Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Much has been made of the infamous handshake, as NBC and the NFL attempt to capture ratings and intrigue for their marquee Sunday matchup, but just how much of an impact will the past have on the present?

If you ask either coach, the answer is none, cut and dry, simple as that, matter of fact. “What happened happened”, “it is what it is”, and every other cliché that can be used to put the onus back on the players playing the game.  But the competitor that dwells within all of us can read between the lines, and we each know that while the conflict between the two may not be of Capulet and Montague variety, it will add some flavor, and attitude to this weekend’s contest.

We’ve all experienced it; that one opponent who just plain sticks in our craw, whose failures bring about absolute jubilation, and whose successes make us seethe with hatred and disgust. The Lions and 49ers are each the other’s villain, and in an NFL devoid of true animosity, and full of player unity, have become the closest thing to a rivalry since Manning’s Colts and Brady’s Patriots of the early 2000’s. Both teams want desperately to become the NFL’s next dynasty, and they stand in each other’s way along that path.

This animosity, although many will refuse to admit it, is perhaps born out the slightest bit of envy. The Lions and their fans watched the 49ers ascension to the NFC Championship game last season following their week 6 victory in Detroit. A game that united a team, a victory that a young fiery coach used as a launching platform to truly inspire his men. Jim Schwartz wanted exactly that, and in some aspects he got it through his post-game actions that rallied a team behind their coach. And while the media become gluttons for their “handshake-gate” storylines and quotes, the truth is that the incident will have little impact on the outcome of the game, but the two men involved most certainly will. This week’s key matchups will examine how Schwartz and Harbaugh will impact the game through coaching, rather than post-game antics and revelry.

Jim Schwartz vs. Jim Harbaugh

In some regards their masked contempt for one another is bred out of their similarities.  These two men are largely the same coach, in that they are both young, up and coming, with teams at the threshold of greatness. Both men have the ability to make their players want to fight for them, an old school mentality that had long been lost in the “business” of the NFL. The comparison that is most notable lies in their emotions. Neither man can hide their anger, or excitement, nor would either man care to. Their passion is inspiring, and their confidence contagious. These two traits can display as arrogance, which is how some view both Schwartz and Harbaugh. The right mixture of passion, confidence, and arrogance, can make a good coach; one that you love if he’s yours, and despise if he’s not.

Whatever your allegiance, the outcome of this game will rely heavily on the strategy of these two coaches, and their staffs. Each will be looking to exploit areas of success from last season’s matchup, and addressing areas of weakness. This will ultimately lead to the battle at the line of scrimmage. In order for San Francisco to be successful offensively they must run the football, as they did last season. The 49ers boast one of the biggest offensive lines in the NFL, and often add extra blockers as tight ends and fullbacks to support their power run game with Frank Gore. The Lion front seven limited Steven Jackson to pedestrian totals in week one, and must do the same to Gore. If the 49ers have success in the run game it opens up their entire offense, and simplifies the decision making process for Alex Smith, as was evident against the Packers. San Francisco attacked the Green Bay linebackers with a heavy dose of play-action in order to slip crossing routes behind them. If the Lion front seven can limit Gore without dropping a safety into the box, Smith will be forced to make actual reads, go through his progressions, and ultimately make mistakes. If the Lions have to commit extra defenders to the box for run support, Smith will be able to pick apart the Lion secondary in single coverage using play action and short routes. In many ways, the Detroit front seven must play a stellar game in run defense in order to slow down Alex Smith and the 49er passing attack.

The battle at the line of scrimmage will be paramount for the Lion offense as well. It is common knowledge that the Lions can’t run the ball effectively, and that the 49ers play the best run defense in the league. The success of the Lion offense will depend on pass protection. For obvious reasons it is pertinent to keep Matthew Stafford from getting hit, but in this matchup hurries can be just as effective as sacks for the 49er defense. The SanFrancisco secondary plays a very physical style of football, jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage, and counting on the pass rush to force quick releases. This leads to disrupted timing, and ultimately turnovers. The 49ers have found success in forcing short completions due to the fact that they are the best tackling team in the NFL. Matthew Stafford has to play much smarter than against the Rams, and be patient. The 49ers win by attrition, slowly wearing down their opponent. If Stafford can be patient enough to take what the defense is giving, opportunities for big plays will present, and the Lions will be able to strike. If he becomes impatient and tries to force the ball down field, the result will be similar to the first half of last week’s game.

