Posted By: 49erfan (24/03/2008 11:12:58 AM)
Comment: Posted By: Ed in Irvine (22/03/2008 1:19:13 PM) Comment: Hey Matt. I wanted to get your opinion on something. I met Steve Young a few weeks back and asked him about the 49ers. He said our problems right now isn't the coach nor the QB...its the ownership. The one thing that really stuck out wsa that he called the Niners the new Cardinals. Very insightful and fun to be around...but nonetheless very hard to hear a niner great talk about our team that way. Do you think he was right on the button about the team's failure to rise to the top? Response: I don't think that's quite the case any more. The Yorks have stayed out of the way and opened their checkbook to the football side of the operation. They are not making any football decisions. I'm trying to think of a way the Yorks might have made errors that affected the football team recently in a negative fashion. I can't come up with any examples. --Matt M. Matt, you should've told this guy that Steve Young is stillbitter with the Yorks because they wouldn't give him the contract extension that he wanted, so he used an excuse about too many concussions jepordizing the rest his football career so he retired, which he's mentioned on more than one occasion. He should've asked him why did he rite and not sign with another team since he had so much left in the tank. Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (24/03/2008 1:48:40 AM) Comment: I can somewhat agree with the Eddie D years for all the glory, but must temper it with the age of Salary Cap football we live in now. An owner, no matter how vocal or visible, can only provide the luxuries of creature comforts to an organization. Mr D was lavish, generous and extremely devoted to his guys and fostered a family atmosphere. Today, the players are paid in accordance with a mandated budget and every position has a value. Gone are the days of buying the talented player no matter the cost, but there is no reason a good owner can't be involved and provide the needed creature comforts that don't impact the cap. Good facilities, travel comforts, coaching and equipment all factor into the teams' winning mentality. I can't see Dr York playing Arthur Blank or Jerry Jones, but at least he's opened the check book more in the past 2 years. Eddie was a rare breed, he gave his all, he produced winners, but greed got in the way and so did the Salary Cap Era. If anything, I'd surmise that Steve misses that enthusiastic involvement from ownership. And you should've told this guy that Eddie D. is the reason for the salary cap in the NFL. And that was before he got caught gambling and money laudering and had to sell the team to his sister and brother-n-law. Thanks for listening.

Posted By: Robert (24/03/2008 9:28:46 AM)
Comment: Matt- I just got finished reading Marcus Hudson's blog. Do the 49ers have a new trainer/training regimine? If so, what are they doing differently and what do they think of it? Thanks

Response: Check out my March 20 entry, "Blogging put on hold . . ." There are details there. --Matt M.

Posted By: buzz (24/03/2008 8:44:15 AM)
Comment: Thanks Bud -Like you thru all the permutations being a fan entails...I'm always true!

Posted By: DMC (24/03/2008 7:55:30 AM)
Comment: Good post oneniner. I would just like to add, that in 2005, Nolan inherited the worst, talent-less team maybe ever. If supposed fans don't see that a solid foundation has now been formed, built around a young group of good men then I am sorry, you abviously must be as blind as you are stupid.

Posted By: Bud San Jose (24/03/2008 7:45:24 AM)
Comment: Buzz that was put just perfect.I truly hate feeling piss#* o** after almost every game but Im a faithful!! I love my 49ers so much and I know right now the team isnt what it once was.(oh well) I love getting up sunday mornings knowing MY TEAM the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS are playing. Win or loss Im behind my team till the day I die!!

