If the 49er Offense Works, Expect a Decent Season in San Francisco

If Jimmy Raye’s offense executes, the 49ers will have a decent year and may exceed expectations. The 49er defense is sturdy enough to keep the team in games and if the offense is an upgrade over incumbent Mike Martz’s leadership, the 49ers could surprise in the NFC.

The 49er offense is now predicated upon another Coryell system that Raye has mastered throughout the years from Norv Turner, culminating with the coaching veteran being Turner’s offensive coordinator as a member of the Oakland Raiders.

Question marks at quarterback still plague the team, but Raye’s direction may do the trick for Alex Smith, who is already familiar with Turner’s version of the “Air Coryell.” If Smith grasps the offense as he did when Turner was in San Francisco, expect Smith to give incumbent Shaun Hill a run for his money as the starting quarterback during training camp.

Smith has now learned the West Coast Offense, the Norv Turner version of the Coryell offense, the confused “I’m lost” Jim Hostler offense, the Mike Martz variation of the Coryell offense and now Raye’s digital version of “Air Coryell.”. While we’re at it, Smith should go ahead and learn the Run and Shoot and Triple Option just for fun.

The revolving door at offensive coordinator is not exactly a recipe for offensive success, but there is already talk about Smith playing extremely well in recent practices and if the quarterback position is this season, the running game will flourish.

Running back Frank Gore’s brash prediction for a 2,000 yard season a few years ago did not come into fruition, but he could get close to that number if San Francisco utilizes the power run this season. Rookie Glen Coffee’s production and ability to complement Gore will be the deciding factor if there are viable options in the passing game.

Once a liability, the wide receiver corps is now a crowded bunch. Isaac Bruce’s vast knowledge and veteran presence should complement former Texas Tech star Michael Crabtree, the steal of the 2009 draft. Look for Crabtree to potentially make an immediate impact at wide receiver as a rookie, a rarity in the NFL. Josh Morgan and Jason Hill are also rapidly improving as receivers.

Raye has not had a talent at tight end like he has in Vernon Davis. If Davis performs and draws double coverage, Bruce and Crabtree will thrive. However, Davis is still an underachiever that has not lived up to his draft hype but hopefully Raye will find ways to get him the ball and utilize his immense natural talent.

Chilo Rachal at No. 39 in last year’s draft could also be a potential steal as he was touted to be a 1st round talent and played very well when he saw action in 2008. Standout offensive tackle Joe Staley, bruiser David Baas, and the speedy Rachal could anchor the offensive line for years to come. Veterans Eric Heitmann and newcomer Marvel Smith round out the rest of the offensive line that made a lot of progress as a unit last year. Previously, Larry Allen’s retirement and Jonas Jennings’ constant trips to the injury list adversely affected the offensive line.

Only time will tell, but if the offense clicks, expect nine to ten wins. Although that prediction may be optimistic, the 49ers will be a tough team to beat this year if the offense can complement their speedy and aggressive defensive unit.

What If Garrison Hearst Didn’t Break His Ankle Against Atlanta in 1999?

The 1998 season and subsequent playoffs in January 1999 were a tumultuous time for Garrison Hearst and the San Francisco 49ers. Owner Eddie DeBartolo was being investigated in a gambling scandal and many experts felt the 49ers were an aging team on its last leg.

But the 1998 San Francisco 49ers would not be denied and compiled a 12-4 record, good enough for 2nd place in the NFC West and a Wildcard Playoff berth.

Following a career year by running back Garrison Hearst where he rushed for a then team record 1,570 yards averaging 5.1 yards per carry and a memorable 96-yard overtime touchdown run against the New York Jets on opening day, the 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers 30-27 in the 1999 Wildcard Playoffs on a last minute touchdown pass to Terrell Owens.

Hearst’s numerous clutch runs gave San Francisco the field position necessary to win the game.

A week later on Jan. 9, 1999, the 49ers faced the NFC West champions—the surprising 14-2 Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.

On the first play from scrimmage, Hearst suffered a gruesome ankle break when his foot got caught in turf and was twisted extensively as he tried to spin away from defensive end Chuck Smith. Many attribute this play as the end of the old San Francisco dynasty because of the change in ownership and lack of youth on the roster.

