LaMichael James

Regular-season struggles and postseason mistakes—these all become a thing of the past during the Super Bowl. As players hope to showcase why they belong in the Big Dance, pressure quickly divides the men from the boys. The veteran from the rookie. The player in the moment and the player caught up in it. 

Here are three players who need to perform at their best, and then some, to give their team the best chance at winning the Super Bowl. 

1. David Akers

David Akers, a six-time Pro Bowler, is having a slump to say the least. With 14 missed field-goal attempts, Akers needs to be his usual All-Pro self at the Super Bowl. With how the Ravens defense is looking in the postseason, it's a fair bet that this game will be low scoring. Even with an offensive menace like Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers will struggle to set themselves apart from the Ravens and thus the game will go down to one or two possessions in the closing moments. 

With every touchdown and field goal carrying that much more weight, Akers' performance will be counted on that much more. In a recent interview with NFL.com, Akers was again asked about his lackluster performance and joked back, "Oh, the same thing over and over again?"

Obviously Akers understands better than anybody that his performance has been poor to say the least, but that's precisely why he'll perform at his best at the Super Bowl. Akers has been waiting for a big game to silence the critics and finally stop reporters from asking the same questions.

The sheer idea of being able to reject his "slump" image will be enough of a motivator for Akers to be at his best. And who knows, a 45-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter may seal the deal.

2. Ray Lewis 

It's hard to count Ray Lewis out of any of the intangibles the Ravens possess. Emotional control, heart, passion and determination all seem to stem from one man. The second he announced that he was going to retire after this season, there was a rebirth of some sort to the whole Ravens franchise. 

If any of the previous game are indicators of what is to come, you can count on Ray Lewis to be the backbone of the Baltimore Ravens. His performance on the field is obvious, but the locker room conversations during halftime and the sideline speeches are sure to make a huge impact. The fact that Lewis himself is avoiding the limelight is a clear indication that he knows how big the moment itself is; there's no need to hype it up even more. 

This whole time it was about giving Ray one more game, one more chapter in his final dream run. And the Cinderella story has followed a pretty smooth script until now, so when the Ravens need a pillar to lean on, Ray Lewis better be there. 

3. LaMichael James

Although LaMichael James is in his first year in the NFL, he's no rookie in the spotlight. Being the cornerstone of Oregon's running game, James was an integral part of the Rose Bowl victory against Wisconsin. The 62-yard kickoff return against the New England Patriots makes it clear that he's ready whenever his name is called into the game. 

James' impact will depend on the rushing game of Kaepernick and whether he'll run the ball as much as he's used to. However, if Baltimore gets one good hit on him and keeps him in the pocket, look for James to carry the torch in the running game. He's used to the spotlight, but it's convenient that most of the attention will go to Lewis and Kaepernick, which makes for a perfect opportunity for James to sneak in a few big runs. 

Much of the talk leading up to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans has surrounded 17-year veteran Ray Lewis and rising star Colin Kaepernick—and with good reason.

When the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers take the field in the Superdome, fans will see a slew of seasoned veterans who boast years of NFL experience and unique skill sets.

However, they'll also see a few rookies who will have an opportunity to make an impact on sports' biggest stage.

These players all have important roles for their respective teams, and there will be a lot of pressure on them to perform those roles.

Here they are.

Justin Tucker

Tucker was one of the most consistent and reliable field-goal kickers this season, posting a 90.9 field-goal percentage, which ranked sixth in the NFL. With the 49ers owning one of the best defenses in the NFL, there's a good chance Tucker will be counted on against San Francisco.

The 23-year-old kicker is 2-of-2 this postseason, including the 47-yard game-winner against the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round.

Tucker could be called on to hit another game-winner in the Superdome, meaning there's a great chance he'll have an impact on the outcome of the Super Bowl.

LaMichael James

The former Oregon Duck didn't make his NFL debut until Week 14, rushing for 30 yards on eight carries.

Although James hasn't gained more than 49 yards in any regular or postseason game this year, he has still been an effective piece of the Niners offense, especially against the Atlanta Falcons.

The speedy back is a nice change of pace from Frank Gore, and as he showed in each of San Francisco's last two playoff games, he's capable of gaining large chunks of yardage.

Whether it's on the ground or through the air in the passing game, James will see his share of action on Feb. 3.

Bernard Pierce

Pierce wasn't given much of a chance to shine in the early going of the 2012 season, as he never saw more than seven carries during the first nine weeks of the season.

