Asomugha was an unqualified bust with the Eagles after signing as the top free agent on the market in 2011. His press-man coverage skill set was never ideally suited to the “Wide Nine” scheme prevalent in Philadelphia over the past two seasons. The 31-year-old bottomed out by allowing an eye-popping 120.6 passer rating on throws in his territory last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

The 9ers have been carved up by opposing QB’s in the last two post seasons.  Eli Manning and Victor Cruz made them look amateurish two years ago, and Joe Flacco made 55 million dollars off his performance against an over confident talkative secondary.  Will Asomugh actually be an upgrade, or was he just the best player on a very bad team in Oakland a few years back?  We will see.

The 9ers will send former first round draft pick QB Alex Smith to Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported the compensation is a second-round draft pick in 2013 and a conditional draft pick in 2014. Glazer’s wording suggests that a new contract could be coming for Smith, who was due $7.5 million in the final year of his deal. The Chiefs wouldn’t give up this much in the draft for a one-year rental.

So, the first piece of the puzzle has been placed….more to come for sure!

Game Time: 6:39pm EST

Location: The Mercedes-Benz Super Dome, New Orleans, Louisiana

TV: WCBS-2(NY,NJ, CT) and WFSB-3 (CT, MA)

Announcers:  Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Steve Tasker, and Solomon Wolcots

Radio: WFAN 660AM and Dial One Global

Current Line: 49ers -4.0 and over/under a 47.5

All-Time Series: Ravens lead 3-1

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When Jack and Ingrid Harbaugh had their kids, just like all parents, they wished and hoped for the best for their sons.  To bring them up right and to inspire them to do great things.  Jack was the boy’s inspiration for the game of football.  He himself was a defensive backs coach in 1979 under legendary college coach Bo Schembechler who won 13 Big Ten titles as the head coach at Michigan.  Jack cut his teeth as a high school and college coach from 1969-1989 after playing both defensive back and quarterback while at Bowling-Green and the Titans of New York, or more commonly known as the New York Jets.  He could have never known one son would play and coach Defensive backs, (John) while his other son, Jim would be a highly touted quarterback coming out of college.  He could only watch as each of his sons created their own paths to Superbowl XLVIII.

Jim Harbaugh is best known for his time as a quarterback in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts, where he was inducted into their ring of Honor.   But his greatest achievement may still be ahead of him.  Jim was drafted as a quarterback by the Chicago Bears after playing at Michigan and being the Big ten Player of the year and winning Academic All-Big Ten honors in 1986.  His playing career stretched over a 15 year period.   From 1994-2001 while still playing in the NFL, Jim coached at Western Kentucky under his father Jack who was the head coach.  In 2002, with his playing days over, Jim began his NFL coaching career with the Oakland Raiders as a quarterback coach.  He then returned to the college ranks as the head coach for the University of San Diego.  After leading USD to 2 Pioneer league championships in 2005-06, Jim moved to the Division 1 Stanford Cardinals where he stayed from 2007-2011. He won the 2011 Orange Bowl and after winning was immediately sought after by the San Francisco 49ers.  His immediate success of coaching the 49ers to two consecutive playoff berths has shown his amazing ability to create a winning attitude, and shows his passion and tutelage both given to him by his father Jack.  Jim is at the prime of his coaching career and stands face to face with his brother John as opposing coaches for Superbowl XLVIIII.

John Harbaughs journey mimics his father’s career more than Jim.  John was not a highly regarded football player, but always had a mind for the game.  After playing DB for Miami of Ohio, his first job without a helmet was as the RB and OLB coach at Western Michigan from 1984-’87.   His ability to communicate his message was clearly seen which led him to moving quickly from Western Michigan, to Pittsburgh as a TE coach.  In 1988, Moorehead State gave him a job as Special Teams and secondary coach, which again led to another opportunity at Cincinnati.  Cincy was Johns first play calling experience as he was in charge of Special teams from ‘89-’96.  At every step, John was able to continue his football education, giving him more confidence to be able to take on more responsibility. In 1998 John was given the Special Teams Coordinator job with the Philadelphia Eagles after being hired by then Eagles Head Coach Ray Rhodes.   Rhodes however didn’t last long in Philly, but when new head coach Andy Reid came on, he kept John on his staff in the same position.  John stayed at Philly until 2008 when he reached the pinnacle of his coaching career, and became the Head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.  It seemed from day one, prognosticators could have predicted John would find his way into the history books.  After all On Sept 7, 2008 John made history as he was the first coach to win his first game by coaching his team and a rookie quarterback, also ,making his debut, to victory. Now he stands on the precipice of doing it again, as he and his brother Jim will be the first ever duo of brothers to coach in a Superbowl.

No matter the outcome these “strange creatures” will be part of NFL and Super Bowl history, and it looks like they will have the opportunity to create more historic moments in the years to come.

