Thank You Bryant Young

by sven406 on Dec 20, 2007 11:04 AM PST

EDITOR'S NOTE: 11:00AM - Thanks to svens for putting something like this up. BY hasn't officially come out and said this is it, but in his blog, Maiocco had a quote from BY:

Respected veteran defensive lineman Bryant Young today said he did not want to shift the attention from the 49ers' game Sunday against the Buccaneers, but he acknowledged: "More than likely, this is my last home game." Young added, "We still have two games remaining and I don't want to take any focus off that." BY has certainly ALWAYS been the consummate pro, even when this team has gone down the toilet more often than not in in his last years. This quotation certainly proves it. Feel free to share your favorite BY memories.

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The reports of Bryant Young's impending retirement have stirred up two different (but equally bad) responses in my mind --

1) Sadness.

It makes me sick to my stomach that BY is ending his career on this note when the Niners seemed so promising in the off-season. Such a classy, hard-working guy who has anchored the defense for 14 years deserved better. Young has easily been one of the most admirable character guys among star Bay Area athletes that we have seen. The Stubblefield-Young pair was dominant in the mid-90s, and who knows if he would have been even harder for O-lines to handle had he never shattered his leg. We'll miss you, BY. Thanks for the show.

2) Terror.

We've got plenty of linebackers and an improved secondary, but pass rush remains a problem. Improving the D-line could make the Niners' defense dominant, while allowing it to regress will dampen the considerable progress of other parts of the defense. With our sacks leader retiring, our best defensive end a free agent, and our first round draft pick traded to the Hoodie, where do we go from here? I suppose it depends in large part on who is coaching next season. If Nolan goes, do we keep the 3-4? If we switch back to 4-3, does Lawson play DE instead of OLB? Too many questions. Head hurts. I'll think more later.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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My thoughts

While Bryant Young is definitely one of the team's better players, his departure could spring hope for a new competitor. I'd imagine that if the 49ers don't find any further additions to the defensive line (no FAs worth taking a chance on, players don't fall to value in the draft), Isaac Sopoaga will probably take over BY's spot.

Marques Douglas will probably be retained, along with Sopoaga. There is also Ray McDonald, the rookie this year, who has shown to have a nose for jumping a snap count. The team has a lot of potential fillers at 3-4 DE (if the above two are re-signed, there are Douglas, Sopoaga, Fields, Oliver, and McDonald).

What they truly need is a 3-4 NT, which are very hard to come back as so few of them exist. Where the 49ers would find someone to play that role, is anyone's guess right now.

As for B.Y., I'm glad he's retiring while he still has a body to retire to. He's still able to travel and do whatever else it is he wants to do. He deserves that.

by sfgfan on Dec 20, 2007 9:03 AM PST 0 recs

Absolutely

BY has given his working life to the Niners and has performed with dignity and excellence during his time here. Let's salute him and wish him well and hope that he keeps his health in retirement. Too many people leave the game broken and can't walk straight by the time they're forty.

Thanks, BY.

by Bob In Pacifica on Dec 20, 2007 2:22 PM PST up 0 recs

well said

BY retiring is a sad day for the Niners, as our last link to the last super bowl will be gone. The glory years have been over for a while, but now they'll really be gone. BY has been a big part of this team and his number should be retired.

BY, you'll be missed.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 20, 2007 9:39 AM PST 0 recs

Sad news...

It's a cold cold day for the Niners...guys like BY are part of the reason I am a Niner fan. He didn't have to dance when he got a tackle for a loss, he didn't have to rub it in the opposing qb's face when he got a sack...maybe a fist pump or a high five to a teammate but nothing more...I just hope the guy that replaces him is equally talented, classy, loyal and humble...Thanks BY

I'm goin' down with the ship...

by jfainsf49 on Dec 20, 2007 10:37 AM PST 0 recs

I think it's far to say

That if you asked any hardcore 49er fan who their favorite Niner was, about 90% would say Frank Gore right away.

Then you'd mention BY, and they'd say "Jesus, how could I forget BY. Yes, Bryant Young. He's by far my favorite."

