49ers Vs. Giants: Bulletin Board Material That Really Isn't Bulletin Board Material

by David Fucillo on Jan 17, 2012 3:00 PM PST in 2012 NFL Playoffs

With only two teams still alive in each conference, the chance for "bulletin board material" becomes much greater given the focus of the media on only a few teams. We have already had a couple instances that people can tout as bulletin board material, even though in reality it is nothing of the sort. Jim Harbaugh actually mentioned the idea of bulletin board material in discussing some comments Justin Tuck made about Alex Smith:

"I think there are going to be a lot of people running around this week trying to find bulletin board material. Take things out of context and stretch them. Look for that nugget and then can't wait to hurry back here and ask us, or them, what they thought of that. We need to really focus on our task here. This is a big game. It's against a great opponent. That's where our thoughts will be, not on the irrelevant things that show up in the newspaper. But people will be working hard, I predict. I see a lot of people in this room here.

Victor Cruz and the Giants acknowledged they are much happier playing the 49ers and the Saints. While this might seem like a slight, in reality it is a perfectly logical conclusion Cruz has reached. The Saints were dominant in the Superdome. The 49ers have played some great football at home, but the Saints were on another level at home that nobody could really match to a certain extent. Cruz probably shouldn't have provided the opportunity for the media to twist his words, but he makes a logical point.

This follows Vernon Davis' comments at halftime of the Giants-Packers game. He made an appearance on the FOX halftime show and when asked who he preferred, he said he was praying for a Giants win. Antrel Rolle followed that up with the usual, "be careful what you wish for." Once again, Vernon Davis was simply making a logical point that th 49ers wanted to play this NFC title game at home.

I really see no problem in a player proclaiming his team will win or making predictions of victory. While there can be questions about bulletin board material, if a player doesn't think his team can win, I'm not sure what he is doing out there. It's one thing to disparage the opposing team, but to proclaim your own greatness? I don't think it is particularly significant. I think bulletin board material can be of significance in some matchups, but in a game like this where two great teams are coming together, I think we can get past the BS.

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good take...

both were better off giving the lame answer of “it doesn’t matter” even if they didn’t mean any slight by it…

by salary_cap on Jan 17, 2012 3:03 PM PST reply actions

Competely agreed.

I think the only way you can have “bulletin board” material is by saying something like “The 49ers aren’t a good team” or “The NY Giants are soft” or something like that. Expressing confidence certainly isn’t anything to write home about, but the mainstream media loves to talk about it.

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 17, 2012 3:25 PM PST reply actions

+1

by BruinMW on Jan 17, 2012 3:25 PM PST up reply actions

Well, I do agree with you. Yes. But it does seem a little selfish to me. I’m sure some of his teammates did not appreciate it…

Be modest! It is the kind of pride least likely to offend.
--Jules Renard (1864 - 1910)

by IndridCold on Jan 17, 2012 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

probably not

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 17, 2012 3:47 PM PST up reply actions

Here you go Giants, post this:

The 49ers are going to win on Sunday because they are the better team and are playing at home.

It's the logo for my favorite band!

by positiveuphemism on Jan 17, 2012 3:27 PM PST reply actions

As Gottleib said today

“Nobody’s won a game because of bulletin board material…” It might get a few guys geeked, but it doesn’t tangibly effect games.

by salary_cap on Jan 17, 2012 3:29 PM PST reply actions

I love the usage of the word "geeked" there.

I’ve never heard it being used like that, but I like it.

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 17, 2012 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

Antrel Rolle says "we can't be beat"

umm you were beaten 7 times this year, TWICE by the Redskins….you sure can be beat lol

by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 17, 2012 3:44 PM PST reply actions

See that's the problem with the mainstream media. They have sensationalistic headlines that piss people off

his full quote was something like this “I’m not guaranteeing anything, but in our minds, we go there thinking we can’t be beat.”

That has a totally different vibe to it than “we can’t be beat”

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 17, 2012 3:48 PM PST up reply actions

i know, i read it

I just think it’s funny because obviously they did lose games this year lol

by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 17, 2012 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

yeah lol....he's not the smartest of players out there...

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 17, 2012 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

Here are Rolle quotes

“I wouldn’t take the field if I felt otherwise,” Rolle said on Tuesday. “More than us gelling as a team, we are believing as a team. We understand where we are, we understand where we are trying to get to and what it takes for us to get there. We will do everything in our power. We won’t be denied at this point. We are all in.”