Super Bowl XLVII (47)

• Date: Super Bowl 47 will be played on Sunday, February 3, 2013 (2/3/2013)
• Venue: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

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The San Francisco 49ers have punched their ticket for the Big Easy. They will be attempting to win their sixth Super Bowl Championship. They will be playing the winner of the Patriots-Ravens game scheduled to kick off at 6:32 EST. The Patriots are eight to nine point favorites depending on where you check. Stay tuned to GMENHQ.

The 49ers said Monday, about two hours after coach Jim Harbaugh’s news conference, that Jacobs had been disciplined.

Brandon Jacobs has seen limited playing time with the 49ers and has taken to various social media websites to show just how frustrated he has become with the 49ers—he has gone as far to post pictures of his days with the Giants.

“I am on this team rotting away so why would I wanna put any pics up of anything that say niners,” Jacobs said on Instagram after posting pictures of himself from his days with the New York Giants. “This is by far the worst year I ever had, I’ll tell you like I told plenty others.”

This is a developing story and make sure you follow GMenhq and twitter @tom_brant for all of the latest update.

The 49ers acquired ex-Giants, Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs, after they had great success with big blue for many years. At the time, it seemed like a big loss for the Giants, but was expected after Manningham’s “Tyree-like” performance in the Super Bowl. So far this season, it is looking more like a blessing than a curse. The Giants have not missed them one bit with Rueben Randle and Andre Brown stepping up to fill the holes left.

Last night was Jacobs’ first game active this season, having one carry for one yard. Manningham, who was thought to become a huge part of the Niners offense, has only one touchdown this season through twelve weeks. He is averaging just 11.4 receiving yards a game.

There are still a few weeks to go in the regular season, but if San Francisco was smart, they would start using these players more often during their playoff run like the Giants did. Let’s hope that letting these players go will not haunt the Giants in the playoffs.

Air Raid

Because the Giants were able to keep the 49ers defense honest in the first half with the running game, Eli Manning was able to attack through the air with success. Manning connected twice with Domenik Hixon on 2 big passes that helped set up a 6 yard TD pass to Victor Cruz to give the Giants their first points of the day. Hixon had a great first half with 4 catches for 78 yards, including a trememdous diving catch towards the end of the half where he was able to secure his hand underneath the ball and keep it from hitting the ground. The 49ers defense looked completely thrown off by the pinpoint passing attack of Manning.

Defense Hanging Tough

The Giants defense struggled early to keep up with Alex Smith and the 49ers offense, however they showed a bend-don’t-break mentality and limited the 49ers to 3 points. The pass rush has been much more consistent than last week against Cleveland. They just have not been able to get to Alex Smith yet. CB Prince Amukamara continues his impressive play of late with a big interception of Smith that shut down a potential 49ers scoring drive.

Former Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham continues to emerge as Alex Smith’s go-to target with 4 catches for 64 yards in the first half. However tight end Vernon Davis has been limited to 1 catch so far.

Eli Manning will be looking to continue his success with the passing game against the 49ers defense. It’ll be interesting to see what adjustments head coach Jim Harbaugh makes to try and slow that down.

New York Giants

OUT:

DT Rocky Bernard, RB Andre Brown, S, Kenny Phillips, WR Jerrel Jernigan, DE Adewale Ojomo, OT James Brewer, TE Adrien Robinson

Wide Receiver Hakeem Nicks will start today. He’ll replace Domenik Hixon in the lineup. Stevie Brown will be starting at saftey in place of Kenny Phillps. David Diehl is also back from injury and available to play today. However Sean Locklear will remain as the starting RT with Diehl being used as an extra blocker.

San Francisco 49ers

OUT:

QB Scott Tolzien, WR A.J. Jenkins, RB LaMichael James, S Trenton Robinson, RB Brandon Jacobs, G Joc Looney, DT Ian Williams

The Giants defense has not played up to their usual standards this season and they know it. The pass rush has been missing in action and if there was anytime for it to show up it would be today against the 49ers. The 49ers have an offense that can pound opposing defenses with the run game and can pick apart an opposing defense with the passing attack. It’s basically pick your poison. If I’m the Giants, I’d be looking to try to take away running back Frank Gore and make quarterback Alex Smith beat me with the pass. That of course is easier said than done. Smith has done a masterful job this season of using his many options at receiver.

Rookie running back David Wilson is going to get a chance today to create some more distance between himself and head coach Tom Coughlin’s doghouse. The Giants will be without Andre Brown this week because of a concussion, that means Wilson be the primary backup for Ahmad Bradshaw today. Wilson has already put himself on the radar of opposing teams because of his  kick returning abilities. The Giants would love to see a 1-2 a ground game attack from him and Bradshaw. Wilson’s now going to get a chance to step up in the running game. We know what kind of speed he brings to the table, it’s game-changing speed. However, the Giants are going to need him to protect the football when carrying it today and also help pick up the blitz and pass rush from the ferocious defense of the 49ers.

Hakeem Nicks has made the trip to San Francisco with the Giants and from all indications the wide receiver will be ready to go. That’s good news for Eli Manning and the offense. Nicks has missed the last three games struggling with swelling in his knee and his surgically repaired foot. He’s Manning’s big play receiver and if he’s out there then it clearly makes things a little more easier for Victor Cruz on the other side of the field. The Giants have been extra cautious with Nicks injury status and that wont change today. He’s most likely going to be a game-time decision.

