Behind Enemy Lines - 49ers

[Zod]

There are plenty of interesting story lines this week in what could be the Panthers toughest test since playing the Seahawks in week one.

Aldon Smith is expected to play on Sunday according to SFGate

The 49ers' straight-shooting defensive coordinator said he expects the All-Pro outside linebacker to play, and his snap count will depend on his conditioning level after a six-week layoff. In his first full practice since mid-September on Wednesday, Fangio said it was clear Smith hadn't recaptured his form.

"He was a little rusty, obviously, from the six-week layoff," Fangio said. "But I expect him to get it back very quickly. He's not like a guy coming off an injury that he's got to overcome. He's just got to overcome inactivity. You know, six weeks is a fairly long time, but not that long to where he can't get back into the swing of things pretty quickly."

I expect Smith to play in situational pass rush downs. Being out 5 weeks in the NFL is pretty rough. While he could stay in shape cardio wise, gameday shape is something else entirely. It will be another week until he is back to full speed.

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Harbaugh praises Steve Smith and recounts his short stint with the Panthers...

“I don’t think I’m very surprised,” he said. “He’s one of the all-time greats at the position. I could go back and talk about that because that was my last year in football, that was the last time I even played football. Steve Smith has done great things since then. I didn’t do anything.”

Pretty smart to give Smitty as much respect as you possibly can. Its for the good of your entire defensive secondary.

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49ers up in the air on kick and punt return duties...

After a struggling Kyle Williams was replaced as the 49ers’ kickoff returner in the second half of a 42-10 win over the Jaguars on Oct. 27, Jim Harbaugh told nosy reporters to stop asking questions about the switcheroo.

“We are not going to talk about the controversy of who the returner is,” he said. “There is no returner controversy. If there was a quarterback controversy I could understand talking about that, but I’m not going to talk about a returner controversy.”

Harbaugh understands this game will be a tough defensive match up. The difference in the game could be a special teams play. Keeping the Panthers in the dark about who will be returning kickoffs and punts is part of the game. However, if Graham Gano can continue to boot the ball out of the end zone, it won't matter all that much.

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WRs Manningham and Crabtree back at practice...

Manningham, who is returning from two torn knee ligaments suffered last Dec. 23 in Seattle, is further along than Crabtree and is likely to play Sunday against the Panthers. He was not listed on Wednesday's injury report and practiced in full.

"The knee I had surgery on is better than the other one," he said after practice. "So I'm not thinking about that when I'm out there."

Crabtree will not play on Sunday but Manningham is expected to. Manningham is a formidable receiving threat, but it remains to be seen how much speed he has lost post injury. Panthers fans know all to well what leg injuries can do to a promising wide receiver even if spirits are high (see David Gettis).

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Harbaugh's Father in Law "Cam is the Future of the NFL"...

“(He) continues to grow and blossom into a top-shelf quarterback,” Harbaugh said. “My father-in-law, Merrill Feuerborn, was adamant that Cam Newton was the, we had to get Cam Newton and he was the future of the NFL. You’ve got to give him credit, I mean, he saw that. He saw some things in Cam Newton, which we all did. But, I think all the football world saw at that time and we weren’t in a position to pick him. He’s been a great addition to the league and to the Carolina Panthers, he’s a great player.”

Listen to your elders, Jim, they know.... they know...

[CPcavedweller]

Jim Harbaugh is a HORRIBLE interview. He knows bulletin board material and is going to say as little as possible to avoid it. I personally found his "praise" unremarkable and very generic.

[Jackofalltrades]

Smith SHOULD be suspended (Aldon) but this way they have no excuses.

[SpeedOFLight]

respectful interview. Excited about the game sunday. I like our chances if we shutdown gore. Go panthers!

