Thanks National Media...

[HumanCockroach]

Just wanted to start a thread to post the compliments that the NFL network and national media outlets have been throwing our way.... LOL.... Ie "broken offense", "front runners", "pedestrian receiving core" etc, etc.... Been trying to avoid watching this crapola, but I have to say, every time I DO watch or read anything it is nothing but blowing the Niners and trashing the Hawks ( well with exception to the secondary, I guess the only thing Seattle does well)...

Just figure I could start a thread to post all the links to the pundits playing right into Seattle's hands, at some point they will figure out doing that stuff actually increases the Seahawks performance. Rubes, I expect for Sherman or someone to point out this stupidity come Sunday night.

[Eaglehawk]

Can't find a link now, but will post. As Baldwin said, he does not carry a chip on his shoulder its now a BOULDER.
Edit: here is another hit piece from Bleacher Report: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1925121-nfc-championship-game-2014-49ers-will-send-seattles-12th-man-home-disappointed

Seahawks will see a bit of this and play mad as hell come Sunday night. Guys like RW may or may not get a wind of this, but it is something that motivates this team to no end. I am sure that key personnel will pass this on to the Seahawks. They thrive on this stuff. The National Media has done us a big favor.

[HumanCockroach]

Kind of how I feel about it. I was expecting an unbiased view to pop up somewhere, and honestly did not see a single one. Like I said I limited myself, but the NFL playbook is usually good about that, at least to the extent of breaking down both teams strengths, honestly if you didn't know what game it was, or what week it was, you would think the Hawks came into the game under. 500, and the Niners were undefeated. Not sure that, media understands that these "weapons" aren't new, and the Seahawks aren't going to be surprised when they show up.

Christ, they are even calling the Seahawks offensive lineman "dirty" ( sweezy) in the show, along with the receivers pedestrian, and saying Lynch can't run on that defense ( which he has proven time and again, he certainly can and does).

[HumanCockroach]

Can't find a link now, but will post. As Baldwin said, he does not carry a chip on his shoulder its now a BOULDER.
Edit: here is another hit piece from Bleacher Report: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1925121-nfc-championship-game-2014-49ers-will-send-seattles-12th-man-home-disappointed

Seahawks will see a bit of this and play mad as hell come Sunday night. Guys like RW may or may not get a wind of this, but it is something that motivates this team to no end. I am sure that key personnel will pass this on to the Seahawks. They thrive on this stuff. The National Media has done us a big favor.

Again with the receiver core, LOL, wouldn't be shocked at this point to see both Balwin and Tate crack a 100 yards receiving and Kearse to catch two TD's. Sometimes I wonder if they even bother paying attention to anything other than whether a team wins or not. SF's post season SHOULD have ended in GB, yet somehow that is conveniently ignore. SF potent offense scored what 16 at home against the putrid, injury ravaged Falcons ( pick six ends the game and secures the win), 22 against an abysmal GB defense, and 23 against an injury ravaged defensive backfield in Carolina?? Sorry, simply not buying the Niners offense. They can win, it's possible, however, they aren't going to be playing those horrid defenses, there is a reason Seattle makes HOF QB's look bad in Seattle, no matter how many weapons they boast, they do it over and over again, you would think they would catch on at some point. SMFH.

[Eaglehawk]

Kind of how I feel about it. I was expecting an unbiased view to pop up somewhere, and honestly did not see a single one. Like I said I limited myself, but the NFL playbook is usually good about that, at least to the extent of breaking down both teams strengths, honestly if you didn't know what game it was, or what week it was, you would think the Hawks came into the game under. 500, and the Niners were undefeated. Not sure that, media understands that these "weapons" aren't new, and the Seahawks aren't going to be surprised when they show up.

Christ, they are even calling the Seahawks offensive lineman "dirty" ( sweezy) in the show, along with the receivers pedestrian, and saying Lynch can't run on that defense ( which he has proven time and again, he certainly can and does).

