Dependable 49ers offensive linemen carry big load

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Right guard Alex Boone arrives for work most days and swears at left guard Mike Iupati. From Boone, it's always considered a term of endearment directed at his 49ers offensive linemates.

Iupati is so used to such greetings he gets a kick out of it. San Francisco right tackle Anthony Davis pops off plenty, too. The one rule: make sure not to take it too far.

Aside from the good-natured locker room antics, this group has been as dependable as they come on game day for San Francisco - a big reason the Niners returned to the Super Bowl for the first time in 18 years. The unit is one of just three in the NFL this season to start all five players in every game, joining the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.