The body watch is on! Consider this a quick memo to all 49ers players and personnel: Keep all long belts, ropes, razors, painkillers, and strong alcoholic products away from J.T. O'Sullivan.
It was only a matter of time before the 49ers and their quarterback would take a major step back.
Sunday's debacle in New Orleans was a glimpse into the immediate future for San Francisco (the defenses of the upcoming teams on the schedule are a lot more frightening than the Saints'). Not only was the loss ugly, the performance from J.T.O. was disheartening.
After three weeks of stellar play and an impressive start to the season, O'Sullivan managed to remind fans why he was a career backup.
It wasn't just the two costly interceptions thrown in the end zone, but also the consistently erratic play of the 49ers' signal caller that really hurt San Francisco's bid to start 3-1. Sunday's game in New Orleans is one San Francisco absolutely could have won.
Having praised O'Sullivan for his escapability and moxie to keep plays alive with his feet in previous articles, Sunday's contest was a chance to crush him for trying to make too much happen.
Granted, the 49ers' offensive line might be the worst in the league, but that shouldn't keep J.T.O. from throwing the ball away and living to play another down.
In addition to the pair of atrocious red-zone interceptions, O'Sullivan also fumbled—attempting to turn a dead play into a miracle—in 49ers territory. This led to the Saints' first touchdown. In effect, J.T.O. was really the Saints' top offensive player on Sunday.
Particulars and statistics aside, O'Sullivan's body language and mannerisms after the turnovers and short offensive series were not those of a quarterback meant to lead an NFL team.
Certainly his heart is not in question—he has shown time and again that he is a staunch competitor. However, a quarterback has to have a short memory. Even Brett Favre, one of the league's most boisterous quarterbacks, keeps his emotions in check after a turnover.
And that's where the body watch comes in.
To see a quarterback visibly shaken after his poor play is not altogether uncommon, but O'Sullivan really brings that drama to a whole new level.
Shot after shot of J.T.O. on the sideline had to leave fans wondering when trainers were going to bring him a box of tissues for his tears, some ice for his hot head, and a chaise lounge and notepad for general psychoanalysis.
It's one thing to have a bad game, but it'll be a whole new situation when O'Sullivan goes to sleep at night and wakes up in a cold sweat—nightmares of Charles Grant and the rest of the Saints' defensive line devouring him for lunch.
So again, this is a plea to anyone who will be around J.T.O. in the next 48 hours: Keep him calm and remind him that he's only started four games in the NFL and is bound to want a mulligan at some point.
Just try to tell him that his window of opportunity to remain in that position beyond this season will start closing fast with displays similar to Sunday.
If O'Sullivan starts next week's game with extra long wristbands and a turtleneck, most of the fans will know why. Hopefully though, for his mental sake, J.T.O. will revert back to the quarterback he was against Seattle and Detroit.
Yet, J.T. O'Sullivan probably isn't the only 49er that's going to suffer severe mental trauma Sunday night. The loss at New Orleans wasn't entirely his fault.
The offensive line was terrible, as per usual. The play calling of Mike Martz was awful—maybe mix in a screen on an over-pursuing defense. The coaching decisions of Mike Nolan—a challenge flag on a six-yard completion?—were laughable. And the defensive backs were consistently torched down the field for huge gains and momentum swings.
But that's not any excuse for J.T.O.'s performance.
The total O'Sullivan package—especially the poise that he showed in previous weeks—has to show up every week if the 49ers are going to have a chance to win the NFC West. He's the quarterback. He's directly accountable. He has to be better. He has to be tougher.
Never let them see you run, J.T.
49ers fans should have a lot more to worry about than whether or not their quarterback is going to be behind center next week.
18 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Buddy Smith 9 months ago
The headline might be on the line. There might be less painful metaphors you can use.
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Stephen Purtill 9 months ago
The point is the pain. Agreed--it's a bit out there. But sex sells. That's just a general marketing tip.
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Angee Stone 9 months ago
hurried 23 times in 29 pass attempts. i can't even remember the last time i saw an offensive line perform that way. oh wait, I played for SI didn't I?
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Greg H 9 months ago
Irresponsible headline, so much so that I hope you get sued. It's defamation for sure. Ugly.
