Mutiny Is In The Air

Insubordination has never been something Mike Nolan has looked upon with mercy. He's had a history of "disappearing" players (Barlow, Winborn, Jennings) in order to maintain his authority and aura of command. This year the facade of team unity was cracked when he threw Alex Smith under the bus at midseason and the dam burst several weeks later.

Looks like the captain has lost control of his ship and Alex isn't the only one that's fed up. Today's Chronicle has an article where two unnamed defensive starters are strongly critical of this administration...errr, staff.

Both players said they wanted a coaching change, citing numerous issues with Nolan they said have been setbacks for what they consider to be a strong defense: questionable personnel schemes, such as abandoning the base 3-4 scheme too often in favor of nickel and dime sub packages that left the edges and middle of the field exposed; favoritism that determines playing time; poor game and clock management; poor communication that extends beyond the Nolan-Alex Smith injury flap.

It's good to know that this team isn't full of mindless automatons of the type that Coach Nolan prefers. Hopefully this also catches the attention of the Youngstown ownership group and these meaningless wins at the end of a meaningless season don't cover up the fact that this entire year has been an unmitigated disaster.

Wrong Ball

What a play. Of course it would only work in high school, but neat nevertheless.



In other news, this team went on to lose the game 35-7. At least they didn't get skunked.

BYe BYe - 49ers 21, Bucs 19

The 49ers 2007 season has been over for several weeks now. But I'll give a little credit where credit is due. The team has put together a win streak (what are those?) and Nolan still has the guys playing tough.

Today's game was a hard-hitting, defensive battle with the Niners hanging on to win 21-19 (despite getting outgained 434 to 213) when Michael Clayton's heel came down over the end line. The Bucs quickly realized that having the Niners' pass rushers smack Jeff Garcia around was not worth the risk and basically conceded the game when they put in Luke McCown at the start of the second half. Shaun Hill continues his run of adequate QB play, which should ensure him a couple million dollars and a shot at the starting job next summer in training camp. Frank Gore had another good game and has gone over 1000 yards for the season. Clements had a pick that he returned for 62 yards and celebrated with the Niners Noise drum team afterward. Game ball definitely goes to (guess who?) Patrick "Bam Bam" Willis. 20 tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble. Unreal.

However the real story today was the final home game for 49ers legend and eight-time Len Eshmont Award-winner, Bryant Young.

A couple weeks ago, the lone remaining link to the glory years quietly let on that this was going to be his last home game. The tributes have been coming from every corner since then. He will truly be missed. The guy suffered one of the most cataclysmic leg injuries short of Joe Theismann (video of Theismann's injury - So gruesome, it made Lawrence Taylor cry). Fans of other teams will remember that over all else, which is a damn shame. BY was an absolute monster of a defensive tackle.

The Patrick Willis joke about him sacking a QB before the ball was snapped is something BY actually did one time. Against the Bears in 2001, he literally timed the snap so well, he was on top of the QB as soon as the ball was in his hands, forcing and recovering the fumble. He shifted to DE when Nolan came in and tried to implement the 3-4 and has had very productive seasons. He is probably still our best defensive lineman on a weekly basis.

There was an official changing of the guard today. Patrick Willis is the new heart and soul of this defense. But the year he has spent learning from BY is going to be invaluable down the road. Thanks for the memories BY and enjoy our retirement....after taking out the Browns next week.

Offseason Starts Early This Year

Clearly this is another lost season for the 49ers' franchise. Despite this weekend's matchup between defensive and offensive RoYs (Willis v. Peterson), it's time to think about January and beyond...in a bad way.

Rumors are flying that the Niners came close to acquiring Lance Briggs close to the trade deadline. But the deal hit a snag at the last minute due to NFL rules on signing franchise players. Same thing happened with Clements and he's now in Scarlet and Gold. Could we look forward to a Willis-Briggs core for the following several seasons? We shall find out.

ESPN.com's first mock draft is out (Insider protected) with the Pats selecting Darren McFadden (ARRRGH!!!) with the (projected #2 overall) pick they got from us last April. It also has the Niners picking up LSU's standout WR, Early Doucet, with the first rounder nabbed from the Colts (projected #30). Here's what Todd McShay has to say about Doucet.

Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: WR, OL, S
Projected pick: Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Obviously, the 49ers would like to have that No. 2 pick back from the Patriots, but they'll have to make due [sic] with the 30th pick. Doucet has been bothered by a nagging groin injury, which prevented him from emerging as a reliable No. 1 weapon at LSU this fall. But a couple fast 40 times and a big week at the Senior Bowl could help affirm his big-play potential for NFL decision-makers.

With the way both LSU WRs taken this year, Dwayne Bowe (KC) and Buster Davis (SD), have played, Doucet should be an immediate upgrade from our current pitiful receiving "corps." We'll have to wait and see how things shake out. I also predict a QB taken with our still-handy second-round pick (#33 overall). Dennis Dixon anyone?