DC Chris Shula's miraculous secondary effort ignites new hope for Rams

(1) - Deebo Samuel

No player on the San Francisco 49ers embodies their bold and brash attitude more than WR/RB Deebo Samuel. When he and the 49ers are playing well, Samuel is all over social media and the NFL news, trash-talking his next opponent, and embellishing his latest performance. And when he isn't getting the level of work that he feels that a player of his status should be getting, everyone in the NFL knows about it.

And that act is even wearing thin on legendary 49ers players:

Deebo Samuel is a polarizing figure for the 49ers. When successful, he pushes the envelope with trolling other teams, other players, and that provokes fans to follow suit. But when not so successful, the glee and joy that NFL fans of all the other teams at celebrating his struggles is equal as well.

Against the LA Rams secondary in Week 15, he caught just three of seven passes for 16 yards. And I will be the first to tell you, that was probably the highlight of the game to me.

Perhaps there is a fine line between confidence and cockiness, but Deebo Samuel has yet to understand where that line is drawn. Let's be objective about it. If a player calls out his teammates to get the football, he cannot have the type of game that Samuel had against the Rams. Better to stay silent and let his performance do his talking for him.

Just as legary 49ers' wide receiver Jerry Rice suggested.

Deebo Samuel has competed in 13 of 14 games for the 49ers, has caught 43 of 71 passes for 569 yards and one touchdown. But his 2024 stat line against the Rams is three of seven catches for 16 yards, plus two rushes for three yards. The victory over the 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Week 15 was sweet. But the Rams secondary shutting him down in his only appearance against the Rams this season was sweeter yet.

As always, thanks for reading.

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