Golden Nuggets: Where Different Shoes Are Worse Than Violent Concussions

by James Brady on Dec 31, 2011 2:00 AM PST in 49ers Links

In two days time, the San Francisco 49ers will play the St. Louis Rams in a game that means little and will only serve to ruin their position in 2012 NFL Draft. That is the sentence that I honestly expected I'd be writing before the season began (and though I have technically done so, I am using it to illustrate a point). Needless to say, I'm ridiculously happy that the first sentence doesn't apply, and that the 49ers have something to fight for in Week 17. I'm also happy that the something is the fact that San Francisco is fighting for the No. 2 seed.

It's absolutely ludicrous that Marshawn Lynch was fined more than the guy who speared Kyle Williams with a helmet-to-helmet hit. Lynch's fine was for wearing Skittles-patterned cleats, mind you. I suppose the argument is that Lynch fully intended to break the rules, while the other guy did it in the heat of the moment. The hit still sickens me, as do the people who insist that it didn't break any rules. Truly, it boggles the mind that some folks don't know about surrendering rules, and a player's inability to punish another player who is on the ground. (BayAreaSportsGuy.com)

Well, it's likely that wide receiver Joe Hastings is elevated to the 53-man roster (which is the correct call, all of you wayward Terrell Owens fans), but they're not going to make that decision until today. Since he's practicing with the team anyway, there's no real reason to rush to add him to the roster. (Examiner.com)

Relative unknowns will have big roles on Sunday, including Joe Hastings. Brett Swain should also see some time, but really, I can't get excited about him at all. I just don't see much to work with there, and since receivers often prove me wrong, he'll probably get a couple hundred yards receiving. (SacBee.com)

Here's the latest of Maiocco's mailbag posts, generally a good read. (CSNBayArea.com)

Eric Branch decided to compare the comebacks from Joe Montana with those of Alex Smith. I think it's safe to say that Montana's are, and probably always will be, the best. (SFGate.com)

I actually have been wanting to see Reggie Smith return some punts, so I'm excited to see that on Sunday, if it does happen. I also want Kendall Hunter to have the football whenever he possibly can. (CSNBayArea.com)

It looks like Patrick Willis will play if he's really healthy, and I'm not sure how I feel about that, to be honest. I'm just fine with Larry Grant in there on Sunday. (CSNBayArea.com)

Ted Ginn Jr. and Kyle Williams listed as "questionable." (SFGate.com)

Yesterday on Niners Nation

Golden Nuggets: I Guess Brett Swain Is Our Future | Ninjames
49ers Vs. Seahawks: Top Five Defensive Plays, Including Larry Grant's New Sack | Fooch
Aldon Smith, Bruce Miller Named To Football Outsiders All-Rookie Team | Fooch
Something Special About Patrick Willis | D.DeSimone
2012 NFL Playoffs: Modified Sudden Death Overtime Rules | Fooch
Jeff Pearlman Is an Idiot; I Mean, My Objective Review of his Esquire Article | WesHanson
49ers Vs. Seahawks: Multiple Fines Handed Out | Fooch
49ers Vs. Rams Injury Report: Reggie Smith, Kendall Hunter, Chris Culliver Looking At Work | Fooch

Being a Sheep

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I'm almost okay with Willis playing

But only because I got his jersey for Christmas and will be wearing it. In all actuality I prefer to save him for the playoffs. Wow, that was really weird to say, “playoffs”. We are so in the playoffs and I think it’s just barely feeling real to me, GO NINERS!!

by Chefantone on Dec 31, 2011 2:57 AM PST reply actions

Let him play

I say let Willis play a little. Probably just the first half depending on how the score is. He hasn’t played for a few weeks so let his body get use to running around and get a few hits in. I know we want to save him for the playoffs but if we get that #2 seed and let him wait, well it will over a month before he has had any contact. (I’m sure he will be fine if they did that) but I still stay if he can go, give him some time.

by JP20 on Dec 31, 2011 5:34 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Not worth the risk, imo

by Bigmouth on Dec 31, 2011 9:40 AM PST up reply actions

How awesome would it be if

The offense goes with a deep ball to Hastings on the first play of the game. Maybe on play-action or a flea flicker. Would be truly incredible. I’d go nuts.

by neder on Dec 31, 2011 5:25 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions

We're assuming in this scenario that he catches it?

Cause if so, I would agree.

I want Willis to play if he is healthy. But, we don’t need him for this game. We do for the playoffs, so that he can make life hard for opposing offenses.

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Dec 31, 2011 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

They'll go deep to him.

65 yards through the air reaching him right as he reaches the goalline and Hastings will bobble it right into the defenders arms where it will be returned for a TD. Hastings will go on to drop 2 potential first downs and a TD with the game on the line. We’ll end up the 3rd seed and go to NO where he gets on the field 10 times, gets called for a holding on a big gain and never gets open. We lose 31-30

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 31, 2011 4:07 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Dang , just when i thought i might get some stuff done today ...

… Sci Channel has a Oddities marathon on today …!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Dec 31, 2011 5:34 AM PST reply actions

Love Oddities!

And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter

by James Brady on Dec 31, 2011 11:28 AM PST up reply actions

Yes , it's out there just beyond the Edge ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Dec 31, 2011 11:34 AM PST up reply actions

That also reminds me of my second-favorite book series .. the last part.

But yeah, Oddities is one of my favorites. I didn’t know a new season started, I’m going to have to catch up. I was afraid it was canceled.

And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter

by James Brady on Dec 31, 2011 1:27 PM PST up reply actions

Tes , nice that it's back and so is another favorite of mine ... Idiot Abroad ( The bucket list ) ....

… One of few shows that actually makes me laugh out laoud …!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Dec 31, 2011 4:43 PM PST up reply actions