Agreed HC, I have NEVER heard anyone calling Sweezy's play "dirty". Never till today. They are going full board here. And the Seahawks will respond in kind I suspect. The Niners offense will not know what hit them! Seriously! Wilson will have a decent time with their suspect secondary offense.
You gotta think that Niners new goal line stand of 5 linemen on the line will also be schemed for by Bevell.
I love the fact that the NIner team and National Media is a bit full of themselves.
Notice our guys except Sherman who wrote that article, proclaiming their loss, are very quiet.
They are getting mentally prepared. Actually for that matter the Niner team is quiet.
But our team has the boulder on their shoulder. The National Media wants us to lose. That motivates us more than them.

They say, Kap has so many more weapons now Crab, Boldin, and Davis.
HAHA, we know exactly who he will throw to. They won't be successful either. But let them think what they want. Crab has not lived up to his billing. And Vernon is a one trick pony. Boldin will be shut down.

I see us going against a modern day version of the Steeler team. And Kap a younger more thuggish version of Rothlesbummer.

It just hit me: This IS OUR MINI SUPERBOWL.

It is our time. That is why we are playing at OUR HOUSE. That is why we will win.

[c_hawkbob]

Well let's see what happens if I google "NFL expert picks" and check the first results I get ...

http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks

Seahawks 9
Niners 5

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/01/16/staff-picks-afc-nfc-championship-games-playoffs/4544569/

Seahawks 3
Niners 4

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sbnation/SBNation_20140115_NFL_Conference_Championship_picks__Our_experts_predict_AFC__NFC_winners.html

Seahawks 4
Niners 2

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then I found this site that did the work for me comparing "Every expert at ESPN, Bleacher Report, CBS, FOX, Yahoo!, ProFootballFocus, USA Today, Accuscore, NFL Network, NFL Around the League, SI.com & SportingNews.com":

http://pickwatch.nflpickwatch.com/p/weekly-picks.html

65% Seahawks.

#quitcherbitchin

[Futureite]

I've heard about a 50/50 split on sports radio. And Vegas gas 3.5 pt odds on Hawks. I'd say people are being realistic.

[HumanCockroach]

Well as I said Bob, I ain't "searching" for info, I've actually limited myself on the media deluge. I've watched a little of ESPN and NFL Network and read a few ( very few articles). Not sure why if the NFL wants an old fashioned drag out fight, they have pretty much dismissed the Seahawks analysis in their breakdowns, but it is what it is. I am NOT bitching, in fact I THANKED them for saying the Hawks won't win. I think I have seen TWO of 12 different NFL analysts pick Seattle to win this game this week, so not exactly sure where the 65% number comes from ( unless they are polling off air people, camera men and such ).

Just don't think it's accurate to describe one team as broken or incapable of victory ( Seattle) and one team the second coming of the 72 Phins, which IS what I have seen on both networks each time I watch. To hear them explain it Seattle has a RB and nothing else.

[NorthHawk]

With all of the talk of this being a defensive drag'm out game, we'll probably end up seeing a 44-41 game with both Offenses lighting it up.

Edit:
The Hawks have shown very little offensively the last few games so to be fair it's natural to consider that trend to continue against a solid Defense in the 49ers. As teams that get on a roll tend to do well in the playoffs, it's perfectly understandable to think the 49ers will win. That's the mindset of the talking heads in the media as I see it.

[rottweiler]

The only thing that worries me with regard to what some of the tools on the media are saying about the game is that I heard one of them on ESPN or whatnot say last night that he expects the zebras to throw some bigtime flags very early in the game to let these two teams — who really and truly "hate each other," according to the bobblehead — know who is in charge.

A game made less physical because of hard-ass officiating would favor the Whiners, said the bobblehead, because 1.) the Hawk defense thrives on bump-and-run physicality at the LOS, and 2.) Kaepernick is a better QB on the run than Wilson is. LOL.

In a really strange kinda way, I kinda hope the zebs (and read between the lines: the NFL) go that route, and maintain a strong appearance early on in the game.

