Shaun Hill Inspires Confidence, Could Start As ‘Niners QB

At least one 49ers starter has not left any doubt the quarterback that he says is the team’s choice: Shaun Hill.

I will let that player’s name remain unknown, as I don’t really want to contribute to any team disunity.

But why Hill?

Because he exudes confidence, despite not being a particularly artistic passer. Who needs artistic? Especially when the myth of the Montana-led 49ers were a “finesse” team.

Yeah, ask Eric Dickerson and other running backs and receivers who had the snot knocked out of them by a ferocious 49ers defense.

Factor in the fact that after serious back surgery, Montana came back and won two Super Bowls, and nearly a third.

I’m ready for rough-and-tumbe oldtime ‘Niner ball.

Back to Hill. Why him? Because he has won games when the other quarterbacks have mostly imploded. With the turnstile that keeps bringing successive waves of offensive coordinators through Santa Clara, has this been fair to Alex Smith?

Not completely.

But that doesn’t change the reality about Hill being the players’ favorite, if the player I heard is accurately reflecting the team’s belief.

But why Hill?

1. With Hill under or behind center, the 49ers will usually be in the game
2. Hill has won more than lost
3. Despite ugly duckling passes, Hill has not exhibited the turnover gene that we witnessed last season in that other guy.
4. Hill can move the ball.
5. He comes ready to play on Sundays
6. A guy named Frank Gore will take the pressure off Hill
7. A hopefully revitalized receiving corps and a rookie with a lot of promise might be able to snag more of those ducklings for gains and scores.

 

Seifert Once Told Plummer He Wasn’t Worthy

Many 49ers fans may remember that linebacker Gary Plummer played a crucial role in San Francisco’s fifth Super Bowl run.

What they may not know is that former Coach George “Superstitious” Seifert once told him he was not worthy of playing for the Stanford Cardinal.

That’s correct.

When the Fremont—born Plummer searched for a university to attend after being graduated from the East Bay’s Ohlone College, he ran straight into the doubts of his future Super Bowl coach.

Seifert didn’t think much of the 6—foot, 200—pound linebacker, saying he couldn’t even carry water at Stanford.

Added to that insult was Seifert’s opinion that Plummer wasn’t even worthy of Pac—10 team.

The guy didn’t give up.

In fact, showing a worthy attribute, Plummer was steadfast in his belief that he was fast enough, strong enough, smart enough and motivated enough to play in college.

He walked on at Cal, played nosetackle and then found the NFL didn’t think much of him.

Still, once again showing admirable perseverance, Plummer persisted in his dream.

He played for the Oakland Invaders of the USFL from 1983 to 1985.

The next step was the San Diego Chargers, ’86—’93.

He hit pay dirt with the 49ers, ’94—’97, where he was welcomed “home” with open arms by 49ers Faithful like me.

As Plummer was contemplating where to play after the Chargers, he had to shed a deeply held resentment against Seifert.

It is said that during this period, Seifert told him he may not have been suitable Stanford material, but he had proven he was ready for the 49ers.

It didn’t hurt that the linebacker was now 6—2, nearly 250 pounds and a proven player.

Plus, he could hit hard.

He was the perfect accompaniment to Norton.

The linebacker whom many had doubted became the Super Bowl winner’s most—reliable run—stopper.

The result was a  No.2 ranked San Francisco run defense.

The team’s entire defense prospered for a variety of reasons that year, but Plummer’s contributions and take—no—prisoners attitude cannot be underestimated.

In the playoffs, a ferocious and determined Plummer excelled.

His tough—guy intensity was shared by Norton.

Both were very smart players.

It was a match that helped propel the 49ers to their claim as the first franchise to win five Super Bowls.

(Some day, we’ll make it six and then seven, and ace the Steelers, once again!)

The Super Bowl blow—out victory against San Diego must have been sweet for Plummer, after leaving the Chargers.

This year, he will continue to be the analyst on KNBR’s 49ers broadcasts.

He will also be writing a blog titled “Points of the Game” on the 49ers official Web site.

He’ll do as good a job with that, as he does on the radio, because he is:

1. honest
2. extremely intelligent
3. a former NFL player
4. an experienced analyst
5. not afraid to state his opinion
6. a natural communicator and likeable guy with an innate ability to relate to fans.

 

Hey, “Big Vinny,” Why Didn’t You Phone Jed York before Writing?

