It Would be Huge, I Tell You

Long before he was huge (Boston Globe)

Normally a mid-season football game between the NFL's best (Patriots, 7-2) and worst (49ers, 1-8) teams would spark little interest, except that there's a local angle:

1) New England quarterback Tom Brady has never played the 49ers in San Francisco.

2) Tom Brady, on the short list of all-time greatest quarterbacks, was born in San Mateo and attended Junipero Serra High. (Serra is also the high school for Barry Bonds, one of baseball's greatest and most controversial players.)

3) The 49ers are going nowhere, Expect to see some cheering for the hometown hero, especially since, at 39, this is likely to be Tom Brady's last game in SF as well as his first.

Other notes:

A returning family member spoke to a number of Hawaii Brady fans (all guys, natch) who flew in last night just for Sunday's game.

The quote of the week was from 49ers safety Eric Reid:“I’ve been watching this guy for a long time. If I can get my hands on one of his balls, that would be huge for me and huge for this team.”

[Update - 11/20: 1) Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes in the Patriots' 30-17 victory. 2) Eric Reid sustained a season-ending biceps injury. 3) New England fans were plentiful at Levi Stadium.]