At least it is for Jim Harbaugh and Andrew Luck. The last time they were together, it was for the Jan 2011 Tostitos Bowl or something like that. Now? Indy is a little shakey from a near loss to the Raiders on opening day, and a loss to the not-so-lowly-anymore 2-0 Miami Dolphins. They got themselves in the news this week by trading next year’s 1st round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Trent Richardson, a guy they traded up in the 1st rouns to the #3 overall pick to get last year. In other words, a very cursious move as it smacks of giving up on this season for the Brownies. This after week 2. Lots of disgruntled fans by Lake Erie. The Niners got themselves into the news as well. But for much more awful reasons. Defensive standout Aldon Smith was busted trying to run over a tree at 7:00 am Friday morning. He was booked on DUI, pot possession, and possession of prescription meds of some kind. This is part of a pattern of brushes with the law, including a pleaded down DUI in Miami, being a passenger in a roll-over accident at the bewitching hour of 2:30 am, and his infamous house party where he got stabbed, and he allegedly shot at someone.
Youthful hijinks? Sure, you could say that, and there have been plenty of people who have had a few scrapes with the law only to go on and get their shit together and move on. On the other hand, life is riddled with talented individuals who can’t get out of their own way, and either hurt themselves or people around them. The 49ers meanwhile have chose the path of least resistance. Jim Harbaugh has said that Smith will suit up and play today. Curious, as when Demarcus Dobbs was busted for pot last year, the team left him at home for a road game. They suspended Brandon Jacobs for the last 4 games of the season for posting pics of himself in his Giants uni.
What’s the difference between Dobbs, Jacobs, and Smith? Well, Smith is an MVP-worthy talent. The others? Not so much. The 49ers can choose to be proactive regarding this, and leave him off the roster today. Or they can put Smith above his teammates, and start him. The point being, regardless of his status as an elite player, the front office and the coaches need to remind Aldon that playing football is a privilege. Yes, it is a privilege he has earned the right to play, but recent events tell another story. Taken separately, one of these screw-ups isn’t a major deal. But throw them together and you have a pattern of behavior that is troubling at best. Self-destructive at worst.
Yes, the 49ers desperately want to erase the taste of that Seattle beat-down. and yes, this is the NFL, where wins are a hard-fought commodity that takes a team effort to earn. But the team needs to show Aldon that there are consequences for screwing up, and he has to take a look at his actions as ones that are causing harm to himself and those close to him, andf that he isn’t bigger than the team. Otherwise, letting him start shows the rest of the team that as long as you are a great player, you don;t have to follow the rules that the rest of the guys must.
Forty Niners Forever 
And you wonder why I’m now calling our team the Raiders?
Just Win Baby!
I used to pride myself upon the fact that this franchise operated, played, and both won and loss with dignity and class on and off the field. It even made me feel better than other fans because I rooted for such a classy organization. Quite snobby of me. I admit it. But that’s how I felt. I was proud as hell of everything this organization stood for and did. Now? How things have changed. But I can’t change my allegiance. But it does change how I feel.
You mean like Eddie D bribing the ex-gov of Louisiana for a liquor license? or buying off an assault charge? Please, Dennis. Don’t pretend that the so-called glory days were pristine. Take the good with the bad and move on.
I was holding out for a last minute change of heart, but no such luck. Aldon is active, but Vernon is not.
Jon Baldwin WR, B.J. Daniels QB, Vernon Davis TE, Chris Harper WR, LaMichael James RB, Joe Looney G, Nathan Stupar LB.
Hey, didn’t I see Phil post the other day? Where the hell ya been? Those coconuts must be up and running again. Good to see ya back. I hope you’re still taking down our game predictions. Allow me to be the first. I already revealed to Berger on the phone my “true” prediction — 38-24 in favor of the team that just had its ass handed to them by Seattle. But that won’t work for anti-jinxing and it makes for better blog fodder.