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Stephen Purtill 9 months ago
I'm sorry that not many people catch the irony of the title. I do agree, after long deliberation that it's borderline ridiculous. I am going to change it, and apologize for it. I doubt that I'm the first writer to be imaginative and get carried away with that, however.
I do hope though, that in your haste to post that comment and remark on my work that you will actually contribute writing to the site rather than just attempt to deride others' work. Best of luck to you, Greg.
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Stephen Purtill 9 months ago
My humblest apologies if the previous title of this article offended anyone.
It was never, and is never, my intention to suggest anything contrary than facts, analysis, wit, and satire.
Short of turning this into an Ozzie Guillen style submission, I am sorry.
I will continue to write and analyze the way I see fit. If, in the future, this continues to offend anyone, I would suggest not reading my material.
Again--my apologies to anyone who I offended. I will work to not let crass and rude remarks affect my journalism, or my integrity.
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Suicide Prevention 9 months ago
If you were really knowledgeable about the NFL, you would know that both a player and coach in the NFL have lots sons to suicide and are active in the suicide prevention community.
Not only is this in extremely poor taste, it shows ignorance and a total lack of understanding of the epidemic of suicide both in sports and the world. As someone who lost my own brother to suicide, I find absolutely nothing funny about this on any level.
I urge you to quickly revise your approach before I open this up to a spectacle for comments within the NFL community.
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Angee Stone 9 months ago
These "rando-bloggers" obviously didn't have to endure this game the same way we sadistically forced ourselves to. Either that or the remote control had already been airmailed down the hallway by countless couches of 49er fans. If they saw what we had to watch yesterday morning then they would've gotten the humor of the first title. But that's the problem with these blogosphere addicts is that they've forgotten how to read beyond the title, headline, or lead in every possible way that media is force-fed to them. No worries, sir, they aren't smart enough for "outside-the-box" jokes. The box is designed solely for them.
Let us resume being real here for just a moment. As I recall, J.T. O'Sullivan looked like the captain of a sinking ship. (For all of you out there that might have lost loved ones going down with their sinking ships, please do not sue me, leak this post to the mainstream press, or "open this us to a spectacle for comments within" the nautical community). As I observed O'Sullivan on the sidelines and his thought process unfolding before my eyes, I immediately thought of words such as "Do Not Resuscitate" and was worried that the Niner QB might cry out words to Dashboard Confessional songs as a last ditch effort to cling on to everything he'd ever wanted -- before watching it slip away.
As I mourned with O'Sullivan, it was obvious to me he thought he'd blown his shot at finally being a franchise quarterback. I was reminded of my time at UC Davis, J.T.'s alma mater, where I had the unfortunate experience of having an "Emo" roommate who probably cut himself. I thought about the cutter guy because, like O'Sullivan, he would bounce around the league, doing better for himself with every passing relationship. But when he finally found all he'd been looking for, his excessively tight pants were never enough to get him out of a hairy situation. That was what J.T. O'Sullivan was reduced to yesterday: a dancing fairy with overly tight pants. At least with not more than three steps in the pocket and an arm barely cocked to deliver a pass, he was.
This relationship is not over, however, and O'Sullivan will get more opportunities to prove his worth. Like my roommate though, his relationship mending process will likely consist of chronic abuse of Ativan, Ambien, melodic guitar strumming and "Hardcore Screamo" sessions in the shower. Nevertheless, once we take him off suicide watch he will have yet another chance to do what he has done in the recent past. That is, he will get a chance to remedy an ugly loss by bringing multiple impressive victories to a community of fans that haven't seen a 300 yard passer in 4 years. We should not be so quick to place his career in San Francisco on the suicide watch just yet.
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Stephen Purtill 9 months ago
Agreed.
It's important to always read everything before making judgments about somebody's work. Simply and only reading a headline--which is what it seems like a few people did--can absolutely give a wrong impression about a piece.
In today's generally and overly P.C. climate, we, as writers, are left to simple devices. Rather than be satirical, funny, derisive, or inflammatory, we must comb over our work so as not to enrage the most delicate of people.
I, for one, am a writer who takes a pretty obviously joking tone--at least in work such as the above article, or in other pieces such as: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/62940-the-2008-college-football-season-bring-your-best-argument-and-condiment
To say that I don't understand football because I don't understand or grasp suicide is asinine. I absolutely understand football. I absolutely grasp the relative sentiments involved with suicide.