Rich “Big Vinny” Lieberman wrote a column in the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday that explored an issue I first brought up in Bleacher Report last year.

In one of my first BR articles, since deleted, I mentioned my belief that the 49ers could end up in Los Angeles.

In fact, I facetiously pleaded with a Los Angeles zillionaire to buy the 49ers.

Of course, my fellow 49er fans lambasted me, even though they realized Candlestick is a pit.

One guy who isn’t around Bleacher Report these days—probably because of his personal insults, or maybe he’s in jail—would have tarred-and-feathered me if he could have found me.

In other words, my suggestion that San Francisco could eventually move was sacrilege in 49ers dogma.

Even though I’ve spent my adult life as a professional journalist, I doubt it if I could have spoken to San Francisco’s ownership last year, even if I were a member of the Bay Area media.

However, Lieberman’s Chronicle bio extols the supposed fact that he is a Bay Area sports icon.

An icon I’ve never heard of—until now.

“Big Vinny’s” bio states that he is really big in the “SF/Vegas/NY/LA singles/political/sports circle” and that he is really popular for something vaguely called his “black book of celebrities.”

That really sounds like a circle I would like to avoid.

Plus, when did Vegas become something to be proud of, especially in relation to sports? Are you kidding me?

Anyway, if “Big Vinny” is so darn big, then I guess I spent too many years in Hickville Humboldt County because, to reiterate, I’ve never heard of him.

I’ve been a Giants and 49ers fan since about the age of five when I lived in Pleasant Hill, although my late mom told me I was a 49ers fan from the day I was born in Walnut Creek.

I grant that he has some good experience covering the 49ers and other Bay Area sports. However, if “Big Vinny” is so darn big, wouldn’t Jed York or the 49ers front office respond if he called?

It seems only logical that such a sports icon would at least give York a chance to respond to a column that explores York’s supposed motivations. Doesn’t that seem fair from a sports icon?

That would be especially true this year, since York has taken over the active management of the franchise.

Plus, York seems to have made a concerted effort to reach out to media, so it’s perplexing that such a Bay Area sports icon as Lieberman did not just pick up the phone and call 49ers headquarters and ask to speak with York.

Although no one can be sure what will happen if the 49ers do not get a Santa Clara stadium, Ray Ratto’s idea recently published in his column in the same newspaper called for a contingency plan.

Ratto was giving advice.

Big Vinny was dabbling in conjecture.

However, he made some good points that I am sure York is more than aware of since the guy has been knocking on Santa Clara doors for some time.

It would have been nice to hear York’s responses. (Yes, I realize it’s an opinion column and not a story.)

Lieberman said he doubts the deal will be done, citing potential lawsuits, the morass of the typical California environmental impact report, and other issues.

Ever since Eddie DeBartolo Jr. himself was planning for a new stadium, I remember telling my Dad that if the 49ers couldn’t get a new home, perhaps they would bolt for Los Angeles.

For that, I have suffered the derision of 49ers fans who are friends and Bleacher Report readers alike.

And, no, “Big Vinny,” I’m not naive.

Given the state of our nation, anything is possible.

I have a suggestion for “Big Vinny’s” next Pulitzer-winning piece: Perhaps he could tackle the issue of whether football will be outlawed because it is allegedly driving up the cost of health care.

Good luck, “Vegas Vinny.”

 

Here’s some reading:

Ratto’s link.

“Big Vinny’s” link.

Stop Flogging Michael Vick

“We are confronted with a new challenge now that Vick has served nearly two years of time in a federal penitentiary and seen his personal assets liquidated. He’s served his sentence, and now he’s made a person to The HSUS to involve him in anti-dogfighting and anti-cruelty efforts. Will we continue to flog Michael Vick indefinitely, or will we take advantage of his expressed desire to do better, to be an agent of change for animals?” –Wayne Parcell, CEO, Humane Society

If The Humane Society’s chief executive officer can forgive Michael Vick, so should the rest of us.

Then again, who are we to do the forgiving? Are we not sinners ourselves?

“We at The HSUS are about change, even the hard cases,” Parcell stated on his Humane Society Web site. “Sitting with Michael at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, I saw a man who, if he had the resolve, could do powerful and persuasive outreach to at-risk youth and steer them away from dogfighting.

“He told me he saw dogfighting when we he was a boy, and from there, he came to accept the activity and to get involved. Nobody was there to step in and pull him out of that morass, and he obviously didn’t have the strength to get away from it himself.”

