Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

In the last eight seasons 49ers punter Andy Lee has kicked every punt, held every field goal and extra-point attempt in the regular season and playoffs.  Lee was drafted out of the sixth-round in 2004 and since then he has become one of the best punters in the NFL.

In the 128-games Lee has played for the 49ers he holds the team record in punts downed inside the 20-yard line (209), gross average (45.7 yards) and net average (38.9 yard).  Lee, a three-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, was rewarded for his efforts with a six-year contract extension.  The 49ers punter was in the last year of his contract.

Andy Lee:

They did a good job signing other guys to just keep this team intact so we can make a run at the Super Bowl (this season).  It makes me feel really good and makes me feel respected by this team and organization.

During the 49ers decade of decline in the 2000’s, Lee was at times the best player on the roster and helped an anemic offense make up for constant three-and-outs with deep punts inside opponents territory.  Signing Lee to a long-term contract is smart and a no-brainer.  The move keeps Lee with the 49ers through 2018.

The terms of the deal was not released, however, Lee’s contract is expected to make him one of the highest-paid punters in the NFL.

By now every San Francisco 49ers fan should have recovered from the emotional win over the New Orleans Saints, key word being “should.” Even though my focus is on the New York Giants, I cannot help but reminisce on this past Saturday’s win. As we all know by now the win was a complete team effort. The offense, defense, and special teams all played spectacular; but what unit was the most consistent in the game? The offense played great in the first quarter and kept the season alive in the fourth quarter, but in the second and third quarters the offense was non existence. The Niner offense in those two quarters was able to muster only 3 points. The defense played fantastic against the high powered Saints offense giving up only 17 points through three and a half quarters. Uncharacteristically the defense surrendered 15 points in the final four minutes of the game, in both scoring drives the Niner defenders were missing tackles and over pursuing to the ball. This leaves one unit left and it indeed showed the most consistency throughout the game and will be a huge factor in the NCF championship game. (more…)

And the ballots are in!  I have to admit while I’m very happy for Patrick Willis, Andy Lee and especially Justin Smith (why in a minute) how can the 11-3 49ers have just 3 pro bowlers?  Your telling me the top ranked defense with the most takeaways has just 2 pro bowlers?  Where is Navarro Bowman?  Where is Carlos Rogers?  How about Dashon Goldson?  And the NFLs best kicker David Akers isn’t going to the pro bowl?  Oh how in the he double hockey sticks was Aldon Smith NOT EVEN ON THE BALLOT?

All this happened because the fan voting process is stupid.  The fans should get to vote in a couple players AFTER the players, and coaches put together the real team.  The best teams in the league are the best teams for a reason.  They have good players playing good football.  The 49ers deserve much more than this, of the players above I didn’t even mention Frank Gore or Vernon Davis. 

The silver lining to all this and why Justin Smith’s starting nod is special after the jump

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