Will be interesting to see what kinds of things are thrown at them. (Queue Justin Bieber jokes.)

[burrrton]

Seattle is the better team in most phases of the game. The only thing SF fans can hang their hat on is that their team has been playing well and our offense has looked less daunting.

That's it. I think SF should worry about cracking double-digits before they start talking s***.

[Seahawks4Ever]

Former Bronco Mark Schlereth(sp?) actually attributed that dust up with Graham last week to Richard Sherman when it was Bruce Irvin that was being stupid before the game. All of the pundits have been harping on how "dirty" the Seahawks play. How anyone could say that after the real dirty play of the Saints last week? The Seahawks play tough hard nosed football and I guess to opponents that seems like cheating. They want to cry to the officials to help them defeat the big bad Seahawks LOL.

Since we now lead the league in penalties I guess we have inherited the Raiders mantle as the bad boys of the NFL. I call that INTIMIDATION!!!

Go ahead 40 Whiners, be intimidated, you too Patriots and Broncos. The big bad Seahawks are coming to kick your behinds!

Go Seahawks!!!!!

[kalibane]

Then I found this site that did the work for me comparing "Every expert at ESPN, Bleacher Report, CBS, FOX, Yahoo!, ProFootballFocus, USA Today, Accuscore, NFL Network, NFL Around the League, SI.com & SportingNews.com":

http://pickwatch.nflpickwatch.com/p/weekly-picks.html

65% Seahawks.

#quitcherbitchin

That's true Bob and I agree with there is nothing really to complain about but I think it is important to note that just about everyone who has picked the Seahawks qualifies their pick by saying something to the effect that they are doing it grudgingly only because the Seahawks are playing at home but on a nuetral field they'd definitely pick the 49ers.

Again nothing to complain about but if you put any stock into that sort of thing they are providing ample bulletin board material.

[Kea]

Ignore the noise just as the coaches and players are doing. The media has no clue and analysts comments are worthless. As if they're saying the offesne is limp which means that's how it's going to be Sunday. We all know things change weekly. Seems the scales are tipped toward the 9ers except for our secondary and crowd. I actually don't want a good game as far as it being competitive. SF getting absolutely destroyed appeals to me the same as winning the championship.

[Kea]

The dumbest thing the media seems to be focusing on in the Harvin issue. As if Harvin being out gives SF an edge. What?! He's been out practically all f-ing year and the Seahawks got to where they got just the same as if he were still a Viking. More reason the media has no credibility.

[Steady_Hawk]

John Clayton is also in our corner!

[Hawktawk]

I'm not going to say its a good thing that Harvin is out. I will say its a good thing its been fairly well known all week. Harvins presence in the game plan seems to affect Tate the most. Last week with Harvin in the game Tate seemed out of synch and the whole offense cratered in the second half with Harvin out. Clearly he was a big part of the game plan. The same was true of Tate in the Vikings game as he caught only one ball. Contrast that to Tate in the season finale against the Rams where he blew up for a career day. With Harvin out I see Baldwin and Tate stepping up big time. Baldwin has quietly been a 9ers killer, Tate is due to go off on them.

Overall I think the media is being realistic. Its really a pick em game with the 3.5 points being awarded for HFA. Anything can happen. Seattle could indeed lose. They could win a squeaker. And they could blow it open like the Panthers in 2005. Like the great Tom Petty wrote, "the waiting is the hardest part.

[Futureite]

Seattle is the better team in most phases of the game. The only thing SF fans can hang their hat on is that their team has been playing well and our offense has looked less daunting.

That's it. I think SF should worry about cracking double-digits before they start talking s***.

Lol don't most fans hang their hat on how their team is playing, and conversely how their opponent is playing? That's what most people call common sense.

Honestly, who knows how the game will turn out. I have no clue. Nobody does. It's all subjective. You like your past history with us up there, we like the past history of WC teams similar to ours in the playoffs. None of that means anything tomorrow, at all.