Let me be clear:

1. I love animals.
2. I have owned dogs as pets, adopting two from the pound.
3. I currently have four cats.
4. My love for animals costs me plenty as I feed nearly 20 doves, four pigeons, and all kinds of songbirds, in addition to four squirrels.
5. I have never participated in or watched dogfighting.
6. Cruelty to animals is forbidden in my chosen religion.

That is probably overstating my animal-loving credentials. However, it is necessary to state my “animal-friendliness” when writing about Vick.

If I don’t, I will end up writing all kinds of comments after publication stating such information in defense of myself as heartless zealots take aim and condemn me. While they will do that anyway, at least I got my credentials out of the way.

Still, my name may be scorned on all kinds of blogs and discussion boards. My character, sanity, and morality may be questioned.

Yet I still state publicly that I would welcome Vick to my only favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers.

Admittedly, due to a number of NFL-related issues, perhaps he should sit out a portion of the season. However, he should have the opportunity to play and prove himself on and off the field.

As far as society is concerned, he served his time.

Yet he wants to help.

You can demean him all you want.

You can question his motives.

You can say terrible things about him.

But before you do, take a good look in the mirror.

Consider the climate in which he grew up.

Consider the fact that the brutal and cruel criminal activity that is oxymoronically called a “sport” by some in media was an accepted part of Vick’s life.

As wrong as it is, dogfighting was encouraged by those around him. He was introduced to it a young, formative age.

Of course, we all have a conscience, and—for reasons maybe Vick is just beginning to understand himself—his short-circuited.

And then there is, yes, the race card, which is something I do not usually pull out.

Before I am accused of being some bleeding-heart liberal, just know this: I’m very conservative morally and I do not engage in politics.

Additionally, based upon my religious beliefs, I only see one human race that is diverse in terms of languages, cultures, religions, and colors—which we refer to as races.

However, I know that many Americans do not see the world through what some consider my rose-colored prism. It is a sad fact that some Americans remain racist.

Some are dog-lovers, judging by the trash they have said and written for several years.

And please, do not equate dogs to humans.

These dog-lovers should take some of that love and apply to it humans.

As Parcell says:

“Ex-dogfighters and ex-gang members are some of our ambassadors in our community-based programs, and they reach kids who are drawn into the world of dogfighting and show them there are alternatives, such as training and agility classes for pit bulls.

“Street fighting in urban centers is the one growth area for dogfighting, and maybe Vick can get us closer to our goal of eradicating dogfighting in every dark corner where it festers.”

Vick’s atrocious behavior and the manifest cruelty he and others were responsible for inflicting upon dogs is not unforgivable.

Just maybe a sinner can become a sort of saint.

Imagine that.

MinnPost Columnist Proffers Knee-Jerk, False Reaction

In a magnificently imbecilic response to one of my columns yesterday, MinnPost.com columnist David Brauer left his journalistic integrity in the dust.

Titled “Oh my God! I insulted Brett Favre’s manhood!”, Brauer’s fingers are faster and far more developed than his reading comprehension.

Why is that?

Only he knows why his intellect short-circuited and created an impression that I took issue with his characterization of Favre.

He said my column made him laugh.

That’s good, because his knee-jerk response would be hilarious if it were not so misleading.

This court jester then attempted to justify his use of “diva-like” by citing “professional” sports writers who said the same thing, even though I agreed with him.

Only a coward cites other columnists to prove a point.

Court jester fits Brauer even more when you consider my history on Bleacher Report last summer and fall.

That’s when I was attacked for my anti-Favre columns that generated hundreds upon hundreds of comments.

Some Favre worshippers threatened to kick my butt!

And now I get criticized by an intellectually deficient MinnPost.com weasel simply because I agreed with him?

Wow.

Brauer might want to read my latest anti-Favre foray: Is Favre A Latter-Day Narcissus?

Well, then again, Brauer may be Narcissus, since his self-absorption led to such trite reasoning.

Perhaps this weak-kneed wonder will show some backbone and apologize.

A correction or clarification would be appropriate and decent.

However, I will not hold my breath.

MinnPost.com did publish a response I sent to this imbecile.

He was accurate when he said my column was not concise toward the end, which Bleacher Report member Peter Deusterman pointed out in a civil manner.

As a result, I added 50 words to clarify my point.

Brauer also criticized me because he has experience in sports.

