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Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk recently attracted criticism for bizarrely questioning San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy's worthiness of the "franchise quarterback" label
because his name resembled "Turdy."
"I think people have a hard time looking at that name and saying that's a franchise quarterback," Florio noted.
The Pro Football Talk writer joined 95.7 The Game on Wednesday morning and explained the comments, noting that they were part of a broader conversation about why some are reluctant to embrace the 49ers' second-year player as a franchise quarterback.
RELATED Florio offers high praise for Kyle Shanahan, responds to being labeled a 'hater'
"I had given various other reasons, including, for example, last player taken in the draft, QB3, who got thrust into service, suffered the elbow injury in the NFC Championship game," Florio shared on "The Morning Roast" show. "So it dusts off this chronic concern that 49ers quarterbacks are cursed. So we went through all those reasons, and I threw that one on there at the end.
"And look, when I first saw his name, I did think that's not really a quarterback name. But when you play well, all of a sudden, what doesn't look like a quarterback name becomes a quarterback name."
However, the "Turdy" comment garnered the most attention because of its ridiculousness, which podcast co-host Peter King immediately pointed out as "one of the silliest things I've ever heard."
While Florio admits that he was just having fun with King on the podcast, Purdy has earned the writer's respect. Florio offered high praise for the young quarterback on Wednesday.
"Based upon what they've (the 49ers) done so far this year, he's (Purdy) checking those boxes," Florio said. "And if there's a team of destiny in the NFC, it feels like the 49ers. And if there's a team of destiny in the AFC, it feels like the Dolphins.
"Now, if it comes down to those two teams as the one seed[s], Tua [Tagovailoa] is probably the MVP. But there's still a chance that Brock Purdy is going to get some serious consideration if he presides over this team, has good numbers, and the 49ers end up the one seed in the NFC. And right now, I would say they're the most likely team in the NFC to be the one seed."
There has been some criticism surrounding Purdy's accuracy on deep throws, something that his predecessor, Jimmy Garoppolo, had to deal with, too. However, Florio believes the Niners will go far this season if that can be overcome. That would be significant for head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, who have struggled to identify a franchise quarterback.
"If they could just stabilize the quarterback position and have that quarterback step up and make a big throw in a big spot, it's a Super Bowl championship for the San Francisco 49ers, and it could come as soon as this year," Florio added.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Florio below.
Brock Purdy strengthened his chemistry with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during training camp, after the San Francisco 49ers quarterback returned to practice following offseason surgery on his throwing arm.
That quarterback-receiver chemistry has only improved as the season has progressed. On Sunday, Aiyuk caught five passes for a career-high 156 yards and a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was his fourth game of the season with over 100 receiving yards.
"He's different from [WR] Deebo [Samuel]. He's different from [TE] George [Kittle]," quarterback Brock Purdy told reporters on Tuesday. "And so, sort of just taking note of that. And then B.A.'s just got length. He's got range. And so I know where he can get to and where I shouldn't throw the ball
It took nine years, but the San Francisco 49ers finally got some payback on Thursday night for the Seattle Seahawks feasting on turkey after a win at Levi's Stadium in 2014.
The Seahawks' 19-3 win over the 49ers on Thanksgiving in 2014 was the last time either team played on Thanksgiving before Thursday night, and after that game then-Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and cornerback Richard Sherman dug into the postgame turkey at the 50-yard line of Levi's Stadium at a time when the rivalry between the two teams was at a peak. The 49ers flipped the script on Thursday, notching a 31-13 win over the Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle that was followed by a slew of 49ers getting their fill of Thanksgiving turkey, courtesy of NBC.
"That was a moment I'll remember
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has showcased elite-level performances this season. Nevertheless, some seem reluctant to give the second-year player the respect that many 49ers fans believe he deserves.
NFL Network reporter Omar Ruiz joined KNBR on Monday morning and was asked if he senses a reluctance among the media to categorize Purdy among the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks.
"Yeah, and I think as long as he has a loaded Forty-Niner team around him, it'll probably always be like that unless he wins a Super Bowl," Ruiz responded on the "Murph and Mac" show.
Ruiz drew parallels to former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson's journey to being considered among the league's best. Initially, the team's outstanding defensive play
Joe Shasky from 95.7 The Game expressed his bewilderment on Tuesday morning, questioning why San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy doesn't receive the respect he deserves. The second-year player is coming off a phenomenal game, completing 21 of his 25 passing attempts for 333 yards and three touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
Analysts quickly criticized Purdy during the 49ers' three-game losing streak, but the quarterback has played impressive football since then. In a conversation with respected NFL analyst Brian Baldinger, Shasky commended Purdy's ability to recognize what is developing on the field before and after the ball is snapped.
"He does so many things so well, and I'm just blown away at the way
