*Kitna named Superbowl MVP!* Official NFL 2013 Postseason thread

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BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,770
126
Stat update after yesterday's game: Peyton Manning is 3-1 in AFC Championships and most importantly, 2-1 against Tom Brady.

Some credit has to go to the Denver O-line, they kept PM clean all day and to the coaches and PM's game-plan to stick to routes that got the ball out of his hands quickly. I'm not making any excuses for Brady here as both him and the Pat's O-line were simply outplayed but for the love of god give him a fighting chance and bring in some receiving talent, Amendola is way overrated, hell Austin Collie, an Indy cast-off had a decent day with 4 catches, Amendola, none..
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,934
10,817
147
Speaking of fans acting poorly. :p

Background of the famous "booing Santa" episode.

Former Mayor of Philadelphia and Governor of Pennsylvania Ed Rendell got in on the act at "Bounty Bowl II:"

After rumors spread that Eagles coach Buddy Ryan had put a bounty out on Dallas kicker Luis Zendejas during the first meeting two weeks earlier, the Eagles fans were more than rowdy when the rematch was held in Philadelphia.

CBS Sports touted the game as "Bounty Bowl II," complete with wanted posters and the offending players, with the bounty posted, as part of the network's pre-game opening, and it lived up to its expectations as a media event. With NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue in attendance on gameday December 10, 1989, the Veterans Stadium crew did not remove the snow that had piled up for several days. The volatile mix of beer, plentiful snow, the bounty and the intense hatred for "America's Team" led to the Eagles' notoriously rowdy fans throwing everything within reach. Notable targets included back judge Al Jury, who was knocked to the ground by a barrage of snowballs; Cowboys punter Mike Saxon, who was targeted in the end zone; and Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson, who was hit with snowballs, ice, and beer as he was hastily escorted off the field by Philadelphia Police.

Verne Lundquist and Terry Bradshaw announced the game for CBS, and they spent the afternoon denouncing Eagles fans and dodging snowballs aimed at the broadcast booth (broadcast booths are traditionally open during broadcasts); at the end of the game, Lundquist stated on the air that an oral surgery a few days prior had not been as unpleasant as broadcasting an Eagles game.[2] Even the Eagles' players were struck. As Eagles defensive lineman Jerome Brown stood on the players' sideline seats pleading for the fans to stop throwing things, he too was hit.

Future Pennsylvania governor and Eagles fan Edward Rendell got caught up in the fallout from that game when he admitted to a reporter that he was involved in the bedlam. The then-former Philadelphia district attorney and future mayor and governor had bet another fan $20 that the fan couldn't reach the field with a snowball; Rendell lost.[3] As a result of the chaotic melee, the team added security and banned beer sales for their last remaining home game of the regular season vs. the Phoenix Cardinals and the subsequent NFC Wild Card playoff game vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
The Eagles won the game 20–10.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
688
126
Forgot, with home field advantage in those 3 wins.

Your point? The home field team should win the AFC Championship because in general, they're the better (and favored) team. I mean, I'd hate it if my team was one game from the Super Bowl and hosted someone like -- for example, the Ravens -- and got thumped.
 

TheSlamma

Diamond Member
Sep 6, 2005
7,625
5
81
Your point? The home field team should win the AFC Championship because in general, they're the better (and favored) team. I mean, I'd hate it if my team was one game from the Super Bowl and hosted someone like -- for example, the Ravens -- and got thumped.
He has no real point, just a passive aggressive dig ;)
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
Bullshit. SF defense played miles better than Seattle did. The strip sack was a good play by them but the first pick was a bad throw by Kaepernick. He made the same play to Crabtree on the next drive with a better throw. The thing that grinds my gears about the last pick isn't the pick itself as much as the clock management and how it was all rushed. Just foolish to do that with 2 timeouts in your pocket and just made first down. Spike the fucking ball, don't play games trying to prevent Seattle from getting substitutions in.