Unfortunately, my previous headline to this article was in bad taste. However, rather than just reading the headline, and jumping to a conclusion about my mental capacities, the rest of the article and its teaser should have been read. In addition, the fact that the article was submitted for peer-review and edited by a respected B/R editor should leave some leeway for personal expression and humor within the context of the writing.
Is suicide funny? Certainly not. And I in no way intend for it be as such. Yet, allow general journalistic satire to enter into this conversation. The article is even submitted with the tag "Humor." Not all humor is bright-eyed, slap-stick comedy. I think darkly. Therefore, I write as such.
Once again: I'm sorry if this has offended anyone. But I am absolutely not apologizing for how I intended this article to come across.
To the overarching issue of O'Sullivan's play as the 49ers quarterback: He is the right man for the job. Oh my goodness, please read this article intently and the previous articles that OUGHT TO lead you to believe I am 100% behind the former U.C. Davis Aggie. Let him captain this sinking ship and try to right it.
Just because I praise the man in previous articles doesn't mean I cannot knock him in subsequent work. That's the nature of the business. It would be foolish and non-integral to fellate someone to the point of losing all perspective in the grand scheme of appropriate sports journalism.
And to you, Greg H, or "Suicide Prevention:" I am sorry for your loss; just try to remember that there is a world outside of yours. Thank you.
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Andy Bensch 9 months ago
i liked the original title, anyone who complained about it, IMO, needs to chill out.
as for the new title, i dont understand, are you suggesting you want hill to play? or you think o sullivan is hurt?
i havent heard any injury report, and hes years better than hill.
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Stephen Purtill 9 months ago
Precisely. The original title conveyed the point of the story. Thanks for understanding, Andrew.
No, I'm suggesting O'Sullivan is going to be the starter. Provided he doesn't off himself.
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Denise Burne Fein 9 months ago
It's quite obvious that the "author" of this article, Stephen Purtill, is not a REAL journalist. It's also quite obvious that he is young and ignorant (still) to some of the tragedies and heart-aches that, unfortunately, will befall him during his lifetime. Suicide and mental illness are just two of the landmines that Mr. Purtill will, most likely, have to either dodge or deal with in time. With 87 people per day completeing suicide the numbers are staggering. That translates into 30,000 people annually dying by their own hands in the United States alone. It is estimated that for each suicide, six family members or friends are left behind to live with the grief. And, that number is believed to be seriously underestimated. So, Mr. Purtill, with those odds, unfortunately, someday you may find yourself on the other side of the mental illness/health and suicide issue. I never in a million years ever believed I would be someday. Tragically so, I lost my only brother to suicide in 2004. Before you poke fun at an issue, you need to sensitize yourself to it. My huband works in the REAL media: he's in broadcast television at an O & O (if you know what that even is) in a top 5 market. News Directors and real journalists tip toe around these issues as they realize just how sensitive they are. Case in point: you'll never see an article such as the one you wrote in any respectible print media: The Wall Street Journal, NY Times, etc. Nor will you ever get a job at one by writing articles like this one. So, I will excuse your ignorance based on your age and lack of maturity. For REAL information, please refer to the following site: www.Break-the-Silence.org and see what the tragedy of suicide DOES leave behind. And, as a sidenote, I have two friends/business associates who are former NFL ball players: Jessie Armstead (NY Giants) and Earl Holmes (Steelers). I don't think they'd be very proud or supportive of your article.........they wouldn't want to be associated with such insensitivy and callousness where this painful and serious issue is concerned.
Denise Burne Fein
President/Founder
Break the Silence
www.break-the-silence.org
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Angee Stone 9 months ago
I'm sorry about your brother Denise. Was he a proud captain who went down with his sinking ship? Mr. Purtill changed the title of the article and apologized to anyone offended, yet you still found time in your busy, altruistic life to make the rest of us aware of this self-injustice. Thank you for this bit of sunshine. Now would you please do us all a favor and wash your mouth out with buckshot. That would be the ultimate publicity stunt to spread awareness for your cause, agreed?
Now tell me, why was it again that we should be so down on ourselves when some moron makes a conscious decision to off himself?
Why so down, Angelo?
"We're missing a moron."