The San Francisco 49ers fell 20-18 to the Atlanta Falcons and doctors said Hearst might not ever play again. They were obviously wrong when Garrison Hearst was awarded with the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2001 but one can only ask what could have happened if Hearst didn’t break his ankle that fateful day in Atlanta?

Some say the 49ers would have beaten the 15-1 Minnesota Vikings but fall to John Elway and the Denver Broncos, the same team that beat the Packers in the previous year’s Super Bowl.

This is due to San Francisco’s 13th ranked defense and the 3,733 yards given up through the air that year and the fact that Bronco running back Terrell Davis was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player as he rushed for 2,008 yards as San Francisco gave up 4.1 yards a run, not a very impressive statistic.

However, the 49er offense was still as explosive as ever, ranking 3rd overall (Denver was 2nd) and 1st in rushing yards while the Broncos’ defense took 9th overall. If the 49ers and Broncos played at Super Bowl XXXIII, it probably would have been an offensive shootout but declaring the Broncos as winner of this fantasy match up is up for debate.

Denver’s pass defense gave up 3,648 yards in 1998 but their run defense was stout, allowing 1,287 on 3.6 yards a carry.

There is the possibility that a healthy Hearst may have not played a factor against such a strong run defense, but the 49er passing attack was established with veterans Steve Young, Terrell Owens, J.J. Stokes, Jerry Rice, and Hearst as a good receiver out of the backfield in Steve Mariucci’s West Coast Offense when they scored 479 points, good for third in the NFL behind the second place Broncos and the 15-1 Minnesota Vikings.

On the defensive side of the ball, veterans Roy Barker, Bryant Young and Chris Doleman averaged 12 sacks a piece while Zack Bronson, Tim McDonald, Darnell Walker, and Merton Hanks each had four interceptions.

The defense may have not ranked well at season’s end, but they made key plays throughout the season that complemented the high octane 49er offense.

If the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos faced off in Super Bowl XXXIII, I believe Denver would have scored 34 points against the San Francisco defense, the same number of points they scored on the Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta’s Jamal Anderson did not play a factor in the game which leads me to believe that Garrison Hearst would have suffered a similar fate if he didn’t break his ankle and if the 49ers punched a ticket to Miami that year.

But the 49er passing attack during that season had the ability to score points in bunches leading some to believe San Francisco may have been able to score more than 34 points.

As for a final score and winner of the game, I’ll leave that up to you.

10 Questions for San Francisco 49ers’ Quarterback Alex Smith

After a well deserved vacation, I am back with some potential great news.

As of a few days ago, I am in contact with Alex Smith’s wife—Elizabeth Smith—to negotiate an actual interview day with him.

A good friend of mine from my university—Jennifer Nguyen—happens to be Elizabeth Smith’s former Raiderette teammate.

I owe the Oakland Raiders big time for this one!

Anyways, the following slides are the questions I have ready to ask the former 2005 No. 1 overall pick.

San Francisco’s Million Dollar Backfield: The 49ers’ Fabulous Foursome

In the 1954 season, the San Francisco 49ers fielded the finest backfield in NFL history with four future Hall of Famers playing for the offense.

“There was no greater running backs than Hugh McElhenny, John Henry Johnson and Joe Perry in the same backfield,” Hall of Fame Y.A. Tittle declared on San Francisco 49ers: The Complete History. “It made quarterbacking so easy because I just get in the huddle and call anything and you have three Hall of Fame running backs ready to carry the ball.”

First came fullback Joe “The Jet” Perry who became the first running back in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards two straight seasons and by 1956 he became the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

In 1952, halfback “The King” Hugh McElhenny joined “The Jet” and Tittle.

“He had a style to me that was flowing like a willow in the wisp,” Perry said about McElhenny on San Francisco 49ers: The Complete History. “And seemed like at times he had eyes in the back of his head.”

“I think I ran more with fear than I did of confidence of running,” McElhenny responded on San Francisco 49ers: The Complete History. “Fear of being embarrassed, fear of getting caught from behind, fear of making a fool of yourself, you just want to do well.”