However, I did not criticize him for a lack of such experience.

I simply said I did not know and that it was irrelevant.

I simply noted that when a current media critic and political commentator takes issue with Favre and calls him “diva-like,” it represents one of the worst insults a pro athlete can be hit with because it represents the fact that your emotional saga has now crossed from sports to regular news.

I was not insulting Brauer’s solid column, nor was I impugning any sports experience he may have.

I was simply noting a fact that had I written Brauer’s column, I would still feel the same way.

Brauer’s shooting from the hips and his inane response remind me of that T-shirt that says: “You Know What Your Problem Is? You’re Stupid!”

Such platitudinous commentary is not becoming of an “experienced” journalist.

Experience does not guarantee ethical, reasoned, and/or accurate commentary.

Brauer is proof-positive.

(The T-shirt graphic is a fair use. Without it, the reader would not appreciate the point made. Northshoreshirts.com sells the T-shirt. Use does not imply endorsement of this column.)

Is Favre a Latter-Day Narcissus?

Today, a latter-day mythological figure is taking shape in the United States of America.

His art is a unique throwing motion; his canvas is a 120-yard field.

His goal, the end zone.

This multiple record-holding quarterback is a true mythological figure-in-the-making.

His name is Brett Favre, a three-time AP NFL MVP.

His single Super Bowl victory—pedestrian when compared to Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, Tom Brady and Terry Bradshaw—and legendary statistics have been enhanced by his toughness, grit and longevity.

But, this hero has a fly in his ointment, and that is something he just cannot shake: A Super Bowl loss that just shouldn’t’ have been.

Oh, how the football gods torture him.

Thus, this 10-time Pro Bowler seeks in vain another golden ring.

Yet he is in love with his own image on the field.

He cannot bear to be retired.

Instead, as the latter-day Narcissus, this hero does not hail from Thespiae in Boeotia.

Nor is he renown for his beauty.

However, he is infamous for his sobbing and tears on national TV in a sport noted for tough guys.

This is one tough guy not afraid to cry and let all the world know it and see it—ad nauseam.

As John Riggins said on Sirius NFL radio last year, and I’ll paraphrase, this guy is an emotional train wreck.

Yet he is so similar to the mythical Narcissus.

He is a hero who cannot get enough of seeing himself throwing strikes, and there is nothing like the adrenalin rush, the sense of invincibility, that comes with that TD throw.

Nor can he get enough adulation that he receives from adoring, sycophantic fans.

Yes, this hero is in love with himself.

It would be divine punishment to have him watch such replays the rest of his life, just as the original Narcissus’ punishment resulted in him falling in love with his own reflection in a pool, not realizing it was his own.

Alas, unlike the real Narcissus, I would not want Favre to perish in front of his super-duper big-screen TV watching replays of his almighty self, but perhaps the real mythical character’s demise at the reflection pool is an indication of what happens to our souls when we become too enamored with ourselves and our achievements.

We run the risk of losing sight of the important things in life.

Football is not one of them.

(The public-domain painting from Wikipedia shows Narcissus at the reflection pond.)

Improved 49ers Web Site Unveiled as Jed York Era Begins

The season has not even started and change is more than apparent in many facets of the 49ers organization.

The revamped team Web site is much improved and definitely worth a visit.

As with the former Web site, fans can join a blog that, at the inception of writing this article, had 9,317 bloggers.

I’m one of them.

One of my friends hails from New Zealand and has been a San Francisco fan his whole life.

Another fan is U.S. Air Force veteran, and another is from the real Northern California, just on the opposite side of the inland mountains from where I grew up along the Redwood Coast.

Her husband is a Cowboys fan.

Since I believe in marital harmony, I reminded her to gently nudge her husband about “The Catch,” “Romo’s choke” and last year’s Super Bowl-bound team.

She didn’t need any reminders but appreciated the advice.

She’s well-versed in applying salt to the wound.

The 49ers home page is much brighter.

It was a good Web site before the recent change that took place this week.

So far, less than 60 fans have voted for one of three choices about what they like best about the revamped site, but I chose the home page because it is not so dark.

Plus, if they could just abandon that crimson and hearken back to 49er red, I’d be more than happy.

Perhaps I’m too nostalgic, but I believe in tradition to a point.

My theory (excuse) about the team only making it to one Super Bowl after Joe Montana was that the crimson jinxed them.

Think about it.