Now please, remove this crap from this man's article, or flag my comment as offensive. Either way, I suggest we all off ourselves just to spite you. Anyone down to start a cult with me? We can all name our compound/commune after our new fearless advocate of spreading awareness toward our own cause of lawlessly slaughtering ourselves.
Have fun convincing people to not off themselves after they lose their pensions, houses, life savings, etc.
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Angee Stone 9 months ago
naw, steve is just my brother. he's only my favorite writer because i have absolutely no taste in anything that matters. i like to watch dancing with the stars, buy wal-mart tampons (made in china) for my woman, and i think sarah palin would be a great president of the united states.
i'm a nobody and should probably do the world a favor and off myself (i expect a post on my profile from denise burne convincing me that life is worth living no).
the fact that i agree with steve purtill for once is a sign that the spaceships are waiting for me in orbit, and i should probably go and make that vodka-draino concoction by bedtime tonight.
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Denise Burne Fein 9 months ago
FOR ANGEE:
Angee, just another 23 year old "know it all" who thinks that people who die by their own hand are guilty of some type of personal crime. I pity you.......I pity your ignorance and your clueless youth. You have so much to learn and you WILL. Trust me. God will not spare you heartache as that is part of life. And, maybe someday when you tragically lose a loved one to something like suicide you will become a humanitarian. But, for now, enjoy your "know it all" "I have an answer for everything" and "I am always right" attitude. Someday it will catch up with you and come crashing down. And, when it does, I hope you will remember this post of mine and reailze that age is a good teacher. That is why the oldest Indian in the tribe is the Chief. He has lived and learned. You have much living and learning to do. I am 49........learned much so far and am not so confident that I think I still know it all. I still have many many lessons ahead of me, God willing. PS) I'm going to share your posts with my NFL friends who are very compassionate and supportive. I'm sure they won't be impressed by you at all.
Denise Fein
President/Founder
Break the Silence
www.brek-the-silence.org
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Angee Stone 9 months ago
Listen, Denise. I'm not saying I'm pro-suicide or anything. All I'm saying is that I'm for whatever gets the traffic moving on the damn freeway. If there is one less moron in the world, I'm not going to lose sleep over it.
You're completely wrong that I'm a naive 23 year old. I work on ambulances. I've seen things you could not possibly fathom, including people taking their own lives in horrific ways. In my 23 years I've seen tons of death, violence, and loss. I've lost friends to gunfire, car accidents, overdoses, AIDS, and cancer. But I realize that this is a part of life and I take it, digest it, and learn from it. I don't go around preaching to people about it because these things are out of my control. Sometimes there are accidents and sometimes people make the wrong choices.
What you are doing may be the right thing, in your mind. I feel it's important to spread awareness about these things. I, myself, fight for breast cancer awareness. You need to realize that blogging and practicing "fake" sports journalism is an outlet for some people. It is a chance to exercise their wits, puns, and dark humor. When you start getting in people's way, preaching your cause when we are simply poking fun at a shitty situation for fans, you are only setting back your cause.
You should be spreading awareness and not ramming it down people's throats. And age certainly does not matter, so stop going on about how you're 49 and we're 23 and "just don't get it yet." I implore you to go to your nearest big city (yes, I'm a city boy) and do ride-alongs with the Fire Department. See the "sheltered life" that people outside of suburban hell. Your tear-jerker story is a dime-a-dozen out here in San Francisco where I see people shot, stabbed, killing themselves, raping, robbing, and dying of AIDS.
Trust me, Denise. You have absolutely no idea. The fact that you have the time to waste lecturing immature 23 year olds like ourselves while fighting for suicide awareness baffles me. Go back to your own sheltered life and reevaluate why you do what it is that you do. I feel you'll find your priorities are mixed up. Do you do this to honor your brother, or do you do this because you feel society owes you something for being so indifferent to your cause.
Wake up and realize that this is the Culture of Death. This society loves death and killing. Our own soldiers are killing themselves at unthinkable rates. Kids walk into schools and shoot all their classmates then themselves. I suggest you find yourself a new enemy to attack because we're alive, and do not plan on killing ourselves.
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Stephen Purtill 9 months ago
God, I can't wait until I can actually get back to writing more sports articles and talking about sports again. B/R: Where the sports bar meets the sports page. Wonderful.
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Glenn Franco Simmons 8 months ago
I just now saw this, Stephen. Good read. After this weekend's game, you could add to what you've written here.
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