As for Sherman's post game meltdown, I just feel bad for the guy. Just won a trip to the Super Bowl and he's more angry than happy. :rolleyes:

The 49ers gave up way to many big plays on defense and Seattle came through with 3 turnovers. We harassed Wilson all night but he still made the two 50 yard throws.
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
The 49ers gave up way to many big plays on defense and Seattle came through with 3 turnovers. We harassed Wilson all night but he still made the two 50 yard throws.

The Niner offense still has clock management problems. There is no reason they should be getting delay of game penalties or wasting their time outs early. They've done that all season though. I don't know if that is on Kaep, Harbaugh, or everyone else, but they need to tighten that up.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
In all fairness yesterday was one of their better days managing the clock. I think one delay penalty and they had all three timeouts towards the end of each half.
 

fierydemise

Platinum Member
Apr 16, 2005
2,056
2
81
In all fairness yesterday was one of their better days managing the clock. I think one delay penalty and they had all three timeouts towards the end of each half.
I think forgetting to use timeouts at the end of the game counts against you on clock management.
 

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
37,616
33,335
136
The 49ers gave up way to many big plays on defense and Seattle came through with 3 turnovers. We harassed Wilson all night but he still made the two 50 yard throws.
Way too many? I think they gave up only two big plays IIRC. As for the turnovers, I still think Seattle only gets credit for "coming through" on 1.5 of those, the other 1.5 were gifts from Kaepernick.

The Niner offense still has clock management problems. There is no reason they should be getting delay of game penalties or wasting their time outs early. They've done that all season though. I don't know if that is on Kaep, Harbaugh, or everyone else, but they need to tighten that up.
That is one of the things they actually did well in this game, for a change. Except for the clock management during the final 3 minutes of the game. Seattle had more delay of game penalties than the Niners did.

In all fairness yesterday was one of their better days managing the clock. I think one delay penalty and they had all three timeouts towards the end of each half.
Yep.
 

SP33Demon

Lifer
Jun 22, 2001
27,928
143
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What we didn't see before the game:

FRRJLMO.jpg


1003462_482658065151276_1806066643_n-300x300.jpg
 

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
13,574
4,236
136
Look at 6:35 vs 7:10. Its essentially the same play. At least the same route and same coverage.

NFL.com: SF vs Seattle highlights

Anyways, I think he will be different next year, because he is hopefully learning that he just can't lock onto one receiver. If he hasn't realized it after this game, I'm sure Harbaugh will make that point in the offseason. He can be so frustrating at times. That one legged jump pass to Boldin was spectacular, but that also should have been picked. If one of the taller DBs was on Boldin it probably would have, cause Thomas is 5-10 and he got a hand on the ball.

KaepJumpTDThrow.gif


Such potential. Its somewhat understandable why a young guy with talent like that would think he could make any throw. If he can improve is decision making he will be pretty unstoppable. I think he's just too young with too much confidence.
Okay, same route but we'll have to disagree about the coverage. ;) He basically threw it right where the DB was waiting. The later play was a very good throw.

Monday morning quarterbacking is easy. If Sherman had mistimed his jump, the headlines would be how all about great CK's game-winning drive was. Obviously, great DBs make that play but the margin of error isn't much. On the TD to Boldin, it looks like the DB timed his leap perfectly so it was a great throw.
 

fierydemise

Platinum Member
Apr 16, 2005
2,056
2
81
Okay, same route but we'll have to disagree about the coverage. ;) He basically threw it right where the DB was waiting. The later play was a very good throw.

Monday morning quarterbacking is easy. If Sherman had mistimed his jump, the headlines would be how all about great CK's game-winning drive was. Obviously, great DBs make that play but the margin of error isn't much. On the TD to Boldin, it looks like the DB timed his leap perfectly so it was a great throw.
The difference maker on that play may have been as simple as Sherman is 6'3 while Thomas is only 5'10.
 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
As for Sherman's post game meltdown, I just feel bad for the guy. Just won a trip to the Super Bowl and he's more angry than happy. :rolleyes:

The negative media attention and public outcry is probably better for Seattle. They play better with a chip on their shoulder.

The difference maker on that play may have been as simple as Sherman is 6'3 while Thomas is only 5'10.

