The NFC Championship Game will feature the number 1 and 2 seeds in the playoffs. How quaintly proper. And there are no wildcard entrants still in the running from either conference. Terrif! The four remaining teams all earned their way to the dance the old fashioned way, by winning their divisions.
The AFC North, AFC East, NFC South, and NFC West. How regionally correct. It would make you wonder if the TV networks had this whole thing rigged. If that were so, however, the Cowboys would be in the hunt every year, instead of in the toilet.
Atlanta’s DC Mike Nolan has been gone from the 49ers for 4½ years now, hanging up his suit midway through the 2008 season. During that time, five of the players he drafted here have become Pro Bowlers, three others are valuable contributors to the 49ers’ success, and it was Nolan who brought Justin Smith here via Free Agency. That’s nine of our twenty-two starters that are here because of Mike Nolan.
You’d think there would be fond memories toward a guy who contributed so much to the current good fortunes of the team. That does not seem to be the case, however. Nolan had a habit of throwing his players under the bus, he was not a good HC and he had the personality of an armadillo. He also taught Mike Singletary how to say, “I’ll have to look at the tape on that one” when confronted with press questions such as, “How come the team stunk it up so bad in the fourth quarter?”
All coaches develop some sort of defense mechanism to deal with the bright glare of failure. Our current coach, Jim Harbaugh, seems to be taking the novel approach of winning all the time and thus not needing to address failure at all. Let’s hope he has two more wins in his pocket for this year or he will indeed have to address failure. Addressing failure for a second seed season that didn’t quite get to or win the Super Bowl is a quantum bit easier than addressing the failure of a 5-11 season that was excruciatingly painful to observe and had no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
49er QB Colin Kaepernick is trending nationwide, as they like to say in the Twitter universe. “Kaepernicking” has replaced last year’s model, “Tebowing,” as the sort of thing massive amounts of idiots do with their spare time. Some are just festive idiots, even harmless, but many are the uglier clueless variety. To get to the level of being an “Ing” you have to preen for the cameras after doing something good on the football field, performing your “signature” Ing thing. Kaepernick did so many good things last Saturday that he shot up into Ingdom almost overnight and even landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
I think it’s safe to say this Kaepernicking trend will have more traction than last year’s model, which was sent UPS Ground to the New York Jets and placed in the Unwanted Mail bin, where it languished for an entire season while the “Ing” evaporated from it’s packaging. At the very least, we hope to see lots and lots of Kaepernicking this coming Sunday, accompanied by lots and lots of camera shots of Mike Nolan scowling on the sidelines.
If we win on Sunday there will be a lot of preconcert meetings with the media for the ensuing week.
If we win it’ll be a 2 week wait
and every minute nuance will be analyzed.
Chip Kelly does an about face and is going to be the Eagles new HC.
NoFear- On the CSBA “Morning Minute” it says no fear in Atlanta for 49ers! Keep up the good work!
They forgot the comma.
Chip Kelly engaged in prevarications with his recruits
at Duck U assuring them he was staying before bolting for Philly.
There’s a WOTD somewhere in there.
Does this mean Harbaugh is a good guy again now that the NFC Championship title is within reach? Of course it does! How would it look to be trashing him as a back-stabber and under-the-bus-thrower of players if we win? All bets being off if we lose it though. We’ll have an entire off-season of wailing over the tread marks he put on Alex’s face.
IIRC every HC Alex has had here has ‘thrown him under the bus’ according to this blog. It’s becoming crystal clear to even the dimmest of bulbs that he was the wrong horse to back. But after all the whining and wailing and finger pointing and name-calling, it’s a tricky business to extract oneself while saving face in the slightest.
I know, let’s blame Nolan for something. That’ll make everyone forget we were trashing Harbaugh only days ago in preparation for a front row seat on the bandwagon should we lose one game now.
Yeah, how dare Harbaugh not to have the perfect game plan for every game. Make it happen.
.
As 49er fans I think we’ve given many a coach and player way more rope than need be.
.
I can’t wait to see Gore, Kappy and LMJ play this week.
OMG NOFEAR
” IIRC every HC Alex has had here has ‘thrown him under the bus’ according to this blog. It’s becoming crystal clear to even the dimmest of bulbs that he was the wrong horse to back. But after all the whining and wailing and finger pointing and name-calling, it’s a tricky business to extract oneself while saving face in the slightest.
I know, let’s blame Nolan for something.
OMG !
JESUS CHRIST MAN , i’ve heard the pot calling the kettle black , but you take the cake !
It’s sarcasm. It sometimes serves as an acceptable substitute when you can’t just beat the crap outta somebody.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOFEAR
works for me !
