Jim Harbaugh reportedly isn't the most popular guy in the 49ers locker room. (Getty Images)
Any complaints about Jim Harbaugh's coaching style were easy to overlook while the team was winning, and the 49ers were winning a lot. Since arriving in San Francisco in 2011, Harbaugh has gone 13-3, 11-4-1 and 12-4, making three consecutive conference championship games and advancing to the Super Bowl after the 2012 season.
But his act, which was reportedly wearing thin before this season, remains an issue for some of his players, even in the wake of a huge win Sunday over the Eagles. That's the latest, according to Hall of Famer and NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders, who didn't mince words during Sunday night's telecast.
"They want him out," Sanders said, via NFL.com. "They're not on the same page. I really want to know if they're really playing for the head coach. I got a question with that. Are you really down with your head coach, San Francisco 49ers? Because the way it looks and what I'm hearing, you're really not down for your head coach. And that's a problem. They really got some problems that we hear rumblings. We all know people inside locker rooms."
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport offered more specifics Sunday morning: "Some of the complaints include the fact that he kind of treats them like children. In fact, on planes, I'm told, they're not allowed to play music, they're not allowed to play cards. Small things, but these are the things that really can rankle players, even though the veterans do get to sit in first class."
Back in March, the Sacramento Bee reported that -- wait for it -- Harbaugh's "act has worn thin" with several members of the locker room, though a day later veteran wideout Anquan Boldin disputed the notion.
"I don't think there's any rift between players and coaches, particularly Coach Harbaugh," Boldin said at the time. "He has good rapport with all the guys I know of. There's no gripes in the locker room when it comes to Coach Harbaugh. He wants to win and everybody in the locker room wants to do the same. We're usually on same page and if not, we have it where we can talk to him and he can talk to us."
Maybe Boldin's right, but FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer reported earlier this month that, "I'd be surprised if Jim Harbaugh is back in San Francisco next year."
Just be careful what you ask for; before Harbaugh arrived, the 49ers had finished below .500 in seven of the previous eight seasons.
NFL Hot News
Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater leaves first start with ankle injury, MRI tonight
Teddy Bridgewater performed very well in his first career start Sunday, picking apart the Falcons' defense on his way to a 317-yard passing day with 27 more yards on the ground and a rushing score. And it could have been even better if Bridgewater didn't miss most of the fourth quarter due to an ankle injury. X-rays were negative, but more will be known about his injury following an MRI, which is reportedly scheduled to take place tonight.Bridgewater suffered the injury during a 1-yard run deep in Atlanta's territory with about 11 minutes left in the game. He stayed on the field to complete a two-point conversion to tight end Rhett Ellison. Bridgewater was then seen getting carted back to the locker room. However, Bridgewater returned to the sidelines for the last few minutes of the Vikings' 41-28 victory.Christian Ponder was under center for the rest of the game and didn't attempt a pass. Bridgewater will need to heal quickly as Minnesota will travel to Green Bay to face the Packers on Thursday night.
Really, Bridgewater missed only one series of consequence, and the Vikings used his absence to run out the clock with running back Jerick McKinnon. Bridgewater made a few throws you would expect a fresh rookie to make, but he was largely good overall. However, we'll see what the MRI shows, and he will be in a race against the clock this week. Ponder would represent a downgrade for this entire offense.
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