John Henry Johnson became the final addition to “The Million Dollar Backfield” in 1954 where his physical approach to the game became a perfect complement to Perry and McElhenny’s running styles. This gave the San Francisco 49ers their third breakaway threat.

“I’m convinced if John Henry Johnson had been a prize fighter he would be heavyweight champion of the world,” Tittle stated on San Francisco 49ers: The Complete History. “Because he did dish out punishment.”

During their first year together, the “Fabulous Foursome” shattered the 49er team record for rushing yards in a season.

With the extremely potent offense, many thought San Francisco was due to win a NFL Championship but problems on the defensive side of the ball landed the 49ers in third place behind the first place Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears in 1954.

“The Million Dollar Backfield” was disbanded before winning a championship in 1957 when John Henry Johnson was traded to the Detroit Lions.

Trials and Tribulations: Frank Gore’s Journey To The San Francisco 49ers

When Frank Gore steps onto the field for his fourth NFL season, he continues a destiny that has been shaped with trials and tribulations since he was young.

As a child, Gore was diagnosed with dyslexia and had trouble comprehending the simplest of tasks. On the football field, the talented running back was able to get away from his academic problems and outrun defenders with ease.

“I had trouble remembering things,” Gore said in a Sept. 4, 2007 interview with the New York Daily News. “I’m better learning by somebody showing me something. I got to see and then do it. You can’t be scared to ask for help. I overcame it and got better at everything.”

Gore’s strong will to overcome obstacles came from his tough upbringing in Miami with his mother, Liz Gore, who was seriously ill with a kidney ailment since the 49er running back was in high school. After going on dialysis, Liz Gore began waiting for a kidney transplant.

“She had been on dialysis since I was in the 11th grade and raised three kids as a single woman,” Frank said in an interview with 49ers.com.

As a football player for Coral Gables High School around the time his mother was diagnosed, Gore was one of the most heavily recruited running backs in the entire nation.

Gore set a Dade County record in 2000 when he rushed for 2,953 yards and 34 touchdowns during his senior year. He even set a Dade County single game rushing record when he ran for 377 yards and six touchdowns during a 48-0 shutout victory over the South Miami High Cobras.

Gore showed incredible vision and functional strength throughout his high-school career and was the third-rated prospect in Dade County by The Miami Herald. He was listed as the best tailback on The Florida Times Union Super 75 list and earned “Super Prep All-American.”

“I can run strong when I have to,” Gore said in an interview with Miami-Hurricanes.com. “But I can also be shifty and elusive if I have to.”

As a true freshman with the University of Miami Hurricanes in 2001, Gore totaled 575 yards with five touchdowns on 62 carries—an amazing 9.3-yard average—and was named Sporting News Big East Freshman of the Year.

Gore eventually beat out current Baltimore Raven Willis McGahee in the spring of 2002 for the starting job; however, his glimmering NCAA career was sidetracked when he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and spent most of the season recovering from surgery.

He returned to practice that October, was a standout on the Hurricanes’ scout team at tailback, and was awarded a medical red-shirt by the NCAA.

Upon returning for the 2003 season, Gore ran for 100 yards in each of his first three games before suffering a similar injury, this time to his other knee.

When Gore entered the fall competing for the starting job at tailback he changed his number from No. 32 to No. 3, won the starting running back position, and ran for 945 yards and eight touchdowns.

“Before the knee injuries I ran a 4.4,” Gore said in an interview with Miami-Hurricanes.com on Oct. 8, 2004. “I’ve got the same game speed as before, but can always improve. I’m not back 100 percent, but I’m real close. I’m just working hard in the weight room and at practice.”

Although Gore was still eligible to play another year at Miami, he decided it was time to take care of his ailing mother and earn a living doing what he loved most. In only 28 games with the Miami Hurricanes, Gore racked up 2,500 yards for a 7.2 yard average and 20 touchdowns.

His two major knee injuries in college and a mediocre 4.65 40-yard dash turned the highly talented breakaway threat from a sure fire first-rounder to a potential second-day pick before the 2005 NFL Draft.

Even before being drafted, Gore was already familiar with the eventual team that would draft him.

“My real team who I like is San Francisco,” Gore stated on Miami-Hurricanes.com. “They’re struggling you know, but they’ll be alright.”