[SIGCHI222]

Harbaugh ...“(He) continues to grow and blossom into a top-shelf quarterback,” Harbaugh said. “My father-in-law, Merrill Feuerborn, was adamant that Cam Newton was the, we had to get Cam Newton and he was the future of the NFL. You’ve got to give him credit, I mean, he saw that. He saw some things in Cam Newton, which we all did. But, I think all the football world saw at that time and we weren’t in a position to pick him. He’s been a great addition to the league and to the Carolina Panthers, he’s a great player.”

 

[Marvin49]

Smith SHOULD be suspended (Aldon) but this way they have no excuses.

 

?

 

How do you figure?

 

The new CBA won't allow a suspension until the legal process has finished. Marshawn Lynch had a DUI like a year and a half ago and he has yet to see a suspension.

 

In fact, the case can be argued that the 49ers didn't even have to lose Aldon for the past 5 games. They did that voluntarily to get him into treatment.

[Montsta]

I forgot to let everyone know, if you have any radio apps on your phone tune in to 95.7 The Game in the SF Bay Area as it is what they call 49ers Friday, and you'll hear about the game all day long from an SF area perspective. Wesley Walls was just on and was a good listen.

[TheJason]

I forgot to let everyone know, if you have any radio apps on your phone tune in to 95.7 The Game in the SF Bay Area as it is what they call 49ers Friday, and you'll hear about the game all day long from an SF area perspective. Wesley Walls was just on and was a good listen.

 

 

I messaged Dibs, Kreidler and Whitey on Twitter when Dibs/Kreidler said CK was slightly better this morning.

 

 

'@dandibley @MarkKreidler @whiteygleason Ck had the better ability to be on a better team than Newton.'

[Montsta]

I messaged Dibs, Kreidler and Whitey on Twitter when Dibs/Kreidler said CK was slightly better this morning.

'@dandibley @MarkKreidler @whiteygleason Ck had the better ability to be on a better team than Newton.'

Yeah I just heard them on fact or fantasy say that if they redid the 2011 draft, JJ Watt & Kaepernick would definitely be, and AJ Green, Julio Jones, Patrick Peterson and Von Miller could all probably be drafted ahead of Cam.

Lulz

[TheJason]

Yeah I just heard them on fact or fantasy say that if they redid the 2011 draft, JJ Watt & Kaepernick would definitely be, and AJ Green, Julio Jones, Patrick Peterson and Von Miller could all probably be drafted ahead of Cam.

Lulz

 

That's why I'm not listening. Panther fans in Carolina, shrug it off.

 

Me? I might get in my car, drive up to their studio and run them over.

 

I don't mind the Rise Guys. I REFUSE to listen to Greg Papa and his thoughts on Cam Newton. Yesterday I almost drove off the highway listening to him.

 

And lastly, fug Greg Papa again. Yes I do have a photo with me and him on my FB account. Fug him still.

[TheJason]

 

 

YES

[Darth Biscuit]

However, if Graham Gano can continue to boot the ball out of the end zone, it won't matter all that much.

 

 

This right here.

 

I think it's been a integral part of our STs success this season.

 

Did you see what the Redskins were doing last night on KOs?  Those squib kicks and essentially giving the Vikings the ball on the 30 or 35 everytime...  so glad we don't have to do that poo.

[jamos14]

?

 

How do you figure?

 

The new CBA won't allow a suspension until the legal process has finished. Marshawn Lynch had a DUI like a year and a half ago and he has yet to see a suspension.

 

In fact, the case can be argued that the 49ers didn't even have to lose Aldon for the past 5 games. They did that voluntarily to get him into treatment.

 

 

2 DUIs. Felony Gun Charges.  

 

Yea, he should be suspended regardless of what technicality allows him to play now.  

[jamos14]

This right here.

 

I think it's been a integral part of our STs success this season.

 

Did you see what the Redskins were doing last night on KOs?  Those squib kicks and essentially giving the Vikings the ball on the 30 or 35 everytime...  so glad we don't have to do that poo.

 

Ironic since it was Washington that cut Gano in the first place.