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“Bent double,
like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags,
we cursed through sludge, ...”
-- Wilfred Owen 1918
There are some things that are hard to describe with words. Some things require a poet to convey the right idea.
Singletary accomplished the same thing Wilfred Owen was able to accomplish, when Owen wrote those classic, horrific lines as a soldier in the middle of one of the most fatiguing, dreadful experiences humanity has ever foisted upon itself, WWI.
Both Singletary and Owen, captured the same idea, the same feeling; the feeling of fatigue.
I mean real fatigue.
Not the type of fatigue one feels after a long jog or hike. Not the same fatigue as one feels from staying awake all night. Not even the same fatigue a soldier endures in a war.
BLIND fatigue.
Everyone sees it and knows it, but all go along with the mantra's anyway. All follow the banner. The banner which waves strong, proud, and confident; the banner that leads into mud; into muck; into slush and slop; into sludge.
The “sludge” of not knowing what is to come next, yet knowing exactly. The “sludge” of fighting your heart out, all for a lost cause, and knowing it. The “sludge” of broken promises and wayward visions.
Fatigue on the field, fatigue in the mind, fatigue in the fan-base. Raw, pure, bubbling fatigue.
Dim through the misty panes and thick green llght,
As under a green sea, I saw them drowning...
The 49ers defense put up one of the greatest efforts I have seen from a 49ers defense in a long time.
They put their hearts on the line, and battled an impossible foe. This foe had not been sacked hardly all season, yet the 49ers sacked him. This foe has thrown a touchdown pass in every game through the 2009 season, yet the 49ers denied him any. This undefeated foe had seen halftime leads of 21-3, 21-3, 21-9, 21-3 in the four games prior, yet the 49ers led the game at the half, 14-9.
The defense confused and confounded the legend, Peyton Manning. They sacked and harassed him. They forced more three n' outs on him then he has experienced all season. They caused more sacks then he has felt all season.
It was an incredible effort. An effort worthy of champions. A legendary effort, to fit such a legendary opponent.
What thanks did such a valorous effort generate? What gratitude did they find amongst those coaches who led them into this maelstrom?
None.
They were left for dead. They put their mind, body and spirit on the line, and were abandoned.
Alone, fatigued, with no artillery support to be found. They knew what was coming...
If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace
Behind the offense that we flung him in ...
The first start of Alex Smith's career, many years ago, came against the Colts. He played like a confused lamb sent to the slaughter.
He had his ups and downs thereafter, in fleeting moments looking brilliant.
Those brilliant times were reminiscent of his days at Utah, where his up tempo offense led his team to college bowl championships.
His fleeting brilliant efforts with the 49ers have been reminiscent of his Utah days, not because of their success, but rather, because the offense the 49ers used during those rare times, was Utah-like.
It does not happen very often, but at times, Smith was put in the shotgun and the WR's were stretched across the field. These are the times Smith has been at his best. This is when he is able to get into a rhythm as a quarterback; as a passing quarterback, a “gunslinger.”
Unfortunately for Smith, as said before, these “gunslinger” opportunities have been few and far-between since he was drafted as the first pick of the “Nolan era.”
Recently, when Alex Smith replaced Shaun Hill in the second half of the game against the Texans, it was immediately obvious that this was the right move.
Smith was accurate and on time more often than not, and led his team to three touchdown passes. There were even some shotgun formations, where Smith not only seemed competent, but confident. He was at home and comfortable.
It looked like the evidence was clear. It seemed as if Alex Smith would not only come in and play as the starting quarterback, but he would have an opportunity to run a “pass first” offense. An offense where the other team would have to account for the pass as their primary concern. Just like at Utah.
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