49ers Postseason Honors: Pro Football Weekly Honors Jim Harbaugh, Trent Baalke, Other 49ers

by David Fucillo on Jan 17, 2012 6:01 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

The postseason honors are rolling along as the 49ers are being honored for what has been a tremendous year for the players, coaching staff and front office. After having numerous played named to the All-Pro Team and Pro Bowl roster, more individual awards are coming out. The folks at Pro Football Weekly and the Professional Football Writers of America put together their NFL awards, including All-NFL rosters and individual postseason honors.

Jim Harbaugh was the easy selection for Coach of the Year. Even before Saturday's win, I can't see how there is any contest for anything other than second place with this award. Marv Lewis did some good things in Cincinnati and Mike McCarthy will get some credit for the Packers 15-1 regular season. But I see no way to logically justify anybody but Jim Harbaugh.

Trent Baalke was named Executive of the Year following an offseason in which he masterfully made roster moves that provided Jim Harbaugh with an awesome roster. He did not hit on every roster move, but he hit on most. Whether it was going out to sign Carlos Rogers, David Akers, Donte Whitner and others, or letting Aubrayo Franklin and Takeo Spikes walk to promote from within, he has been the man with the golden touch.

Among the players, David Akers and Andy Lee were co-winners of the Golden Toe award, which goes to the Best kicker OR punter. It is only proper that they both be recognized for outstanding work. Additionally, Lee, Akers, Justin Smith and Patrick Willis made the PFW/PFWA all-NFL first team. Aldon Smith made their All-Rookie team. They select two running backs and no fullback so Bruce Miller did not really have much chance to make the rookie team.

The team also distributed one of their internal awards, as center Jonathan Goodwin was named the 2011 Bobb McKittrick Award winner. The award goes to the 49ers offensive lineman who best exemplifies the dedication, excellence and commitment of former offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick. The 49ers have not made those awards official, but there were some tweets going around last night.

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I read a rather.. gaudy.. NY Giants puff piece on ESPN

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7468887/2011-nfl-playoffs-antrel-rolle-says-new-york-giants-denied

I made that face where the mouth puckers to one side, one eyebrow arches up, and the head leans back. I was pretty disgusted.

"I got two hard rules I live by, pop. I don't [site decorum] with the devil, and I never do tag teams with blood relatives" -Kenny Powers

by TryAndCatchVD on Jan 17, 2012 7:40 AM PST reply actions

i really think

Baalke’s best value pick was Culliver. He has been huge for a defense that was a few cover DBs from being elite. To get that Guy in the 3-4th round IIRC, is huge. I really think he has a bright bright future here with Terrell on the other side

Proud die-hard of the NFC West Champion San Francisco 49ers!
Whose got it better than us??? NOBODY!

by MetsKnicksRutgers on Jan 17, 2012 7:53 AM PST via mobile reply actions

I know that Stafford threw for over 5000 yards this year

but still feel Alex Smith was robbed of the come-back player of the year award. Smith has had two shoulder injuries, a million different coaching staffs, and at the start of this year most analysts believed that Smith was destined to become a career backup, yet they’re in the NFC conference game.

All Stafford did come back from half the shoulder injury Smith did and lob the ball to the best receiver in the NFL.

by reedkrase on Jan 17, 2012 8:28 AM PST reply actions

No, I definitely think Stafford deserved it.

If it was any other year Smith would have won it

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Jan 17, 2012 8:30 AM PST up reply actions

Stafford can have his award

while sitting at home, watching the niners… “LET IT ROLL, LET IT ROLL!!!!”

by SH0ck-D on Jan 17, 2012 8:54 AM PST up reply actions

I agree

shouldn’t you have to actually play a significant amount of time before getting this award? I mean the dude was barely healthy enough to get on the field throughout his career, and just because he finally makes it through a season he gets it? Smith is way more deserving, especially since he lead the team to the 2nd best record in the NFL.

by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 17, 2012 2:43 PM PST up reply actions