Since 49ers WR Michael Crabtree returned to the lineup Dec. 1, the 49ers are 7-0. Since San Francisco owns an eight-game winning streak, and has the look of last year’s Super Bowl runner-up, plus the addition of WR Anquan Boldin, it raises concern for the Seahawks’ No. 1-ranked pass defense.
Wednesday Seahawks S Earl Thomas complimented Boldin, then issued a warning as the teams prepare for Sunday’s NFC Championship (3:30 p.m., FOX).
“I like that he’s blue-collar, and I’m ready for him,” Thomas said Wednesday. “He’s a great blocker. He tried to cut me a couple of times. So we’ll meet each other again, because I’m definitely going to find where he is.”
Last weekend, in San Francisco’s divisional round win over Carolina, Boldin again led a Niners passing attack that has become increasingly potent since Crabtree returned from a torn Achilles. Against the Panthers, Boldin caught eight passes for 126 yards, helping San Francisco to a 23-10 win.
Crabtree, meanwhile, was a non-factor, making just three catches for 26 yards. However, he caught eight passes for 125 yards during the Niners’ win over the Packers in the wild card round, including a key third-down reception that helped extend San Francisco’s game-winning drive.
Unlike last season, the Niners have two game-breaking wide receivers instead of one. And both are tall. Boldin is 6-foot-1 and Crabtree is 6-4. Yet it’s Boldin, at 220 pounds, who’s considered among the most imposing, dominant receivers in the league.
“It’s a more physical, downhill attack, and we definitely have to have or big-boy pants on this week,” Thomas said. “I think we can bully whoever we want to bully. It’s about us. It’s about a mindset.”
Last off-season, the 49ers traded a sixth-round pick to the Ravens for Boldin, agreeing to take on his $6 million salary. The Seahawks found out how well the move worked Dec. 8, in a 19-17 loss at Candlestick Park. Crabtree and Boldin both played. When the Seahawks faced a Crabtree-less Niners in Week 2, they routed San Francisco, 29-3.
In that game, Boldin caught one pass for seven yards, both season lows. In the Niners’ win over Seattle in December, Boldin led all receivers with 93 yards.
In the teams’ first meeting in the 2012 season, 49ers beat the Seahawks, 13-6, at Candlestick, coach Jim Harbaugh complained about the physical play of Seattle’s defensive backs. Harbaugh said he would ask the NFL league office to review a series of plays in which he felt the the Seahawks committed but weren’t called for pass interference and holding penalties.
“Have I been outspoken?” Harbaugh said Monday. “I wouldn’t call it outspoken. They’re very good, no question about it. And they’re good at every position, and really good on offense at every position, so, no secret.”
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll Wednesday wasn’t buying into the thought that Seattle’s secondary was being called for fewer penalties in the playoffs.
“I keep hearing that’s what’s going to happen,” Carroll said. “That has no factor on us at all. First off, we have a style. We’ve been playing the same style for as long as (I have coached) back to North Carolina State. It’s a long time ago we started teaching guys in this manner. It hasn’t changed or adapted to the refereeing or the time of the year, and it’s not going to do that now.”
Harvin sits out practice, Wright returns
Seahawks WR Percy Harvin missed practice Wednesday after sustaining a concussion last weekend against the Saints. Wednesday Carroll said Harvin will meet with team doctors after practice for further evaluation.
In the NFC divisional round, Harvin caught three passes for 21 yards, and added one rush on a fly sweep that went for nine yards. However, his playoff debut ended late in the first half when he slammed his head on the end zone turf, knocking him out of the game.
LB K.J. Wright, who hasn’t played since breaking a bone in his foot against the 49ers in Week 14, practiced Wednesday. Carroll said Wright could be available for Sunday’s NFC Championship.
One the 49ers’ injury report, missing practice Wednesday were LB Ahmad Brooks (illness), DE Demarcus Dobbs (knee/shoulder), C Jonathan Goodwin (foot), and DT Justin Smith (shoulder).
3 Comments
I hope they do what they did in week 2 and have sherman bully and shutdown boldin the entire game and have the rest just bully crabtree this time. Got love the swagger. Man the game will not come fast enough.
Not only can the Seahawks bully anyone they want so can the 12th Man. The last two times the 49ers played at the CLink Colin Kaepernick was clearly uncomfortable with the noise.
Based on their last meeting the D-Line might be the key moreso than the Legion. They need to keep Kaepernick pressured and contain Frank Gore. The Legion will have the 49ers WR’s thinking all day. Kam Chancellor alone will have Vernon Davis looking over his shoulder all day. Hopefully Richard Sherman will lead SF in receptions on Sunday.
I think they should make Richard Sherman a WR in passing situations. Spice it up a little bit. I guarantee he’s better than Ricardo Lockette.