Yeah, Chancellor and Sherman are 6'3", and its hard to throw over them. Thomas got a hand on the ball, it just wasnt enough to deflect it. Sherman or Chancellor could have picked it off.
 
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lk2500

Member
Oct 12, 2011
167
2
81
sorry but his little outburst with Erin ruined any positive image he had.

He is an egotistical tool who needs his jaw wired shut.

Which is exactly what he wants you to think.

He did apologize to Erin Anrdews for what it's worth.

And, I generally agree with you, although the majority of the people here in the Northwest love the guy.

I do respect he and his family and what they stand for.

It definitely makes for good drama, the media eats this stuff up. Get ready for the 2 week feeding frenzy.
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
Which is exactly what he wants you to think.

He did apologize to Erin Anrdews for what it's worth.

And, I generally agree with you, although the majority of the people here it the Northwest love the guy.

It definitely makes for good drama, the media eats this stuff up.

as long as he knocks the smart out of Bolden, him and I are good.
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
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Which is exactly what he wants you to think.

He did apologize to Erin Anrdews for what it's worth.

And, I generally agree with you, although the majority of the people here it the Northwest love the guy.

It definitely makes for good drama, the media eats this stuff up.

It is rather funny that Sherman makes the play that wins them the game, says Crabtree shouldn't be running his mouth (whom he made the play against), and is some bad guy... But, when Steve Smith goes on about punching somebody in the mouth, he is a good guy because the other guy is the bad one...

Let's be honest here, they all talk shit to each other every play of ever game. And the winner gets to say it to the media at the end. And it wasn't like Sherman came out and said "Kaep is an awful QB and should have known better than to throw it to my side." He targeted someone who had already spoken about him in the media, the same someone he was directly shutting down all game.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
To halfway quote Chris Rock re: Sherman....

Now I ain't saying I agree with the guy....but I understand.

CB's almost moreso than any other position in the game operate under the aura of intimidation. Lock down corners. Revis Island. Don't throw my way. It's an attitude, persona, threat, whatever. It's a mental state that they play up to get into the heads of QB's and WR's. Sherman made a fantastic play on the ball that ultimately earned his team a trip a to the Superbowl. He was jacked up more than about any of us ever could be in our lives. None of us have been in a position to send a team to one of the most watched television events in modern history.

He's amped up, a very strong personality and had an axe to grind from an earlier interaction. That's a perform storm to generate that kind of outburst.
 

Ban Bot

Senior member
Jun 1, 2010
796
1
76
Good game 49ers. That was a tense, exciting game. 49ers could have easily EARNED the win. So, so close. Both defenses were lights out and both offenses struggled for rhythm but made big plays when it mattered. I was on my feet half the game! Good game 9er fans and best of luck next year--we know you guys will bring it and are a great, great team. It is bad enough to play you guys 2x a year, but 3 is crazy. Much respect. Keep your heads' high as you guys were one play from another SB--3 championship games in a row is amazing. You guys have a lot to be proud of. Retool in the off season, get healthy, and use this as motivation for another run at it next year. Seattle better be ready as you guys showed you are an evenly matched opponent.

I was, and am, sad to see Bowman hurt. You never want to see anyone hurt like that. Ever. My best wishes to him for a full recovery and many, many more years of excellence--and if it is true some fan(s) threw food on Bowman: screw you guy(s)! Show some respect you idiot(s)! @ NaVorro Bowman: Great play to prevent Kearse from getting in the endzone. Even better play stripping the ball. And you are obviously THE MAN. I leap and hollar when I get a papercut. You, man, held onto a ball after a horrible injury.

I am also quite happy Lynch fumbled on the very next play (I guess his shoe was coming undone?) That was CLEARLY a fumble and SF ball. I can see why the refs missed it (look at it at full speed and there are bodies all over the place as they are going down). You never want a play a BAD BAD BAD call like that change the game. The next play actually helped SF a lot as they got the ball off the 1 yard line. So while the call was a bad miss it actually helped SF a lot. (Note: At least three times this season Seattle forced fumbles that were not reviewable. One in the Cards game that would have iced the game and last week against the Saints.)