LOL
HEY NOFEAR
what scares you (pardon the expression) the most about the upcoming matchup with atlanta ?
for me it’s our pass defense/secondary vs. atlanta’s WR corps
DeLuca, I’m worried that Gonzo may find the cracks in our underneath coverage and if he hurts us Goldson/Whitner may leave White or Jones an opening to beat them deep trying to cover him. White has owned Goldson previously. And I’m a little concerned with Justin Smith and his backup.
Not too worried about losing though if the traveling doesn’t leave us coming out flat. I don’t think Nolan has an answer for, or the guys to contain, Kaep if Kaep is on his game. Especially if Abraham is not 100%.
If I was a Falcons DE and left unblocked I would not react to the snap until Kaep committed. I would bring pressure through the A gaps as often as possible with stunts, LBs and safeties and lots of zone blitzing.
NOFEAR
good points !
the good news for me is that (at this stage in tony gonzalez’ career esp. ) we have the LBs to handle him !
NOFEAR pt 2
” If I was a Falcons DE and left unblocked I would not react to the snap until Kaep committed. I would bring pressure through the A gaps as often as possible with stunts, LBs and safeties and lots of zone blitzing. ”
man , i was thinking what if we throw some off the ‘read option’ thing !
if we make the superbowl …
pressure tom brady !
🙂
When did Harbaugh throw Alex under the bus? He got hurt, allowing Kaep to play, he played exceptionally well vs the Bears and took the job from Alex. That is the way it goes sometimes. I’m fairly certain that even Alex can see what happened.
When the read option is properly performed it is done out of a Spread formation so a team can not fill all the gaps. If a team wants to bring an extra player in the box it becomes a passing read. I think the Tampa Two is the defense that will be tried to stop the read option. It will be interesting to see how it works.
or on the practice field, where during training camp in 2007 coaches had to hide his helmet because he kept sneaking onto to the practice field despite having a broken hand.
Gore was so upset with what his coaches had done that his emotions fluctuated between anger and disappointment. Never mind that he was the franchise back who had just signed a $28 million extension. His love for the game is deeper than a Langston Hughes poem.
“He was legitimately upset, down on himself, teary-eyed, mad that he’s not out here practicing with us,” quarterback Alex Smith said at the time.
His passion has not dissipated five seasons later. If anything it’s increased, because the 49ers can advance to their first Super Bowl since the 1994 season with a win Sunday in Atlanta. They were in the same position a year ago, but lost in overtime to the visiting Giants. For Gore, the defeat hurt more than any injury he had ever experienced. If the redness in his eyes last January didn’t say so, the smile on his face last Saturday after beating the Packers did
omg
read option
spread formation
it becomes a passing read !
imho we throw off it some this week !!!
😉
omg
what do we have here
an option QB ???
the wishbone ???!!
somebody shoot me !!!
IIRC, the player who could’t cover Roddy White was Nate Clements.
We kill the Falcons in the middle of the field.
I don’t believe their LBs can run and tackle anywhere near as well as ours can.
Slants, dump offs and the option should do just fine.
When they start cheating up to stop it, vertical shots to knock them out.
Weatherspoon is pretty good, but he’s a far cry from Willis and Bowman.
I like our TE’s to keep them busy inside while peerhaps leaking LMJ into the flat to run their lungs out.
Bottom line, for me, our speed should kill them.
Pick you poison, Nolan doesn’t have the personnel or the speed to match up.
We just need to play clean, mistake free football.
;D
It’s their running game that worries me.
U know 1st downs, clock management and all that stuff.
It’s a Playoff game Winder, gotta expect anything.
Let them run.
We can too.
Just stop the deep shots.
Nothing over the top, keep it in front of us.
If we grab an early lead, they’ll abandon any plans to run.
We can win a shoot out or, run to protect a lead.
We’re deeper across the board IMO.
wow
“Bottom line, for me, our speed should kill them.
Pick you poison, Nolan doesn’t have the personnel or the speed to match up”
RIGHT !
the best news for us is imho if nolan had ali , frazier and george foreman he couldn’t ‘match up’ with leon spinks
their running game worries me about as much as their DC !!!
Justin makes the difference in our Run D.
I just hope we’re focused and assignment sound this time around.
No self inflicted wounds like last year.
Kaep and Crabtree are in a zone and hungry to prove themselves.
Can’t ask for anything more than 100% WILL to WIN.
Did you catch the Atlanta Press Conference today Rob?
Some media genius asked HC Mike Smith how he plans to stop Copernicus.
Honest, wasn’t trying to be funny either, just flat out didn’t get Kaeps’ name right.
Classic. (Buffoonery)
Well, i like ur guy attittude, i think we have the better team too.
Good read –
http://tinyurl.com/a3gxrah
From practice at the East-West Shrine Game –
My favored DE – David Bass.
