http://www.sbnation.comhttp://www.sbnation.com/users/ThrillisGone22 Posts made by ThrillisGone22 on SB Nation http://www.ninersnation.com/2008/10/19/638572/the-downfall-of-the-franch ThrillisGone22 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:01:07 -0000 <p>For a while, I was merely dismayed with the current status of the 49er franchise, as if it could be considered the natural regression after the success of the 80's and into the 90's.&nbsp; But I have come to realize that it's much worse than that.</p> <p>I recently heard that the dollar value of the franchise is now 30th out of 32 NFL teams.&nbsp; There are the omnipresent (though hopefully unfounded) rumors of the franchise being moved to L.A., taking the history, the franchise records, and the championships with it.&nbsp; I hope it never comes to this, and I'm not going to run around panicking like the sky is falling.</p> <p>But know this - this current iteration of the San Francisco 49ers bears no resemblance to any 49er team that I've ever known.&nbsp; It feels as if this current franchise is an empty shell of its former self and that this organization doesn't even <i>deserve</i> the right to retire Steve Young's number or even observe the passing of Bill Walsh with a patch.&nbsp; Because, surely, this team reminds no one of a team led by Bill Walsh or healmed by Steve Young.</p> <p>Gone is the West Coast Offense, replaced by a zero-ring circus.&nbsp; Gone is any link to arguably the greatest football player of all time, certainly the greatest wide receiver, replaced by those who have no business even starting at the position.&nbsp; Gone is the working-class tight end who sacrificed his body over the middle of the field, replaced by an Adonis of a man who runs a 4.38 40...and is mostly a blocker.&nbsp; Gone is the feared, explosive safety who would blow up an unwitting ballcarrier, yet would never miss a hit while trying to make the highlight reels.&nbsp;</p> <p>Who on this team could play with Montana's Niners?&nbsp; Or on any team that had Craig, and Rice, and Lott, or Young, Rathman, Jones, and BY?&nbsp; Maybe Patrick Willis and Frank Gore could play with those guys; I doubt that many others could.&nbsp; And Mike Nolan would be no better than a linebackers coach.</p> <p>In short, this team...is not the 49ers, at least not the 49ers that I knew and could be a fan of.</p> <p>Yes, this post is long.&nbsp; But it's from the heart.&nbsp; I hope you made it all the way through it!</p>