The 49ers got absolutely punked on the front line this Thanksgiving in the “Harbowl”.  Probably the only team that can stand up to the 49ers physically upfront kicked their butts.  I’m not going to spend a lot of time going into the obvious, the short week, the flight across the country, you know the complete and utter unfairness that was this game?

Back to the point here, Fullback Moran Norris was active for the game, I saw him warmup in fact, I verified it online and TV from many sources, it’s a fact.  Did you see him out there?  Nope, that’s because the 49ers only real competent FB on the roster is emerging rookie Bruce Miller.  Aside from his TD catch in Washington and his near TD in Arizona he hasn’t been somebody talked about too much (except for the growing fan base including myself that just wants to see the end of Moran Norris).

The fact is Miller has been brilliant, everyone wants to key on the fact that he is an obvious upgrade to Norris as a receiver, rusher, and overall athlete that much is a given.  But what Miller has brought to the running game has been understated to say the least.  Miller gets to the second level as fast as any FB in football (yeah I said it!) he’s a physical player and his transition from college defensive line to pro FB has been almost seamless.  Did you see Frank Gore or Kendall Hunter hit the second level vs the Ravens?  Did the backs really help out that much in pass protection?  Think the 49ers miss Miller now?

I’ll take a look at the right side of the OL after the jump

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Before 49er fan should get upset about the offensive line breakdowns, Alex Smith’s missed throws, Braylon Edwards and his dropped passes, all the penalties stop.  Remember this, it was a short week, the 49ers had to go across the country and play a very good team with a physical defense.  Preparation was limited and the offensive line had some injuries on the right side.

I may sound like a homer right now but the cards were definitely stacked against the niners on turkey day.  If the Ravens had traveled to San Francisco I really can’t see the team getting dominated in the trenches like it did on Thursday Night.

Now the 49ers did get crushed at the line of scrimmage and Smith didn’t play very well that I’m not denying.  After the jump I’ll highlight what went right and why a loss like this can help the team in the playoffs.

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After just watching Coach Jim Harbaugh address the media I am irked with Coach and his going three time zones on a short week whine.  Coach I know you are not setting up an excuse that is not like you and if this is a us against the world ploy you could do better. I for one am not buying it especially after the defense spent a whopping 15 minutes on the field. You could not have a better Thanksgiving Day scenario.

First off yes we travel to the east coast is it really that big of deal not really the truth is good teams play well anywhere the 49ers are now a good team recent years past we would say man we have a hard time getting our bodies clock ready to play on the east, truth is we couldn’t win because we were bad. I for one remember the niners of the past who would beat you anywhere and anytime.

Second we play the late game I might have agreed with you slightly  had we played at  oh say 10 eastern but to play at 8 eastern I am pretty sure the players will be fully awake and ready to play the game. Heck by the fourth quarter it will be getting late for the Ravens and they can say that they got dominated in the fourth quarter because the clocks in their body’s was telling them time to shut down sounds ridiculous doesn’t it.

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