Remember how superstitious George Seifert was?

Remember the fifth Super Bowl was won with the “throw-back” uniforms?

Well, there you have it: proof.

Anyway, check out San Francisco’s revamped Web site and explore a bit.

It’s definitely an improvement.

Small but important.

San Francisco 49ers: Columnists Take Aim At Stadium Controversy

San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle columnists must have sampled the same creative elixir because their recent columns about the 49ers’ stadium plans were both witty and/or candid.

Well, some might consider them insulting, if they happened to be targets.

In a Mercury News column, Mark Purdy wrote:

“What a naive chump I can be.”

“Over the past few years, I truly thought that San Francisco was losing its vicious jealousy of the South Bay and Silicon Valley.”

“… You would think that as residents of the Bay Area’s second-largest city, San Franciscans would realize the South Bay is no hick outpost or threat to civilization, just a vital part of Northern California’s diverse metropolitan region. Right?”

“Wrong. Ever since the 49ers decided to cast their fate with Santa Clara, the … envy has returned. …”

Chronicle columnist Ray Ratto was pragmatic:

“The idea that Santa Clara has 100 million some-odd dollars to toss at the 49ers is weird enough. Trusting the Yorks to come up with the other $800 million needed to build takes the guts of a bomb-disposal unit.”

“And in times like these, when money is tight, guts can be tight, too.”

“So let’s move past Santa Clara for the moment and ask the question that needs to be asked next, namely: ‘What does San Francisco do if Santa Clara says no?'”

“And then the questions after that, like: ‘Who does it? Why?’ And the big one: ‘Are the 49ers worth whatever it happens to be?'”

Purdy was stinging in his analysis:

“{San Francisco Mayor Gavin} Newsom has been spinning local media members to portray the situation {that} 49ers owner John York and his son, Jed, could not get their arms around all of the San Francisco project’s intricate details. Therefore, the Yorks chose the less-dynamic and much-easier-to-comprehend option in Santa Clara.”

“Honest. That is the spin. And many people are clueless enough to believe it.”

Ratto was realistic:

“… Even though the city hasn’t shown itself capable of serious foresight since the Rolph administration ended in 1931. Should it {a new stadium deal} be done? An open question, because in politics it takes more smarts not to get fleeced than it does to fleece others.”

“But if Santa Clara votes the Yorks out of town, San Francisco will have to step up and do … well, something. It would be a refreshing change if it actually had something well-crafted and considered in the works ahead of time, something that the residents could view with something loftier than dyspeptic outrage.”

“It’s certainly conceivable that the city is capable of such thinking. But you’d be a fool to bet that way.”

Ouch.

Purdy had one arrow left:

“Over the years, … I have discovered .. San Francisco folks … are surprised to learn how much public transit access is available to the Santa Clara stadium site — with VTA light-rail and ACE commuter trains — and how the infrastructure for reasonably easy freeway access already exists.”

Perhaps Scott Ostler had the most-sobering point for the team’s fans:

“Look, the 49ers need a new stadium to remain financially viable and thus competitive on the field. It is a key to their survival as a franchise. Within a few years, the 49ers will do one of three things:

1. Build a stadium in Santa Clara. 2. Build a stadium in San Francisco. 3. Move far, far away.”

“If you think it’s a pain driving all the way to Santa Clara for home games, try schlepping to Los Angeles.”

That would be the pinnacle of absurdity since it was the Eddie De Bartolo-led 49ers dynasty that chased off the Los Angeles Rams to flyover country.

I recommend reading the full columns, if you have an interest in the 49ers and/or stadium issue:

Scott Ostler’s Chronicle column

Ray Ratto’s Chronicle column

Mark Purdy’s Mercury News column

(Photo credit: the modified NASA public-domain photo from Wikipedia shows Candlestick Park.)

 

Columnist Calls Favre ‘Diva-Like’

Perhaps one of the worst insults an NFL player could receive would be for a “local media and political” commentator to venture into sports and use an effeminate phrase to describe a tough guy.

Yet that is exactly what David Brauer of MinnPost.com did while writing about the StarTribune.com’s new Favre Web page on its Web site.

Both newspapers cover the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

“Even if you loathe the diva-like signal-caller, this is a big story right now and it only helps readers to aggregate their ongoing coverage somewhere,” Brauer wrote.

In fairness, Brauer may be a big sports fan, or perhaps he isn’t.

