It would be a nice jump across the bay for Barry Sims, if he decides to sign with the 49ers, I personally am enticed with the thought of Barry Sims on our roster. He’s a good, solid player, a consistent performer. I hope Sims saw the writing on the walls that we are aiming for the playoffs. I think he wants to win, judging from the fact he has included the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and St. Louis Rams on his NFL tour, those teams have chances to go the playoffs, if not the Super Bowl.

I would have liked to see Sims sign as fast as Justin Smith did with the 49ers, maybe we should have taken Sims on a helicopter tour of the SF bay area over the Golden Gate Bridge. Maybe hire a plane flying a banner that says, “We Want You, Barry Sims,” while he watches. Put him in a Limousine and whisk him away to Sonoma, to one of those wineries, wine and dine him, and sign him on the spot.

At least, that is what I would have done. I would find out what kind of cheese he likes, too, to go with the wine.

What I was referring to in regards to locking up the roster, I am not talking about lengths of contracts, whether it’s a one-year contract or a long-term contract. I am talking about the team as an unit gelling together, learning the offensive and defensive schemes, and for the team to be ready to go. I personally have a pet peeve with hold-outs over contracts because it kinds of stalls certain things like a domino effect, causing others to be out of whack when we step in just before the season starts and force players and coaches to fill in what was learned at the OTAs and training camps.

In pro football, we all have 6’3” 315 pounders, even in college football, but it’s about being on the same page and having the same understanding amongst each other that makes everything work out, for a strong start early in the season.

Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo treated lavishly ALL of the players, whether a pro bowler or an old, exiled free agent who are basically has-beens, he treats all players the same and inspired motivation to the players. I would treat Sims the same way I do Justin Smith, because they both are on the same team and both are in it for one reason:

To reach the Super Bowl and win it, and go to Disneyland.

To clarify things, it still can be run now-a-days if DeBartolo wishes to, the other owners just don’t do that including the Yorks. I am not aware of an owner that is in the prototype of Eddie DeBartolo, but once he is back, I don’t think he will have changed. He paid salaries as all owners do, but that is not the point. He treated them lavishly with incentives, like bringing their families to road trips, taking care of them, and to this day his players remain loyal to him, as a result.

Of course I don’t hold it personally against contractual holdouts, of course, I know their reasons, but it’s just the distraction that makes me take a deep breath. I mean, they make millions of dollars already, and I may never have that kind of money, and what, they want more moolah. Sometimes I just don’t get it. It’s a cut-throat business. Pay me or I don’t play. You know?

Some of the best ever to play in this game like a Jim Brown, never made even a fraction of what the worse players make now in his heyday. I’m like, “come on.” But still, with all the training, the travelling away from their families and the emotional expense that comes with it, I guess the monetary compensation makes up for it and they want their kids set up for life, and their grandchildren, too.

First of all, sfgfan, isn’t it a puzzle why players remain fiercely loyal and closely in touch with Eddie DeBartolo if he left the 49ers a “mess.” DeBartolo put everything into the 49ers to make them a dynasty, a historic triumph.

Secondly, all teams, outside of monetary stuff, takes care of their players and coaches with family issues, all teams will be right behind them. No team will disclose a matter that is kept confidential for personal reasons, of course, unless that player has violated certain team rules that leaks out to the public for obvious reasons.

I am not a York hater. I back York 100%. Although the Yorks don’t carry as much flair as DeBartolo did, the Yorks are the best ownership option since the former DeBartolo. The Yorks do know their business, it took a few years, but all pieces fell into place.

It was worth the run to the brick walls. We have to win at all costs, yes? Sometimes new ownership have to come in and clean up the whole mess but they have one advantage: The 49ers headquarters has 5 Super Bowl trophies to show off. Talk about brick walls!

Punishment? Hawking 5 SB trophies is punishment enough, I guess.