He really came on toward the end of the season and showcased his NFL talent by trampling the New York Giants to the tune of 123 yards on a mere 14 carries.

Pierce also had solid days against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 and then again in the Wild Card Game against the Indianapolis Colts, when he rushed for 103 yards on 13 attempts.

Ray Rice is obviously the featured back in Baltimore's offense, but the Ravens seem to be trusting Pierce more and more each week—meaning he should see a decent amount of carries in Super Bowl XLVII to make a mark on the game.

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Super Bowl 2013 is a week away and everyone is trying to figure out which players will have the biggest games. What I want to know is which unheralded players will come up huge in the title tilt.

In so many Super Bowls, the unheralded players are the ones who come up big. David Tyree is a famous example.

Which unheralded player will come up huge in this Super Bowl? Read on to find out.

LaMichael James, RB, San Francisco 

LaMichael James was used sparingly in his rookie season with the 49ers. 

However, he's come on strong in the playoffs.

James has eight carries for 55 yards, good for a healthy 6.9 yards per carry. He also has a touchdown.

Frank Gore gets all the attention, and rightfully so, but James has shown that he's a threat with the ball in his hands.

He could also see a lot of action on Super Bowl Sunday. The Ravens have the 20th-ranked rush defense, giving up 122.8 yards per game on the ground.

Look for James to get a bunch of carries to spell Gore and come up with some big plays against the poor Ravens rush defense. 

Jimmy Smith, CB, Baltimore

Jimmy Smith has not lived up to expectations since being selected 27th overall in the 2011 NFL draft.

That could start to change.

He started to see more playing time in the playoffs, playing in 43 percent of the snaps in the AFC Championship Game. 

Smith could also receive a plum assignment and could be tasked with covering Michael Crabtree.

Crabtree has been stellar for the Niners this postseason, catching 15 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown.

At 6'2", Smith has the size and strength to match up against the physical Crabtree, and might be the only Ravens cornerback who can stone him at the line.

The Ravens need to stop Crabtree to win the game. Smith might present the best option.

Andy Lee, P, San Francisco

Punters play a more important role in games than most realize.

Andy Lee could come up huge for the Niners.

He's been great this postseason, averaging 47.3 yards per punt, and holding opposing returners to only 1.2 yards per return.

Field position is so crucial and its importance is only heightened in a tight game.

If Lee can keep the Ravens buried, it'll be tough for their offense to get going.

Lee has been great all year and he'll continue that in this game as he makes it hard for the Ravens to get good field position. 

The NFL has become a two-back league, with this year's Super Bowl teams providing the perfect example for the natural shift. 

Asking backs to take every carry isn't plausible in today's NFL, as the potential injury risk increases with fatigue. The defenders in the NFL are amongst the best and most powerful athletes in the world, and they force opposing runners to exert maximum effort on each rush.

Gone are the days when a physically imposing back could easily steamroll an undersized linebacker, as even smaller linebackers pack quite the wallop. 

Even though the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers each have an excellent No. 1 back with Ray Rice and Frank Gore, respectively, they are each heavily dependent on their No. 2 back, as well. 

Bernard Pierce 

Bernard Pierce has spelled Rice all season and has been effective in the role. On 108 regular-season carries, Pierce accumulated 532 yards for an average of 4.9 yards per rush. 

The Temple alum had a successful rookie season and has the chance to cap it off with a Super Bowl.

The shifty and decisive running of Pierce has been most effective on second down, as he averaged 6.3 yards per carry on the down during the regular season. Essentially, Pierce quickly hits holes, which is why he is effective on unpredictable second-down run calls. 

Pierce has been even better in the playoffs and actually compiled more rushing yards than Rice did against the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.

Making his performance in the AFC Championship Game more impressive, Pierce was hampered by a bone bruise in his right knee and still managed to average 5.8 yards per rush. 

Rice said the following in regards to Pierce's toughness after the AFC Championship Game: (via Aaron Wilson BaltimoreSun.com)

He's the toughest man on earth. That's my man. We knew it would be tough sledding. They always do a great job against the run, but we just had to execute. Having a dual threat really helps out.

The quotes from Rice speak to Pierce's toughness and to the current state of the running back position in the NFL. One of the league's premier running backs, Rice is not openly acknowledging how important Pierce is because he knows his job is not in danger. Rather, Rice realizes Pierce is integral in his own success as a runner. 

Against the 49ers, the Ravens will need Pierce to spell Rice effectively in order to maintain a solid rushing attack. 