“The No. 1 challenge is going to be the mental aspect,” Rolle said. “They are a mentally tough team. They are extremely hungry. I used to play against those guys twice a year when I was in Arizona. This is a totally, totally different team. I mean the mindset, they are very hungry and very determined and they want to win just as bad as we do. I think it will come down to a defensive battle.”

“I don’t give a damn who we are playing,” Rolle said. “That is my take. I don’t care who we play. I take any opponent. That is how I am and that is how I was raised. I don’t shy away from any opponent. My heart doesn’t pump any Kool-Aid, only blood.”

I don’t think there’s anything there that’s “bulletin board” worthy. He might be a little dramatic, but he’s well liked by other NFL players and definitely does give SF their due.

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 17, 2012 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

I read that whole thing earlier

Much ado about nothing.

If you got most players from both teams opinions off the record it would sound a lot like that.

by AptosNinerFan on Jan 17, 2012 3:57 PM PST up reply actions

There's nothing there that can be taken as disrespect or trash talk.

Again, this is just the media trying to justify their existence as usual by pandering to peoples’ baser mentality. I’m sure both teams are focused on other matters.

"I pity the fool, and I will destroy any man who tries to take what I got!. You ready? Here come the PAIN."

by whatsURdeal on Jan 17, 2012 3:58 PM PST up reply actions

Great points here.

But I think that the Giants are clearly more “overconfident” than the 49ers, with all the shenanigans about the guaranteed victory over the Packers as clear evidence. Now is that good? Bad? Who cares really. As salary_cap states, it shouldn’t tangibly affect the outcome of the game. And I think this might have just been the first time I have ever typed an underscore in my life.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 17, 2012 3:45 PM PST reply actions

Just heard Mort on NFL32

say Delanie got his wires on his jaw removed yesterday….hope that means he is playing on Sunday

by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 17, 2012 3:46 PM PST reply actions

He's playing

I have no insights mind you but I think he’s playing for sure.

by AptosNinerFan on Jan 17, 2012 3:47 PM PST up reply actions

Sure hopes so

with the double to triple coverage VD will get, Delanie is going to have opportunities to make plays

by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 17, 2012 3:48 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed.

He has to be playing. He’s lost eight pounds though, and I am sure we can expect some rust.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 17, 2012 3:48 PM PST up reply actions

i definitely agree about the rust

but the few plays you can get him out there will be better than having to rely on hastings or swain lol

by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 17, 2012 3:51 PM PST up reply actions

Where did you hear the 8 lbs. info?

Not disagreeing, I just hadn’t seen it definitively. I think a loss of weight could definitely impact his blocking but him simply being on the field should open up a lot of options.

by AptosNinerFan on Jan 17, 2012 3:55 PM PST up reply actions

I know this doesn't sound legit but

I read it in an article a couple of weeks back. Google the following…delanie walker, pounds, lost…and do it in that order. The articles have apparently been updated and changed since I read them.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 17, 2012 4:03 PM PST up reply actions

He gained the 8 lb back within a few days when he went back to solid food

by Mood_Indigo on Jan 17, 2012 4:07 PM PST up reply actions

Holy crap.

What has he been eating? T-bones and whey protein shakes? Haha.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 17, 2012 4:09 PM PST up reply actions

Amazing the difference not being on a liquid diet makes…

by Takeo33 on Jan 17, 2012 8:27 PM PST up reply actions

In the middle of the year against the Browns

some bulletin board material can be helpful to get up for a game that may not be that exciting.

I don’t know how you get up any higher for a game that involves the winner getting a trip to the Super Bowl.

Can you imagine a little kid just standing there and getting picked on. They get rocks thrown at them. Spit on them. Alex’s just one of those guys, he’s been there. I just wish him all the best. I want to see him successful. I just want to see all good things happen to that guy. Because he is a warrior.

by 16to80fan on Jan 17, 2012 3:47 PM PST reply actions

Exactly. The stakes are motivation enough. It's playing in the SB.

"I pity the fool, and I will destroy any man who tries to take what I got!. You ready? Here come the PAIN."

by whatsURdeal on Jan 17, 2012 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

DON'T FORGET.