Posted By: oneniner (24/03/2008 6:44:45 AM)
Comment: All those whinning about nolan, Smith, Ownership, the team always seem to think they have a legitimate point when putting down the team but all of them including SFO always fail to mention the injuries to the team, they all try to sound intelligent but not realizing they lack the common sense to talk niner football. If you are going to criticize the Mcnolan plan at least say sometyhing about the injuries to our key players.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (23/03/2008 10:48:40 PM)
Comment: I can somewhat agree with the Eddie D years for all the glory, but must temper it with the age of Salary Cap football we live in now. An owner, no matter how vocal or visible, can only provide the luxuries of creature comforts to an organization. Mr D was lavish, generous and extremely devoted to his guys and fostered a family atmosphere. Today, the players are paid in accordance with a mandated budget and every position has a value. Gone are the days of buying the talented player no matter the cost, but there is no reason a good owner can't be involved and provide the needed creature comforts that don't impact the cap. Good facilities, travel comforts, coaching and equipment all factor into the teams' winning mentality. I can't see Dr York playing Arthur Blank or Jerry Jones, but at least he's opened the check book more in the past 2 years. Eddie was a rare breed, he gave his all, he produced winners, but greed got in the way and so did the Salary Cap Era. If anything, I'd surmise that Steve misses that enthusiastic involvement from ownership.

Posted By: buzz (23/03/2008 9:55:57 PM)
Comment: I am old enough to predate the golden years of the walsh era as a fan.I remember watching them as a kid -Y.A/.R C Owens/Hugh Mc. /Joe the Jet ,et al. and as great as those players were and the many before and after them -there were many years when Niner fans were broken hearted by bad seasons-heck my uncle got an ulcer from the frustrations of it all -much time passed before" The Catch" broke the spell..then magic- but magic doesn't last forever !Things change and go up and down...my point is the crappy years are part of it too ! ( hopefully that will change soon too!)Being Niner faithful means just that-faithful - thru good and bad-forbearance may not be a "modern " virtue but it certainly one worth maintaining.

Posted By: Mike in Sac (23/03/2008 9:41:26 PM)
Comment: Trying to read between the lines of the earlier post noting Steve Young's comments about ownership. I think Steve was referring to the York's inability to set a winning attitude at the top of the organization. This is a big problem. Remember the days when Walsh would have a great year, but Eddie would blow up because the team did not win it all? Eddie might have been a bit extreme but I think this is what Steve is talking about. Remember how former players from the good years typically all seem to mention Eddie? At first the Dork's would tinker and screw things up; for instance not allowing bottled water (was this not the case?). Yes, now they get out the checkbook, but otherwise they hide in the shadows. This is pathetic. The good teams have owners that lead the franchise in some form or fashion. I think Dallas, New England, Pittsburgh and some others come to mind. We are not in that class.

Posted By: map (23/03/2008 9:27:02 PM)
Comment: Ninerindallas, I'm in the same boat! As a native San Franciscan and Cal alum I'm here in Dallas and have been for more years than I can remember. Like you, I have spent a fortune traveling to games, etc. Doesn't make me any more of a fan than Bay Area locals, but it does test one's loyalty! Anyway, if you know of any good watering holes in Dallas where Niner fans gather for games, please advise.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (23/03/2008 9:08:21 PM)
Comment: For those who didn't catch Nolan on NFLN last week, he used a well known spelling cliche` for proper use of ' I before E' yadayada, with the word 'Believe' as his example. To paraphrase Coach, 'There is a LIE in the word BELIEVE'. Perhaps the good Dr may have missed that one. But it does sum up the definition of being a 49er Fan, we're eternal optimists who are frequently disappointed. I've learned to temper my expectations since Erickson and Donahue made a laughing stock of the Draft process, so in that regard, Scot has righted the process. The rest takes careful planning, so I'm cautiously optimistic going into April once again. Look at the bright side, we're younger and we've got cap room. It's a plus. The dark side? '08 vs. the NFC and AFC East. Optimist says 8-8, Pessimist says 4-12. Add any kind of a passing attack under Martz, and I'll remain optimistic.

Posted By: ninerindallas (23/03/2008 7:36:25 PM)
Comment: i have attended at least 13 games in each of the last 5 years plus the last three drafts,despite living in texas....truth is i spend more than 80 bucks in drinks alone in 1st half..........so if you really want to compare what you spend and what spend as it + loyality.....well let do it then.

