Was Robert Johnson really selling his soul to the devil for fleeting fame and fortune at the crossroads of Highways 61 and 49, or was he just trying to get the hell of of Mississippi? I ask this question, because this pattern of instant success and then lingering animosity seems to be following Jim Harbaugh around like a tick hound after a convict.
He revived two college programs and the Niners through the force of his insatiable will and drive, yet has left people angry and confused with his balls to the wall 24/7 approach. This includes the front offices of the colleges, and especially 4949 Centennial Blvd. Abrasive, caustic, dismissive, arrogant are the terms usually used about Harbaugh. The success is fine, but is it worth the cost? Some say sure, as long as the big prize is won. The problem is, Jimbo has not hit the jackpot. Yes, he won the Orange Bowl in 2010. His biggest win as a head coach, Yet his 3 playoff losses have been marked by bad breaks, a few gut wrenching fumbles, some terrible officiating, and a very mistimed timeout which apparently changed the last 3 pays of the 2012 season.
So, what’s the plan going forward? This week was one of a lot of damage control. The Niners reached their nadir in PR relations after the Raider loss, and who could really blame them? A team that had given up 52 points to the lowly Rams (and scored ZERO) suddenly looked like the monsters of the midway. Kaepernick was terse with the media, Harbaugh was his usual prickly self, and all the talk circled around the new head coach and where Harbaugh would land. There’s even talk the trade with the Raiders would happen after this upcoming game. And how weird would it be for the Raiders to trade for the guy they just beat?
All the talk is of a massacre not seen since the likes of Custer and Little Bighorn. I’m sure this next loss will come to pass, but I think this team has actually helped itself with some actual communication going on. If Harbaugh has any pull left with these players, this is their last stand. Win, and their flickering playoff hopes are still alive. Lose, and they are staring at a possible 0-5 run to close out the Harbaugh era, and a 7-9 record.
Forty Niners Forever 
Well, they played hard today. I can’t believe they don’t review those game deciding calls. Moody’s head was up, and he didn’t hit Wilson in the head.
Those calls have to be reviewable.
exactly. And there is irrefutable evidence that shows that was a clean hit. Easy to reverse it if it was reviewable. Hopefully they change that in the off season
*One* word only, Jim Harbaugh is/was…
Lots of injuries. Play calling wasn’t terrible as it usually is except those 4th and one calls. We’re one game closer to Roman being gone.
The 4th and one for the TD was a nice call. Had a little space and ran to the weak side. You could see Seattle lining up and just waiting for that 2nd dive to Miller.
Harbaugh is not a bad coach but he is no Walsh. He probably needs to be fired so he can reflect on what he needs to improve on. No shame, it happens to most good coaches on their first gig. If it takes getting rid of Harby to get rid of Roman then let it be done. Just my opinion.
I’m not going to cry if Harbs gets canned or traded. Anyone can look good when you’re winning. Adversity hit and Harbs folded. But it could have been worse, the team could have quit on him like they did with Sing.
JH is a good coach, his record shows it. But at the pro level I don’t think he has what it takes to sustain over the long term through the peaks and valleys. He doesn’t adjust. You have to adjust……
Yep.
BLEEP!
Yeah, my take is Harbaugh was handed a very solid by underachieving team but he never fixed the offensive problems that his defense hid. Kaepernick looked better today, but he missed a wide open Boldin, and he missed VD on a fade. At least the threw the fade to the right side. He seems to miss every throw to his left now.
I still think Harbaugh will be gone. Ever since Hoke (or whatever his name is) was canned at Michigan I though he would bee line it to the Big House. I think Kappy can play at a high level again given some better coaching.
If I was Jed I’d be talking to Mike Holmgrem to get his opinion on a few HC prospects, especially Pat Schurmer.
I still like Pep out of Indy.
I thought the Moody hit was a good call. A terrible rule but he did hit him with helmet and not facemask. By rule, a good call.
If the Niners make Pep Hamilton from IND their next HC, Berger’s going to temporally renege his 49er fandom and root for the Raiders. I have Berger on record as stating that fact.
I’d just shoot the SOB when he landed at SFO. Problem solved.
I would not be happy with a hiring of Pep Hamilton. IMO, his system works only because he has Andrew Luck.
Del- You asked me what I would do if we hired Pep Hamilton and retained Greg Roman as OC. I said I would not follow the team until Roman was gone. I would be upset if we hired Hamilton but I would put on a happy face and give him a chance, Roman is out of chances.
Jim Harbaugh is the worst thing to ever happen to the 49ers.
Don’t bother your pretty little fingers even trying to retort.
How bout dem Cowboys!
You people don’t have the guts to admit it, but Tony Romo is better than Kap.
And it’s not even close.
They also have Callahan and Linehan running the offense. Dallas has really good play calling this year.
Skeebers, just because you took my name off of your prediction wall and put a stop to my comments doesn’t change the fact that I won. My 9-7 call was the closet. So many comments I could make at this moment. But I’ll take the high road. That same road you less traveled.
Merry Christmas, Alex Smith
Berger, you’d be OK if we retained Harbaugh and fired Roman.
You are a fucking mook, my friend. That would change absolutely nothing. The fish rots from the head. How many fucking times do I have to tell you?
It’s Harbaugh’s fault!
How many playoff wins does Romo have? As many as Alex Smith!
Who would you rather have, Romo or Alex?
STFU.
Go fuck yourself. This act is so old and stupid. Move on with your life already.
So I’ll take that answer as “I’d rather have Romo.”
Your act just had the curtain fall upon it.
I could live with Pete Carmichael as well.
Listen to me my fellow Niner fans…
You must hate Jim Harbaugh with all your might. All he’s done is inflicted pain and sorrow upon Niner fans (me).
That’s all that fucking matters.
Once again, another 2nd half of football where we did absolutely nothing Offensively.
Our Halftime adjustments are legendary in their ineffectiveness.
Glad to finally have the pain of Offensive futility put to rest.
I seriously think Seattle knows what plays we’re calling before we attempt to run them too.
Flush Kaep to the left, cut off half the field.
We need better options on Offense.
I’m sure changes aren’t going to take long.
Again, rolling to the right and dragging someone was used once to effectiveness and then ignored the rest of the way. Kappy should never roll to his left. That worked twice early in the year and has not worked about 45 times, Why do they beat to death the plays that don;t work, and fail to go with the ones that do?
We lack imagination I guess Chuck?
Sucks to miss the Playoffs but, I’m glad the agony is over in a way.
We can’t seem to do anything on Offense that’s worth a damn.
Draft positioning will have us in the teens as it looks now.
Who cares at this point about winning out?
Put in the backups and start evaluating for the Draft.
This Offense needs an overhaul, starting with the scheme.
Let’s focus on fixing the OLine and, maybe adding a TE that can either replace Vernon or, improve on the passing options we employ.
Kaep needs to work on his mechanics and overall pocket presence, if anything is going to stand a chance of being successful next year.
Jim and Greg can’t beat Pete, for whatever reasons we care to dissect.
Results are what they are.
They own us.
The Rams are stacked with young talent, thanks in no small part to Snyder and Allen, playing Fantasy Football for RG III.
I can see a major change coming in the Spring in terms of a youth movement.
Hard to say what to expect of Boldin or Vernon but, Crabtree can move on, unless he’s willing to sign a team friendly deal.
Would like to have Stevie stick around too.
If nothing else, we’ll have plenty to speculate on before Camp opens next Summer.