Anquan Boldin likes what he saw from his San Francisco 49ers teammates this week.
"I think we're ready to go," the veteran told reporters on Saturday.
All the chatter, speculation, hype, breakdowns, and even predictions that have been tossed around prior to a Monday night game against the Minnesota Vikings can start to simmer down.
Finally, Boldin and the 49ers will embark on the 2015 regular season in two days.
But of course, with Boldin being the figurehead that he is, the play-making wideout was asked to assess his team's readiness for a primetime game against a quality opponent. Boldin noted that the 49ers offense kept things basic in the preseason and has now been able to focus solely on the Vikings on a national stage.
"We've had a real good week of preparation," said Boldin, the second-most experienced member of San Francisco's roster. "Guys are moving around fast and guys know their assignments."
Jim Tomsula shared a similar sentiment in his final press conference of the week.
"The last two days have been really good," the first-year head coach said. "It's been a really good week of practice. I'm excited about the energy level, the attention to detail. The practices have been crisp and sharp."
Boldin also expressed confidence in Geep Chryst's first gameplan as the 49ers offensive coordinator. The 34-year-old wideout remains an integral part of the unit. Boldin is coming off back-to-back seasons as San Francisco's leading receiver. He also needs 61 receptions to be included in the NFL's top-10 list of career leaders in catches.
Barring injury, Boldin should be good to reach that threshold among the league's all-time greats. He has averaged 78 receptions in his 12-year career, including totals of 83 and 85 catches in the past two years with the 49ers.
"I'm excited to get back to football," Boldin said of his mindset for 2015.
He also expressed appreciation for the make up of the 49ers roster. Six members of the team, Boldin included, have 10-plus years of experience. The roster also features 31 players with three-or-fewer years in the NFL. Even with a youth movement of sorts, Boldin said he sees a seasoned locker room.
"I think we have just the right amount of older guys and the right amount of young guys to learn from those older guys," the wideout said. "I think the good part of it is that a lot of those young guys had to play last year because of different situations that we had.
"I'll be excited to see them play come Monday night."
Boldin pointed to the return of NaVorro Bowman and the team's black alternate jerseys as added reasons for heightened Week-1 anticipation.
"You saw a glimpse of what he's able to do in the preseason," Boldin said of Bowman. "We're happy to have him back as a leader on the defense. I'm just excited to see what he's going to bring to the table."
And as for the all-black look and feel for the night game, Boldin said the new uniforms should only fuel the gameday atmosphere.
"First game of the season, I think everybody will be amped up," he began. "But to have it on a Monday night, going in, in the all-black (uniforms), I think it'll be even better. I know the guys in the locker room are excited to bring out the black jersey and the fans are as well. It'll be a rocking atmosphere come Monday."