Posted By: Parker (23/03/2008 7:30:36 PM)
Comment: As much as I'd love the niners to take a hell-bent pass rusher in round 1 (see Q Groves on You Tube), they will instead defy desperate need and instead protect their so-called Alex franchise at quebee to take a tackle (see Chris Williams on You Tube). You can bank it.

Posted By: Scott G (23/03/2008 6:19:57 PM)
Comment: Matt, what is the deal with T. Brown? Wasn't he supposed to go 2md round in last years draft if he had not got in trouble with the law? Where do you see him in the future with the 49ers??

Posted By: Niner_fan_since53 (23/03/2008 4:50:05 PM)
Comment: To Mike in Marin, "frisco"? Are you kidding me? lol

Posted By: Mike in Marin (23/03/2008 3:50:20 PM)
Comment: ninerindallas, first of all u need to get up on out here to frisco and actually pay $80 a game before u start criticizing our faithful for not being happy with our current organization. We are the life blood of this team, we are at the park come Sunday. Now, I dont know where u are, but judging by your name your not even close.

Posted By: Alameda Bill (23/03/2008 12:55:44 PM)
Comment: Gholston is impressive, but would cost us our entire draft plus more. No way it happens. Don't forget we have Lawson and Oliver coming back. They combined for 3.5 sacks in '06. Plus we drafte Jay Moore last year to play opposite Lawson and he too spent the year on IR. I think we need to see what Moore can do. I think we will draft a DEOLB to add depth, but the problem is the job is a tough one to learn because so few guys play it in college. Ware and Merriman are the only 2 I know who came in and started right away. Look for a later round pick like Cliff Avril, Brian Johnston or Trevor Scott to rotate in on passing downs and play special teams initially. So this year if all our LBs go down like last year we have someone who can play.

Posted By: Giovanni Carmazzi (23/03/2008 12:02:39 PM)
Comment: Just looking at tape of Vernon Gholston - totally impressive. I hope we figure out a way to trade up to get him. He's just what we need.

Posted By: Marco from Stockton (23/03/2008 9:46:28 AM)
Comment: Ed in Irvine you are right. 5 straight losing seasons proves the point. The Yorks have been a disaster for this organization. Steve Young is right, the boss is always to blame for such long term incompetency. The best thing the Yorks could do is sell the team to the Brett Jones & Steve Young group. What a difference we would see.

Posted By: Ed in Irvine (23/03/2008 9:40:14 AM)
Comment: Hi Dr. S Grosse: I took his word and it made sense. The reason I did is because he played and learned under one of the best coaches in football and also under great ownership also. Now, comparing them to what is in place at the moment made him voice to get new people in there. Besides, this is the presumed "last year" we give Mike Nolan a chance right, but has anyone thought about giving the Yorks a time frame to win it?

Posted By: Tucker (23/03/2008 8:49:27 AM)
Comment: I'm in full support of what SFO says. As fans, we're welcome to our opinions. Criticizing any part of the team doesn't make someone lame, unless it's unwarranted, and I defy anyone to deny that Nolan hasn't brought a certain amount of criticism upon himself. Our offense has been a complete and utter, atrocious abomination under his stewardship...which is the best way to alienate us fans of high octane excitement. His game management has also been quite the worst I've ever seen in my 25 years as a fan. But, if you think everything is peachy and believe the hype, then that's also fair enough. Each to their own. My view is that lately, the Yorks have splashed some cash, which was the biggest problem for so many years. Creative accountancy and committed owners trump salary cap restrictions (go look in the rules about converting salary to bonus to avoid cap hits). The Redskins et al have been doing it for years. But lately, Nolan has got them to fork out for big ticket FA's, and we have been drafting better. We kept Nolan because of the need for continuity, and there really isn't that much difference between winning and losing. Last year was a total disaster the minute Norv left. This year we're back in the hunt. Martz isn't the saviour, but he's a massive upgrade, and credit to the team, we've made a lot of upgrades this year and last. It won't be like it used to be, probably not ever again...but we can still win some football games. Patience is hard when you're so far removed from greatness, but no team dominates all the time. It's not easy taking over a team with such an illustrious past, and there's no doubt all of our expectations are tarnished by our previous success. This year we'll win though, this year... ;-)