The star of the practice without question was Missouri Western State’s David Bass. He was a step quicker than another defensive linemen off the snap, maintained balance and explosiveness in every drill, and was using his hands with force in both drills and one vs. one reps. In the pass protection drill, he was 4 for 5 in getting a sack, with only Terron Armstead slowing him (but likely still forced QB out of the pocket). A dominate day, he may no longer be a “late round sleeper” if he keeps this play up.
He’s got some very good numbers.
I hope Baalke gives him some consideration.
He might be a nice option, without having to spend a Top Tier pick to get.
NJ: Wow.
That is a HELL of a read. As I mentioned at Chuck’s Den of Iniquity, the one draft day measurable you can’t get a read on is heart. Looks like we hit the effing jackpot with Kaepernick.
Sure hope so Grump.
Love the Kid.
Humble and determined to succeed.
No better qualities to have for the QB position IMO.
That story Gwen did speaks volumes about his Parents as well.
Seems as though Divine Intervention occurred for both Colin and the Kaepernicks.
Fantastic story.
Gotta get the WIN on Sunday.
Colin deserves the National Spotlight for the SB Lead In.
Bizarre story that could lead to
a free fall in draft position.
He had already started to slip before this.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf–legend-of-manti-te-o-s-girlfriend–a-tall-tale-everyone-wanted-to-believe-052534925.html
Saw that Bullit.
I think the ‘Bama Beatdown will be all that needs to be seen of Te’o regarding his perceived Draft stock.
Shades of Mike Mamula perhaps?
Bullit GBN is reporting that your TE Fauria may be a scratch for the E/W Game –
No reasons given that I can see at this time however.
The Jags have made their hire and the Seahags are looking for a new DC. Gus Bradley is the new HC of the Jags which means Greg Norman won’t be moving there.
That leads the Cards job as the only available HC.
The reason it’s open is Bidwell is offering minimum wage.
The news on Justin Smith is he should be even better this week.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/17/justin-smith-ill-be-more-comfortable-this-week/
Greg Norman’s a golfer . . .
Mike Nolan thinks The Shark is our OC. Courtesy of a Kawakami RT from Barrows: Mike Nolan on 49ers: “Greg Norman (sic), the offensive coordinator, does a great job at utilizing the players’ strengths.”
YOU GUYS
know the whole truth in the death of manti te’o’s
imaginary girlfriend ?
ray lewis killed her !
BULLIT
” The Jags have made their hire and the Seahags are looking for a new DC ”
good news !
I hope they lose their OC too !
they put up a lot of points against us !
check it
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/17/niners-honorary-captains-include-a-pair-of-hall-of-fame-finalists/
Aaron Rodgers brother Jordan is participating in some obscure All Star Game and they’re showing their practice on ESPNU.
Stats not impressive throwing for 13 TDs and 2400 yds.
Best QB at Vanderbilt since Jay Cutler. Big whoop!
WHICH is more real ?
manti te’o’s girlfriend
or these ?
http://www.49ers.com/gold-rush/squad.html
btw my fav is maria!
I don’t think Te’o falls too far in the draft because of the GF thing. Razzing in the locker room? Off the charts.
.
His performance in the BCS championship game will cause any downward movement.
I don’t think Te’o falls too far in the draft because of the GF thing. Razzing in the locker room? Off the charts.
.
His performance in the BCS championship game will cause any downward movement.
.
I can understand the Atlatnta press not getting Kaepernick right, but messing up Greg Roman? Nolan once again sets the bar very low for idiocy.
Huh?
Chuck
Welcome to the party Skipper.
We had the Norman discussion 2 days ago. As usual you weren’t paying attention. Hyuk!
I can feel the love!
‘Scuse me for having a life, skippy. Now get back to proffreading the last 17 threads.
Chuck
Again your hypocrisy makes you a cartoon character Skipper. Look at your 11:50am comment yesterday.
Proofreading? You make a sole comment on the punctuation.
“They forgot the comma.”
Your words. Who’s proofreading???
A few days ago I said Harbaugh was wearing his turtleneck backwards you felt compelled to set me straight.
Hyuk!
i feel another HYUK coming on !
Reported that Bruce Arians will be the HC of the Cards so the last coaching vacancy has been filled.
In case you missed Saturday night’s game
http://www.49ers.com/media-gallery/videos/Tilt-Shift-49ers-vs-Packers/fc16507f-1889-4548-9684-7d9c038507ec
Another cool video with pregame
http://www.49ers.com/media-gallery/videos/Clip_of_the_Week_49ers_Player_Intros/f2659dcf-fff3-42ec-9b10-807f8aa7af1c
Christ yer as dumb as a post, Bullit. The comma reference was a joke. As in “No, fear in Atlanta . . .”
.
Get it?
.
Wow. I’ll be sure to diagram my next few jokes. HYUK! Wouldn’t want to disappoint ya, ROB!!!
New post is up.