2012 Pro Bowl: Brian Jennings Named 'Need' Player; Frank Gore To Play [UPDATE]

by David Fucillo on Jan 23, 2012 7:06 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

Fooch's Note: It now sounds like Frank Gore will head to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl.

Although the season ended with a thud, there is still some good news for the 49ers. Long snapper Brian Jennings was added to the NFC's 2012 Pro Bowl roster as a "need" player. I believe the coaching staff is allowed to add a player for any sort of role, and Jennings was the pick. It is worth noting that the Packers will be coaching the team this year. The coaching staffs come from the divisional round losing teams with the best records, so no Harbowl 2 - Honolulu edition.

Big congrats to Jennings for this selection. He has been a beast for this team as the long snapper and is the longest tenured 49ers player, so way to go Brian.

In other Pro Bowl news, Frank Gore reportedly will not play in the Pro Bowl. Given that he has been banged up for much of the season, this is not a surprising decision. Given the ups and downs of this season it will be interesting to see how things go heading into next season. Kendall Hunter showed some great signs this season and likely has earned a chance at more playing time in 2012.

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Gore

With his injuries and seemingly a bit slower than he used to be, I wonder how many more seasons he can endure and produce at a premier level. I love Frank but, God, what about life after football?!

by njennings on Jan 23, 2012 7:24 PM PST via Android app reply actions

He needs to drop weight.

7-10 pounds of body fat so he can increase his overall speed.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 23, 2012 8:31 PM PST via Android app up reply actions

But then, he would not be "Frank The Tank".....

and at a lighter weigth, he simply may not hold up the whole season or even stoutly block as well as he does.

by BigMar on Jan 23, 2012 9:28 PM PST up reply actions

i agree

If anything, gain weight and be a bruising bowling ball

Follow @FLPReliableCPR

by mcwagner on Jan 24, 2012 7:59 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Is Harbaugh pissed that

Cam Newton got the replacement call for Eli instead of Alex Smith?

On a second note, do people still watch the pro bowl?

by salary_cap on Jan 23, 2012 7:39 PM PST reply actions

Alex Smith

I can’t really fault Harbaugh for pushing for Alex Smith as a Pro Bowler given how well the team performed as a whole. Maybe he doesn’t have the normal Pro Bowl stats, but he did what Harbaugh wanted and from there the team won. It’s not under whatever traditional definition exists for Pro Bowlers, but I have no problem with Harbaugh pushing his quarterback as a Pro Bowler.

Follow @NinersNation

by David Fucillo on Jan 23, 2012 7:47 PM PST up reply actions

It WOULD be interesting to see Smith throw to Probowl caliber WR's, like Calvin Johnson and Fitzy

even if they aren’t really allowed to play defense in the Pro Bowl lol

by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 23, 2012 7:53 PM PST up reply actions

I honestly don't think Harbaugh

sincerely thinks Smith is a “pro bowler” under any definition or even that he’s that good…but he relentlessly pumps him up to the media because that’s how Harbaugh rolls.

by salary_cap on Jan 23, 2012 8:01 PM PST up reply actions

Surprise, who would of thought ....

by HighFive on Jan 23, 2012 11:56 PM PST up reply actions

Might be too soon

But, I already can’t wait for the pre-season next year. I have been curious all season as to how Kaepernick has developed and we haven’t really gotten a good look. Don’t get me wrong I think Alex turned a huge corner and did an amazing job this season. I am just curious to see what kindof progress Kaepernick made with the same tutelage under Harbaugh.

by huston345 on Jan 23, 2012 7:48 PM PST reply actions

it is too soon

Kaepernick isn’t even close to being a starter…give him 2 more seasons to develop.

by rbprat10 on Jan 23, 2012 8:04 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Under Harbaugh & Q.B. Coach I would not be surprised if Kaepernick challenges

this 2012 Season.

Just look how far Alex came under Harbaugh as an example.

by BigMar on Jan 23, 2012 9:20 PM PST up reply actions

Alex did get better every year, not just this year.

It’s wasn’t all just Harbaugh.

extrabaggs
"Just your typical Giants scoring rally: A faceburger on the basepaths, two errors from the second baseman and a bases-loaded balk."

by Badly Browned on Jan 23, 2012 10:09 PM PST up reply actions

Pre-season tho

Not saying I want him to start right now or anything. Jut want to see where he is at.

by huston345 on Jan 23, 2012 8:08 PM PST reply actions

Harbaugh has ALWAYS said without waver...the best player will start

I think both Alex & Colin recognize that will be the fact every season.

Every starter has to continuelly prove the deserve to remain the starter….its called competition,every day, every week, every month, every season.

Best Q.B. will start the 2012 season….it could be Alex, but it may be Colin.

by BigMar on Jan 23, 2012 9:26 PM PST reply actions

Gore

Nobody is talking about it, but to me, Gore looks like he has one more season in him, maximum. He still hits the hole fast enough, but he can’t run to the outside anymore. It’s a shame he ran the first nine years of his career on sub-par teams.

by blako on Jan 23, 2012 9:28 PM PST reply actions