The refs let a lot of stuff go, probably too much. I see a lot of 49ers complaining on ProFootballTalk. And some of the complaints are valid. Richardo Locket caught James' face mask and the blown roughing the kicker call (although when 42 broke past his blocker the block shoved him). But there were a lot of calls the other way as well. Kaepernick kicked the ball preventing an additional fumble recovery (pretty blatant IMO) and on one of Kap's big runs one of the Hawk's DL was literally hugged and had to drag the OLineman with him right in view of the ref. On the Kearse TD long before the ball got there the defender had his right arm around Kearse (blatant PI). Lane, one of our gunners, was held inside the collar and pushed out of bounds. Seeing as niner coaches and players were standing in the white area Lane ran behind them to and got decked. So a lot of bad calls both ways. Not sure what to say. What I can say is Aikman is wrong--just like in the Saint/49er game. You cannot hit the head or neck. He cannot hit the head or neck of a defenseless receiver with your helmet, shoulders, etc. It is no longer "just launching" (leaving feet) or hitting with the crown of the helmet that is illegal; you cannot hit the head or neck of a defenseless receiver, period. Hitner... err Witner clearly was trying to jack Luke Wilson. Seattle has been the victim of a lot of BAD defenseless receiver calls; Kam Chancelor in particular. But that call on Witner was dead on.

Kaepernick. Dude is a stallion. And his post game comments were CLASSY. I am not a big Kap fan but hats off to a gutsy game, playing hard, and staying classy. For a young QB he takes too much heat. But Joe Montana was right: he needs to develop in the pocket as he locks on too much. He brings some things on himself (come'on man, don't wear other team's gear!) and can be pretty dismissive of his opposition but he played a good game. He showed he can weather a hostile crowd better and, outside the 3 and nearly 4 costly 4th quarter turnovers he almost won it. In fact if he had looked at Boldin or Davis on that last play we could be talking about SF going to the SB two years running. Hard to be down on a guy who is 1 play away from the SB. The narrative last year was how Wilson took Seattle down to get the lead with 30 seconds left at Atlanta; and while the narrative will be Kap's turnover he put them in the position to win. Crabtree goes up and gets the ball, or knocks it away, SF wins.

Carroll. Adjustments. Going from man to more zone really worked well. It forced Kap to make tough reads which resulted in 2 INTs. It also kept him more contained which lead to the two strip sacks because he hangs the ball out. Gotta give it to Carroll for keeping his team's head in the game after going down 10-0. On the other side they left points on the table (Lynch fumble instead of FG) and got lucky on the BLOWN FG that lead to the 4and7 TD pass.

Wilson & Receivers. I like Baldwin-Tate-Kearse. But they are clearly 2-3-4 grade receivers. Tate was almost invisible, again. They do have problems separating. The OL is so porous on passing downs Zach Miller is constantly stuck blocking. Seattle NEEDS Harvin healthy and next year they need a tall outside receiver. Baldwin played balls to the wall and should be brought back. But Wilson will struggle until they get the line and receiving core fixed. The box is frequently overloaded and the receivers cannot get open on shorter routes. Wilson is good from the pocket when he has times but that is rare. That said Wilson looked off again. The stupid opening play/fumble. Went to hand off on the wrong side on a Read Option (or was that Lynch's fault?) The high handoff to Lynch that caused the fumble. The near interception early in the game over the defenders finger tips to Baldwin. A ton of running BACKWARDS. He seems afraid to run for yardage--the lack of the running threat is hampering him as well IMO. And yet he made the big plays when it counted. The bomb to Baldwin was big. The savy to go long on the free play when Smith went offsides (Smith gave up on the play!) Driving them down on that pass to Kearse that Kearse fumbled. Outside the 1st play fumble he kept the ball safe--which is the difference between him and Kaepernick right now. I would love to see Wilson with a compliment of players like Boldin, Crabtree, and Davis and the SF line. But he weathered the storm against a lot of great defenses and made it, so kudos. And I love it that Cris Carter was bad mouthing Baldwin this morning, even after a 100 yard game + big return in the playoffs. Fueling the fire!