NFL Network will be re-airing the game in it’s entirety in one hour.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 17, 2012 3:49 PM PST reply actions

A blowout sure would be nice

After watching the end of the NO game in the fetal position, I sure would love to see the Niners just stomp the Giants…get out to a comfortable lead (27-0?) and then just throw everything at them on defense. Too much to ask for? Ok, I’ll settle for a 1-pt win. Just don’t know if my heart can take it.

By the way, this is my first post. I love this blog, been lurking for most of the season. I was motivated to join during the Saints game, though I had to wait 24 hrs to be active. I wanted to post at the start of the game when I saw Brees doing that stupid song…that’s when I knew we were going to win.

GO NINERS!!!

by Beachdog49 on Jan 17, 2012 4:07 PM PST reply actions

It will be.....

They are a good team but we are better. Its that simple. We will crush them!!

by Johnveeskys on Jan 17, 2012 4:10 PM PST up reply actions

I see no crushing going on by either team, sorry.

Niners haven’t crushed anyone all year, save for Tampa Bay. This will be another close game I’m afraid.

by AptosNinerFan on Jan 17, 2012 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed.

More fetal position endings are in the near future I am thinking, fortunately. The Giants are just frickin’ hot right now, and so are we. This will probably go down to the last possession in the 4th quarter.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 17, 2012 4:15 PM PST up reply actions

*UNfortunately

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 17, 2012 4:15 PM PST up reply actions

they crushed the Rams and Cards at home as well

by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 17, 2012 4:15 PM PST up reply actions

This is why I hate the media

If a guy speaks honestly they take it to extremes and reach as far as they can in order to boost notoriety/sales/hits, etc. Each team isn’t going out there and saying the other sucks or player X is awful. These are two teams that I think have a genuine respect for one another as warriors as was evident at the end of their regular season game saying “We’re going to see them again”. Naturally, The 49ers want to play at home and the Giants don’t want to play at the Superdome. They don’t need to, they want to. 49ers would be happy to go to Lambeau and the Giants to the Superdome if it meant they advanced. Simple as that.

The media literally forces spoon-fed and non-answers because of such reaching. Sorry the headlines of “two great teams heading for collision” doesn’t sell but stop acting like a bunch of lawyers with the athletes. Perhaps this is what happens when 2 of the 3 insane offenses got squashed and Tebow will get to spend his next Sundays in church. I don’t think it tastes like living anymore to the media. It just feels like trying to convince a kid to put his hand on a hot stove. Go back to talking about how Lamar Odom is nailing threes on and off the court.

Honorary parent of Duane Kuiper, beloved solar powered broadcaster and power hitting coach for the Giants.

by Giant Voodoo on Jan 17, 2012 4:36 PM PST reply actions 4 recs

BOOM

rec’d

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 17, 2012 5:02 PM PST up reply actions

"Go back to talking about how Lamar Odom is nailing threes on and off the court"

Almost ruined my iPad by laughing and spitting water. Thanks a lot. LoL

"Bears are crazy, Willie. They'll bite your head off if you're wearing steak on it."

by Blank x2 on Jan 17, 2012 6:45 PM PST up reply actions

NeverNews

None of this is news to anyone in either locker room. they all hear this same chatter every week, and every year. it wouldn’t be the NFL without it.

by t p on Jan 17, 2012 4:37 PM PST reply actions

If you need bulletin board material to get up for the NFC Champ game...

There is a major problem. Enough said.

FIRE Perry Fewell

by bleedblue12 on Jan 17, 2012 5:35 PM PST via Android app reply actions

It doesnt matter what happens in this game...

whoever wins wont shut up about how they were disrespected and no one thought they could do it and yada yada yada…

At USC we're not snobs, we're just better than you.

by TrojanCBB on Jan 17, 2012 6:18 PM PST reply actions

Football Giants of ny suck and we will destroy them with ease.

by Mindless on Jan 17, 2012 10:44 PM PST reply actions

What bugs me is that it's this kind of pseudo-trash talk that makes the news,

rather than at least a somewhat objective analysis of what to actually look for in the game. This is actually going to be a very interesting matchup between two of the most balanced teams in the NFL. I honestly don’t care what little quotes they can come up with. I’m tired of sound bites of news analysts saying “I think the Giants have the edge because they have heart.”

by Rhombus on Jan 18, 2012 12:03 AM PST reply actions