San Francisco 49ers vs. St. Louis Rams: Game Day Open Thread
By Kevin Saito
The San Francisco 49ers are in St. Louis today to take on the Rams for what may possibly be the final time. It would be if Rams owner Stan Kroenke had his way, anyway. It’s been a difficult week in an incredibly trying season for San Francisco. And depending on which version of Colin Kaepernick shows up today, it could be yet another very long day for the 49ers.
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San Francisco has generated a ton of headlines over the last week, and none of them for the right reasons. The biggest story – or non-story if you are to believe the 49ers’ PR department – revolves around some sort of altercation between tight end Vernon Davis and offensive lineman Joe Staley.
The subject of the possible altercation – Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick has generated plenty of his own negative headlines for his up and down – but mostly down – play this season. The report of the altercation – which came on the heels of a team meeting HC Jim Tomsula described as “heated” – started with Davis allegedly calling Kaepernick out for his shoddy play. Staley came to his quarterback’s defense, and things got – well – heated.
Of course, the team and all of the players allegedly involved deny it. To hear them tell it, the 49ers are still one big, happy family. Which of course, is possible and the media reports could all be wrong. And if you believe that, we have some timeshares on Mars we would like to sell you.
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Fox’s Jay Glazer who has a solid reputation for accurate reporting has suggested that Kaepernick is “on an island” in the 49ers’ locker room and that is confidence is “completely shot.” Wide receiver Torrey Smith has vehemently denied that anything Glazer says is true.
But given the savaging he’s taken on and off the field this season, it wouldn’t be surprising if Kaepernick’s confidence has taken a hit. A big one. And his play certainly seems to suggest that it has.
Things aren’t going to get any easier for the 49ers today though. In the Rams, they are facing a team that is aggressive and can really get after the quarterback. The Rams are second in the NFL with 23 sacks on the season and have an aggressive, attacking defense.
That doesn’t bode well for a team whose offensive line play has been as poor as San Francisco’s has this season. For the season, the 49ers have given up 25 sacks and it has only been Kaepernick’s speed and elusiveness that has kept that number from being higher.
Can the 49ers shut out the distractions and rally together? Can they somehow put together a solid game plan and combine it with solid execution against the Rams? Or will this be another lost day in a lost season for San Francisco?
Much of that is going to depend upon which version of Colin Kaepernick shows up to play today.
Next: SF 49ers: Previewing the St. Louis Rams
Time to sound off, 49ers fans. What do you think about the headlines surrounding the team this week? Overblown media drivel? Or are the 49ers truly imploding? What do you think about the team cutting Jaryyd Hayne? And do you think the 49ers can win today?
This is your place to talk all things 49ers. So step up and sound off.