[monkey]

Former Bronco Mark Schlereth(sp?) actually attributed that dust up with Graham last week to Richard Sherman when it was Bruce Irvin that was being stupid before the game. All of the pundits have been harping on how "dirty" the Seahawks play. How anyone could say that after the real dirty play of the Saints last week? The Seahawks play tough hard nosed football and I guess to opponents that seems like cheating. They want to cry to the officials to help them defeat the big bad Seahawks LOL.

Since we now lead the league in penalties I guess we have inherited the Raiders mantle as the bad boys of the NFL. I call that INTIMIDATION!!!

Go ahead 40 Whiners, be intimidated, you too Patriots and Broncos. The big bad Seahawks are coming to kick your behinds!

Go Seahawks!!!!!

I've been trying to if not ignore it, at least not let it piss me off, but that one from Stink, and the player or former player (IIRC) on NFL.com's game recap who called the hit on Harvin that put him out of the game "a good play, good play!", pissed me off a lot.

If people want to whine and b**** about our secondary grabbing, fine, let em, all the whining just proves they are SCARED! But when people start their B.S. revisionist version of what happened against the Saints, (the pre game "fight", and how Percy got hurt) then I get upset, because it's flat out lies.

[monkey]

Seattle is the better team in most phases of the game. The only thing SF fans can hang their hat on is that their team has been playing well and our offense has looked less daunting.

That's it. I think SF should worry about cracking double-digits before they start talking s***.

Lol don't most fans hang their hat on how their team is playing, and conversely how their opponent is playing? That's what most people call common sense.

Honestly, who knows how the game will turn out. I have no clue. Nobody does. It's all subjective. You like your past history with us up there, we like the past history of WC teams similar to ours in the playoffs. None of that means anything tomorrow, at all.

I suppose most fans do, of course that's because most fans don't realize that the "hot team" myth is just that...a myth that is quickly exposed for holding zero actual predictive value when you look at the statistics.
In this particular case, calling San Francisco the "hot team" requires a completely arbitrary starting point in a completely arbitrary time frame, and it requires you to ignore factors such as, who the two teams were playing during that arbitrary time period.
It also requires you to ignore the two teams seasonal records, and the accumulated scores of their previous meetings this season, especially the score of the previous meeting in Seattle which is where this game will be played.

If you pretend that the regular season doesn't matter, that the previous matchups don't matter, that who they were playing recently doesn't matter, and the FACT that there is absolutely zero proof that there is any sort of proof of carry over from previous games, or that it has any predictive value whatsoever, then sure, San Fran is "hot" right now, and fans can go by that.

If on the other hand, you have a brain that actually works, you will realize that the game will start with a score of zero to zero, and what both teams have done up to that point, won't mean ANYTHING AT ALL, because the game will be decided by WHO IS BETTER ON THAT DAY and nothing else!

[monkey]

LOL! Here's one I hadn't read before...wow what a bunch of CRAP!!!
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/112095/scout-absence-of-harvin-is-giant-factor

Why in the world are the Seahawks, with their "lackluster" receivers, going to miss Harvin??? He's caught what, two passes, and returned one kick ALL YEAR!!!
The stupidity of this is astounding.
Our lackluster receiving corps has been just fine all year without Harvin. Personally I hope that one of our receivers sees this! That would put a burr under the blanket for sure!

[Eaglehawk]

Good links! A bit depressing to read some of those hit pieces. HC, why did you start this thread again?

[monkey]

This is what you get when you take out the silly hype, and the stupid "hot team" myth, and ONLY break down the real statistics.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/game-previews/2014/2014-nfc-championship-preview
Now that is a real preview! Not because the Seahawks were who he picked to win (he had to if he believed the statistics he'd just given us were accurate), but because it stuck to ACTUAL NUMBERs, not the kind you twist to make look good, but the ones that actually happened.

[HumanCockroach]

Good links! A bit depressing to read some of those hit pieces. HC, why did you start this thread again?

