With the week off between the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl, we as fans have a little time to soak in the experience and speculate on the many possible outcomes of the big game next Sunday.
Of course one of the possibilities is that the 49ers might win, and if they do that will be in part due to an outstanding performance from the entire team. But, if history tells us anything, it’s that it will also be the result of an extraordinary performance from at least one player who will earn the Super Bowl MVP award.
And this year - maybe more than any other year - it’s possible that a certain 49ers player could make history by winning the award: TE George Kittle.
In the history of the Super Bowl, 54 awards have been handed out (DT Randy White and DE Harvey Martin were co-MVPs in Super Bowl XII), but in the 53 year history of the Super Bowl the award has never been given to a tight end.
Every other position - with the exception of the offensive line - has been represented on the podium as MVP of the big game. Even a special teams player (Desmond Howard, KR/PR, GB, Super Bowl XXXI) has been given the nod.
But not a tight end.
I think that George Kittle can change that. Generally speaking when a receiver has a big game, the QB gets the credit, but this year could be an exception for a couple of reasons:
One, Jimmy Garoppolo gets no love. It’s just a fact. For whatever reason, when Jimmy G does something special, he never receives the credit. It’s either Kyle Shanahan’s play calling or the reciever making the play, but never because of Jimmy G. It’s obviously unfair, but it is a fact.
Two, George Kittle’s has an impact on every play. To win the MVP he’ll need a big game statistically in the receiving department no question. But it’s possible that he’s an even better blocker than he is a receiver, and that’s saying something considering how talented of a receiver he is.
If he can put together a big game statistically - say over 150 yards and a couple of TDs - and put a handful of highlight worthy blocks on tape, and if the 49ers can win the game, then I don’t see any reason why George Kittle can’t become the first TE in the history of the game to earn that coveted Super Bowl MVP award.
And now onto the links:
49ers’ George Kittle awards Super Bowl trip to widow, son of fallen soldier (Nick Wagoner, ESPN)
49ers’ Tevin Coleman had shoulder out of socket for about 25 minutes (Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports)
The Art of Teamwork: How the 49ers’ lethal pass rush can slow Patrick Mahomes (Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee)
49ers trying to end improbable Super Bowl drought that started with 16-0 Patriots in 2007 (John Breech, CBS Sports)
49ers ready to play Super Bowl LIV a week early if need be (Kyle Madson, NIners Wire)
49ers: Jed York deserves his share of the credit for successful season (Jeremy Wohlfart, Niner Noise)
Jed York, 49ers flying 1,500 staff members to Miami for Super Bowl LIV (David Bonilla, 49ers WebZone)
49ers pass rush may be biggest key to Super Bowl victory (Kyle Madson, Niners Wire)
Joe Staley, Emmanuel Sanders Offer Sound Advice to Young 49ers ahead of Super Bowl LIV (Kelana Martin, 49ers.com)
By The Numbers: How the 49ers – Chiefs Super Bowl LIV Matchup Came to Be (Matthew Asher, 49ers.com)
Super Bowl 2020: 49ers’ run game consistently confuses teams with the perfect mix of play design and personnel (Jared Dubin, CBS Sports)