After this week of uncertainty and change there were many things to talk about, but these talking points have given me nothing in the way of pleasure, and nothing in the way of feeling like a community of football fans. So I give this fanpost to you my beloved Niners Nation Faithful, to get my our minds off of the present situation, of which we have no hope to control or contain.

My motto as a fan has always been, "I am a football fan first, 49ers fan second" and it has served me well. From going to watch high school games and watching just the general greatness that is our game of football every week from many teams in America and abroad (Japan and Germany have many teams and and avid fans, not to mention our beloved resident LondonNiner) the love of football has not let me down like my 49ers sometimes do.

Because of this I have become a fan of many different players, former 49ers and otherwise. The simple joy of playing from many of the players around the NFL keeps me watching and hoping for their next opportunity. They do not play for the fame, they do not play for the money, they play because it is their dream to play.

People I love to follow for this reason include:

Tom Brandstater, QB for the Colts [Highlights for both Bear and Tom here]

Bear Pascoe, TE for the Giants (yes, good ol' Bear)

Peyton Hillis, RB for the Browns. (one of his most recent beastly runs here, he tore up the Ravens) I have followed him since his draft day, I am so excited he has finally gotten some exposure and appreciation! Unlike when he was under McDaniels.

Ian Johnson, RB recently released by the Vikings, picked up by Arizona, and released by them on the 27th. Yes I still follow this lovable guy who proposed to his girlfriend after a winning 2 point conversion. However, he is going to have a hard time in free agency. (a video video before the madness; could he be our future?!?!?!)

PJ Hill, RB for the Saints. A journeyman. Was put on injured reserve which sucks, but man was he good at Wisconsin. (highlight film here but be sure to turn the volume down, the music is terrible)

Danny Woodhead, RB for the Patriots was fun to watch as well! I was very confused when the Jets cut him, but more power to him on the Patriots! (video of his Jets preseason here )

Who do you like to follow? I'd like to see some of the young talent around!

I have been searching for a long time for a Bear Pascoe highlight, and I have not come across it yet when he is in a Giants uniform, though I have done all I could. His lone reception came against the Washington Redskins on week 15 on Eli's first pass play (I believe so anyway). I have heard all of this, but as of yet have not even come close to finding a clip of the actual event.

If someone has it, and is willing to share it, I would be overjoyed! I live close to where Bear lives, and watched him throughout his college years, and even his failed time with the 49ers. My thanks my friends!

I'm getting quite tired of all the Brett Favre and "losing may help us" discussions and although there are many good points, I think it may be time to move on to something new.

So, I'd have to say many of us who are college football followers (which I am guessing is most of us) would say that we hate the BCS system and are fairly excited about the new development that the AP has ended its poll of the BCS schools. Which I am very thankful for! If you have not heard about this then see the link below:

AP Pulls Out Of BCS

I don't think this BCS monster will end anytime soon, given all the money that is in this system and the rankings effecting Las Vegas and what not. A shame to say the least!

But I'm here to hear discussion on how you think the BCS system effects where draft choices are picked. Some teams never are really in the spotlight, and some teams are in the spotlight too much. Does this effect draft slotting at all? The media seems to have a thing for glorifying games involving "ranked teams" although the value of this statement has little meaning anymore (if it every did).

In recent years, there seems to have been less effective scouting for each team in the league. I don't have specific citation for this information, but I think you would find many that agree with me.

I believe this to be one of the most learned and insightful blogs on the internet, and classy while doing it no doubt. I would love to hear what you have to say in this subject. Please specify why in your comments. Thank you Niners Nation!

And hey, lets just include another outraged writers story on the BCS just for fun!

Tom Brandstater the player is someone we all know about, and we have all been impressed with, but I'm here to tell you more about Tom the person. I don't consider myself the source of all Tom Brandstater knowledge or lore, but I do know Tom and his family a bit (partly because I must admit, Turlocks small size), and in the few days that I see him home in Turlock I've seen him at church and a few events.

