What would many of our fans have said in early 1981?
If they were into citing past statistics, things wouldn't have looked too good after many losing seasons.
Plus, not much running game, a young, un-tested QB with a suspicious arm, no pass rush, a bunch of un-tested rookies in the defensive backfield, no clear #1 receiver, a college coach with a new system who was never a HC in the pros, an undersized O-line and a couple of players with drug problems. I'm guessing many of today's fans would be ridiculing anyone who thought there was a chance for success.
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Time Machine: Today's fans in early '81
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Jul 22, 2009 at 8:58 AM
- BrodieFan
- Member
- Posts: 1,348
Jul 22, 2009 at 12:14 PM
- fzrdave
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,168
Expectations were not that high back in 1981. Steve DeBerg was the starting QB in 1980 and was replaced with Montana about midway through the season, but he didn't immediately tear up the league. Everyone was pretty happy with Ronnie Lott as the team's #1 draft pick even though Walsh's really wanted Kenny Easley (taken by Seattle with the #4 pick of the draft). So, people were hopeful, but no one really had any expectations of a Super Bowl run that year. In all honesty, expectations were lower back in 81 than they are today; after all, the 9ers had become a perennial loser. So there’s always hope and that still applies today.
Jul 22, 2009 at 12:27 PM
- Mike8016
- Veteran
- Posts: 937
I was born in 1990 but i cant really talk but Kenny Easley was a good player. he guy probraly would of been a hall of famer if he never had kidney disease.
Jul 22, 2009 at 1:11 PM
- BrodieFan
- Member
- Posts: 1,348
I understand how fans feel these days, especially younger fans who didn't get to experience the great years first hand. After watching the years from about 73 to 79, I had no reason to be optimistic about any given season and I was surprised by their success during the season. I was surprised when we beat the Cowboys in the Championship game (it was definitely NOT over when "The Catch" was made), and I remember being surprised when we were up at half time during that first SB.
That's just what happens when your team has been losing for years.
That's just what happens when your team has been losing for years.
Jul 22, 2009 at 1:16 PM
- SonocoNinerFan
- Veteran
- Posts: 17,581
Originally posted by BrodieFan:
What would many of our fans have said in early 1981?
If they were into citing past statistics, things wouldn't have looked too good after many losing seasons.
Plus, not much running game, a young, un-tested QB with a suspicious arm, no pass rush, a bunch of un-tested rookies in the defensive backfield, no clear #1 receiver, a college coach with a new system who was never a HC in the pros, an undersized O-line and a couple of players with drug problems. I'm guessing many of today's fans would be ridiculing anyone who thought there was a chance for success.
True . . . and remember in 1981 we started out 1-2 before things started to click. As Randy Cross said in America's Game, "1981 started out like every other year".
Jul 22, 2009 at 1:16 PM
- NickSh49
- Veteran
- Posts: 7,939
Wouldn't have said much in '81.
Jul 22, 2009 at 1:36 PM
- billbird2111
- Veteran
- Posts: 16,179
Originally posted by fzrdave:
Expectations were not that high back in 1981. Steve DeBerg was the starting QB in 1980 and was replaced with Montana about midway through the season, but he didn't immediately tear up the league. Everyone was pretty happy with Ronnie Lott as the team's #1 draft pick even though Walsh's really wanted Kenny Easley (taken by Seattle with the #4 pick of the draft). So, people were hopeful, but no one really had any expectations of a Super Bowl run that year. In all honesty, expectations were lower back in 81 than they are today; after all, the 9ers had become a perennial loser. So there’s always hope and that still applies today.
You're right. Expectations were not that high. But I do remember the fans and media being pretty high on the offense. Walsh was doing things that nobody had ever seen before. Yes, the team went 6-10 the previous season, and 2-14 before that. But the 49ers were scoring on everyone back then. They would score 40 points and wind up losing because the defense gave up 45, or DeBerg threw a late pick that was returned for a score.
So, I do remember some excitement about the offense. Even in 1980, fans knew it was something special.
[ Edited by billbird2111 on Jul 22, 2009 at 1:36 PM ]
Jul 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM
- hondakillerzx
- Veteran
- Posts: 19,098
whos this Joe Montana cat? is he the real deal?
