London Calling: A Reflection of San Francisco 49ers' Growing Stature?

A key indicator that a team has turned the corner from being a "rebuilding" team to a legitimate contender is when they stop needing to convince themselves of how good they are, and begin to work on convincing others in the league and the media.

It takes many things to win a Super Bowl: talent, toughness, luck, and, not to be underestimated, confidence.

A team flat out plays differently when they believe in their own abilities and think they are equal to or better than their opposition. That type of swagger and bravado is critical to any team's championship hopes.

In my eyes, while the results did not bear it out, this transformation took place with the San Francisco 49ers shortly after Mike Nolan took over as head coach. While it may have been premature back then, now with a revitalized roster and the fiery leadership of Mike Singletary, it seems the 49ers may finally have the skill to match the will they have long possessed. Moreover, it appears the NFL may finally be taking note as well.

Recently, fellow FC Joseph Burkey featured the Week Two Monday Night tilt with the defending champion New Orleans Saints as a major measuring stick and potential showcase for the up-and-coming 49ers. While he was quite right about that, there is another wrinkle to consider.

While the on-field implications of the game, coupled with plans to retire Jerry Rice's number at half time will make this a game of key importance on the schedule, the mere fact that it is on the schedule is a reflection of a paradigm shift in the NFL in the way the 49ers are viewed.

A Monday Night game in Week Two at home against the defending Super Bowl Champs is obviously a prime draw. The NFL would never have scheduled this for the 49ers a few years ago, but the fact they have taken this route in 2010 says that even they believe the 49ers are "back."

However, there is another game on the docket that perhaps more clearly establishes the NFL's expectations of the 49ers this year.

On Halloween night, the 49ers will face the Denver Broncos in a continuation of the NFL's ongoing international series at Old Wembley Stadium in London, England. Only two teams per year receive this opportunity, and these games are critical showcases for the league to market itself and its sport to international audiences.

While fans are wise to approach the 2010 season with cautious and metered optimism given a seven-year track record of disappointing finishes, marked by several "false-start" declarations of the time having finally come to return to glory, this move by the league is an indication that the 49ers' development and progress has convinced even Commissioner Goodell of their legitimacy.

Now they just have to live up to expectations. I like their chances.

Keep the Faith!