Posted By: Dr S Grosse (23/03/2008 8:21:44 AM)
Comment: Hey, Ed in Irvine: You took Steve Young's word abut what is wrong with the Niners as knowlegeable? He wasn't even able to figure out what was wrong with the Niners when he was playing and losing playoff games that should have been won. He always thought "we" had to this or that when the problem was staring him in the face every morning while he shaved.

Posted By: buzz (23/03/2008 7:56:53 AM)
Comment: Hey Bill P-a quick response is because we needed him...however ,the coming draft is rich w/OL prospects...just gotta hunch Coach Nolan deal with this and he will be more of a backup guy or gone!

Posted By: Bill P (23/03/2008 7:26:42 AM)
Comment: Matt. Why is Jonas Jennings allowed to behave this way. The guy is always hurt, does not participate in any of the early training camps, missed games last year for family issues and has played average at best. Wouldn't make more sense to cut the big baby! I watched him play for Buffalo and he pulled the same stuff! I think we need to get rid of this bum. Huge bust!

Posted By: 49er guy (22/03/2008 11:49:00 PM)
Comment: Qasim Mitchell #61....A sad day in the Sapolu home!

Posted By: wingster (22/03/2008 11:18:35 PM)
Comment: ninerdallas That comment was the best i've read here in some time. This is my first time posting, i just like to read the many thoughts from the many niner fans. People need to have faith in this "rebuilding" franchise. Again ninerdallas awesome text.

Posted By: C.A. Grimes (22/03/2008 11:08:25 PM)
Comment: RonO... I think that it would be more than fair to consider Nolan a bust as the HC, IF, the players abandon him mid season on their way to another sub .500 season. However that has yet to play itself out. I honestly do not believe that Nolan is as bad as some fans suggest. He is learning the position as he goes. I have seen branches from the Walsh coaching tree have .500 or below seasons for 3 years apiece and the only reason they get respect is that they have Lombardi trophies next to their name and they are from the Walsh tree. Both Shannahan and Holmgren. Ray Rhodes never sustained a winning average when he was a HC and yet I've heard fans suggest his name since he's Seattle's DC. But until Nolan has a bad season with a proven OC working with the playbook I'm not ready to throw in the towel.

Posted By: SFO (22/03/2008 8:11:07 PM)
Comment: RonO - So that's your well thought out response, "Go Niners, screw whiners!"?? So discussing the idea that this organization and many of it's players are not that good makes me a whiner? Hmmm... OK whatever you say. Randy - I actually agree with some of what you post as you usually offer pretty thoughtful insight, I am curious however what exactly you are referring to when you stated Nolan had a good thing going, what did you mean by that? And for everyone who can't stand to take some criticism when exactly can we start to call Nolan and his crew a failure, after we go 7-9 again this season? I would like someone who is "sold" on our squad and coaching staff to then please give me a well thought out reason as to what we have to build on, what system we have the will allow us to grow and be competitive and please don't just say Martz, explain why and what about Martz past and present and our current personnel will achieve this, thanks.

Posted By: RonO (22/03/2008 7:44:32 PM)
Comment: I was addressing SFO. 100% in agreement with Randy. Go Niners - screw whiners!

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (22/03/2008 7:41:58 PM)
Comment: You're probably right RonO. The whiners (including T. Kamikaze) need to give Martz a chance with this offense, before already declaring the season over. Nolan had a good thing going here before Norv took off for SD. Give this team another year with an actual OC (Hostler doesn't count), before declaring Nolan and this team are a failure. Geez.

