Well, it's officially the offseason for about 24 teams in the National Football League. More specifically, it's the most important offseason for the 49ers since 1993. If you are a die-hard 49er fan, you know what happened in 1993—the second consecutive defeat at the hands of those hated Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Title Game.
In that offseason, the 49ers picked up possibly the biggest FA during the offseason when they signed prototypical cornerback and star Deion "Prime Time/Neon" Sanders. With Sanders in the secondary, the 49ers were able to contain WR Michael Irwin and went on to win Super Bowl 29 vs. the San Diego Chargers, 49-26.
Why am I bringing up something that happened 15 years ago? No, I am not a Yankee fan or Celtic fan by saying "five for five." I am stating this because since that offseason, the 49ers haven't had this much pressure in the front office, coaching, and players to deal with.
Let me give you a synopsis on the 2008 49ers season.
They started out of the gate 2-1 after beating the Lions, which was a very, and I mean very, poorly contested game. The SAME Detroit Lions who went 0-16 this past season. They followed that hot start with four straight losses in which they either had the lead in the fourth quarter or had a chance to tie it.
First, at New Orleans, the outcome was 31-17, but more importantly, it was the first real game that QB J.T. O'Sullivan showed that he is no more but than a career backup. He threw TWO red zone picks in the game, and that was the difference.
Next up was a home game vs. New England, and they were up 14-7 after the first quarter only to lose 30-21.
Then came the biggest and possibly most disappointing loss in the Mike Nolan Era—a heartbreaking 40-26 loss that showed the ineptness and stubbornness of offensive "guru" Mike Martz, in which simply he did not run the ball enough in the fourth quarter to milk the clock.
49ers were AHEAD 26-17 at the start of the fourth quarter. Boom, two touchdowns and three field goals later by the Eagles, and you had a 40-26 loss. Finally (and mercifully), the 49ers fired their head coach of almost three-and-a-half years in Mike Nolan, if you can even call him a coach.
Who replaced him? None other than Chicago Bears legend and Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, who was the assistant head coach for Nolan. In his first game the 49ers were the team like the one that was playing under Nolan for three-and-a-half years and were blown out by Seattle (YES, SEATTLE!).
What followed was one of the most confusing and anguished moments of the season—a botched fourth and goal attempt on Monday Night Football versus the Arizona Cardinals in which Mike Martz DID NOT use Frank Gore in the backfield at the two-yard line. Instead he put him at wideout trying to "create a diversion."
After that the 49ers split their next two games against the Rams and Cowboys. Then, you could start to see the change in the team with an impressive 10-3 win at Buffalo in the cold weather, followed by a dominating victory against the then AFC East leading New York Jets and future Hall of Famer (possibly when he turns 50) Brett Favre.
The next week saw another narrow defeat to an upstart and amazing Miami Dolphins team who were 1-15 the year before and suddenly became America's Sweethearts.
A fourth quarter comeback victory against the Rams in which they trailed 16-3 with nine minutes to go in the fourth quarter was another bright spot on the season. QB Shaun Hill (who was nearly benched for J.T. O'Sullivan at halftime) won the game with a TD pass to WR Josh Morgan.
The season finale was at home against the Washington Redskins. Many believed that if the 49ers beat the Redskins, Singletary would get the permanent head coaching job for 2009. In an emotional and gutty effort the 49ers won 27-24 on a last second game-winning field goal by PK Joe Nedney. Moments after the game, Singletary agreed to a four-year deal worth $10 million dollars.
We're going to send you the most entertaining San Francisco 49ers articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
15 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete