Independent voices from the TWT Communities
The San Francisco 49ers suddenly have a huge void in their receiving corps as they chase another Super Bowl berth: Michael Crabtree is sidelined after surgery on his right Achilles tendon.

As Alex Smith stood on the sideline with a concussion, San Francisco's potential quarterback of the future went to work — and fast.
The San Francisco 49ers are everything Rex Ryan wishes his New York Jets were.
Alex Smith threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, Frank Gore ran for 93 yards and a score and the San Francisco 49ers took a 17-9 lead over the Detroit Lions through three quarters Sunday night.
Alex Smith threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, Frank Gore ran for 62 yards and a score and the San Francisco 49ers took a 14-6 halftime lead over the Detroit Lions on Sunday night.
Alex Smith threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and the San Francisco 49ers took a 7-6 lead over the Detroit Lions after the first quarter Sunday night.
The Phoenix Suns are off and running in their roster makeover to face life after Steve Nash.

John Kasay kicked a 26-yard field goal in overtime to give the New Orleans Saints a 26-23 victory over Atlanta on Sunday after Falcons coach Mike Smith decided to go for it on fourth down deep in his territory.
The San Francisco 49ers wanted a statement game to show the skeptics they're a legitimate winner. Justin Smith batted down Eli Manning's pass in the closing seconds of the New York quarterback's latest comeback try, and San Francisco stopped the Giants on fourth down for a 27-20 victory in Sunday's NFC showdown to boost their chances of a first-round playoff bye.

A review of the best and worst performances by the Washington Redskins' defense and some observations after re-watching the TV broadcast of their 19-11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Michael Vick was in the Philadelphia Eagles' starting lineup after missing a portion of last week's loss to the Giants with a bruised right hand.
Kendall Hunter's phone wasn't blowing up with messages the night the rookie running back scored the 49ers' first touchdown of the preseason on a dazzling play in the third quarter.
A return to his home turf didn't make Oklahoma State running back Kendall Hunter any faster.
All-America receiver Justin Blackmon and quarterback Brandon Weeden are returning to Oklahoma State, giving the Cowboys another season with the two key playmakers in one of the nation's most dynamic offenses.

Nebraska and Oklahoma State dominated the All-Big 12 team released Thursday by The Associated Press with six players each.
"As a player I was taught that if you're going to do something, do it the hardest you can or don't do it at all," Hunter said.
"And she didn't see the game, she just saw the stats," Hunter said before practice Tuesday. "I didn't talk to too many other people."