It doesn’t matter because he is a media commentator, but how often do you have a non-sports writer calling a future Hall-of-Famer diva-like?

It’s priceless, but so telling in Favre’s case.

Both news organizations cover sports, but that is where today’s Web sites’ similarities end.

Favre-worshipping fans of any jersey, who expect a future Super Bowl, can only be generously described as suffering delusions of grandeur.

Realizing a way to build readership, the StarTribune has taken the mind-numbing Favre retirement-unretirement odyssey to its ultimate insanity.

Here are some of the headlines and links devoted to a quarterback who will turn 40 during the season:

• “Childress says he is willing to wait for Favre”
• “More confirmation Favre will wear purple”
• “Judd Zulgad blogs that the chances of Favre joining the Vikings are ‘99.9 percent’ after his comments today”
• “Coordinator Bevell visited Favre with trainer”
• “Darrell Bevell made that trip along with a trainer, and he’s the first coach to see the QB throw. Decision time remains uncertain.”
• “Friends, family of No. 4 know it’s Favre from over”
• “… Favre is often depicted as a prima donna. …” {Really?}
• “Green Bay’s Jennings doesn’t care what Favre does”
• “Burning bridges between Favre and Packers fan”

My head is spinning, like an out-of-control ego.

Brauer’s newspaper had a rather dull sports page today, as noted by these headlines:

• “Our rich cycling culture: Getting to know the pedal pushers”
• “Biking basics: Rules of the road in Minnesota”
• “Bike trek: Tour of Twin Cities bike trails”
• “Poker players relieved as Minnesota backs off effort to block gaming sites”
• “Minnesota paradox: ‘Hotbed for poker talent’ is a leader in opposing online gaming”

Yawn.

Perhaps MinnPost.com could start a Web page that features the disaster wrought by the 1989 Minnesota-Dallas trade.

Remember Herschel Walker?

It’s the trade that delivered catastrophe and failure to Minnesota, rather than NFL glory and a Super Bowl, or two.

It’s the trade that propelled Dallas to a near dynasty in the early 1990s primarily through a remarkable draft that made Cowboys out of Russell Maryland, Emmitt Smith, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson.

Remember, all the Vikings needed back then was a proven running back, yet the coaching staff never really utilized this great runner.

The StarTribune is the same newspaper that came up with the unfair-to-Walker “Herschel the Turkey” label for Minnesota sports figures who do not live up to expectations or who aren’t of the good character that law-abiding Minnesotans expect.

Now the same news organization is featuring a Brett Favre page?

And what if this high-risk gamble by the Vikings doesn’t pan out, what will be named for Favre?

The chicken or dumplings?

Fred Dean Helped Propel 49ers To Dynasty

The story of legendary defensive end Fred Dean is one that parallels the rise of the greatest dynasty the NFL has ever seen; the Eddie De Bartolo-led San Francisco 49ers.

It’s a story of how a losing team, with players not highly regarded, could start a nearly 20-year dynasty that was feared as the most-lethal in the NFL for many years.

It’s also the story of a cerebral coach, who was incorrectly viewed as being not-tough-enough for the NFL.

It was the story of a skinny quarterback from Notre Dame, who didn’t throw the longest or hardest, but he threw touchdowns, and won games.

It was a come-back tale that avoided the San Francisco franchise eventually relocating.

This dynasty was better than the Pittsburgh Steelers’ four Super Bowl dynasty. Better than the Dallas Cowboys’ three Super Bowl run. Better than the New England Patriots’ three Super Bowl run

Oh, yeah, that one.

Even better than the vastly over-valued Green Bay Packers’ (before-the-leagues-merged) two Super Bowls.

You don’t get to claim a dynasty unless you win four post-merger titles in a single decade.

Sorry Packer fans, you are free to vent with four-letter words, e-mails with the middle finger playing a prominent role, and, of course, let’s not forget some of your fans’ threats to guys like me who have little respect for Packerville.

(It must be the milk.)

Anyway, how did the 49ers end up with Dean—one of the greatest all-time pass rushers?

Or, a better question: How could San Diego be so stupid to trade away a great player for a paltry second-round pick?

You might think Dean would have balked at going to a team that went 2-14, 2-14, and 6-10 in the past three seasons.

Well, Dean wasn’t displeased.

