Boldin’s competitive drive garners praise as he closes in on 1000th reception

Boldin has been that dependable receiver throughout his career, and his chain-moving efforts have been even more important this season than in years past. Boldin, genuinely, isn’t interested.

“I like it here”, Boldin said.

The 49ers only rack up just about half of the amount of sacks they give up.

For the 49ers, the questions are obvious: does Jim Tomsula deserve another season at the helm of the team, and are his coordinators putting the players in a position to succeed?

The Lions (5-9) and San Francisco 49ers (4-10) will kick off at 1 p.m.

The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit’s last 10 games.

“And 10 years flew by”, Boldin said.

Now in his 13th season, he admittedly relies on his technique to keep his slower, 35-year-old body in a National Football League uniform, through at least next season. They committed four turnovers, 11 penalties for 98 yards and went 2 for 14 on third down while also having a field goal blocked. The Lions will look to pass rush San Francisco’s quarterback. Boldin recalls it vividly: a third-down reception on an out route toward the Lions sideline.

Stafford was selected No. 1 overall in 2009 and was voted NFL Comeback Player of the Year two years later after bouncing back from an injured-filled start by throwing for 5,000-plus yards.

-49ers WRs Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith vs. Lions secondary.

Detroit s defense won t underestimate Boldin this time.

“Maybe one of the great competitors of all time”, Caldwell told the Bay Area media in a conference call Wednesday.

“That’s what makes him special”. Caldwell, like so many others, credited Boldin s intense drive, work habits and attention to detail. He’s been helped by Detroit’s running game, as the team has averaged 115.8 yards on the ground over the last five weeks to increase its season number to 84.4 and escape the league basement. “And so it’s fun to go back to Detroit and have that as a memory”. Perhaps with a new general manager and coach this offseason, Detroit’s decision makers might choose to manage the salary cap by possibly parting ways with either or both of them. Boldin s next catch will tie him with Hines Ward, who sits exactly at 1,000. He practiced on a limited basis on Friday and is listed as questionable for the game.

It wouldn’t take much more to get them back there, and it starts with learning everything they can about the players on their roster in the final two games of the regular season.

“I feel like we are playing good complementary football”, Stafford said. “You guys see him out there”. Will they keep coach Jim Caldwell? Shaun Draughn left last week’s game with a knee injury, leading to San Francisco signing DuJuan Harris from Baltimore’s practice squad.