The Downfall of the Franchise
by ThrillisGone22 on Oct 19, 2008 11:18 PM PDT
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PrintFor a while, I was merely dismayed with the current status of the 49er franchise, as if it could be considered the natural regression after the success of the 80's and into the 90's. But I have come to realize that it's much worse than that.
I recently heard that the dollar value of the franchise is now 30th out of 32 NFL teams. There are the omnipresent (though hopefully unfounded) rumors of the franchise being moved to L.A., taking the history, the franchise records, and the championships with it. I hope it never comes to this, and I'm not going to run around panicking like the sky is falling.
But know this - this current iteration of the San Francisco 49ers bears no resemblance to any 49er team that I've ever known. It feels as if this current franchise is an empty shell of its former self and that this organization doesn't even deserve the right to retire Steve Young's number or even observe the passing of Bill Walsh with a patch. Because, surely, this team reminds no one of a team led by Bill Walsh or healmed by Steve Young.
Gone is the West Coast Offense, replaced by a zero-ring circus. Gone is any link to arguably the greatest football player of all time, certainly the greatest wide receiver, replaced by those who have no business even starting at the position. Gone is the working-class tight end who sacrificed his body over the middle of the field, replaced by an Adonis of a man who runs a 4.38 40...and is mostly a blocker. Gone is the feared, explosive safety who would blow up an unwitting ballcarrier, yet would never miss a hit while trying to make the highlight reels.
Who on this team could play with Montana's Niners? Or on any team that had Craig, and Rice, and Lott, or Young, Rathman, Jones, and BY? Maybe Patrick Willis and Frank Gore could play with those guys; I doubt that many others could. And Mike Nolan would be no better than a linebackers coach.
In short, this team...is not the 49ers, at least not the 49ers that I knew and could be a fan of.
Yes, this post is long. But it's from the heart. I hope you made it all the way through it!
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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Justin Smith
I think Smith could certainly have played with them. He busts his ass the entire game and gets all over the field. And in terms of talent he’s no slouch.
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It's a far more talented team than you give credit
Defensively, Patrick Willis, Nate Clements, Justin Smith, and Man-Law are all very talented players, as are Isaac Bruce, Frank Gore, Joe Staley, Eric Heitmann, Vernon Davis… These are all talented players that appear to be coached below their abilities. It’s the one thing I’ll give Nolan credit for, is I think he’s built a far more talented team than what we’ve seen. Unfortunately, I don’t think the coaching has been good enough to keep up with the talent.
And yes, I know The Disease is considered a bust, but I still think he’s better than he’s played. Honestly, I think it’s got more to do with coaching and not utilizing him than it does that he just isn’t good enough.
"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler
they have talent
the team does have talent. i think it has more overall talent than the eagles or pats whom they lost to. it’s all about coaching and qb play. they have to get better coaching and have a game manager qb to back up gores running.
Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.
Are you kidding me?
The 49ers have more overall talent than the Pats? The Patriots have talent across the board. The offensive line and front seven are amongst the league’s best. They have a solid backfield and a fairly above average WR group. Where, exactly, are the 49ers better than them? I can maybe MAYBE think of one position, and it’s the one occupied by Willis.
no, it's not the 80s or 90s
but things can change, everyone wants things to change – Patrick Willis and Frank Gore are giants among men and this team, and I mean this team, has the talent and ability to make the playoffs sooner than later – coaching changes, a stud WR, another QB?, some defensive mixing it up … and we’ll be there
remember that feeling at the beginning of this year that things were starting to turn around – they still are, it’s just not happening as fast as I want it to
and oh yeah, the Niners moving? to LA? well LA can go and get fucked
"Those boos really motivate me to make something happen." - Bonds
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