BACK ON THE HORSE AFTER BRONCO BLOW
We play the San Francisco 49ers today and everyone is glad to be back on the field after the loss to Denver Broncos last week.
Practice has been great and quite intense as we look to bounce back properly.
But I wouldn’t say too much has changed.
We were one play away from beating the Superbowl champions in their own stadium so we know we are a very good team.
After a loss it’s all about the next game because in the NFL there is no time to dwell on the past.
There are a few mistakes we need to correct but all the guys know what’s required.
We need to be fully prepared as the 49ers have a great special teams unit.
Phil Dawson is in his 40s yet is still one of the best kickers in the league. They also have a young punter with a big leg and their long snapper is super-athletic so it’s a talented bunch.
Their team has changed a lot since we last played them a few years ago.
A lot of key guys have retired or moved on but they have a new head coach in Chip Kelly and are making progress.
I know a few of the players on their team – our new punter Andy Lee spent many years with the 49ers and was great for them.
We are favourites for this game but are taking nothing for granted. Any team can win on any given Sunday so we need to make sure we do everything well.
We just want that winning feeling again and today is the chance to make that happen.
It’s nice to be back playing at home for the first time in so long.
I really believe we have the best fans in the NFL so I know it will be loud.
We were undefeated at home last year so it’s def ini tely a massive advantage when we play there.
Coming off last week’s defeat, we just need to remember we only lost twice last season and bounced back quickly after both defeats.
At every position we are a stacked team with great players.
With Cam Newton, we have the MVP at quar terback and there’s not one player in the whole NFL you’d want to trade him for.
And defensively we have Luke Kuechly who is a star, as well as loads of other guys our rivals would love to have on their rosters.
We were one play away from beating the champs on the road