"First to six" has a whole new meaning for San Francisco 49ers fans
Feb 2, 2009 at 10:27 AM
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San Francisco 49ers fans were dealt a devastating blow on Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers won their record sixth championship with their dramatic 27-23 defeat of the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. "First to six." Say it. It is no longer a term that represents hope for the future, but a term that mocks the current state of our beloved franchise. In four short seasons, the Steelers have not only caught up to the 49ers, but past them, forcing other teams to now play catch up. For 14 long years, the 49ers were the first to five. Now, that little fact means absolutely nothing. In a world where success is measured in championships, the Pittsburgh Steelers are now the new kings of the Super Bowl era with the 49ers and Cowboys playing second fiddle.
What is really tough to swallow is the fact that the San Francisco organization does not even appear to be near contention yet. While they finished the season strong, instead of going after someone with more experience at offensive coordinator and upgrading, the team replaced Mike Martz with a relative unknown in Jimmy Raye. The state of the team is enough to make some fans wish that the Yorks had sold the franchise years ago.
At least Jed York is a fresh face and his passion for winning appears to be greater than anything his parents, John and Denise, offered. Unlike his parents, who flee from the public spotlight, Jed has made every attempt to be the new face of the franchise. He has been very open to the media and fans, saying all the right things when asked.
However, the 27-year old 49ers front man has a lot to prove in the coming years. So far, his only accomplishment has been sitting on Jennifer Montana's lap during his first NFL game at the age of 3. York jokes, "I'm still searching for a better seat." Even the team's stadium deal, a project that Jed headed, is in limbo at this point. While the prospect of sharing a new stadium with the rival Oakland Raiders may leave a bad taste in the mouths of fans, it may be the only realistic alternative to ensure that such a project sees the light of day. The thought of the team leaving the Bay Area is not an appealing one. Doesn't one of the NFL's most storied franchises deserve an updated home of their own? Apparently not.
The 49ers were once the franchise that everyone envied. How many other franchises can say that they produced the three best players at three different positions (Montana, Rice, and Lott)? Now with each passing year, the team is falling further and further behind and the Steelers' win was just another harsh reminder of that. While there is a glimmer of hope, there are still a number of moves that leave fans scratching their heads. Does this team have a plan? Can they execute that plan? How long will it be until the fans see some results from this plan? The clock is ticking and teams like the Steelers are now looking at us in their rear view mirror.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
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ninernut
Hey Steeler ass....just remember that seatlle sb you allegedly won, is the only one in SB history that was taken away from Seattle. Everybody knows how the refs stole that game from the Seahawks, from Holgren to Owners of many franchises, agreed that the XL Superbowl was given to you SHI* Steelers. And Rburger was so bad in that game its disgusting. Dynatsy? Your dynasty was in the 70's Dbag, And just so you know OUR DYNASTY LASTED FOR 18 years, with 5 championships not 4 but 5 scumbag!!! Check to see Bradshaws #s against Montana's its a joke, you moron. Oh and by the way your so called Dynasty lost to the Cowboys....remember? Whats his name Neil O'donnel? Yeah you forget about that you idiot. Montana and Young 5 wins 0 losses. Got it? And as for the espn nonsense anybody with a brain knows that was entertaining but fantasy, We all know that any Niner Championship team would have kicked the Steelers asses. You moron go freeze your ass off at the parade and eat some Rosseburgers you closet Niner fan!
Feb 4, 2009 at 10:12 PM
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mikelove49
For a long time, the San Francisco 49ers were the gold standard for which all other teams were measured. Being a long time 49ers fan, watching the pittsburg steelers win their sixth super bowl left a sour taste in my mouth. The sad thing about all of this is that the 49ers orginazation is not seeming to do anything to get us back to the top where we once proudly stood. It seems like ever since Eddie DeBartolo was forced to step down from the organization, we have been going backwards ever since. The Yorks have no idea how to run this franchise, they should do the honorable thing and sell the team to people who know football. 49er fans, we have suffered enough, every year pittsburg, new england and other teams continue to win championships, that just set us further back. Even a perrinial loser like the arizona cardnals look better than us right now. We deserve better ownership than the yorks. responsibility starts at the top. the top teams in the league have top rate ownership and general managers. Wake up 49er brass, it is time for us to get back in the game!!!!!
Feb 3, 2009 at 6:14 PM
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Steelers Six Rings baby!!!
Ninernut lives up to his name with his wacky comments... sorry but the Steelers have the GREATEST TEAM IN NFL HISTORY and the GREATEST DYNASTY. More Hall of Famers than anybody else! Winners of Dream Bowl on ESPN vs. your '89 49ers! No doubt the Steelers are the best of all time! Don't hate -- appreciate! Got six?
Feb 3, 2009 at 10:24 AM
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niner
were the first to have 3 Senior Bowls! Were the first to let an inexperienced DC become both HC/GM. Were the first to pick a shotgun qb as the first pick. He is the only qb picked first to have 1 td in a season. if we arent first were close, we were ranked 32 in offense in 3out of 4 years and no higher than 29th. We maybe the first to get money voted for and then not use it for a Stadium. And are the worst 5 team superbowl winner. Great job Yorks!
Feb 3, 2009 at 9:37 AM
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Nextedition
If I hear another blogger whine about Jimmy Raye again, I swear, I'm going to SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Feb 3, 2009 at 9:24 AM
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ninernut
listen, the niners did something that no other franchise has ever done, they built a dynasty and won 5 superbowls with many of their veteren players still in tact. In 94 when they won their last one they still had 8 players from their 3rd SuperBowl team and did it with 2 coaches who were there from the begining,.. Bill Walsh and George Seifert. Even the Steelers who won 4 first, stunk for 20 years after their last superbowl win in 78. Also No body can match the niners 5 for 5 record in SuperBowl victories...the Steelers lost 1 and the Cowboys lost 3, the niners NEVER LOST thats 1000% and whats amazing is their 2 quarterbacks never i repeat NEVER THREW AN INTERCEPTION! Montana in 4 never threw an interception,...amazing. And Steve Young had the biggest game of his life in SB 29, and probably the GReATEAST QB PERFORMANCE by a QB in any Superbowl. Let not your hearts be troubled Niner fans. Pound for Pound this franchise Supebowl teams were better than any Steeler SB team....THATS RIGHT I SAID IT!!!!! DONT WORRY MY SENTIMENTAL FRIENDS OUR TIME WILL COME AGAIN! I think we are close....but i just wish the organization would keep Bill Walsh's offense. He's our Lombardi!
Feb 3, 2009 at 1:04 AM
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Pat T
Well written! What you've written is painfully true, but I do believe we are improving and maybe I'm being optimistic, but I do believe this offense will play to our strengths a lot better than Mike Martz's system.
Feb 2, 2009 at 2:04 PM
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Richard Wells
Who the heck cares?? First to six? Why is it that we have to hold onto the past successes of the 49ers?? WE HAVE WON 5 SUPER BOWLS. There are teams that haven't even made it to the Super Bowl, teams that have made it but never won. I could care less which team has won the most, and I care about the quality of the games for the present. 49ers fans need to stop whining over the Steelers having one more Super Bowl than us... SO WHAT!
Feb 2, 2009 at 10:55 AM
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