NFL Takeaways: Hits Keep Coming for San Francisco 49ers
By Erik Lambert
Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is pressured by San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey (90) during the first half of the 2013 NFC Championship football game at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 23-17 to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco 49ers can’t buy a break as the NFL season draws closer. What are some other takeaways from the latest news?
Glenn Dorsey loss continues to chip away on 49ers roster depth
Losing the NFC championship was bad enough. Losing linebacker NaVorro Bowman was even worse, but it seems the San Francisco 49ers have been hexed by some sort of voodoo demon. How else can one explain the rash of notable injuries that continue to hit the roster well before game action has even begun. Already running back Kendall Hunter is done for the year and fellow reserve LaMichael James is out for awhile as well. Michael Crabtree is nursing hamstring problems and now nose tackle Glenn Dorsey is done for 2014 with a torn biceps. For all the talk about how deep the 49ers are, it is certainly going to be tested this season, especially in that murderous NFC West division.
Drew Brees is still the lynch pin to New Orleans Saints title hopes
‘Strain’ usually is not a word to lose any sleep over when it comes to football injuries. Regular aches and pains are just part of the game. However, when that strain gets attached to a huge name like New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, it changes to genuine concern. The veteran has missed practice time with a tweaked oblique, something expert warn can be a nagging issue for players at that position.
It would explain why the Saints are taking zero chances on Brees aggravating it. Such a reaction only reinforces the inescapable fact. Despite the optimism brimming around the defense and the dynamic new toy on in Brandin Cooks on offense, the Saints continue to put their entire future as a contender on Brees’ 35-year old body.
Roger Goodell is going to hammer the next domestic violence case
For the veteran NFL fans out there, doesn’t it always seem like referees look for opportunities to make amends during a game for bad calls they may have made? For example they call a ticky tack holding penalty because they missed a pass interference that resulted in a touchdown. There is nobody who will admit that, but it’s something that has certainly happened. Nobody likes to be in the doghouse, and that is where commissioner Roger Goodell is at present with much of the American media.
Nearly everybody was at least a little outraged when news came down that Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was given only a two-game suspension for an assault case that saw him dragging his unconscious wife from an elevator after apparently knocking her out. Goodell stated that the suspension length was justified because it was Rice’s first offense. However, given the media backlash it’s clear Goodell is not in the good graces of many fans lately. So expect the next poor schmo who gets busted for domestic violence to get a much heftier punishment. After all, Goodell is all about doing the right thing.