I think that speaks to some of Young's best qualities.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Dec 20, 2007 11:21 AM PST 0 recs

The leg

I still remember the shattered leg, and how stoic he looked laying on the field in obvious pain. I even remember the broadcast, how they showed the replay one time and said, "That's too graphic, and out of respect to BY, we won't show that again." I thought that was pretty classy AND it kept me from getting all vomity.

Fast forward to the playoffs that same year, IIRC. Garrison Hearst's leg splits in two and the Fox broadcast replays the snap again and again. "Holy cow, that's the ugliest thing I've ever seen! Let's look at it again! Now in close up, slow-mo. Now at reverse angle. Now I'll have a shot o' whiskey, and see if it looks uglier or better."

But I digress. There are few athletes as dignified, hard working, and good as Bryant Young. He'll definitely be missed.

Thinking of giving up sports and taking up heavy drinking.

by Drunken Miller on Dec 20, 2007 4:12 PM PST 0 recs

Offseason

Well, I am very obtimistic about years to come. We have developed good youth and though it is sad the BY is retiring, it's better sooner than later. It's been a rough year and its smart for him to leave on a high note. As for the 49ers. First of all, I still believe Nolan is doing a fine job. HOWEVER, the biggest mistake he has done by far is switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 without a real NT. You just cannt do it. The NT will form double teams, clog runing holes, and provided one-on-one with our DE. I think marcus douglas has been great this year. But in April, when the 49ers make their draft picks, as good as the D has been and as bad as the offence has been, I say we draft a NT and DE with our first two picks. For us to have a good chance next year, we must get 1 big offseason FA and one sort of big FA. The big first has to be Alan Faneca. The 49ers NEED too sign him. Give Frank Gore the blocking he deserves. He has worked so. As for our minor pick up, we have 3 different places that we can go. OLB, WR, or OT. For outside linebackers, their isn't anyone out there that would be worth having that wouldn't kill our salarie cap. Briggs is out there but the odds of landing on 2 of the top 5 free agents is highly unlikely. That leaves WR and OT. There are a lot of good OT out there that will be affortable and effective. Ryan Lilja from Indy is young and has worked with a veteran coor. Signing him would be HUGE. For WR, I'm starting to feel better about our guys. Djax is a fantasic route runner. If he works on catching over the offseason, he could be as good as he was in Seattle. And I love Battle,. HE has decent hands, is very physical, and can catch the ball in traffic very well. The best WR out there that would be affordable would be Andre Davis, DJ Hacket, or Brandon Stockely. There are better ames out there like Randy Moss(who will most likely re-sign w/ NE), Bernard Berrian, and Patrick Craton, but they will cost much more. On draft day, we must go after Frank Okam or Kentwan Balmor in the first round and Phillip Merlings or Quenton Groves in the second round. It will take a lot, but I think that the niners can put togather a fine team next year.

by montasmob69 on Dec 20, 2007 11:13 PM PST 0 recs

Good ideas...

but I have to disagree about Patrick Crayton. He is just a junior Terrible Owens.(No loud mouths in San Fran please...)

I'm goin' down with the ship...

by jfainsf49 on Dec 21, 2007 6:28 AM PST up 0 recs

BY is beloved

He's been the one constant through the years. I was really hoping that he'd have another shot at the playoffs this season, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. I think that's why he came back, so obviously this season hasn't lived up to his expectations and is a disappointment. When he retires it will truly be the end of an era.

I'll never forget that injury he had. I never felt so bad about an injury to a player before. I was so sad a the thought (at the time) of him being forced to retire because of it (Damn that Ken Norton!) and even when he came back he wasn't quite as good as before (though he was still good), but it's been awhile since then and he did regain his form and is one of my all-time favs - up there with Joe, Jerry, Ronnie, JT, Rathman, Craig and Steve.

He's a true 49er. I'm thrilled that he spent his whole career here and #97 should be retired by the franchise. There's no question that he's a Hall of Famer.

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Dec 21, 2007 10:58 AM PST 0 recs