San Francisco 49ers: An Ode to the Heart of the Franchise

In case you haven't noticed, Trent Baalke and co. have successfully assembled a roster loaded with talent from top to bottom in San Francisco.

The last three NFL drafts have been executed wonderfully, bringing promising youngsters including, but not limited to, NaVorro Bowman, Mike Iupati, Aldon Smith, A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James to the Niners roster—each of whom have already made an impact in the NFL or intend on doing so in the very near future.

Each one of these players brings light to what is now an extremely bright future in San Francisco and soon to be Santa Clara.

Baalke—combined with head coach Jim Harbaugh and his extremely knowledgeable coaching staff—have undoubtedly done their part to raise expectations by the Bay. We can finally enter a new season realistically hoping to see this great franchise hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the sixth time in its illustrious history.

It is truly a comforting feeling.

But the building blocks to success were being put in place long before Baalke and Harbaugh were ever part of the equation.

Before 2011, the last time the 49ers experienced a winning season was 2003.

Outside of long snapper Brian Jennings (seventh round, 2000 NFL Draft), the 49ers' current roster does not feature a single remaining player drafted prior to that 2003 season.

But in the fourth and sixth rounds of the 2004 NFL Draft, the 49ers found nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga and punter Andy Lee, respectively.

In 2005, the oft-criticized first overall selection of Alex Smith and third-round pick of injury-plagued running back Frank Gore joined the cause via the NFL draft.

In the 2006 draft, it was tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker coming on board to stay. Linebacker Parys Haralson, too.

The 2007 draft brought a load of defensive talent, including five-time All-Pro LB Patrick Willis, DE Ray McDonald, CB Tarell Brown and FS Dashon Goldson. And don’t forget the O-line’s anchor, Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley.

The Niners didn't pull much of anything out of the 2008 draft, but they did find an invaluable free agency addition in All-Pro DE Justin Smith.

To be clear, I'm certainly not suggesting any of us have forgotten these players in favor of the new and exciting talent we now have on board. We're all aware of their leadership and daily contributions to the team's success.

I just ask that however their respective journeys in San Francisco—and the NFL in general—come to an end, let them be remembered for what they've done for this franchise, for the adversity they've overcome and for the hope they've ultimately instilled in us as we move forward.

We're now equipped with an exciting group of youngsters capable of igniting excitement and hope on a yearly basis, long after the move to Santa Clara is complete and the lights at Candlestick Park shut off once and for all.

The 49ers squad we saw gel together in 2011 under Harbaugh's fearless leadership was a great one. He gave a group of dedicated and grown men who are thirsty for direction, a program worth buying into and a promising path to head down.

Of course, it's rather early to say, but it just may have been the beginning of another dynasty in San Francisco.

When the careers of said players like Gore, Smith, Davis, Willis and so many others who make up the heart of San Francisco are over, let them not just be remembered for the miraculous 2011 season and what is yet to come, but for the trying times they've persevered through in order to put the franchise in the position it is in now.

Every unfortunate injury, every bead of sweat and each drop of blood these men have suffered through thus far were done to honor and represent the Red and Gold. The strenuous effort they give day in and day out isn't just because, like us, they love the game of football. And although it certainly helps, it's not simply to put food on their families' tables.

Another reason for what they do, and an important one at that, is to represent us—the 49er faithful.

Before I close up shop, I want you to ask yourselves the following questions:

Would we be in the position we are, had Gore not fought through multiple knee and shoulder surgeries, a broken hip, ankle injuries and several losing seasons in order to eventually become the franchise's all-time leading rusher?

What if Davis decided not to take Mike Singletary's lesson to heart and simply turned the other cheek? Would he still be suiting up in the Red and Gold? Would the 49ers have defeated the New Orleans Saints and found themselves a game away from Super Bowl XLVI?

What if these men, these mighty men (Smith included), had simply decided they were chasing an impossible dream in San Francisco, and it was no longer worth their time and effort?

Believe me, if any of these players (Smith included, again) wanted to skip town and head for greener pastures, they could've done so.

And who knows where we would be right now? Would Harbaugh have decided he wanted to help return this franchise to greatness without these players leading the way?

Personally, I'm not confident he would have.

So, to what I consider the heart of the San Francisco 49ers, I thank you—not just for what you’re currently doing or are about to do, but for everything that you've already done.

You are all perfect examples of why I proudly support the 49ers franchise day in and day out.

And that is something that will never change.

Thank you for reading, and add follow Brandon Burnett on Twitter.