“They just gotta tighten up. We lost a lot of people, Jeff Garcia and Garrison Hearst. It’s tough in the NFL.”

Fate has a funny way of unfolding, as Gore would become one of Hearst’s successors along with Kevan Barlow in San Francisco.

Frank Gore’s resilience and strength that he learned from his mother were finally answered when he became the 65th overall pick in the third round by the very team he followed, the San Francisco 49ers.

As a result of Gore signing his initial contract, Liz Gore was finally able to have surgery and receive a kidney transplant. The procedure took place when her son and the 49ers were in Mexico City playing the Arizona Cardinals.

“It was really tough, that was first time she went into the hospital with me not being around her,” Gore said on 49ers.com. “Not knowing if she was all right or not was the hardest part, but I know my mom is a tough woman.”

Gore played in 14 games as a rookie and led the team in rushing with 608 yards and three rushing touchdowns. The last time a rookie led the 49ers in rushing was 1990 when Dexter Carter tallied 460 yards.

His 608 yards rushing was the highest rookie total in 49ers’ history since Roger Craig had 725 yards in 1983 fresh out of Nebraska. Gore also recorded a career-long 72-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of a game against the Washington Redskins and registered his first 100-yard game with 108 yards against the Houston Texans on the last day of the season.

Gore was elevated to the top of the San Francisco 49ers’ depth chart after an August 19, 2006 trade that sent Barlow to the New York Jets for a fourth-round draft pick. It was a decision 49ers’ brass would not regret.

Gore became one of the top running backs in the NFL in only his first full season as a starter. Gore set a franchise rushing record with 1,695 yards, eclipsing Garrison Hearst’s record of 1,570 yards set in 1998. He also became the first 49er to lead the NFC in rushing yards and set a franchise record with 2,180 combined yards, breaking Hearst’s previous record of 2,105 total yards also set in 1998.

His nine 100-yard games shattered the San Francisco record for most 100-yard games in a season which was held by Heart in 1998 and Roger Craig in 1988 (six).

After Gore’s breakout season, he was named the starting running back in the NFC Pro Bowl, his first selection.

After the All-Pro season, Gore signed a contract extension through 2011 estimated to be worth $28 million over four years on March 28, 2007.

But on Sept. 13, 2007, as the season just started, Liz Gore lost her fight with kidney disease and passed away in Miami at the age of 46.

”I think that Frank feels that his mother would want him to do his job,” then 49ers head coach Mike Nolan said to the San Francisco Chronicle. ”Frank knows that. I think that’s where he’ll put his attention when it comes to Sunday’s game. I’m sure it’s hard for him to get focused with what happened.”

“I’m concerned about Frank for Frank, not in reference to the game. It’s very sad. We’ll keep Frank and his family in our prayers.”

He missed a practice but returned to the team almost immediately. And with a heavy heart, Gore scored two touchdowns the following Sunday in a 17-16 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

After a tumultuous 2007 season that saw San Francisco post a dismal 5-11 record with one of the most terrible offenses in NFL history, the end of the 2008 season saw Gore become the first running back in San Francisco 49ers’ history to rush for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons.

Frank Gore’s journey to the NFL has been rough, but he always maintains a positive vibe and uses his extreme passion for the game to succeed despite the many trials and tribulations he had to overcome.

When asked what advice he has for anyone wanting to go for their dreams, Gore said on Miami-Hurricanes.com: “I’d tell them, man just keep working hard and don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it.

“Just stay focused and listen to the people who will guide you right. Just listen to them.”

Strong words from an even stronger man

The Stop: The 1981 San Francisco 49ers Iconic Defensive Play

In Super Bowl XVI on Jan. 24, 1982, San Francisco 49er Dan Bunz made the most famous goal-line tackle in Super Bowl history.

Bunz grew up in Roseville, California and played collegiate ball at Cal State Long Beach before being drafted in the first round by the 49ers in 1978. He also played for the Detroit Lions during an eight year career lasting from 1978 to 1985.

As a linebacker for the 49ers, Dan Bunz was a solid tackler, a smart football player and experienced losing seasons before San Francisco turned it around in 1981 with an NFL-best record of 13-3. The previous year, the upstart 49ers had gone 6-10.