Posted By: SFO (22/03/2008 7:13:37 PM)
Comment: ninerindallas (amongst others) - I don't know if you were referring to my post or not but I have been a 49er fan a long, long time, and no I am not anyone's alias RonO. I am not an "instant gratification" fan by any means but I also know a lot about the game of football and am able to pull my head out of my as$ and take of the homer glasses from time to time to give an objective point of view. In that you are trying to draw any comparisons to our team and the NYG honestly shows your ignorance to the game. Those two teams are / were in completely different situations. I am getting sick and tired of 49er fans that pass off other fans who criticize this current organization as "bad fans". It is time "you fans" wake up a bit and demand more form a once great organization. There is a lot of truth in stating that Smith is not a very good QB, that Nolan is not a great Head Coach and that the current ownership has not shown itself to be very good. Yes there are a lot of band wagon fans, and lame fans who want "instant" gratification but there are also a lot of fans, myself included, who understand that we do not have a great foundation to build on, a system in place for winning. We need to find that formula because in the NFL today teams don't have the luxury to build a team up for years on end to get better, you need a great system that works to acquire key pieces every year via the draft and FA and that allows you to stay competitive while bringing guys along. We have not been able to do this for some time. So enough already with the "you fans are lame" (and I am not speaking directly to just you) for calling a spade a spade, quite enabling mediocrity and lets try and work as a community to bring this organization back to a place of greatness again.

Posted By: Rich, DE (22/03/2008 6:54:18 PM)
Comment: Sammy Moore Jr: Well, if you've just recently gotten into his "writings", you haven't seen anything yet. Just wait till the draft and then training camp and even better, the season itself. There is nobody more dedicated, or who provides better covereage of the 49ers than M.M. Right now is more of a lull if you can believe that, not to mention he's kinda tied up with other priorities at this time of the year.

Posted By: ninerindallas (22/03/2008 6:48:19 PM)
Comment: i read all these negative posts about mcnolon and alex smith sucks, how much of a bust vernon was, how the york's are always at fault.........sounds alot like gaints fans justa year ago doesn't it? coughlin was on his way out,strahan was all but retired, eli was at best a back-up qb, spagnalo's defense wasn't suited for his players, jerry reese being a rookie gm didn't have the foresight......look where they got. my point here is too many people want instant gratifacation and when it doesn't come...well then it's everyone's fault, nothing is good enough, there is alway a better free agent or we spend too much....jeesh you know this team plays hard win or lose...for US, it's damn shame we can't say the same for some of its fans

Posted By: Indiana Jim (22/03/2008 5:57:10 PM)
Comment: Here's hoping Bryant Johnson properly honors John Taylor. For that matter, Eric Johnson.

Posted By: RonO (22/03/2008 5:22:39 PM)
Comment: Calling Kamakawi a moron wasn't such a great idea - it's made him post the last 3 comments under assumed names.

Posted By: Zed Rational (22/03/2008 4:54:12 PM)
Comment: "I'm trying to think of a way the Yorks might have made errors that affected the football team recently in a negative fashion. I can't come up with any examples." Well, there's the decision not to fire Nolan. That's a huge one!

Posted By: Martin (22/03/2008 4:21:21 PM)
Comment: Those of us from who have been fans since the late 50's remember that each year started with new hope only to revert to "wait until next year" after the second or third game. In those days, a successful season was beating the Rams once. Then the 80's and 90's spoiled us. Now we are back in the "wait until next year" after the second or third game. Nolan is not the answer because his brand of football is BORING. Niner fans want offense. If we have to lose, at least let's be entertaining. Nolan's game plan is BORING. I too liked the hiring of Nolan but now realize he is "all hat, no cattle". He may even be a good coach (many on Sirius NFL channel like him). But good or bad, his game plan is BORING. So let's all be positive this off season. Then after a couple of games we'll all chant "WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR".

