49ers' Bowman showing others what they missed Bowman finds path to stardom in NFL after a rough start

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Before he was in a league of his own, NaVorro Bowman was a liability.

As a rookie in 2010, the 49ers' inside linebacker was a backup whom the Panthers picked on in their 23-20 win in Carolina. On the Panthers' game-tying touchdown march late in the fourth quarter, Bowman, subbing for 13-year veteran Takeo Spikes, had an excruciating four-play sequence.

First, Carolina tight end Dante Rosario had a 10-yard catch on Bowman on 3rd-and-6. On the next play, Bowman was flagged for illegal contact. Two plays later, Bowman whiffed on a tackle on a screen pass.

When asked about that game this week, Bowman said he had only vague memories, but acknowledged that his first season had its share of forgettable moments.

"The rookie year is just a funny thing because you don't know if you're doing the right thing or the wrong thing until you get in the meeting room on Monday," Bowman said. "So now that I've got these years under my belt, I understand the game. I know what I'm doing. And I'm far from my rookie year."

No kidding.

San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman celebrates is fumble recovery against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) less San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman celebrates is fumble recovery against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP ... more Photo: Matt York, Associated Press Photo: Matt York, Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 49ers' Bowman showing others what they missed 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

On Sunday, Bowman will return to Bank of America Stadium for the first time since 2010 when the 49ers visit Carolina in an NFC divisional playoff game. This time, he will arrive as a three-time All-Pro, an NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate and a reminder that the draft is a highly inexact science.

A third-round pick from Penn State who spent much of his first season on the bench, Bowman differs from some of the other elite linebackers in Sunday's game.

Carolina middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, a No. 9 overall pick, was the 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Niners inside linebacker Patrick Willis, the No. 11 pick in 2007, was a first-team All-Pro as a rookie. And 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith, the No. 7 pick in 2011, had a 14-sack debut season.

Looking back, Bowman, a No. 91 overall pick, views his background as a blessing. After leaving Penn State following his junior season, it wasn't clear in NFL circles if he projected as an outside linebacker or inside linebacker. Bowman still recalls slights that fueled him.

"I heard a lot of comments that I wasn't big enough or I couldn't hold up in the middle," he said. "All that was just a chip on my shoulder."

And Bowman kept that chip in place after his rookie season.

Spikes signed with the Chargers in 2011, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio conceded Thursday that he didn't necessarily view Bowman as a budding star when he arrived that season. In fact, Fangio met his defensive unit with a message that stung Bowman: Only Willis and defensive tackle Justin Smith were assured of starting spots.

"He didn't know who I was or what I could do," Bowman said. "Me being the player I am, I don't like that. I expect to be known. When he got here, he mentioned the only people that had (starting) spots were Pat and Cowboy. And that really shattered everyone else in the room. I took that as a challenge and kept working."

The work has clearly paid off. Since 2011, he's earned three first-team, All-Pro honors, signed a five-year, $45.25 million extension and collected 436 tackles, the most in the NFL over that span.

His brilliance raises the question: Why was he drafted between Ohio wide receiver Taylor Price and Arizona State offensive lineman Shawn Lauvao?

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, a highly respected draft guru, admits he didn't see this coming in 2010. "I was probably as guilty as everyone else in not recognizing what he's ultimately become," Mayock said in a phone interview.

Nearly four years ago, there were concerns about Bowman's durability, character and position in the NFL. At 6-foot and about 240 pounds, he didn't have elite size. And there were questions about his makeup: In college, he was involved in an off-campus fight - he eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct - and admitted to smoking marijuana.

Finally, at Penn State, he was an outside linebacker, and a transition inside in the NFL appeared dubious given his frame. Mayock credits the 49ers for correctly projecting that Bowman, who is listed at 242 pounds, could make the move.

"I thought he was going to be an outside linebacker," Mayock said. "And I think a lot of people thought he was going to be an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense. When you have a guy who was an outside linebacker in college, you typically grade them out that way. And it takes some foresight to say 'Wait a minute, I like him inside.' "

In 2011, Mayock realized the 49ers had pulled off a third-round steal when he began preparing for their Thanksgiving night in Baltimore on NFL Network. In studying 49ers' game video of Bowman's first season as a starter, he was struck to see him mirroring the perennial All-Pro beside him.

"I kind of put the tape on and I'm expecting Willis to be several notches ahead of him," Mayock said. "I'm kind of thinking NaVorro Bowman is going to be a little bit of a run-around guy. But I was just really impressed with how tough he was, how quick he was and how quickly he diagnosed individual plays. He came downhill, played with physicality.

"I remember sitting there and just going, 'Wow, he's as good as Patrick Willis.' And Patrick Willis is one hell of a player."

Two years later, Bowman's reputation has only elevated, but he hasn't forgotten his modest NFL beginnings. During video study, safety Donte Whitner said, Bowman will often call out when a linebacker who was drafted ahead of him appears on the screen.

"He still has a chip on his shoulder from a lot of these guys getting drafted in front of him," Whitner said. "... We all play with a chip on our shoulder, especially NaVorro."