The former 1978 first round pick would made a pivotal tackle at the end of the third quarter in Super Bowl XVI that would come to define his career.

On a critical 3rd-and-goal from the one yard line, quarterback Kenny Anderson threw a swing pass to Charles Alexander in the right flat, but out of nowhere, Bunz came in aggressively, grabbed the wide receiver around his waist, used his momentum then hurled him backwards before he could break the plane of the goal line.

Fullback Pete Johnson was then stopped on fourth-and goal by the 49ers’ stingy defense, preserving their first championship with a 26-21 victory at the Pontiac Silverdome.

It would forever be immortalized as “The Stop.”

Although Bunz’s tackle was a key moment in the 1981 San Francisco 49ers title run, his contribution to their first Lombardi Trophy was never elevated to exalted status like “The Catch” which happened two weeks earlier in the NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys.

“I really felt good when Steve Sabol sent me a film of that goal-line stand, ” Bunz said in a Jan. 26, 2003 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. “He gave me a lot of credit.”

“I enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity to be one of the few guys on the 49ers when they were 2-14 and then when they won.”

Dan Bunz and “The Stop” no doubt deserve more credit for the San Francisco 49ers’ first Super Bowl championship.

Portrait of An Icon: Doug Williams, First Black QB to Win a Super Bowl

Doug Williams led the 11-4 1987 NFC Champion Washington Redskins to a commanding 42-10 victory in Super Bowl XXII, over the 10-4-1 AFC Champion Denver Broncos.

Williams signed with the Washington Redskins in 1986 after a tumultuous time as Tampa Bay’s starter and a stint with the now defunct USFL’s Oklahoma Outlaws.

At the request of his former Buccaneer offensive coordinator Joe Gibbs, the former Grambling State star moved to the nation’s capital to become Jay Schroeder’s backup.

Williams took over and led the Redskins to an opening-day victory against the Philadelphia Eagles when Schroeder went down with an injury. It wouldn’t be the last time.

Williams stepped in for the ailing Schroeder on two more occasions, leading Washington to victories over the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings.

Despite his success and team high 94.0 quarterback rating, Williams only started two games, playing against the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams—both losses—when the Washington Redskins had already qualified for the playoffs.

In the 1987 postseason, Williams lead the Redskins to a narrow 21-17 victory over the Chicago Bears and a 17-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship.

During Super Bowl media day, an urban legend reports Williams was asked “how long have you been a black quarterback” by an interviewing  journalist, but the story is inaccurate.

As he faced legendary Broncos quarterback John Elway, Williams took absolute control of the offense, culminating in the Redskins setting an NFL record by scoring five touchdowns in the second quarter.

The Denver Broncos didn’t stand a chance, losing their second straight Super Bowl in convincing fashion.

Williams finished his Super Bowl XXII Most Valuable Player performance with 340 yards passing and four touchdown passes.

The 1987 season was undoubtedly the defining period in Williams’ NFL career. He suffered from injuries the following season and was eventually beaten out by Mark Rypien, who would lead the Washington Redskins to a 37-24 Super Bowl XXVI victory over the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 26, 1992.

During their competition for the Redskins’ starting job, Williams and Rypien supported each other by selling T-shirts with the caption “United We Stand,” depicting the two quarterbacks as cartoon images with Williams stating “I’m for Mark” and Rypien saying “I’m for Doug.”

Williams retired after the 1989 season with an 8-9 record in the playoffs as the Redskins’ starter, and a 38-42-1 overall record in the regular season as quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.

His career totals are highlighted by 100 passing touchdowns and 15 rushing touchdowns in 88 total NFL games.

This story inspires many minorities because the American Dream can happen for anyone, no matter what ethnicity they are. If the individual makes a commitment and exhibits the work ethic necessary to be a champion, they will accomplish their goals.

It’s fitting the first Super Bowl winning African-American quarterback came from Washington D.C., the same place where President Barack Obama currently resides.

The plight of the African-American quarterback has been well documented recently, especially with the Rush Limbaugh and Donovan McNabb incident a few years ago, but the first African-American signal caller to lead a team to the pinnacle of the mountain needs to be remembered for such a monumental feat.