Just killing time.... and it rankles me that regardless of how well the Seahawks do, they continue to be dismissed. Also thought that keeping the insults to one thread was appropriate, at least in the grand scheme of things. Otherwise every thread spirals off on a tangent about what this or that douche said.... LOL

[HumanCockroach]

Good links! A bit depressing to read some of those hit pieces. HC, why did you start this thread again?

Just killing time.... and it rankles me that regardless of how well the Seahawks do, they continue to be dismissed. Also thought that keeping the insults to one thread was appropriate, at least in the grand scheme of things. Otherwise every thread spirals off on a tangent about what this or that douche said.... LOL

[Eaglehawk]

HC there IS a method to your madness after all.
I like the keeping all insults to one thread idea.

You know something HC, on the "bored as hell prior to the game" front, I wish more members would be like you and start creating new threads here, I see Rott just did. It would be nice to talk about other football stuff as well. Like Winslow for instance. (I'm sure).

Well you get my drift.

Could you imagine seeing our team prior 10 minutes to this game? They will be very upset. RW is asleep now. They are banning our bands from airing in San Fran now? Really?

[Futureite]

Ok I am going to agree with you now. I listened to ESPN Radio and CBS sports radio and each host spent about 10 min on Niners and 30 seconds on Hawks, and each predicted a SF win. The only thing I can come up with is that the Hawks have been the same team most of the yr while Niners have evolved dramatically the past 8 weeks; so maybe the talking points have already been made about the Hawks?

In any case, they are getting no love. Even I think it's a lil' ridiculous. On the other hand, I am revelling in so many analysts touting Kap after all the "one read/running qb/out of the NFL in 3 yrs" comments whilst touting Russell Wilson as Mr. Superior leader, NFL mind and most of all - "calmer more collected under pressure". Yes, all that bullshit has been put on major blast these past couple weeks, and level 10 this week in particular. And I've been telling you it's bullshit for oh, about 2 yrs now lol.

So you are getting hosed on one end by the media and well deserved cummupons (commopons? whatever) on the other end.

All in all should be a great game. If RW plays like he is capable of, your team prob wins and you'll forgive the media once again. Lol, I don't want 2 straight weeks of RW on ESPN. Cmon football gods, help a pale faced red n' gold fan out! Deliver us from the mouth of the devil aka Century Link!

[burrrton]

Lol don't most fans hang their hat on how their team is playing, and conversely how their opponent is playing?

When they need to, yes. I'm just giving you the other perspective...

[monkey]

BTW, not sure where to say this, and pretty sure it's not worth its own thread but I have to say this.
I've heard a lot of fans say things like, they are "bored" or "nervous" before the game, and all I can say is, if you are going to be at the game, then GOOD!!!

Channel that boredom, channel that nervous energy into noise!
Focus your pent up energy like you would a fist, and PUNCH Harbaugh in his ear with it!

Last weeks game was not a good showing for the 12 man. I kept expecting the crowd to take over the game, and only rarely did I ever get that vibe.
It may have been the weather, it may have been nerves, I have no idea why, but it was not the best effort from #12.

This week MUST be better...this week MUST be the best the 12's can possibly bring to the table.
Stand up from wire to wire, scream with the same intensity before the play is made, as you do after a good play happens.
Absolutely DROWN those freaks from San Fran with your noise, never let them feel comfortable, not for a second!

That is all.

[HumanCockroach]

Ok I am going to agree with you now. I listened to ESPN Radio and CBS sports radio and each host spent about 10 min on Niners and 30 seconds on Hawks, and each predicted a SF win. The only thing I can come up with is that the Hawks have been the same team most of the yr while Niners have evolved dramatically the past 8 weeks; so maybe the talking points have already been made about the Hawks?