Without a strong ground game, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco would be forced to win the game single-handedly with his arm. Against the 49ers' stout defense, the odds would be stacked against the Ravens if they have to depend on just Flacco. 

Expect Pierce to carry the ball between six and 10 times against the Niners. His success can be used as a barometer for the Ravens' offensive success. 

LaMichael James 

While Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore will take the majority of the carries, the few touches LaMichael James receives have the potential to change the game. 

Due to his blazing speed, James is a home-run threat each time he touches the ball. 

In the NFC Championship Game, James found the end zone in the second quarter after taking the handoff on a read-option play. Plays such as the read-option highlight James' skill set the best, as he is most dangerous when he can find some open space. 

There is also a chance we will see James return a kickoff or two, as he returned 14 of them in the regular season. Jim Harbaugh will utilize James' home-run ability when it's prudent and the pace and score of the game will factor into the decision. 

Expect James to touch the ball between four and eight times, as his big-play ability could wind up making the difference. 

The San Francisco 49ers will be playing in the NFC Championship Game for the second year in a row. In last year’s competition, the Niners fell to the New York Giants in overtime following multiple fumbles by punt returner Kyle Williams.

San Francisco was dominant on defense last season, but lacked dynamic play on the offensive side of the ball. They spent the offseason loading their roster with offensive players of multiple skill-sets that could help them make that extra push for the Super Bowl. Veterans like Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and Brandon Jacobs were brought in, while receiver AJ Jenkins and running back LaMichael James were drafted.

These five players were supposed to be enough to make San Francisco’s offense a major threat in all aspects. However, the rookies were rarely given an opportunity to suit up and the free-agent signings battled injuries. 

The 49ers were still able to transform their offense into a unit that all defenses should fear. When Alex Smith was concussed in a tie to the St. Louis Rams on November 11, second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick was put into action.

Kaepernick made his first career start a week later on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears and their nearly impenetrable defense. Kaep and the 49ers dominated the then 7-2 Bears in a 32-7 blowout.

This helped Kaepernick earn the starting job for the next game when Smith was cleared to play, and for the remainder of the season. He gave the 49ers’ offense just what they needed: mobility at the quarterback position. His record as a starter so far is 6-2, with big wins over the Patriots in New England and the Green Bay Packers in Saturday night's divisional playoff game. 

In his first playoff appearance, Kaepernick totaled 444 yards and four touchdowns. His 181 rushing yards were a record for a quarterback in any game, not just postseason competition.

While Kaepernick stole the show, former Oregon Ducks running back LaMichael James managed to contribute to the victory. His 21 yards on three rushes, a seven-yard catch and 23 yards on the opening kickoff are stats that should not be bragged about.

However, he was still able to make an impact when not touching the ball. His super-speed and knack for finding the smallest of holes to run through required Green Bay’s defense to pay attention to him whenever he was on the field.

This was shown in a play that swung all momentum the Niners way and changed the fate of the game. After the Packers tied things up 24-24 a few minutes into the second half, Colin Kaepernick answered right back with a 56-yard touchdown run on the third play of the 49ers drive. His run started with a fake handoff to James. The defenders put all of their attention on No. 23, which allowed Kaepernick to break away with the score. San Francisco led for the rest of the game.

Even though LaMichael James has not had the same value of importance to the 49ers as he did to Oregon, he can still be a game changer. The Atlanta Falcons will put all of their concentration on Kaepernick in next week’s NFC Championship Game, which will make James even more of an asset to the 49ers offense.

Regardless of what happens at the Georgia Dome, LaMichael James has proven that he can make a major impact at the NFL level despite his size and will only continue to improve with San Francisco.  

Chip Kelly transformed the Oregon football program when he first took the job as offensive coordinator for the Ducks in 2007. 

Since his start at Oregon, Kelly has implemented a football system that is unlike any other in the country. The only way for Kelly's system to work, though, is to have everyone in the program buy into it.

Not only the players, but the assistant coaches as well, which is exactly what they have all done.

With talks of Kelly leaving for the NFL, it seems unlikely that he would start fresh and reteach his system with a completely new coaching staff.

If Kelly were to leave, here are the coaches that would either accept or decline his offer:

Coaches Who Would Decline

Mark Helfrich, Offensive Coordinator

Mark Helfrich probably has the best backup option if he doesn't join Kelly in going to the NFL. More than likely, Helfrich would take over for Kelly and become the head coach for the Ducks. 