“… He describes the feeling as a breath of fresh air, and a rich, rewarding breath it turned out to be as he earned pro sports’ greatest prize–a Super Bowl ring–twice in little more than three years, …” states authors Michael W. Tuckman and Jeff Shultz in The San Francisco 49ers: Team of the Decade—The Inside Story of How They Came from Nowhere to Win Four Super Bowls.

If you were aware of football in 1981, you’ll remember Dean’s immediate and unforgettable impact on the field.

If you weren’t alive, or too young to remember, or if somehow you haven’t heard, let me tell you this: Dean’s impact vastly ratcheted up San Francisco’s game.

The “holy ****!” effect was dramatic.

Viewed as undersized, he was undeterred. All he did was create the edge rusher, some said he was the original “freak.”

One word definitely defines him: revolutionary.

Although he had only a few practices under his belt before he hit the field in 1981 against the Cowboys, Dean made Danny White’s day a miserable one as he sacked the hated Cowboy three time, hurried him numerous other times, and batted down two passes.

Even legendary coach Bill Walsh credited Dean with bringing something extra to the 49ers—something the 49ers had lacked.

In short, Dean helped to propel the team to Super Bowl glory.

Don’t you ever let anyone tell you the 49ers of that era were a finesse team. That’s cow manure, and the topic for a future post.

The cathartic win over the Tom Landry-led Cowboys was one of the most thrilling for me, because it erased losing twice to the Cowboys in the playoffs in the early 1970s.

Next up was the Los Angeles Rams, my late brother’s favorite team.

I despised them more than the Cowboys.When the Rams would win, I would spit nails. In our house, this was warfare.

It was an understatement to say my blood ran 49ers’ red (not crimson), and my brother’s ran L.A. blue.

(When can the 49ers return to the old color?)

On game day, I dressed up in all my regalia, ready to jinx the Rams into never neverland.

However, the ’Niners didn’t need my help, as Dean unleashed his ferociousness on Pat Haden, sacking him five times in a 20-17 victory.

This game was even more cathartic for me because it not only was a victory over the detestable Rams, but it was L.A.’s first—that’s correct, the first—defeat at Candlestick Park.

For you young Bleacher Report fans, Candlestick opened in 1971.

Soon after the Dallas game, and certainly after the Los Angeles game, signs began appearing that stated “Dean-Fense.”

At that time, the real North Coast of California was about a seven-hour drive away from my home in a forested valley; however, all over Humboldt County, new San Francisco fans could be spotted because they were now wearing brand-new caps, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and coats.

It kind of pissed off 49ers Faithful like me who had suffered through the horrific play that lasted about seven years.

For his sensational play leading to San Francisco’s first Super Bowl, Dean was named UPI Defensive Player of the Year—while only playing 11 games for the 49ers in a 16-game season.

He continued to play at a high level.

In 1983, he achieved a career-high (and an NFC-leading) 17 sacks.

Six of those came against the New Orleans Saints, setting (at that time) an NFL single-game record for sacks by a single player.

Although nearing the end of his career, Dean was still utilized by the 49ers in their 1984 Super Bowl run.

By the time he retired, he had 93 sacks, two All-Pro selections (one with each team), four Pro Bowl appearances (two with each team) and four all-conference selections.

One anecdotal note: My brother, thinking the 49ers’ victorious 1981 season was a one-time wonder, thought he would “honor” Dean by naming our turkey at our parents’ Thanksgiving dinner “Fred Dean.”

It was not Fred. Or Dean.

It was Fred Dean.

At first, I was really pissed at my brother for attempting to humiliate me by saying the 49ers would choke in the playoffs again, as they had three times in the early 1970s, but my Dad—a Steelers fan—went along with it.

I wasn’t impressed, but revenge was mine as the 49ers that season won their first Super Bowl and went on to be the first team to win five Lombardis.

The last laugh was mine.

Now that memory is bittersweet, as my Dad recently passed away, and my brother passed on in 1992.

My Mom, who passed away about three years ago, used to try to keep the peace.

But, deep inside, she was a San Francisco fan, since that was her favorite city.

So the memory, the smiles, the laughter, and the knowledge that Fred Dean, All-Pro defensive end, helped make the laughingstock 49ers the greatest-ever NFL dynasty live on in my heart.

It seems appropriate to end this column by noting that Dean was voted into the NFL Hall of Fame. His career shows that statistics do not always define a player.

Sometimes, a player’s presence and play on the field transcend what sports “know-it-alls” (know-nothings) cannot see in the statistics years later.

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