A strong case can be made that this may be one of the worst 49ers teams in the history of the franchise, if not THE worst. At least, it is starting to look like it through nine games. The fact that this could even be contemplated is shocking when you think that just over two months ago, fans were discussing how far this team might go in the playoffs. There were even some bold predictions, not only be fans, but by the media. USA Today shocked a number of people predicting that this season's Super Bowl would have San Francisco losing to New England. While most of the Niner Faithful were not aiming so high for this season, there was a lot of excitement regarding this 2007 squad which looked to have a good deal of talent on both sides of the ball.
The team had acquired a true shutdown Pro Bowl cornerback in Nate Clements during free agency, already had another Pro Bowl cornerback in Walt Harris, and drafted a linebacker that looked like the second coming of Ray Lewis. On offense, the team already had a Pro Bowl running back in Frank Gore, who only last year broke the team's rushing record with the assistance of a very solid offensive line that remained relatively unchanged in 2007. The 49ers also had third year quarterback Alex Smith who many felt would have a break-out season. They added some targets for Smith with the additions of wide receivers Darrell Jackson via a trade with Seattle, Ashley Lelie from Atlanta, and third round draft pick Jason Hill. Fans and media alike felt that San Francisco might be the frontrunner for the NFC West title and might even do some damage in the playoffs.
Two months after an ugly but respectable 2-0 start, the team has fallen apart, fans' hopes have been crushed, and the organization struggles to figure out what has gone wrong. What some people seem to forget is that San Francisco witnessed some very bad football clubs prior to the rise of Camelot in the early 80's. "Camelot" was a reference made by legendary 49ers head coach Bill Walsh when talking about the 49ers dynasty that he had created.
Is this San Francisco team one of the worst in the history of this once proud organization? Maybe. A strong case can be made that the offense may be one of the worst of all-time.
Let's take a look at some of the more embarrassing statistics in 49ers history and see how this 2007 49ers team stacks up in comparison.
Consecutive losses
Franchise Record: 9 straight losses (1978 season)
2007 49ers: 7 straight losses (through 9 games)
Fewest points in a season
Franchise Record: 198 (1963 season)
2007 49ers: 104 (on pace for 185)
Lowest average points per game
Franchise Record: 13.7 (1978 season)
2007 49ers: 11.6 (through 9 games)
Fewest touchdowns in a season
Franchise Record: 21 (1960 season)
2007 49ers: 10 (on pace for 18)
Fewest first downs in a season
Franchise Record: 182 (1959 season)
2007 49ers: 113 (on pace for 201 - not record setting, but still bad)
Fewest first downs in a game
Franchise Record: 3 (vs. Baltimore in 1959)
2007 49ers: Two games with 6 (vs. Baltimore and Seattle)
Fewest rushing yards in a season
Franchise Record: 1,332 (1964 season)
2007 49ers: 811 (on pace for 1,442 which would be the 2nd worst all-time not counting the 1982 strike season)
Times sacked in a season
Franchise Record: 53 (1998 season)
2007 49ers: 31 (on pace for 55)
Fewest touchdown passes in a season
Franchise Record: 8 (2005 season)
2007 49ers: 5 (on pace for 9 which would tie for 2nd worst all-time)
Most punts in a season
Franchise Record: 107 (2005 season)
2007 49ers: 60 (on pace for 107)
Just when fans thought that San Francisco had finally turned the corner after years of waiting and that head coach Mike Nolan had finally put most of the pieces together, the 49ers end up being on pace for some embarrassing entries into the franchise record books.