Mark Helfrich is an Oregon native who has loved the Ducks since he was a boy. I don't see him turning his dream job down for the offensive coordinator job under Kelly in the NFL. The only way I could see Helfrich turn it down would be for a head coaching job of his own in the NFL, not under Chip Kelly.

Nick Aliotti, Defensive Coordinator

Aliotti has been around the block a few times. He started out coaching as a graduate assistant for the Ducks in 1978, but he left after '79 to find a coaching position he could make a living out of. After a few stints at Oregon State and Chico State, Aliotti ended up back at Oregon as the linebackers coach under Rich Brooks. When Brooks' chance opened in the NFL, he took it and brought along Aliotti to be his special teams coach.

After three years in the big leagues and a short, one-year job at UCLA, Aliotti found his way back to Eugene in 1999, this time as the defensive coordinator.

From what I can tell, Aliotti genuinely loves the Oregon program, the fanbase and the Eugene area. He has already had his try in the NFL, and I so I see no reason for him to leave once again.

Gary Campbell, Running Backs Coach

Gary Campbell loves being a mentor to the athletes that come through the Oregon program. Campbell not only mentors his players on a football standpoint, but also instills everyday life lessons into their lives. Players such as LaMichael James have said numerous times that coach Campbell is a father figure. He connects with the players on a very personal level.

Campbell is coming up on his 30th year of coaching at Oregon, and I don't see his loyalty to the program running off. If he did leave for the NFL, Campbell wouldn't be able to be much of a mentor, with the NFL being run more as a business than a college-like atmosphere where students take in as much wisdom as they possibly can.

Steve Greatwood, Offensive Line

Greatwood is a Eugene native with more than 30 years of coaching experience under his belt. Other than at Oregon, Greatwood has coached at Maryland, USC and two seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams. 

Like Aliotti, Greatwood has been around the block a few times. It's time for him to settle down in his hometown and coach one of college football's powerhouse teams. What a crap life that must be.

Greatwood isn't going anywhere.

Scott Frost, Wide Receivers Coach

Scott Frost recently interviewed for the head coaching job at Louisiana Tech, which was given to Skip Holtz, son of Lou Holtz. 

It seems that more than anything, Frost wants to start a legacy of his own. I don't see him going to the NFL or staying at Oregon very long—once he lands a head coaching job, he will take it.

Coaches Who Would Accept

Jerry Azzinaro, Defensive Line

Coach Azz has accumulated almost 30 years of coaching college football. He has coached various positions as well as being the head man. As the defensive line coach at Syracuse, Azzinaro prepared now-NFL-superstar Dwight Freeney for the draft.

Azzinaro is a New York native, so I doubt he has much connection with Oregon or the university. 

Coach Azz's high energy would fit right in with NFL. With what he has done at Oregon with subpar talent, I can't imagine what he could do with NFL talent.

Because he has never taken a shot at the at the big leagues, I think Azzinaro would follow if Kelly offered him a position.

John Neal, Defensive Backs Coach

John Neal, a graduate of BYU, has accumulated over 30 years of coaching experience in multiple conferences, including the powerhouse SEC. As Oregon's defensive backs coach, Neal has coached many athletes to be NFL-ready. 

In the last four seasons, Neal has sent four defensive backs into the NFL draft, including Patriots safety Patrick Chung, Browns safety TJ Ward and Bills safety Jairus Byrd. 

Although Neal has 30 years of coaching experience, his biggest tie to the state of Oregon is football. He has not yet coached in the NFL, and I believe he could end up leaving the Oregon program should Kelly take off.

Tom Osborne, Tight Ends/Special Teams Coach

Osborne consistently turns Oregon tight end recruits into NFL-caliber players. In his second stint with the Ducks starting in '07, "coach Oz" has sent his two starting tight ends, Ed Dickson and David Paulson, to the NFL. Dickson starts for the Baltimore Ravens, and Paulson is a backup to Heath Miller in his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In recent years (this year has been terrible), the Ducks special teams units have been impactful and consistent. When Osborne came back in 2007, Oregon was second in the conference in kickoff return yards and fourth in kickoff coverage. That was after a year of being special teams bottom-dwellers in the Pac-10. 

It's every coaches dream to coach in the NFL. Since Osborne hasn't yet, I don't see why he would turn it down.

Don Pellum, Linebackers Coach

To be honest, I'm not sure about Pellum. He graduated from Oregon after playing football for four years and has coached there most of his career. Although he seems loyal to his alma mater, I think Pellum might take a shot at the NFL if given the opportunity.

