Golden Nuggets: Cheering On The 49ers Is Bad For Your Throat

Every time one of our defenders puts a hard hit on him, I want them to push up off of him on the ground, and whisper “taste the mother%()# rainbow” in his ear.

… he’s still waiting for “his” beloved ‘80s ’niners to come back so he and Dickey can go hang in the locker room and be part of the scene… He’s so clearly insecure about his irrelevance, he takes every opportunity to remind readers how he “was there” back in the day, as if somehow that gives him credibility. Hey Lowell, good for you, you were there, but so were a lot of us, and, nobody cares. Because here’s the thing: it’s not about YOU, Lowell. I’ve posted before about this guy. He’s “that” reporter, the guy who makes himself the story. In this instance, it’s all about “his” fight with Harbaugh. Here’s another thing, Lowell – Jim Harbaugh couldn’t care less what you think or write. Unless you a) work in the ‘niner front office, b) coach the players, or c) put on a helmet and block, tackle, run or throw, you’re not on his mind.

I get the whole “afflict the comfortable” thing journalists like Lowell use as a justification for writing negative, demeaning stories, but I’m not buying it. When did journalists move from insightful, tough but fair reporting to the “gotcha” crap fest we’re forced to read today? A reporter can be tough, and critical, and point out the flaws in a team in a way that is useful and entertaining to true fans, without making a fan feel like an idiot for not seeing the whole thing as cynically as they do. Cohn, TJ Simers of the LA Times, occasionally Ratto (to a lesser degree), others – to me, they’re all cut from the same cloth. They mistake their role as a reporter with that of the actual participants, and write as if they’re somehow one of the combatants on the field and deserving of the same credibility. Maybe to others, but not to me. You’re an observer and a commenter – not a doer. To quote Teddy Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again…” If Harbaugh says Alex is his guy, if Harbaugh says he’s a pro bowler, ok by me. I don’t think he’s at that level, but if I were a journalist, I wouldn’t perch on my superiority branch, above it all, and attempt to humiliate him in print for saying it. He deserves more respect that that and would get it from me.

Sorry for the long post. Guys like Lowell Cohn irritate me beyond measure. They make my fandom less fun. That why I come here – to get a more balanced, informed perspective from the site managers (who are just as tough as Lowell but not dicks about it) and some of the more informed fans (you know who you are) – people who are willing to call out flaws, but do it in service to their love of the team. Observe, comment, point out the flaws that need to be pointed out… but lose the attitude, Lowell, or you’ll continue to lose relevance, and readers, as you already have. You’ve never competed in the arena Cohn, and I hope you realize, Harbaugh would kick your ass in a fight. Wouldn’t last a minute. Deal with it.