Before McNabb, David Garrard, Michael Vick, Vince Young, and even before Warren Moon or Randall Cunningham, there was the one and only No. 17 Doug Williams.

Welcome Back to an Old San Francisco 49er Nemesis?

Rabid San Francisco fans absolutely hated the man because he was a 49er killer.

But as a man, Brett Favre is the kind of guy that many can all relate to. From his personal tragedies to his down to earth nature, he is still a likable figure in the NFL.

When the smoked finally cleared after his first retirement at the end of the 2007 season, Favre was the holder of an astounding 11-1 record against the San Francisco 49ers.

Ouch. Major ouch.

But, “glory, glory hallejuah,” the San Francisco 49ers finally beat Brett Favre again with a 24-14 victory over the New York Jets on Dec. 7, 2008, making a slight dent in the inflated record to a somewhat respectable 11-2.

All anyone can do is simply commend the man for what he has been able to do against the San Francisco 49ers.

Throughout the years, Favre and his Green Bay Packers were kind of like San Francisco’s brothers in law.

Many of Favre’s coaches like Mike Holmgren were once employed in 49er-land and whenever it counted, they always seemed to get the best of the San Francisco 49ers.

There were many times when Favre threw a perfect slant for a touchdown to Antonio Freeman against the 49ers’ confused secondary, virtually mimicing the same attack that San Francisco made popular in the NFL when Bill Walsh introduced it.

Those were some fun times (agonizing too), and whenever Steve Young versus Brett Favre would occur, we knew a battle would ensue.

A final memory of those times brings me back to the 1999 NFC Wildcard game when a stumbling Young threw the game winning 25-yard touchdown pass in between a sandwich of Green Bay defenders to an emotional Terrell Owens, who made many mistakes earlier in the game.

The 49ers finally got the best of Favre and the Packers 30-27 that one time.

The San Francisco 49ers sure love to beat old nemeses like the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers in exciting fashion.

Without a doubt, Brett Favre is a Top Five quarterback in the modern era and first ballot Hall of Famer whenever he finally decides to officially retire.

Brett Favre’s always pending departure from the game of football tends to make 49er fans either cringe or rejoice and even both at the same time.

Farewell or welcome back, Brett.

Eleven to three may be on the line when the San Francisco 49ers travel to play the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 27, 2009.

 

Hey Tom Brady, We Want Our Soul Back

Those lucky New Englanders are certainly enjoying a golden era for their sports franchises right now.

The Patriots look re-loaded to make another Super Bowl run for 2009, the Red Sox are always in the hunt for the World Series, and the Celtics won the NBA Title just last year.

Not long ago, the Bay Area had the same winning aura as the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders won Super Bowls in the 1980 and 1981 season.

Then we had the Giants and A’s playing each other in the 1989 Earthquake World Series, and consistent playoff runs by Chris Mullin and the Golden State Warriors.

As of today, it looks like the Bay Area sports scene resides in the lowest depths of Dante’s Inferno.

How in the world did the New Englanders get such good vibes?

Well, Tom Brady brought it with him, straight from the Bay Area.

Brady grew up in the Bay Area and attended Serra High School in San Mateo, the same school that produced Barry Bonds and Lynn Swann.

Stories date back to Brady as a child being in the Candlestick Park stands on that fateful day when Joe Montana threw a pass to Dwight Clark that would forever be known as “The Catch.”

In an era of Madden curses and superstitious coaches, maybe it’s time to think even more out of the box as our Bay Area sports teams continue to get punched in the mouth year after year.

The day Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe, the Patriots have never looked back winning three out of four Super Bowls in an era where parity and the salary cap destroy dynasties, not create them.

Doesn’t this sound all too familiar?

I remember a fellow named Joe Montana taking over for Steve DeBerg and never looking back.

The 1981 49ers and the 2001 Patriots tell a similar story of teams that came out of nowhere to become champions.

History sometimes has a tendency to repeat itself and all that good karma we had for two decades grew up, packed up, went to Michigan, got drafted in the sixth round, and is now ready to lead one of the most loaded offenses in the NFL after being injured for the season on opening day.

