AFC & NFC Championships: Patriots @ Broncos, 49's @ Seahwawks

From what I've seen of the Seahawks, they struggle more with the quicker backs. I think that's why Hunter looked better than Fore last night.

Gore's days are numbered. Being what he is, and what he's meant to the franchise, I can't see them letting him go. He had a good year, but he's getting to the place RB's often get, where one day, they wake up, and they've hit a brick wall. He's still effective, but his cap hit next year is nearly $7 million. If the Niners like what they see in Lattimore or another RB, I could see them cutting Gore and spending elsewhere, but that'd still be a bit surprising. More likely, though, is Gore is here for one last season. He won't be here in 2015.

As for Lattimore, he could be the next Gore, recovering from injuries to both legs to have a stellar NFL career, or he could flame out. He certainly has the potential to be a legit back, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...-san-francisco-49ers-injured-seattle-seahawks

They think Bowman has a torn ACL. It seemed much worse than that.

 

It was. He also had a fumble recovery ripped away from him.

Dude is the best LB in the game right now, with the second best LB as his teammate. Bowman is a warrior. He'll be back.

 

Bowman has taken over from Willis to be the best. He is a stud of studs. Willis is still a stud but I not sure I would say he is no doubt the 2nd best in the game. He has slipped a bit.

 

They also think Iupati has a fractured ankle.

I think the Niners need to try to add a lockdown corner during the offseason. I love our safeties (although Whitner completely blew it on that deep throw over the middle).

Do you think they'll keep Boldin?

 

I'll admit second best is up for discussion. He had a bit of a down year, but still great by most LB standards. He's also being overshadowed by his teammate, who undoubtedly is the best in the game at the moment. Plus, with some of the other players around him in addition to Bowman, it's tough for him to keep his stats up. Given the rest of his career, I'm not quite ready to say he's slipped a bit.

 

I personally think Luke Kuechly is the other major stud in the League. I admire all Willis has done though. He is my favorite defensive player of all time.

 

How will this injury affect him going forward though? If it's just an ACL, that's not THAT bad.

 

Saw that on Iupati.

The Niners do need some better corners.

No on Boldin. They SHOULD. But I bet they don't. They'll go the cheap route, which I don't understand. They've gone for questionable draft picks and mediocre talent and aging vets around Crabtree. They need to re-sign Boldin or find a different stud WR next to Crabtree. You can see how much better the Niners, and Kaep, played with Crabtree and Boldin.

 

Yeah, last week's game against Carolina was billed as a "showing of the three best LB's in the NFL." I personally don't disagree with that assessment. It's arguable, but there aren't more than a few others that could even come into the discussion.

 

Think back to when Crabtree tore his. Think back to when he rejoined the team and how performed. Bowman is a physical specimen, and he's got MONTHS on Crabtree now.

 

Still never really saw Crab at 100%.

How did Davis become such a complete non-factor in that game though? We have arguably one of the best TE's in the game and he did nothing. Kap really needs to improve on his decision making. He's such an amazing athlete, but he's not nearly as smart with the ball as someone like Manning or Brady.

 

I believe SEA is in the top 3 on defending the TE.

 

He looked pretty good to me. Even coming back as quickly as he did, over a full season, he'd have had 1000 yards (I think the projection was like 990). Not too shabby. As I said, Bowman has months on Crabtree.

As for Vernon..... Seattle is tough on TE's, but let's be honest here... he's pretty much been a nonfactor for the last several games.

 

Boldin can still ball. He had almost 1200 yards this year. Tough as nails. Good hands. He had some huge games when he was the lone receiver, though I think some good opportunities started to really come his way when Crabtree got back. It's pretty easy to blanket Boldin when he's your only receiver. He was a HUGE piece of the Niners' success this season, and they should bring him back, though I have a feeling they won't.

 

Why you mad, bro? Richard Sherman didn't do anything wrong

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/1/20/5319032/richard-sherman-interview-nfc-championship-2014

Quoted part is true. Would love a shutdown Corner on the 9ers. Even (or especially) if he was cocky.

 

Much better to lose a game than to be an asshole.

 

Sherman doesn't bother me. I thought his outburst was a little trashy, but whatever. These guys use whatever they can to get fired up. Boldin is a huge trash talker. I just find it interesting how so many fans HATE Harbaugh for being demonstrative on the sideline, but they laud Sherman for being loud and obnoxious.