Tom the person is a great guy. Smart as heck, tall as heck and very humble. He loves Turlock and has come to many Turlock High scrimmages (yes, scrimmages, not even games) to talk to the high school kids and stress the importance of school, and to work hard in football, he's a big inspiration to the kids. Tom also e-mails the school, talking to the kids, about this same subject.

One of these scrimmages I attended as a coach for a small football team in Turlock. His arrival unexpected, there were only a few people in the stands. But he came with his father and just stayed on the sidelines and awed all the kids, there were murmors of "Is that Tom?" amongst the kids. Certainly his presence upped the play of the kids, as the small team that I had played amazingly with the presence of an NFL caliber player.

As you would imagine, Mr. Brandstater is a hot sports subject, at least in the Turlock Journal (which is a very very small paper, where nothing happens, being that Turlock is a cow-town). His every game is reported on, even his first game which was much awaited for by his friends and family (he had lots of people at the game). Poor guy didn't even play, but I'm sure he was more sad that people came all the way into SF for nothing than his playing time.

His father is a character. I'm not really sure where Tom gets his height... since his father is normal height. But he has made some great athletes. Toms brother (I wont name him) was a great pitcher for Turlock High, and I'm not sure about Brandstater Senior, but he is a very passionate person and I see him working out at my gym quite a bit.

Just a few notes! Brandstater is a great guy and I'm glad he's has some great coaches behind him. Because at Fresno State he had some adversity, and he seemed to have a problem with having balls batted down, but now he's getting much better with this!

Hope you enjoyed this!

"Owie! Seriously guys! Stop iiiiit"

I may sound like I'm ranting here, but  I have watched, sadly, the decline of tough hard nosed football over the years as I'm sure you have, and I'm not happy. Football has not embraced the element that made it so popular in the US, the hard hitting, and the never say die attitude of football players of old. Instead it has turned into a sport of two teams playing patty cake, because the league tells them to, and if they don't comply they either get fined or suspended.

Why? Because they were PLAYING THE GAME.

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I've always wondered if the countless mock drafts, and the countless draft discussions really effect what the actual selections will be on draft day. If you were a GM, or a head coach, and you were bombarded with "should draft" and "need to draft" on all sides by the media which in some fans eyes, has a very big say, some might feel they have a better say in what a team needs. Would you side with the media as a head coach because after months of this talk, even you are swayed?

Or maybe you want to draft that player/position because the fans are behind it and your popularity is on the line as they might not be a player that produces right away?

I know there are going to be many discussions of Crabtree, and our later draft picks for a while to come, but I want to put at least some diversity on Niners Nation!

What is your say on this? Have you even ever thought about this?

The Madden curse has been with us for at least 8 years, and has a storied history. Like the SI cover jinx, it has its supporters and detractors, but there are some interesting psychology behind this "phenomina."

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Just thought this was interesting. A post about Alex Smith before he was even drafted by the 49ers, A little different back then huh? (is it just me or does he even look stronger back then than he is now?)

I'm still an Alex Smith fan personally, the guy seems to be really down to earth and if you give him a coordinator for 2 years (lets hope with Jimmy Raye this year) then maybe he can put up the kind of numbers we all expected of him this late in his career with the Niners.

Although obviously Alex Smiths career has been disappointing, arnt you guys glad that the guy isnt a douche like Mr. Jay Cutler? I'm glad we're keeping him

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft05/news/story?id=2035706

Bryant Young is an 8-time winner of the Len Eshmont Award, and he is the definition of team before self, and quiet leadership, much beloved by the fans, a steadfast and caring Christian, and undoubtably one of the most punishing defensive players ever to dawn the gold and red.

He WAS the Len Eshmont award for 8 years, and had the love and respect of everyone on and off the field. He was the heart and soul of the defense and the heart and soul of the team for many a year. 

Understand though that Len Eshmont was part of the original 1946 Forty Niners, and died from infectious hepatitis in 1957.

What is your opinion of this?

Personally, I would rename it the Bryant Young award.

The Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers most prestigious annual honor, is an award given to the Niner who best exemplifies the "inspirational and courageous play" of Len Eshmont, a player from the original 1946 Forty Niners team.