Golden Nuggets: Staley or Brunskill?

On Monday, Kyle Shanahan revealed that a few players are expected to return next Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. It could be blasphemous to say, but the return of Joe Staley worries me a little. He looked stiff and was slow to react the last time he played, and you have to wonder if age could be catching up to him. It very easily could have been rust and he just needs a couple of games to get back into the swing of things (see Mike McGlinchey), but the 49ers have the luxury of not needing to find out. Daniel Brunskill has played extremely well in place of both McGlinchey and Staley, having only allowed one sack on the season and earning himself a solid overall grade of 71.6 in his first start at left tackle.

If healthy, Staley will undoubtedly start, but are we finally nearing the end of his time with the 49ers? Brunskill has made the thought of Staley’s eventual retirement a little easier to stomach, but do you think he could actually be the LT of the future? Personally, I’m of the opinion that Staley’s replacement is yet to be drafted (looking at the extremely athletic big man out of Alabama, Alex Leatherwood) and Brunskill is more Mike Person’s replacement. What do you think?

On to those links...

Which 49ers Impressed vs. Top Ranked Ravens (Keiana Martin, 49ers.com)

49ers fall to No. 5 seed in NFC after Seahawks beat Vikings (Kyle Madson, Niners Wire)

What did we learn about 49ers in loss to Ravens? (Video, GMFB)

49ers snap count: Three receivers have earned Kyle Shanahan’s trust (Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports)

Studs and duds from 49ers’ 20-17 loss in Baltimore (Andrew Pasquini, Niners Wire)

49ers receivers’ stats starkly contrast with Saints’ Michael Thomas (Marcus White, NBC Sports)

3 Things We Learned From the 49ers 20-17 Loss Against the Ravens (Nicholas McGee, 49er Maven)

FMIA Week 13: Featuring a Duck and a Darkhorse, Playoff Picture Fills Out (Peter King, Pro Football Talk)