Jul 22, 2009 at 1:53 PM
- tohara3
- Veteran
- Posts: 28,604
In '81 my Dad and Uncle's were trying to convince me to cheer the Cowboys on. Glad I choose for myself
Jul 22, 2009 at 1:58 PM
- hondakillerzx
- Veteran
- Posts: 19,098
Originally posted by tohara3:
In '81 my Dad and Uncle's were trying to convince me to cheer the Cowboys on. Glad I choose for myself
where do u live? and how did u pick the niners? i chose the niners because we lived in San Mateo when i was born and my dad was a diehard niner fan so i went niners. my best friends dad was born in oakland and all his brothers are raider fans but he's a niner fan haha. i dont understand how stuff like that happens. just curious
Jul 22, 2009 at 2:02 PM
- singfan
- Member
- Posts: 638
Originally posted by BrodieFan:
What would many of our fans have said in early 1981?
If they were into citing past statistics, things wouldn't have looked too good after many losing seasons.
Plus, not much running game, a young, un-tested QB with a suspicious arm, no pass rush, a bunch of un-tested rookies in the defensive backfield, no clear #1 receiver, a college coach with a new system who was never a HC in the pros, an undersized O-line and a couple of players with drug problems. I'm guessing many of today's fans would be ridiculing anyone who thought there was a chance for success.
Here we go again. Sing = Walsh.
Just say it already.
Jul 22, 2009 at 2:04 PM
- djfullshred
- Veteran
- Posts: 9,838
They would be saying similar things as today (and were), and personally I don't see anything wrong with that. Fans can be criticial when a team slumps for several years, and I don't know why other fans that have a different opinion get their little panties in wad over that. It is just sports talk, not diplomatic negotiations between nations. People have different opinions, and so be it.
I think the bottom line is when fans would rather talk about other fans "fandom" instead of the team itself, there must be some arrogant desire to prove one's "superior" outlook on things.
I think the bottom line is when fans would rather talk about other fans "fandom" instead of the team itself, there must be some arrogant desire to prove one's "superior" outlook on things.
Jul 22, 2009 at 2:05 PM
- Norcal9erfan
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,566
f**k the niner's, I am going for the silver and black baby!
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Jk
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Jk
Jul 22, 2009 at 2:09 PM
- Mr.Mcgibblets
- Veteran
- Posts: 15,079
The 49ers have ZERO chance of winning many games this year. Our coaches are a joke... QBs are a joke... we have fallen as low as a team can fall. That's why I spend all of my time here... trying to explain to people that getting your hopes up is for suckers... and all positive thought should be pushed away, so that we can protect ourselves from pain and anguish.
sincerely,
singfan/sabrason
sincerely,
singfan/sabrason
Jul 22, 2009 at 2:25 PM
- fzrdave
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,168
Originally posted by billbird2111:Originally posted by fzrdave:
Expectations were not that high back in 1981. Steve DeBerg was the starting QB in 1980 and was replaced with Montana about midway through the season, but he didn't immediately tear up the league. Everyone was pretty happy with Ronnie Lott as the team's #1 draft pick even though Walsh's really wanted Kenny Easley (taken by Seattle with the #4 pick of the draft). So, people were hopeful, but no one really had any expectations of a Super Bowl run that year. In all honesty, expectations were lower back in 81 than they are today; after all, the 9ers had become a perennial loser. So there’s always hope and that still applies today.
You're right. Expectations were not that high. But I do remember the fans and media being pretty high on the offense. Walsh was doing things that nobody had ever seen before. Yes, the team went 6-10 the previous season, and 2-14 before that. But the 49ers were scoring on everyone back then. They would score 40 points and wind up losing because the defense gave up 45, or DeBerg threw a late pick that was returned for a score.
So, I do remember some excitement about the offense. Even in 1980, fans knew it was something special.
Yeah, I totally agree. The previous season, 1980, actually started out great for Walsh. They won their first three games and then they lost eight in a row. Things were definitely looking up offensively, but that defense was bad. Who knew that adding Dwight Hicks, Ronnie Lott, Carlton Williamson and Eric Wright (a retread and three rookies respectively) before the 1981 season would put the 9ers over the top. I still remember that sixth game of the 1981 season where the 9ers put a whoopin on the Cowboys to the tune of 45 to 14. That's when I started to believe, because everyone thought the Cowboys where going to beat the 9ers down like they did the year before when our team was on the bad side of a 59 to 14 humbling. That 45 to 14 game is also where Ronnie Lott really began to show his greatness. Ah, sweet, sweet memories.
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