Pellum has been known to utilize his players' talents, even if they are undersized or playing out of their normal position. He has proved his abilities with players such as Boseko Lokombo and Spencer Paysinger, who are both undersized backers but use their speed, smarts and athleticism to excel.

Pellum would be a good fit for the NFL. I'm sure Chip Kelly would love for him to tag along.

If Kelly leaves...

For the first time on Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers unleashed their secret weapon: LaMichael James.

James, a second-round pick out of Oregon in the 2012 NFL Draft, saw his first action after an injury sidelined Kendall Hunter and Brandon Jacobs failed to do an amazing job in limited action, boosting him up on the depth chart.

And, if James continues to run well, he will be the number two running back on the depth chart, behind only injury prone Frank Gore.

The speedy running back out of Oregon picked up 30 yards on eight carries, but he showed that he is capable of having success in the NFL. He's always had spectacular breakaway speed, and he knows when to burst through a hole.

We saw the same thing on Sunday that we did at Oregon. James exploded through holes, and he did a nice job, even on busted plays. He broke some tackles, protected the ball, and did all he could. There were some busted plays, but James didn't try and cut back, which would have most likely led to losing more yards. Instead, he just took the loss and let Colin Kaepernick do his thing.

Oh, and he also had two double-digit runs, three if you include one negated by a holding penalty. Not bad for an NFL debut, right? Right.

James went up against the ninth-best rushing defense in the league in Miami, and he will have to face two run defenses inside the top 10 in Seattle and New England (in the next two weeks). So, if James does get more chances to spark the 49ers, he will have to do it against more solid run defenses. 

But he's definitely more than capable.

Gore is obviously the first-string running back, and he had another good game Sunday, tying the franchise record for touchdowns, passing 1,000 yards for the sixth straight season, and running for 63 yards on 12 carries while catching two passes for 22 yards.

However, James throws a whole new challenge at the defense. Gore isn't huge, but he is known for barreling through a defense and breaking tackles, without exceptional breakaway speed. James, on the other hand, has good vision and great speed.

Brandon Jacobs, who was suspended, was similar to Gore, except for the fact that he's a bruising back who fumbles sometimes. James brings a whole new element to the San Francisco running game, and he adds one more problem to the defense.

James is explosive, and he is always a big-play threat. Gore is going to get the majority of the carries, but if something happens to him or when Gore needs a rest, James can shake up the offense, and he has the ability to change a game.

And, if he gets a chance, he will change a game.

In long-awaited anticipation, fans finally saw two rookies whom they had been clamoring for. First-round wide receiver A.J. Jenkins saw his first action of the season on Sunday, as well as did second-round running back LaMichael James.

While neither player played in abundance, both players managed to make an impact while they were in the game. Jenkins played a measly eight snaps—five of the snaps were on pass routes and the other three were on run plays.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick did not target Jenkins on any of the five pass routes he ran, so he has yet to make his first career NFL catch. But Jenkins did display the ability to throw a couple of nice blocks in the run game. According to Pro Football Focus, he garnered a plus-0.5 grade in the run game.

Nice first run for LaMichael James. Shifty as ever. 10-yard gain.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 9, 2012

As you can see from Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller,  James's debut was a bit more impressive. He saw a total of 15 snaps—nine run plays and four pass plays. Of the nine run plays he was involved in, he carried the ball eight times. On eight carries, he picked up 30 yards for 3.8 yards per carry.

Not mind blowing numbers by any means, but just the fact that he found his way on the field and contributed in a positive manner should be enough for him to solidify the No. 2 running back spot going forward. We all know where Brandon Jacobs and the 49ers currently stand, so he doesn't seem to be a threat.

With three regular season games left, plus the playoffs, it will be interesting to see just how involved both players are by season's end.

Arizona Cardinals

Barry Federovitch of the New Jersey Times calls the Cardinals' loss to the Seahawks a historic flop.

Cooper Allen of Bleacher Report examines the biggest winners and losers from Week 14.

San Francisco 49ers

Mark Emmons of the Palm Beach Post breaks down Colin Kaepernick and his big-play ability from Sunday's game.

Rafael Cadet of Bleacher Report begs the question, is Kaepernick regressing or progressing down the stretch?

Seattle Seahawks

Ryan Divish of the Bellingham Herald says Anthony McCoy's drops are a thing of the past.

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report tells us why Russell Wilson should lead the Rookie of the Year debate after Week 14.

St. Louis Rams

Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch dishes out his weekly grades after another Rams victory.

Lou Rom of Bleacher Report explains to us that Danny Amendola's health issues will cost him this offseason.

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