Matt & Mindi -- Who steps up if Smith can't play?
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49ers Insider Matt Maiocco says that Patrick Willis, Navorro Bowman and Aldon Smith can fill the void left by Justin Smith if he can't play.
Transcript
That -- at the many backs here -- different looks for you as we are -- readiness training facility with the team going through practice this Thursday afternoon right behind as we get to watch their individual drills and some of their team -- and -- -- -- using -- -- was so we're -- -- and we were not to be watching individual skills -- -- -- and -- the biggest news today of course is we found that the injury that Justin Smith has -- he has a partially torn triceps on a bone spur in his left -- And the big thing is will he be able to return which nobody knows in his absence certainly felt Vick and Jesus not the only reason for the defense of lapses recently but -- Is a big part when you see what he brings to this -- you know when you think about foreigners defense they can't survive without just things that great player. But look at the NFC Pro Bowl rosters. At the Chicago Bears have four probable players on defense even. Just spent on the sideline the preakness by Pro -- players no other team has more than one. So it's a matter guys like Patrick Willis in the horrible omen all the Smith -- two safeties Whitner Wilson those guys stepped up in the bring everybody along with them like Ray McDonald. But about Patrick Willis was very tight but not as everybody has to kick it up and that's that. -- that the season's not over whether justice and it comes back and not everybody wants him to come that everybody's hoping. You know. Beyond hope that he comes back. But they can still win football games not just that they just haven't played a lot better than they did in Seattle. Absolutely Patrick Willis being the main thing he wants to see this defense the final game and through the playoffs is focused he's that they really need to have that pinpoint focused about Vernon Davis didn't playoffs last year we -- that it's going to be focused. And like anyone has ever seen before. But here's something that has surprised me I was. That I'm savoring that broke quickly to think about Justin Smith has obviously we know. That much of what he does does not -- up in the stat -- his ability to tie -- multiple offensive players even though he's missed the passing game and a half. He still third on the team in total tackles and sacks. And he leads the team quarterback pressures and hits and that's missing the last six plus quarters and that's that's going to be hard to them. Yeah in all of this but doesn't have a sack we win since justice that has been down the line so it's almost needs three sets -- tie that record it's going to be very difficult out just snapped out there. But -- mentioned Vernon Davis. Pretty Davis has received independent clearance from independent neurologists and for the team. Physician doctor -- -- leading contention researcher. At Stamford so today is indeed he gets out for non contact football activities. That team remains asymptomatic. Through this in the -- put him through that that contact simulator. And if he goes through that okay that he should be able play Sunday against card. He's out there right now behind -- wearing all black which of course non contact Jersey says kinda strange -- -- -- he looked slim and all in black -- -- let me. But the one thing too is we did -- some good things from Garrett Celek in Seattle game of course he has 35 yard reception and the one thing if Ernie is not able to play. Mean in this too tight end receiver sets. At the Delanie Walker will move over to his positioning yourself we're moving to the lady's position. But there they'll mix and match and I think Tokyo and it would be better off for the final game ever and is not able to. If you think to me why the final regular season here's -- -- I I think the idea of burden placed him when the prayers go to those. You'll prayers will be going to as many three wide receiver sets because he'll -- Vernon Davis in Delanie Walker. It didn't Vernon is unable to play -- he I think he's going to be able to play but I think the -- will. -- will be able to but without burning. -- would probably use more three wide receiver sets with AJ Jenkins so this is the first opportunity to be the first real big opportunity for a teaching kids to step forward. It's kind of shows of that promise. That the 49ers said that he had me in that their first round draft date but. Would help the roster now by giving him obviously out for the season AG tickets because of number three receiver but I still think it's more. -- Delanie Walker you'll see a lot more Delanie Walker. Being you'll see AJ Jenkins absolutely and you might see more of the running game against Arizona as well because Frank Gore obviously tough loss to Seattle not use that much just because of the nature of that game he should have some fairly fresh legs and that's something that I think has really hurt this team the past two games how physical along they've been in. He's probably one of the. Players that are in better shape heading into the style game of the season -- -- talking to frank yesterday on Wednesday. He was Keith out he says he feels good so -- he didn't feel nearly this good. Late last season. But he sponsor an adjustment period -- coming using that that crystal of -- the read option. You know where he says he has a lot more patient. When he knows that you know is coming his way he can. Person that hole but now he says -- to be a little more patient and see it happening keeps the ball in his failure or pulls it out so. Frank Gore. Justin Smith. A lot of other guys kind of -- -- she could tell by letting guys wearing black jerseys means no contact. The 49ers it'll eat it that me and they would really like to get that first round bye in the playoffs now they accomplishment that -- first they had to beat Arizona. On Sunday. It's a that's a given but. You think they should be able to handle that and and they need help from the from the Vikings beating the Packers -- -- what else that would do. They'll put the Vikings in the playoffs it also keep in New York Giants out of the playoffs. I know that the Giants feel they have a slim chance Bears also damages in the -- but. -- the -- would be too upset if the Giants. Our home for the holidays now I don't think you beat Kansas home for the new year that year with a one thing I said even the Cardinals need to talk about our offensive problems they haven't. Fourth quarterback in there it's just crazy what a different team this is going to be they have nothing to lose coming in here in San Francisco and I do I expect the 49ers to be able to handle him. For the way his defense has played the past six quarters it's not alarming but they do need to get back on the -- that Patrick Willis and get them. Yeah I think so I mean you know that the thing about momentum in the NFL and -- things you talked about it on Thursday. Momentum just week to week thing so you know the teams the last few teams that went Super Bowls didn't necessarily finish the race this season street it's not about. Who finished the regular season hot it's who begins in the playoffs. Absolutely but I do think if Arenas is certainly benefit that and that offensively and defensively and I think on tap project and has that. Offense do well heading into the post season for the first time as well. Okay extra -- get the whistle and a second here as Iraqi deputy found spots no. Could you believe that gonna -- president thanks again went again the size and B for their support right here on CSN Bay Area dot com.


















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