49ers wide receiver Mario Manningham could play a big role in the 49ers offensive gameplan today. The former Giant is going to be pumped up to play today and he’s proven to be a key target for Alex Smith this season.

This game has every indication that it is going to be physical. The 49ers are going to be looking wear down the Giants on defense with their offensive attack and take the Giants offense out of the game early with their defense. They have been on a tear the last two games and no doubt will be looking for a taste of revenge after last year’s NFC title loss. They are also going to be looking solidify the thought around the league that they are the best team in the NFC this year. The Giants are going to have their hands full today out on the bay.

In anticipation of the New York Giants versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday for the NFC Championship, GmenHq will be reliving the Giants versus 49ers playoff history. Each day this week (Monday-Saturday will feature a new game).

New York Giants at San Francsisco 49ers, January 3, 1982, Candlestick Park.

The Giants went into a cool day in San Francisco and lost to the 49ers in the Divisional round by a score of 38-24. The Giants trailed 24-10 at halftime and were never able to recover. The 49ers outscored the Giants 14-0 in the fourth quarter to put the game away. The Giants were led offensively by starting QB Scott Brunner who threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns. However, he was picked two times. The Giants leading rusher was Rob Carpenter who had 61 yards on 13 attempts.  (more…)

In anticipation of the New York Giants versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday for the NFC Championship, GmenHq will be reliving the Giants versus 49ers playoff history. Each day this week (Monday-Saturday will feature a new game).

New York Giants at San Francsisco 49ers, December 29, 1984, Candlestick Park

After missing the play-offs in the 1982-1983 and 1983-1984  seasons the Giants returned the play-offs in the 1984-1985 season. In Wild-Card weekend the Giants beat the LA Rams 16-13 to set up a cross country trip to face the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round for the second time in four postseasons. The Giants entered the game with a 9-7 regular season (10-7 overall) record. The 49ers came into the game with a 15-1 record and had a first round bye in the play-offs.

The game did not get off to a good start for the New York Giants. They were down 14-0  in the first quarter and trailed 21-10 at half-time. Both teams were shut out offensively during the second half. The 49ers won the game 21-10.

(more…)

In anticipation of the New York Giants versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday for the NFC Championship, GmenHq will be reliving the Giants versus 49ers playoff history. Each day this week (Monday-Saturday will feature a new game).

San Francsisco 49ers at New York Giants, December 29, 1985, Giants Stadium

The 49ers made their first Play-Off trip to Giants stadium to face the Giants on a cool Wild-Card weekend in December. The 49ers entered the game with a 10-6 record. The Giants also entered the game with a 10-6 record, they had won the NFC East during the regular season. This was the second consecutive time and third time in five years that the Giants and 49ers had met in the Play-Offs. It was their first time meeting in Wild-Card weekend and Giants Stadium.  (more…)

In anticipation of the New York Giants versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday for the NFC Championship, GmenHq will be reliving the Giants versus 49ers playoff history. Each day this week (Monday-Saturday will feature a new game).

San Francsisco 49ers at New York Giants, January 4, 1987, Giants Stadium

The 49ers returned to Giants stadium for the second consecutive year to play the Giants. The 49ers entered the game with a 10-5-1 record. The Giants entered the divisional round battle with a 14-2 record and had a bye in the first round of the Play-Offs. This would mark the third consecutive year the teams met and the second consecutive year at Giants Stadium.

The Giants took at 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. Then the flood gates opened; The Giants outscored the 49ers 21-0 in the second quarter and then 21-0 in the third quarter. Both teams went scoreless in the fourth quarter. The Giants won in a blow out by a final score of 49-3. The margin of victory is the largest in the history of the Play-Off series and one of the biggest in Giants franchise history. (more…)

In anticipation of the New York Giants versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday for the NFC Championship, GmenHq will be reliving the Giants versus 49ers playoff history. Each day this week (Monday-Saturday will feature a new game).

New York Giants at San Francsisco 49ers, January 20, 1991, Candlestick Park

After playing three consecutive years in the play-offs, the Giants and 49ers did not meet again until the 1990-1991 season. The two teams met for the first time ever in the NFC Championship game. The Giants entered the game with a 14-3 record. The vaunted and favored 49ers entered the game with a 15-2 record. The 49ers had beaten the Giants earlier that year during the regular season.

This game was all about the field goal kickers. A true battle between Matt Bahr for the Giants and Mike Cofer for the 49ers. The teams matched each other with field goals in the first two quarters and went into half-time tied at six apiece. In the third quarter the Matt Bahr connected again for the Giants. However, John Taylor caught a 61 yard TD pass from Montana to give the 49ers a 13-9 lead entering the fourth quarter. Matt Bahr connected on two more field goals in the fourth quarter and Leonard Marshall destroyed Joe Montana; leading the Giants to a legendary 15-13 victory over the 49ers.  (more…)