Posted By: SFO (22/03/2008 3:51:03 PM)
Comment: Chris - we are trying to create that .500 team of the future. Until the 49ers get new ownership / coaches, etc we will continue to make a play at .500 - sorry all but that is the truth. Ever since DeBartolo left (the one that wanted to win, not the sister)this franchise has been on a down slide we can not get out of. Alex Smith is not the answer and that was just bad drafting because the one year we decided to draft a QB it was one of the worst QB classes in decades (Smith, Rodgers, Campbell, Frye and Walter) while the one before had Manning, Rivers or Roethlisberger and the one after had Young, Leinart or Cutler. Our team needs a fresh start and I just don't think Martz is the answer with the guys we have and nor is signing a bunch of temp fillers for a few years the answer either. We have quite a few guys who will be competing for starting time this year that are back-ups at best in the NFL. And Bryant Johnson, let's say he has a "good" year, that pretty much guarantees the guy leaves next year for Porter money. Crazy off season IMO to say the least, starting with the hiring of Martz.

Posted By: 49erJimmy (22/03/2008 3:07:38 PM)
Comment: Getting Strickland to resign, was a very gooooood move! Now they don't have to take a CB early in the draft.

Posted By: oneniner (22/03/2008 3:00:01 PM)
Comment: chris - we are still in the re-building mode. It's a great strategy by Mcnolan signing this guys to 1-2 yr contract. I am not sure what they are doing to convince this guys to sign but i am conviced they are doing a great job so far.

Posted By: Ed in Irvine (22/03/2008 1:30:10 PM)
Comment: Thanks for the response Matt. I think what Steve was referring to is the Yorks not finding people that are true leaders (i.e Tony Dungy) like we have found in the past (Walsh, Shannahan, Rhodes, Carrol, etc.). In some regards I agree with Steve but I personally think that the Niners really need to find an identity on the field and stick with it by finding the right complementary players to run it.

Posted By: AthensGaNiner (22/03/2008 1:18:36 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt, were there any 49ers personel at the UGA pro day? I may be a bit biased, but I definitely think Marcus Howard would be worth a look at WLB in the middle rounds(3-4).

Posted By: Sammy Moore Jr (22/03/2008 1:04:43 PM)
Comment: Just recently got into your writings, Young Man. And am impressed to say the least. Am transplanted here in Sacramento from The City with another Matt (SacBee) that's very much straight forward as yourself. Enjoy your candor, guts especially - and quality. Thank you.

Posted By: chris (22/03/2008 12:44:38 PM)
Comment: Hey, what's with all the one year/short term contracts recently? Is this the norm or does it seem like the front office is trying to remain flexible? Maybe I haven't noticed in years past but it appears that we'll have quite a few unrestricted free agents in the next two years or so.

Posted By: Sam (22/03/2008 11:12:57 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt, any idea if BY's number will be put back into the available numbers pool this year? Or ever?

Response: I doubt it will not be re-issued any time soon. I'd imagine at some point, it will be officially retired. --Matt M.

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (22/03/2008 10:45:24 AM)
Comment: Good, cheap move that gives us depth at CB. Let me guess Matt, most of those catcalls came from Tim Kamikaze? That guy is a moron.

Posted By: Hardcorefonz (22/03/2008 10:21:38 AM)
Comment: Welcome Back Matt!! Thanks for the info!

Posted By: Ed in Irvine (22/03/2008 10:19:13 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt. I wanted to get your opinion on something. I met Steve Young a few weeks back and asked him about the 49ers. He said our problems right now isn't the coach nor the QB...its the ownership. The one thing that really stuck out wsa that he called the Niners the new Cardinals. Very insightful and fun to be around...but nonetheless very hard to hear a niner great talk about our team that way. Do you think he was right on the button about the team's failure to rise to the top?

Response: I don't think that's quite the case any more. The Yorks have stayed out of the way and opened their checkbook to the football side of the operation. They are not making any football decisions. I'm trying to think of a way the Yorks might have made errors that affected the football team recently in a negative fashion. I can't come up with any examples. --Matt M.