Sherman. I don't like all the talking. That said the 49er receivers, especially Crabtree and Boldin, are huge smack talkers. Boldin doesn't know how to catch a ball without yapping. Crabtree has been pretty dismissive of Sherman and Sherman one this time. He was jacked--his play get Seattle into the superbowl. For those who don't know Sherman, he isn't always obnoxious. But I think his MO is simple: He first of all plays better jacked up and as the underdog. See: trash talk. It is to another degree against Harbaugh as his former coach did NOT draft him and he feels he was underutilized at Stanford, so it is personal with the 49ers. He also uses mind games against his opponents by getting under their skin. Then there is the dollars: he was a 5th or 6th round pick. He wants BIG money. He did this by playing well and then by TALKING. What did it do? Everyone started paying attention so they could slam him for trash talk. Instead Sherman has played lights out for 2 years. Has he given up big plays? Yes. But the guy is a beast. 13% of passes this year thrown his way were INTs. He was the least targetted CB in the league bet lead in INTs. He had the lowest passer rating of all players when teams through against him. He plays run support. He plays really tough at the line. He grabs at times and everyone from Harbaugh to the WSJ talk about it but ignore the rampant OFF PI in the league. Sherman is a lightening rod. I am not going to call him classless or a punk. Just look at the blotter this year in the NFL: DUIs galore, hit and runs and public intoxication, multiple murders, trying to force women to have abortions, rapes and public ahem, rampant gun issues, on an on.

Personally, I think his rant yesterday was three fold. One was he was amped and made the SB-making play. Two is doesn't like Crabtree, Harbaugh, or the 9ers. At all. He enjoyed showing them up, especially after the loss down in the stick. Seattle took that personal and Crabtree's smack talk added fuel. Third is Sherman is smart. He knows Manning is the national sweethart. Being the chippy young dogs was not going to court favor. So how do you fuel the fire? Be the villians. Be the bully. Have everyone insult and slam you. Fuel the fire to raise your game. I think that is his game. The media is obliging. Meh. I don't care. I wish he would shut up. I really like how Willis and Vernon Davis are classy guys, a lot like Wilson. But DBs/WRs are divas and trash talkers. Yesterday Sherman was the better player on the big stage so he could be the bigger trash talker. Ho hum.

Denver vs. Seattle. #1 seed vs #1 seed. One of the best all time passing teams vs on of the best all time pass defenses. Two classy QBs representing two different generations of QBs. If anyone can shut down the Denver pass attack it is Seattle. They can push the pocket and play tough at the line against Denver's big receivers. I see Manning getting some big plays, though. It comes down to Wilson and the Seattle offense. Seattle has played a lot of top 10 Defenses. Seattle's offense may rebound against Denver. Let's hope the Zebras get new glasses and we get a good game! Go Hawks!

Ps- It will be interesting to see what Seattle does with their cap. Clemons ($7M) and Rice ($7M) and to a degree Red Bryant ($7M) underperformed this year. Zach Miller is like $5 or $6M against the cap and seeing as he spends most of his time blocking may not last. They may free up $20M with 3 cuts. But they need to figure out Sherman, Thomas, Wilson, Bennet and look at Tate, Baldwin, and their OL. A lot of hard decisions. And they need post-BeatMode plans as in 2 years he will look like Gore.
 

Ban Bot

Senior member
Jun 1, 2010
796
1
76
Anyway, I hope someone tweets that table to Sherman's page.

The leader of the one-and-done Seattle LOB would just tweet back: league leading 46% passer rating against, least targeted DB in the league, league leader in interceptions. Also most INTs in the league last three seasons. Football is a team sport, as Sherman says a lot, and would point to the LOB's fewest pass yards against, league best interceptions, best passer rating against.

Any way you cut it Sherman and the LOB are really, really good and elevated their team to the Super Bowl. Wasn't this team supposed to be one-and-done? :p