Even at less than full strength, Justin Smith’s presence on the 49ers’ defensive line is enough to instill plenty of fear in opposing offenses.
Or even his own teammates, for that matter. Running back Frank Gore endured his toughest training camp yet last summer while facing his defensive teammates each day — Smith, in particular.
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There’s no questioning how badly Billy Cundiff wants another chance in the playoffs after the way last season ended.
Cundiff and the Baltimore Ravens stayed home after he missed a potential tying 32-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the AFC Championship Game and New England went to the Super Bowl last season instead.
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Did the 49ers catch a break by drawing the 2010 Super Bowl champions for next week’s NFC divisional-round playoff game at Candlestick Park?
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The 49ers can toss their film from the season opener against Green Bay in the trash for as much good as it will do now.
Cedric Benson is gone, and the Packers’ running game is now powered by DuJuan Harris and Ryan Grant — neither of whom was on the roster Dec. 1, let alone back in September.
Randall Cobb, whose 75-yard punt return gave the Packers a fleeting chance late in the 30-22 victory by San Francisco, is now one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite receivers.
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He caught six passes, including one for a score, the night he emphatically declared quarterback Colin Kaepernick “the man.”
But since his 83-yard receiving night in the 32-7 route against the Chicago Bears in mid-November — a team that was then projected to be in the postseason — Vernon Davis hasn’t been the preferred target of his precocious passer.
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Billy Cundiff, sporting a crisp, new white No. 6 jersey, had an impressive first day of practice with the 49ers while kicking alongside struggling veteran David Akers as coach Jim Harbaugh watched closely.
Cundiff signed a one-year contract Tuesday with the NFC West champion Niners (11-4-1) to compete with Akers as Harbaugh and his staff determine who will handle the kicking duties for San Francisco in the NFC divisional playoffs Jan. 12 at Candlestick Park.
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Jim Harbaugh is a man of many labels. Genius, egomaniac and master motivator are just a few of the tags he’s picked up in his brief NFL coaching career. Here’s another one if the 49ers do make a Super Bowl run this month: psychic.
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The 49ers got everything they needed in the regular-season finale Sunday, overcoming a slow start to beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-13 to claim the NFC West Division crown, then earned a first-round bye in the playoffs after the Minnesota Vikings knocked off the Green Bay Packers.
The win by San Francisco made Seattle’s win over the St. Louis Rams moot, as the Niners claimed back-to-back division titles for the first time since they won four straight from 1992-95.
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The Beatles say, “you get by with a little help from your friends,” and the motto was certainly true for the 49ers on Sunday.
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The 49ers were happy to cap their season off with a win that gave them the NFC West Division title, but the game featured a number of other highlights for the Red and Gold as well.
Michael Crabtree set a career high with 172 yards on eight catches, including a pair of touchdowns. He became the first 49ers receiver to pass the 1,000-yard milestone in a season since Terrell Owens did it in 2003. Crabtree finished with 1,105 for the year.
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