If he didn't like Samples scheme, and was not 100%, and was in a time share he didn't like, his head was likely not on straight. He was missing holes. Obviously.

If the scheme changes and he gets more confidence with Samples gone, and gets healthy all at once you have the perfect storm for a resurgence.

He'll come into next year healthy and confident. Brown has done his job. He likely won't need Brown because even if the scheme is iffy, his head is on straight and his health is rock solid.

Based on what I saw, he's also a different back than he was coming into the league ... he was smoother and more slippery in year one when healthy, now he is showing more explosion into the lanes and through defenders. I noticed a similar thing with Josh Jacobs this year. I'm not sure if that has to do with injury or age or focus or what, but it seems to matter.

---