Seahawks' Sherman impressed with Bowman's return to form

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Editor's note: The video above is postgame of 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman following a Week 9 win over the Falcons 

SANTA CLARA -– Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has found himself drawn toward watching the 49ers’ defense this season to check out linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

And Sherman said he is amazed with how Bowman has bounced back this season after missing the entire 2014 season due to a severe knee injury he sustained at Seattle in January 2014 in the NFC Championship game.

“I was so impressed by the way he’s come back and how well he’s played, especially as of late,” Sherman said Wednesday in a conference call with the Bay Area media.

[MAIOCCO: 49ers have new role for Carradine to inject life into pass rush]

“In the Falcons game, he seemed like he was everywhere. And it’s just a testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft and what he does to see him get back to form like he has.”

Prior to the first 49ers-Seahawks meeting of the season, Bowman said Sherman was one of many Seattle players with whom he spoke during his rehab. Sherman said he and Bowman crossed paths in Los Angeles.

“You just support the guy and tell him to keep his head up,” Sherman said. “Obviously, both of us are competitors for different teams. But, at the end of the day, it’s a brotherhood. You don’t want anybody to be hurt. You don’t want anybody to go through what he had to go through. So you wish the best for him.”

Sherman, known for his brash statements, was subdued during his seven-minute call with reporters who cover the 49ers. Here are some of the other topics he covered:

--On whether the 49ers-Seahawks meetings have any less intensity with the 49ers (3-6) struggling, the Seahawks under .500 (4-5) and no Jim Harbaugh on the other sideline: “No, it doesn’t make much difference to me. You go out there and execute your responsibility to the best of your ability.”

He added, “It always feels the same. It’s another game. It’s another division game. At the end of the day, you’re always playing for something.”

--Sherman was asked whether he was surprised to see the turn of events with the 49ers that led to Blaine Gabbert replacing Colin Kaepernick at quarterback.

“I mean, football’s a crazy game, so not really,” Sherman said. “It’s who’s playing well at the time. Who would’ve thought when they were playing well and Alex Smith was out there and a year later that Alex Smith would gone from San Francisco and Colin Kaepernick would be their guy? Things like that happen in football, and you just have to roll with the punches.”

---Sherman on Gabbert’s first start, a 17-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons: “He successfully ran the offense. He got them down the field. He made some great decisions, in terms of running and passing the football. Obviously, there were some mistakes in there as well, but to come off the bench and do what he did and beat the Falcons, it was a good performance.”

---Sherman had 24 regular-season interceptions in his first four seasons. But he’s gone nine games without a pick this season. He said he tries to remain patient while going through a rare turnover drought.

“You treat it the same,” he said. “You just try to go out and execute your ball. The opportunities will come when they come. And when they come, you just got to take advantage.

“I’ve gotten opportunities, I just haven’t capitalized every time -- like I usually have.”

--The vaunted Seahawks defense is coming off a loss to the Arizona Cardinals, in which quarterback Carson Palmer threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns.

“Just a few mistakes here and there,” Sherman explained. “It happens some times. We played well for a while then every now and then you have some plays that they made, and you got to give them credit for.”

--Sherman, the Stanford product, envisions his team emerging from the Big Game against Cal with a victory.

“Obviously, disappointed last week, man,” Sherman said. “Fought hard. Oregon is always a tough match for them. But, go Cardinal! I think we’re going to get this one. We’re at the house. We got the better team -- should win.”

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