1) How much does the stadium issue impact fan feelings about the team? I’ve been to Candlestick, but not with people in it (just there for a story and inside the empty stadium). Obviously it’s not new, and there’s something that looks like moss growing on it, but how’s the experience inside/outside on game day? Do fans want a new building, or just for the conversation about it to stop?

As an east coast fan (from CT) I’ve only been to two 49ers games. The first was at Giants stadium in 2007, when an exciting first half gave way to a monumental collapse in the 2nd. The second game, I was a Candlestick for the Jets game. First off, as the whole live game experience is still pretty new to me and this was my the first time at Candlestick… I was pretty damn pumped. I had visited San Fran a few years back in the spring, so I got to see the outside of the stadium and nothing more. Things started off great with the massive tailgating party going on outside. Giants stadium was pathetic compared to what I witnessed. My girlfriend and I noticed the Alumni Tailgate Party area, but not having done my research, didn’t realize you needed to have gotten tickets. Luckily my girlfriend was quite persuasive and used the east coast bit to get us in. Good food, free beer and ex-Niners greeted us inside. Great way to get even more pumped up for the game.

Now, onto the actual stadium. As I said, this was only my second NFL game, so I have only Giants stadium to compare. The stadium definitely shows its age and at the very least really needs some decent renovations. But the atmosphere was amazing. And I cannot imagine what Qwest Field must be like, cause I was deaf by the 1st quarter. We were sitting behind one of the endzones, in the 4th row, and when the Jets were pinned deep in that endzone the roar behind us was incredible. Overall I had a great experience at the stadium, and don’t really see what all the fuss is about. All I think that is needed is a little makeover, and an improvement of the walkway around the outside of the stadium, as it was way too thin for the most part, and more concession areas.

Maybe when I see a few more games I’ll be able to be more critical… but let’s be honest, this is my Mecca and I finally made the pilgrimage, so my perspective is slightly skewed.

1) How much does the stadium issue impact fan feelings about the team? I’ve been to Candlestick, but not with people in it (just there for a story and inside the empty stadium). Obviously it’s not new, and there’s something that looks like moss growing on it, but how’s the experience inside/outside on game day? Do fans want a new building, or just for the conversation about it to stop?

I think a new stadium would be nice or maybe even renovating the stick but as for affecting fans feelings of the team i dont see it as a negative affect at all. The stick is the stick, it’s home. It may be getting old but it holds major sentimental value… that stadium has seen some of the greatest games played by some of the greatest teams. I’ve been going to the stick for years both for the niners and not so long ago the giants. The atmosphere is great, tailgaiting is a blast, its right there on the bay and you cant leave out the winds sweeping off the point. Niners fans love Candlestick Park so much when monters sponsership was up a measure was put on the ballot to ban corporate sponsership of the Stick and to return the name to candlestick park. I say renovate the stick.

3) You mentioned that fans are bitter. Are there specific things they’re bitter about? Policies the team has adopted, players they’ve kept/cut?

Bitter? I was bitter about the nolan dismissal. I’m bitter about the fact that it’s almost becoming routine to bring in a new offensive coordinator every year. I’m bitter we let Martz go. I’m bitter about the fact that we have brought in the right peices and are close to something special but lack of continuity is holding us back.

4) People seemed hopeful about Mike Nolan, and that didn’t work out. The same sort of optimism seems to be there with Singletary… how are fans reacting to him?

I don’t think we should have let nolan or Martz go. Don’t get me wrong singletary is a beast and a good coach but really i think nolan was o n the right track. Its hard to knock a guy when you have 4 different offensive coordinators over a four year span. Nolan is a defensive mind though is he not? Has our defense not imporprooved drastically? Would it have not been even better had the offensive been able to provide a breather or two hear or there? On the same thought you can’t knock alex smith either…. Alex learned 4 diff offenses in four years, he was thrown into the mix of a rebuilding team and expected to be Joe or Steve. Joe and steve had great quaterback coaches and under turner Alex actually looked to be making strides but turner goes to SD. Did Alex have a great quarterback to study under? no. So nolan brings in Martz one of the top minds in football. I was stoked. Expecially because we had what detroit didn’t and st loius did a great back. Martz could groom alex and boost our offense and boost our offense he did didn’t he? We loose some close games early and they let Nolan go? BS. The thing about Mike Martz system is its complex, there are so many different plays to learn and timings to master and its no surprise that we got off to a slow start our first year running it but right about the time nolan is released you could see the offense starting to click. Regardless we had put up numbers we hadn’t for a few years. Do i think singletary turned around our season? No. Nolan would have finished the same way but we win a few games when we start running the offense right and he’s a hero. But then he lets Martz go? to favor a heavy running offense? Lets consider this…. frank gore is a hell of a running back but he has had injury problems, he needs to be utilized better but now we want to stick him in the middle of smash mouth run first football is he durable enough to handle it? and who is our offensive coordinator this year? I love my niners and i have all the faith in the world in them besides what do i know i’m just a die hard fan if i was a football mastermind they would be paying me to coacH!

1) How much does the stadium issue impact fan feelings about the team? I’ve been to Candlestick, but not with people in it (just there for a story and inside the empty stadium). Obviously it’s not new, and there’s something that looks like moss growing on it, but how’s the experience inside/outside on game day? Do fans want a new building, or just for the conversation about it to stop?

The team needs a new stadium. It would give the franchise new outlook, boast revenue and I believe be a recruiting tool for free agents. With that said the outside stadium experience is still top notch. How can anyone complain about a sunny, 68 degree afternoon with a slight breeze looking over the scenic bay? That good tailgate mood is usually carried into the stadium which makes you look past some of the wear and tear.

2) How hard will it be for Jed York to undo the damage of his dad?