Brady’s roots have forever linked the Patriots dynasty with our own.

Their rise to power was eerily similar and having a Bay Area son lead the charge makes the agony worse.

With all that fortune in New England, the once spoiled Bay Area fans are left scratching their heads.

This past decade has not been kind for the 49ers, Raiders, Giants, Athletics and Warriors.

There were a few playoff appearances, but we haven’t seen a good team in this area since the Oakland Raiders’ Super Bowl run in 2002, and the “We Believe” Golden State Warriors of 2007.

For almost two decades, all the Bay Area saw was New England type of success because back then, it was re-tool and re-load.

Now, the mighty have fallen so far. It’s just time to face that fact that this is an era of Bay Area sports that is frustrating and heartbreaking.

Hey Tom, can you send some of that New England fortune back over to us in the Bay Area?

We owned it first, SO GIVE IT BACK!

The Red and Gold Empire: A San Francisco 49er Poem

Once upon a time…

The Empire of Red and Gold once existed in these parts, an empire to be remembered for all time. This Empire emerged from the ashes of a kingdom that only knew defeat.

On that fateful day in 1982, the kingdom by the Bay exclaimed “Montana to Clark, Montana to Clark” as the Blue and Silver Boys from Texas watched “The Catch” in disbelief.       

Something special was born that day and the kingdom would live in prosperity as the Empire claimed victory after victory until they stood and reigned supreme on the summit five times.

The members of the Empire were many and all were treated like family as the king Eddie D. showered his men with respect.

Eddie D’s right hand man and second in command called Walsh drew up battle plans that would eventually be studied by all of the kingdoms.

Montana was the field general who commanded the troops into battle with a calm and cool that made him legendary throughout all kingdoms.

A man named Collinsworth believed Montana was not even human as the Empire vanquished their foes from the kingdom of Cincinnati.

Craig, Watters, and Hearst battled through the trenches and laid their bodies on the line without abandon as Clark, Solomon, Rice, Taylor and Owens streaked down the battlefields leaving destruction in their wake.

In the trenches, Jones, Sapolu, Cross, Paris, Barton, Wallace, McIntyre, and many other behemoths paved the way for the troops.

Lott was the enforcer left in charge of defending the Empire as Romanowski, Turner, Haley, Reynolds, Dean, Carter, Wright, Hicks, BY, Stubblefield, McDonald, Sanders, Hanks, Norton, Woodall, and many more defenders laid waste to those that dared to challenge the Empire.

Montana and Walsh would eventually leave, but a new field general named Young emerged as Walsh’s former pupil Seifert would take over the battle plans.

The Empire continued to reign as faces changed and a new generation came to power.

Then a Nation of Raiders returned in 1995 to challenge the Empire in the kingdom by the Bay, but the Empire continued to thrive and win battle after battle.

Another pupil of Walsh, Mariucci, took the battle plans over from Seifert and success still continued for the Empire.

Then on another fateful day in 1998, the king Eddie D. was gone and the Empire was left in confusion.

A year later, Young laid lifeless on the battlefield and a kid named Garcia who grew up in the kingdom watching the Empire grow in stature became the new field general, only to live in the shadows of Montana and Young.

After two tumultuous years in 1999 and 2000, the legendary Rice was banished from the Empire and re-emerged with the Nation of Raiders.

The Empire would reload with young men and enjoyed more success, but the reign of the Empire would last until 2002.

Mariucci was also banished and many more decided to flee the crumbling Empire. Owens, Hearst, Garcia, and many more are no longer here.

The Empire now lay in ruins with only memories left for those old enough that still live in the kingdom by the Bay.

A new empire of Patriots from the East has emerged led by Brady, a former citizen of the kingdom by the Bay.

Brady had loved the Empire as a child and now has created one of his own.

The San Francisco 49ers were once the Red and Gold Empire that brought much joy to our Bay Area kingdom.

The citizens of the kingdom wait once again for the Empire to be reborn…..but the memories remain to torment us in a future that holds so many questions.

However, these same memories are our source of hope that brighter days will shine upon our shattered Empire.

We can only wish for our new savior to emerge and rebuild the Empire that we loved so much.

st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;}

Next Page »

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010