The outcome of this game will rely largely on the passion of the two coaches, and their ability to motivate their teams. This matchup last season was arguably the most physical football game of the year, and that will likely carry over into this weekend. This is a game that will be won on the interior, with sweat, muscle, and pain. It will be the type of football game that differentiates being hurt from being injured. Whichever team wins this contest will have to be hungry, aggressive, and downright nasty, as each takes on the mentality of their leader.

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Robinson is battling against undrafted rookie quarterback Tyler Hansen for the third string job on the Cincinnati Bengals roster.

Sept 1, 2011; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Zac Robinson (10) runs with the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Lions beat Bills 16 - 6. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-US PRESSWIRE

Should Robinson lose the final roster spot to Hansen after the preseason exhibition season, it would be intriguing to see if the Lions bring Robinson in before week one of the regular season.

Robinson was a fan favorite in Detroit because he performed well as a backup during the 2011 preseason games for the Lions. It was shocking to see that he chose to sign to the Bengals practice roster over the Lions practice roster after he was waived by Detroit on September 3, 2011.

The move would make sense if undrafted rookie quarterback Kellen Moore continues to struggle throughout training camp the same way he did during OTAs.

The Lions also signed former Arena Football League quarterback RJ Archer to compete with Moore, but he is a longshot to make the final 53-man roster.

Because former quarterback Drew Stanton left the team in free agency and current second string quarterback Shaun Hill is two-years away from retirement, Zac Robinson would be a perfect candidate to assume the backup role to Matthew Stafford because of his familiarity with the Lions.

September 12, 2010; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams (17) delivers a stiff-arm to San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements (second from left) on a 35 yard pass reception during the second quarter at Qwest Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

Williams was selected tenth overall by the Lions in the 2005 NFL Draft and played in Detroit for two miserable seasons.

Danny O’Neil, writer for the Seattle Times, explains that Williams lack of game day production and overall battle with staying durable is what hurt the wide receiver the most in terms of keeping his roster spot.

“The problem was production in general, and durability in particular. He was heavier this past year. That was evident. And he spent all this offseason in his recovery from ankle surgery, and while Carroll said he expected Williams to be ready to return, there was always the question of how ready he would really be given the lack of workouts this offseason.”

The Seahawks already have a sound roster of wide receivers led by Sidney rice, Doug Baldwin, and Golden Tate, which is another reason Williams was let go.

As a Lions fan, would you welcome the return of Mike Williams with open arms or would you despise such a move?

Jan 1, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew (87) rushes with the football during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Lions 45-41. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

I came across this list today and was stunned to see that Brandon Pettigrew wasn’t mentioned in the top 10 of the league’s best tight ends.  Over the past couple of seasons, NFL teams have relied more and more on their tight ends.  Jimmy Graham of the Saints and New England’s Rob Gronkowski led the resurgence of the position last year.  How important are tight ends in the league now?  Well, the Patriots just signed the “Gronk” to an eight year, 55.23 million dollar contract.  In the NFL, where the tight end position is becoming incredibly important, Brandon Pettigrew proved last year why he is one of the best.

Last year, Brandon Pettigrew caught 83 passes for 777 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Only the two tight ends I mentioned above (Graham and Gronkowski) had more receptions than Brandon Pettigrew.  In 2010, Pettigrew had the third-most catches in the league at the tight end position.

Even with his impressive stats in the past two years , he is never mentioned as one of the top in the NFL.  Don’t get me wrong, Graham and Gronkowski are definitely the best, but Pettigrew should be deserving of more recognition than he has received.

So why is he overlooked?  Having Calvin Johnson who is Mr. Universe on the team probably has a lot to do with that.  Take away Megatron and Brandon Pettigrew is the team’s leader in receptions.  Pettigrew is entering his fourth year out of Oklahoma State, but he has only completed two years where he was full health.  The fact that Pettigrew is still young is great news for Lions fans.

Last year, I predicted Pettigrew to be a Pro-Bowler.  Jimmy Graham and Tony Gonzalez were named the NFC’s two tight ends for last season.  While the two are likely to be the two Pro Bowlers next year (especially since Gonzalez will receive much fan love as it is likely his last year), I expect Pettigrew to keep up his pace as one of the league’s best.  Hopefully he will garner a lot more attention and notoriety than he has in the past.