Alex Boone is staying true to his nickname of "The Rhino."
The 49ers right guard is not planning to wear sleeves this Sunday. Despite forecasts for the 49ers-Packers Wild Card matchup all pointing to one of the lowest playoff games in NFL history, "The Rhino" is staying true to his alter ego.
Boone's fellow offensive linemen all had a look of disbelief when the native of Cleveland, Ohio, said he wasn't going to wear sleeves against Green Bay.
"I said I'll be OK," Boone said in his weekly radio appearance on The KNBR Morning Show. "I'm a rhino I have thick skin."
Boone said he was "psyched about the game, not about the weather."
When host Brian Murphy suggested the 49ers consume a lot of chicken noodle soup like Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Boone got quiet for a second.
The right guard then let out a hearty laugh and said he would get teased if he brought that up to his teammates.
Even so, the weather is just another test of mental fortitude for this year's resilient 49ers team.
"You go out and focus on the game and hopefully it doesn't get the best of you," Boone said.
Murphy asked if the 49ers have done anything to prepare for the freezing cold, to which Boone wisely replied, "Some of us went in and stood in the walk-in freezer."
Murphy replied, "Are you serious?"
Boone: "No...You've got to be a big boy about it."
Boone remained intent on making it a "no-sleeve day." His family members, wife, mother and grandma included, all think he's crazy for not bundling up on the field.
Boone offered a classic response:
"Leave me alone, I don't tell you what to wear to work."
Boone finished the interview by saying offensive coordinator Greg Roman has an "unbelievable" game plan for Sunday and Colin Kaepernick is a perfectionist on the practice fields leading up to the playoff opener.
"I feel great about him going into Lambeau Field," Boone said of his quarterback. "I'm excited for him. I think he's going to do a hell of a job."
The biggest revelation of Boone's interview, however, came at the very end. According to the offensive lineman, the 49ers will have an outdoor walk-through somewhere in Wisconsin on Saturday.
More headlines can be found in today's Morning Tailgate, presented by State Farm.
Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News looked at the all-time coldest playoff games in NFL history.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee discussed the health of the 49ers heading in the playoffs.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com examined the health of San Francisco's cornerbacks. Bill Williamson of ESPN.com shared the comments of the 49ers coaches on how they'll adjust to field conditions in Green Bay.
Andrew Pentis of 49ers.com discussed the best techniques of 49ers starting center Jonathan Goodwin.
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This man Steph Curry is going absolutely bananas right now!!! #stroking — Jewel Hampton (@JewelHamp) January 3, 2014