Colts 26
Raiders 24
You won! …with the ant-jinx call. Damn Kap is playing worse than Smythe. Maybe GB was our Superbowl? This is a team that has fallen far, fast.What happened? It’s like Kap is trying to be someone else. Did Matthews get in their head?
Speaking of the Colts and Raiders…I’ll never forget that playoff game they had back in ’77. I was only 11 and watched it at my aunt’s florist shop in Richmond. She and my uncle were big Raider fans. They had season tickets. I even got to go to a few preseason games. Don’t worry, I didn’t root for the Raiders. But it was Christmas Eve Day, a pretty big flower day believe it or not, and so they had to give up their tickets and work at the shop. I used to spend a lot of time down there as a kid, my aunt treated me like King Farouk. Anywho, like I said, it was Christmas Eve Day so we must have spent Christmas Eve over at her house that year. All I really remember is watching the game in the back on a little B&W TV with Victor, who worked there and had the biggest booming and loudest voice I’ve ever heard. Victor was another Raider fan. So there I was cheering on Bert Jones and his Colts. Well, they gave up a late lead to “The Snake” and eventually lost in OT or 2OT. I was bummed. And to make matters worse, I don’t think I got any good Christmas presents that year. Bah-humbug.
RG Knee is now 0-3. Nice going Dr. James Andrews.
Andrews says he his physically ready, he doesn’t control the mental aspect.
Whitner didn’t even hit ’em with his helmet. This league now has become so pussified, George Carlin wouldn’t even believe. Keep it up Mr. Goodell. Me and many others won’t be watching soon…
Bullshit call, pisses me off how “safe” they are trying to make contact football.
“Niners most penalized team so far this year.”
Harbaugh’s whiny, screaming tantrums at EVERY penalty is now contributing to the team getting flagged a lot (my opinion). The refs hate him and for good reason. Harb’s needs to tone that part of his game way down
The refs may hate Harbaugh, but I hate him even more.
might be a factor Flavor, he is over the top every call.
refs pretty much gave em’ that touchdown imo
Lousy cunt-faced refs
Tourette syndrome?
Do me a favor and keep your racist shit to yourself this week.
I’m with Denny, my favorite Niner is Boone. I bought that Rhino trucker hat, it’s on it’s way.
Flav, not only do I love the way he plays, but I think Boone is the best interview/personality bar none, William Floyd.
Boone was a good L Tackle in relief of Staley too.
The lost game plan from last week.
I wasn’t paying too close attention, but did we at least bench Aldon for the first snap or series? Doesn’t matter much in the big scheme of things, just wonderin’…
Hunter looks like a piece of shit this year.
Not the same guy so far.
good defense good running !
OL playing with a chip on its shoulder. As well as it should. Great run blocking that entire series.
TD RAIDERS!!!
hmmm pos ?
Hunter TD
Great blocking.
Denny if you want to be Rhino hat buddies, go buy one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/kcgy7q6
Chuck, if you need help banning someone, let me know. I don’t think you blocked him in enough ways.
DEFENSE !
Guess Smith an IV of King Cobra or Thunderbird in the sideline
yessssssssss eric reid
dashon who ?
Reid just missed a tackle, he is still a rookie Rob.
Those cum-swallowing refs woulda given the roughing penalty against SF.
grrrr this is starting to look like a mike nolan defense ! imo we should go with boldin and moore not Williams at WR !
Yes but it wont happen until we lose a few more. Conservative Jim
We need a sack: Covoursier and pack of Salem’s for Smith
some purple drank on the side?
12th reid is WAY ahead of goldson ! goldson took years to look as good as reid does right now ! nice pick by us imo !
in some respects I agree Rob but it’s early days, he is a rookie making rookie mistakes. I am a big fan of Reid BTW and loved the pick including moving up to get him.
Yeah, and Eric might even be coachable.
Humble kid, a good sign for someone with his talent.
12th are you watching the colts players after reid is hitting em ! im excited !
He brings the wood yeah I agree.
So did Ron Jeremy, but did that make him a great safety?
Didn’t make him good looking either but he was a player.