Here we are, poised on the biggest game around these parts in 9+ years, and the comparisons to the 1981 team are a bit eerie. Beyond the fact the Niners are playing in the same dump of a stadium while some other teams have gone through 2 stadiums (hello Detroit) in that time frame is only the beginning. Starting with the owner, you have in Jed York a similar figure to you Eddie DeBartolo. Both are young upstarts who didn’t bring a hell of a lot of experience other than being the son of a very wealthy dad. Eddie got the Niners because his father was not allowed to own a hockey team and a football team at the same time. Jed got the Niners from his dad because Dr. John was an inept buffoon who charged the team for every bottle of water they drank, dismantled one of the greatest dynasties in sports, and let the stadium bond that Eddie fought so hard to get die on the vine.
The 1980 Niners posted a 6-10 record amidst guarded hope that the team was at least heading in the right direction under Bill Walsh. The 2010 Niners posted a 6-10 record amidst the crumbling regime of one Aluminum Mike Singletary. Walsh came in as an offensive wizard who made his bobnes under legendary Paul Brown. Harbaugh came in as an overachieving quarterback who willed his teams to improbable victories, and as a coach is being heralded as an offensive visionary who has done well in developing quarterbacks like Josh Johnson, Andrew Luck, and now Alex Smith. The 1981 season, very much like the 2011 season, started with a lot of questions, and a bit of hope. The 1981 draft provided the 49ers with a brand-new defensive backfield (minus Dwight Hicks). The 2011 draft provided the 49ers with a bunch of depth at important positions (RB, CB, O line), a starting FB, and a pre-eminent pass rusher. A huge key to the success of both teams.
Both teams started their seasons tentatively. The 1981 Niners lost to Detroit and Atlanta to post a 1-2 record out of the gate. At that point in the season, it was like, well, they could go 8-8. Wait til next year. This year’s Niners won a fairly pedestrian game against Seattle, and lost a close one at home to Dallas. At the time, I thought, well, we’ll be 8-8, but it might win the division. Let’s just keep seeing incrememtal improvement, and wait til next year.
The 1981 Niners then reeled off 7 straight wins. Along the way, beating powerhouses like Washington, Dallas, and Pittsburgh. The 2011 Niners did them one better and won 8 straight, beating playoff teams like Cincy, Detroit, and the NYFGs. Both teams finished strong to end the year at 13-3 and vastly exceeded the expectations of a hungry fan base. This team is playing with a highly rated defense and an underrated offense. The 1981 Niners were a highly rated offense with an underrated defense.
In 1981, the 49ers were the surprise #1 seed. This year, the surprise #2 seed. Forget Tim Tebow, tomorrow will be the next step to see if this truly is a magical season (and yes, even with a loss tomorrow, the season was an unmitigated success) for the 49ers that leads them and their fans to Super Bowl XLVI.
Forty Niners Forever 
We are punching these bitches in the mouth. I couldn’t even go get a beer without our D forcing another turnover……
Another fing fumble by DA WHO DAT = the saints, yayayayhhahahahah
Saints self destructing and lovin it.
Defense, special teams, Offense, it is all clicking right now
Kurt Warner slobbering all over Brees, take a bite outta this! Not a word on the 49ers.
Defense gonna win this Dennis? What ya say?
Dennis–I’m going to say this now since I can’t imagine a better quarter later on in this game. And if we lose, I will post a huge mea culpa.
But you will bow down and suck the motherfucking pole of this collective blog if we keep this up. We’ve had to put up with your drivel all season long. After we win this game and you complete a season of being wrong about everything Niner-related, I hope you can man-up, do the right thing, and say “guess what dudes, I was wrong.”…….
And maybe Tebow will walk on water? Sure…
Only are coaching staff “Walks on Water” Phil.
Flav, I hope I continue to be wrong for another 9 quarters of Niner football…
thata boy.
Check that, make that 11 quarters. I must have p/u the Shaq math when he was talking about making 18/39 foul shots and said it was over 50%.
That shoulda been a delay of game. At least it woulda given us another shot for the EZ.
It was stupid not to call a TO there. At least Harbaugh tried to
and how awesome is Harbaugh’s ploy of declaring 3 O-lineman as eligible receivers over and over? Is that even legal? Haha.
Flav, I can’t remember your stance on David Shaw playing for the FG with 3 TOs in his holster, 52 secs on the clock AND the best college QB to walk on dirt since Christ walked on water. Harbaugh wouldn’t have lost that Fiesta Bowl to Okie St. I think we all thought Harbaugh would make a difference this year, but NOBODY could fathom how immense it would be.
Jimbo is fanfuckintastic.
Who’s got it bettet then us? NOBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whew hooo
Aldon Smith should be in on every down an hunt that fucker Brees till he buries him halfway into the turf…….
This Just IN: Our fucking entire team is really fucking good…….
Probably over turn this. Knee was down
Sean Payton can throw all the challenge flags he wants. Go ahead and take this one, pussy. Next time throw one of your players panties instead of a challenge flag. We are punching these bitches straight in the mouth today. They don’t know what’s hit ’em.
Niner D pissed over no respect from saints and everyone else
Sproles already hurt as is Thomas the other RB, he’s out since Whitner said hello at the goal line
haven’t sat down yet. did grab a beer. keep the foot on the throat boys.
I posted that earlier in the week, put their foot on their throat and apply pressure
great minds think alike?
Come on D stop them
NO TD. Ho hum, low scoring…..uhhuh
Ok, so we all knew that NO has a great offense, weren’t going to keep them out of the EZ all day. Now the Niners need to march down the field and score again. A TD that is.
Shit. Goodwin’s out. That means Snyder to center, and hello Chilo.
Not good play calling there IMO
big series for the defense
They cannot go 3 and out, and give it back to Bree’s with that much time on the clock.
WTF is Chuck today? Did he go to the game? Good for him.
Wassup Niner fans.
Come on D, don’t let them score
So far following my script:
“Here’s why I say high scoring: right away NO finds they cant’ run. They pass, we intercept, we score. It’s bombs away and NO scores after that. Repeat several times going into da 4th Q with the score 21-21. Brees gets cute one time too many we INT and score again. 28-21. NO on sides kick botched we recover and FG results. 31-21. Brees connects finally they score on long bomb= 31-28. INT again of desperate Saints. Culliver this time, runs for TD. 38-28….”
The Niners’s coverage has been excellent all day. Even that TD pass to Graham had to be perfect. Secondary is holding their end…
Holy Shit, new ballgame god dammit.
I don’t know what to do about that shit. More pressure on Breese
That pass had to be money, and Brees was money.
“You’re so money and you don’t even know it.” —Trent, Swingers (1996)