San Francisco 49ers: 5 Reasons You Need to Catch a Game at Candlestick in 2012

The San Francisco 49ers will say goodbye to San Francisco at the end of the 2013 season.

When you add the impending departure to the rebound year the 49ers had in 2011, the 2012 season is shaping up to be one heck of a season.

I want to emphasize a few reasons why the 49er Faithful should head out to Candlestick Park this year to watch the red and gold. 

5. The New Kids on the Block

Super Bowl Champions Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham. Rock Cartwright. Josh Johnson. A.J. Jenkins. LaMichael James.

And perhaps most intriguing: Randy Moss. 

The offseason acquisitions of any team leads to intrigue and excitement for its fanbase. How will the players fit in the locker room? On the field?

Will they be cancers or cures? 

For the 49ers, the possibility of a future Hall of Famer in Randy Moss hooking up with Alex Smith on long-bomb TDs or jump-balls in the end-zone is all too anticipatory. 

Jacobs crashing through at the goal line. James scampering from a long way out. Jenkins showing promise. 

New blood adds new drama.

It should be fun to see how they hopefully help, and not hinder, the 49ers this upcoming year. 

4. Week 2 Matchup vs. Detroit Lions

The Handshake. 

Jim Harbaugh vs. Jim Schwartz. 

The rematch.

Will Jim Harbaugh be a bit more cordial this time around?

Will Jim Schwartz exact some type of revenge? A harder handshake? A harder slap in the back? A punch?  

Megatron and Matt Stafford come to town. Can the Niners' stout D stuff them another time around?

I'm salivating like a lion for this one. 

3. Alex Smith: The Evolution

Ah, yes. The oft-maligned, sometimes-loved quarterback of the 49ers. Whether it's people burning Alex Smith jerseys or fans chanting "we want Carr," Alex Smith has been through the wringer and then some.

Even after Smith contributed heavily (with less mistakes and interceptions) to the 49ers 13-3 record in 2011, it didn't stop the 49ers from evaluating Peyton Manning to see if he'd like to throw bombs by the Bay in 2012. 

Alas, Manning chose to head to Denver, and Alex is securely handling the reins to try and get the 49ers over the NFC Championship hump. 

Jim Harbaugh unleashing Smith with new additions Mario Manningham and Moss and 49er stalwarts Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree could be eye-opening. 

And if it happens, be ready to hear a lot of "I told you so"  by the Alex Smith support squad.

Or will we hear "we want Kaep! we want Kaep!"?

Head out to the Stick this year to see if Alex can elevate his game—once again. 

2. Almost Time to Say Goodbye

The Niners are leaving Candlestick Park in two years, so that gives you 20 guaranteed chances (16 regular season games and 4 preseason games) to catch the team before they wave San Francisco goodbye.

No one has forgotten The Catch.

Newer generations will never forget the Catch II and the Catch III.

Legends have graced this field as home. Montana, Rice, Young, Lott, Taylor, Fred Dean, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Wilcox, Bill Walsh.

Playoff victories and defeats, heated rivalries vs. the Cowboys, Packers and Rams.

Record-breaking achievements.

The Gold Rush! Sourdough Sam. The Banjo Man. 

Candlestick Park has seen it all. Yeah, it's not modern. Sometimes there is a bit of violence by idiotic people. Getting there and parking might be a hassle.

But prepare for it and catch a game before it all goes dark. 

Do you think the 49ers will have that same feel once they move to Santa Clara?  

1. 2011 NFC West Champions with a 13-3 Record

Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh have transformed this team in a year.

Along with, and perhaps most importantly, a stellar coaching staff, the players that were under-coached by Mike Singletary evolved into a NFL juggernaut, one game shy of the Super Bowl.  

The emotion and excitement this team spread quickly to its fanbase, and once again you could see people don their red and gold to express their love.

When the 49ers are doing well, it brings out a form of happiness out of people. The 49ers are chock full of pleasant remembrances, and these feelings were reignited in 2011.

Now that the 2012 season is one of high expectations and success, I truly feel that the 49ers are on their way to send good vibrations throughout the Bay Area again.

So catch them this year to take it all in. Should be a San Francisco treat.