The York’s had already been repairing some of the damage they caused when the family initialing took over. Although Nolan didn’t work out in the win column, he did run the franchise like a professional football team and wasn’t saddled with ownership interference or the pettiness of the past. The York’s also picked up the slack on the stadium issue. Although the team lacks a resolution, ownership has at least been pursuing a plan instead of allowing the issue to lay dormant.

3) You mentioned that fans are bitter. Are there specific things they’re bitter about? Policies the team has adopted, players they’ve kept/cut?

Alex Smith is still sore spot among fans. Because of Smith their is a perception the team hasn’t been very good in the draft. However, if you look at the remaining top picks under the Nolan/McCloughan tenure those players appear to be blue chippers for the team. Also, it’s nice not being in salary cap hell after every season.

4) People seemed hopeful about Mike Nolan, and that didn’t work out. The same sort of optimism seems to be there with Singletary… how are fans reacting to him?

The Nolan era wasn’t all bad. The wins never showed up but he left plenty in cupboard for Singletary to build from. What Nolan did leave was a management structure, some young talent and salary cap money. None of which existed when he took over.

Singletary does appear to have a better understanding on how to coach this unit. Nolan never did pin down an O-coordinator and hiring Mike Martz never made sense given we had been building a power run / ball control club. Nolan’s inability to settle on 3-4 or 4-3 scheme also grew tiring. Singletary’s moves might seem underwhelming so far but at least he appears to have settled on a team identity, most importantly it matches the team’s personnel. The blue print is more ‘85 Bears than Walsh’s ’88 49ers but we are willing to give it a shot.

1) How much does the stadium issue impact fan feelings about the team? I’ve been to Candlestick, but not with people in it (just there for a story and inside the empty stadium). Obviously it’s not new, and there’s something that looks like moss growing on it, but how’s the experience inside/outside on game day? Do fans want a new building, or just for the conversation about it to stop?

I have mixed feelings about a new stadium.

On the one hand, I don’t really care about how nice the stadium is. The only thing I would like improved is food and beverage stands so that it doesn’t take half a quarter to get a drink. I also don’t want to pay the increased prices that will likely accompany a new stadium. As an SF resident, I’m also concerned about traveling to a new stadium all the way in Santa Clara. It takes almost a hour to get there now via bus. I can’t imagine how long it will take once they’re in the south bay. Finally, as a season ticket holder I’m concerned about what’s going to happen to my seats (and my “personal seat license”).

All that said, I can see the argument for a new stadium – it is rather old and I don’t begrudge the owners’ right to try to make more money (which would hopefully translate into more spending on players). However, I do not think its appropriate for the stadium to be paid for with taxpayer money. The economy is terrible and the struggling budgets of state and local governments are well documented.

All in all, I’d be perfectly happy without a new stadium, but if one is built it should be paid for by the people who will reap the economic rewards (i.e. the team) and it should have good public transportation options so there aren’t thousands of cars driving to it (which just leads to traffic jams and frustrated fans). Short beer lines would also be much appreciated, but that might be asking for too much.

2) How hard will it be for Jed York to undo the damage of his dad?

All in all, the ownership no longer appears to be an impediment to success, but it does not yet appear to be an asset. I’m hopeful about Jed. While he’s young, he appears to actually care about the success of the team. While he might make some rookie mistakes, I think his rise to power will end up being a good thing in the long run. However, the damage to the team was really wrought by poor drafting by the pre-Nolan regime (which is only partial ownership related) and by poor OC selection (which is totally ownership related). However, with Jed and Jimmy Ray stepping in, the poor OC selection may have (hopefully) already resolved itself. The poor drafting pre-2005, however, will probably haunt the team for another couple of seasons.

3) You mentioned that fans are bitter. Are there specific things they’re bitter about? Policies the team has adopted, players they’ve kept/cut?

I wouldn’t say I’m bitter. Disappointed is more like it. I’m disappointed by the OC choices. I’m disappointed by the Alex Smith pick (although I understood the thinking at the time). I’m disappointed by the Vernon Davis pick (a TE at #6? really?). However, there are plenty of other draft picks that have gone well over the past few years (Gore in the 3rd, Walker in the 6th, Willis, Staley, Haralson in the 5th, Hill in the 3rd, Goldson in the 5th, Rachal and Morgan last year). The FA acquisitions have been more than decent of late (with the notable exception of Jonas Jennings).

I think the team’s current struggles (and the source of any bitterness) can be traced to three factors: (1) terrible drafting by the pre-Nolan regime (2004 #1 – Rashan Woods, 2003 #1 – Kwame Harris. Yikes.), (2) Alex Smith’s struggles (a big deal given the fanfare with which he was drafted, the importance of his position, and the size of his contract), and (3) the inability to hire and retain a competent OC (which is certainly related to #2).

That said, we appear to be on the road to recovery. The drafting has been better. The FA acquisitions have been intelligent. And we’ve finally seemed to have brought in an OC who is both qualified and not a stop-gap. I’m hopefully, and hope and bitterness don’t mix.

4) People seemed hopeful about Mike Nolan, and that didn’t work out. The same sort of optimism seems to be there with Singletary… how are fans reacting to him?

Like Fooch, I’m cautiously optimistic about the Singletary regime. That said, the jury is clearly still out on him. The aspect I’m most optimistic about is his apparent ability to inspire respect from players. That’s a rare skill that I hope will translate into better player development and the opportunity to turn around some players that may have had some character or other issues before coming to the team.

My hopes were raised when they fired Nolan and hired Singletary who started Hill. Very much improved team when that happen.But, right now, it’s being crush by McCloughan, regarding the FA market. I watch jed during a short interview with espn regarding warner and he pass on the question. not good, I know he’s young and I’m sure he will take part in running this team in the future. but like any rookie coming in, he will need time