In any case, they are getting no love. Even I think it's a lil' ridiculous. On the other hand, I am revelling in so many analysts touting Kap after all the "one read/running qb/out of the NFL in 3 yrs" comments whilst touting Russell Wilson as Mr. Superior leader, NFL mind and most of all - "calmer more collected under pressure". Yes, all that bullshit has been put on major blast these past couple weeks, and level 10 this week in particular. And I've been telling you it's bullshit for oh, about 2 yrs now lol.

So you are getting hosed on one end by the media and well deserved cummupons (commopons? whatever) on the other end.

All in all should be a great game. If RW plays like he is capable of, your team prob wins and you'll forgive the media once again. Lol, I don't want 2 straight weeks of RW on ESPN. Cmon football gods, help a pale faced red n' gold fan out! Deliver us from the mouth of the devil aka Century Link!

Link? Nope. Haven't heard anyone not dressed in Niner gear call Kaepernik " calmer and more collected under pressure" once. Would be extremely interested to find who and when they said that. Isn't what I have seen, read or heard.

[rottweiler]

This thread's title pretty much says it all.

I'm betting that Pete Carroll is in the locker room right now getting Richard Sherman psyched up to give a pre-game speech that will play on everything the media bobbleheads have been saying all week.

Bet Coach has sports columns hanging from a bulletin board, and Tony Kornholer's mug in the bullseye of a dartboard.

I see the Hawks playing very, very angry in this game.

Let's just hope the zebras don't make it more about them than the players themselves.

[rottweiler]

Thank you bobbleheads!!!

(I can't wait to hear the slobber-fest over Peyton Manning in the next two weeks now.)

[HumanCockroach]

LOL Doug Baldwin " people calling us pedestrian receiver core, well we are going to walk our ass to the SB" , yeah the love from the media rocks. Bet against us fella's, please I'm begging you, keep it up.... LOL

[Seahawks4Ever]

Oh yeah, the prognosticators wasted no time in declaring that Peyton Manning would win his 2nd. Super Bowl. Mooch (former Whiner HC) gushed on and on how Manning would carve up Seattle's defense. Oh, and get this, there is no way our Seahawks will be able to move the ball on the Bronco defense. gee whiz Eddie, I didn't know the Bronco defense was supposed to be so "vaunted" LOL.

The Bronco defense will be one of the easier defense we have faced this season. As for Peyton Manning, he is an immobile QB and the only QB's that have given our defense any trouble this year is the mobile QB's that back break containment out of the pocket and take off running, like Kap or Andy Luck or even Cam Newton.

Playing Manning will be like playing Drew Brees, he may get off some short throws but he won't survive in the pocket to get off the longer throws. Manning may move the football but once he is in the red zone more than likely we will hold them to field goals. Sort of like what happened in pre-season, though our defense was hardly set that game.

I think our offense is going to go through the Bronco defense like a hot knife through butter. we might even have a healthy Percy Harvin and if that is the case we are going to blow out the Broncos. In fact, I firmly believe we are going to blow out the Broncos anyhow.

What we have witnessed the last 4 seasons is the building of a dynasty and I do believe that John Schneider will find a way to keep most of the best players together. The best thing is that we are only going to get better! John and Pete will bolster our O-Line, improve our T.E.s and receiver core. Sure we won't be able to keep everybody and several coaching assistants and coordinators will move on to better jobs but they will be replaced and that will pump new blood and more innovative ideas into the coaching staff. Both Quinn and Bevell both probably lost out on HC jobs because the teams that were interested in their services didn't want to wait until the Seahawk's season was over.

[RiverDog]

Thank you bobbleheads!!!

(I can't wait to hear the slobber-fest over Peyton Manning in the next two weeks now.)

You knew it was coming, and we'll soon get treated to a steady dose of Peyton trying to shake his sub par playoff performance, Peyton not having as many rings as brother Eli, Peyton going into brother Eli's stadium, interviews with Peyton's dad Archie, Peyton this and Peyton that.

[Zorn76]

This is setting up beautifully for Seattle.

The media is going to talk non stop about Manning.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks can just focus on preparing for the task at hand and not worry about anything else.
Sherman will be doing all our talking, anyway:)