All signs point to Justin Smith missing today's game -- an unbelievable break for the Hawks IMO and one that could have drastic consequences for the 49ers as far as their ability to generate a pass rush. It DOES sound like they're going to go with Ricky Jean Francois (4th year DT out of LSU) in his place. For those who are interested, here is an interesting article in yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle on him ...
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/12/21/jean-francois-steps-into-some-big-shoes/
Sounds like he could be the kind of late round sleeper (i.e. a Greg Scruggs) that the Hawks have been good at finding as well. He had a key sack of Brady on a 3rd and 15 late in last week's game ... hopefully he doesn't have the same kind of results today.
The more I've thought about things .. the more I've kept coming back to Marshawn Lynch and getting the run game going being such an important element to this game. In both of the last 2 meetings against the Niners ... Marshawn Lynch has averaged over 5.0 Yards/Carry and has gone over 100 yards against what is easily the best defense in the NFL. IF Bevell and company are successful getting that run game going again ... Russell Wilson and the Zone Read Option becomes incredibly hard (if not possible) to effectively defend/game plan for. If Lynch is going ... you have the play action pass that's going to work ... Russell Wilson's bootleg runs to contend with ... and (oh yeah by the way) Wilson can actually pass the ball as well. It all starts with getting the run game going though IMO.
You guys got any further thoughts on the game today as we approach game time?