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

[Run BJM]

Count me as a fan of Sherman. He acted like a moron last night but hes incredible to watch play and hes actually a pretty interesting guy. Very arrogant, but that's never bothered me much in pro athletes.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Apparently anyone who hates Richard Sherman is a Niners fan?

No, some are hypocrites and racists. Niners fan at least have an excuse for being emotionally involved.

 

[Natebishop3]

Count me as a fan of Sherman. He acted like a moron last night but hes incredible to watch play and hes actually a pretty interesting guy. Very arrogant, but that's never bothered me much in pro athletes.

He'll have my respect if he can maintain this level of play for a solid string of seasons. It seems so difficult for a DB to stay on top for a long period of time. The number of corners that were able to remain elite for more than a few years is very small. It seems like the biggest flash in the pan position in the NFL. I've always wondered why. Safety seems like a much more stable position.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Eh, the Niners offense looked pretty shitty all night. Aside from a couple of nice runs by Kaep, they barely got their offense going one time for a TD. Seattle's defense completely shut them down for most of the game.

Meh, I think it had as much to do with decision-making as much as anything. Seattle really stopped the running back game. But the Niners made the completions they needed to, aside from two very poor, inexcusable decisions. I am baffled by both interceptions - there was no need to make the attempts he did. SF had the game pretty much in hand, moving the ball with relative ease that last drive, 2 timeouts remaining, and plenty of clock. Kaep's decision on first down was just plain dumb.

But whatever. They played a mostly crap game, they got homered by the officials, and still had a chance to pull it off. Whataya gonna do?

To be honest, I'll be more worked up if Seattle loses to Denver than I was about this game (I was disappointed, but I really wasn't surprised by the result). I hate Denver. I hate Peyton Manning. Seattle should whoop Denver. I don't care that Denver opens as the favorites. There is no way Seattle loses to Denver. No way.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

We took 2 out of 3 including a blowout. And we beat the 9'ers in the title game without Percy Harvin. We're clearly the better team.

LOL. The Niners almost won in spite of Kaep, and some weak officiating. It was clear who the better team was, and it wasn't the team that took advantage of what they were given.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I have to say I'm happy seeing Harpants fucked over on a few bad coaching decisions late in the game. Fun game to watch, and I still think SF is the better team, but Seattle showed much more poise and heart.

Last Super Bowl, too. I mean, that last Niners goal line stand in the Super Bowl was atrocious.

 

[BrianFromWA]

The only reason the Niners were in the game was b/c of Kaepernick--don't fool yourself. He accounted for 280+ of their 308 yards. Their o-line wasn't better. Their WRs weren't better. Kaep played great until he was told to do too much, partially b/c there was no one else to have step up.

Their D was great. Their special teams were not.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Count me as a fan of Sherman. He acted like a moron last night but hes incredible to watch play and hes actually a pretty interesting guy. Very arrogant, but that's never bothered me much in pro athletes.

I like how he plays. He's tough.

But act like you've done something. Won something. I know that's hard as a Hawks player, but come on. I guess I just grew up with coaches preaching "act like you've been there".

Frankly, I get tired of athletes, in general, running their mouths. I used to get tired of it with Sheed (of course, that was mostly directed at the officials). It's easy to like Sherman during live action, and it's even easier to dislike him otherwise. I've heard him in interviews away from game day, and he's fun, engaging. But before and after games, the guy just sounds like a blubbering idiot.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

The only reason the Niners were in the game was b/c of Kaepernick--don't fool yourself. He accounted for 280+ of their 308 yards. Their o-line wasn't better. Their WRs weren't better. Kaep played great until he was told to do too much, partially b/c there was no one else to have step up.

Their D was great. Their special teams were not.

I came to Kaep's defense earlier in the thread and said as much. I even acknowledged just a few posts ago by saying Seattle had shut down the running backs game. Kaep's big weakness at the moment is his decision-making. That much is clear. Both of his picks were dumb, mind-baffling throws. Sometimes he gets away with them, so I think he feels more confident than he should.

Frankly, beyond throwing into the coverage Kaep did on the last Niners' play, as much as the Niners were working over the Hawks on that last drive..... I'd like to have seen a few more short plays in the 6-14 yard range. I wouldn't have been comfortable leaving 25-30 seconds on the clock for the Seahawks to kick a winning FG.

 

[Natebishop3]

Meh, I think it had as much to do with decision-making as much as anything. Seattle really stopped the running back game. But the Niners made the completions they needed to, aside from two very poor, inexcusable decisions. I am baffled by both interceptions - there was no need to make the attempts he did. SF had the game pretty much in hand, moving the ball with relative ease that last drive, 2 timeouts remaining, and plenty of clock. Kaep's decision on first down was just plain dumb.

But whatever. They played a mostly crap game, they got homered by the officials, and still had a chance to pull it off. Whataya gonna do?

To be honest, I'll be more worked up if Seattle loses to Denver than I was about this game (I was disappointed, but I really wasn't surprised by the result). I hate Denver. I hate Peyton Manning. Seattle should whoop Denver. I don't care that Denver opens as the favorites. There is no way Seattle loses to Denver. No way.

Sorry man. I'm rooting for Denver. I don't think I could stand Seahawk fans if they win the Superbowl.

Seattle has amazing defense though. If you put the Seattle secondary with the 49ers LB, I don't think anyone would ever score again in the NFL.

What did you think about Gore last night? He seemed much less effective than Hunter. I'm curious to see Lattimore next season.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Sorry man. I'm rooting for Denver. I don't think I could stand Seahawk fans if they win the Superbowl.

Seattle has amazing defense though. If you put the Seattle secondary with the 49ers LB, I don't think anyone would ever score again in the NFL.

What did you think about Gore last night? He seemed much less effective than Hunter. I'm curious to see Lattimore next season.

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

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?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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.

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.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

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

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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?

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.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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.

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.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

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.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

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.

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

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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.

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.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Boldin was very tough last night. I wasn't sure how good he was going to be for you guys b/c I thought he lost a lot from even 2 years ago, and I didn't see much of him this year except for the SEA game where Sherman shut him down, but I was very impressed by a couple of the catches he made yesterday.

I didn't get that feeling with Davis or Crabtree.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Boldin was very tough last night. I wasn't sure how good he was going to be for you guys b/c I thought he lost a lot from even 2 years ago, and I didn't see much of him this year except for the SEA game where Sherman shut him down, but I was very impressed by a couple of the catches he made yesterday.

I didn't get that feeling with Davis or Crabtree.

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.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

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

The NFL would be better with more Richard Shermans. You hate him because he's not yours. You hate him because he plays for someone else, and would love him if he belonged to your team. He's got personality and skill and the ability to shut down a third of the field every single week. He makes you mad. He makes opponents mad.

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

 

[Sinobas]

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

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

 

[Wheels]

I dont mind edgy guys, but I have gotten that from a few of my Seahawks friends.. the "I'd love him if he was on my team" deal... I'm calling on that. I'm not saying anything about him not being good, he obviously is. The dude is a classless clown though. How he has a degree from COMMUNICATIONS from Stanford is beyond me.

He ever suits up for Denver, I'm not cheering a single play he makes. (which wouldnt be a ton anyway since QB's stay away from his side of the field )

We'll see how he does with 4 top notch pass catchers coming "LOB" 's way