Here are some thoughts I have after 6 weeks of play. They are in no particular order. Enjoy.

1. Coaching does matter after all. There is no way Singletary's team would have won last Sunday.  The D of the past would have given up the game winning drive to the Lions as usual causing us to lose by 1. Instead, Harb calls a brilliant game, our elite D plays one of the best defensive games we've seen in a long time, and Alex Smith comes through with the clutch TD allowing us to win by 6.

2. Many members of the media have touted the Steelers MLB duo of Harrison and Farrior as the best in the business. Sorry "experts" but the combo of Patrick Willis and NaVarro Bowman are clearly the best in the NFL. And they are getting better each week. Takeo who? But I guess that's why they call you "experts" right? You are experts at being incorrect.

3. Alex Smith=Clutch. 4 weeks in a row now the guy makes the big plays when needed. He's not putting up HOF numbers but he delivers when he needs to. Sorry haters. Bad coaching was not just an excuse after all.

4. Is it just me or was the Lions-49ers game one of the worst officiated games we've seen in years? Horse-collar against the Lions? P.I. against the 9ers? 5 extra yards for Tedd Ginn's return? You cant call holding once against the Lions on Justin Smith? It doesn't even have anything to do with being a 49ers fan. It was a horrid game for the refs. That crew is always flag happy no matter who is playing. Epic FAIL refs. Bad form.

5. It's clear to me now that Michael Crabtree has "it". The guy made some incredible catches Sunday. What he lacks is chemistry with Alex Smith. That is both of their faults. Smith was high on some throws and purposely high on others. What it tells me is that Crabtree needs to man up next year and show up for Pre-Season no matter who the starting QB is. How is it that Smith is now accurate to all of his receivers except for Crabtree? It screams lack of practice between the 2 of them.

6. Many fans were too fast to label Anthony Davis a bust. I always felt that he's young and needs time to develop. We are seeing that development right before our eyes. He's nasty and is getting better each week. Snyder at RG is a huge help too. I love Davis' attitude!

7. Elite Defence? Yes. Possibly one of the best EVER? We'll see.

8. This team proved last year it can play with the big dogs. This year it has proved that it can beat the big dogs. You're either getting better or you're getting worse.

9. Aldon Smith. Total bust. Trade him. Fire Baalke for horrible draft picks.

10. Frank Gore. Washed up. Over paid. Get rid of him.

11. 9 and 10 are clearly jokes.

12. Edwards being back will make a huge difference with the passing game and for you who only care about QB stats and not wins, it will improve Alex Smith' stats as well.

13. The jumbo run formation Harb has been using is unstoppable right now. Down right scary.

14. Detroit. Not as good as their record states. They are tough. But not as good as their record.

15. The 49ers being ranked #4 on most sites is fair. The Pats, Ravens and Packers are right where they belong.

16. HATERS! I have a big hot steaming plate of crow for you with regards to Alex Smith, Trent Baalke and the Yorks.

17. Ndamukong Who?

18. Megatron is human after all. It took him until the final play of the game to gain 100 yards. He can be stopped.

19. Re-sign Delanie Walker now!

20. Don't be afraid to be excited for your 49ers guys. Don't let guys tell you to "calm down it's only week(fill in the blank)". This team is looking good and with the way they are playing right now, anything can happen barring a huge injury. Yes I'm thinking 1st round bye and a possible(Yes I'm saying it) Super Bowl appearance....Just maybe.

21. There's plenty of topics that I'm leaving out(Justin Smith is the best DE to EVER wear a 9ers jersey) but I'm sure we'll touch on everything as we go.

22. Last but not least the "Handshake". Harbs was excited(maybe a little too much but who cares) and Shorts acted like a bully who just got punked in his own backyard. Hey Shorts! If you can't handle it being dished back to you then don't dish it out with your sideline comments and fist pumps. It makes you look like a crying little girl.

Those are my thoughts. Oh, and Batman: Arkham City for GOTY as my non-football thought.

My feeling so far is that this team is really starting to take on the personality of it's Head Coach. Especially with what has happened so far in this draft adding guys like Davis, Iupati, MAYS, and even Bowman. I didn't expect us landing the 1st 3! This team is beginning to remind me of 2 periods in 9ers history. 1.The kind of team that would all the sudden just sock you in the face much like the teams of 81-84. 2.This team in just the past season alone has shown swagger much like the 1994 Super Bowl. Now I'm not saying we're winning the Super Bowl this season or next season although that'd be fantastic. Nor am I saying this team is as good as those past Super Bowl winners.

But you watch guys like Patrick Willis make a jarring hit on a back like Adrian Peterson, or Abrayo Franklyn plug the middle. You see the progression of Vernon Davis. You see this week in and week out and you get the feeling that something special is in the making.

What I see is a team with all of the pieces in place to make a deep trip into the playoffs or even further. I feel that barring major injuries and Alex Smith making progress even just a fraction over what he did last season, the 9ers can do some damage this year onward.

The future looks bright. What do you guys think?

Seriously, it took way too long for Thomas' number to be retired. Happy for his family and for you fans! I was pretty young when he was in his prime, but old enough to remember him hammering my boy Steve Young. It's a great thing for the organization. I think you guys are headed in the right direction. Give Haley a chance. Look at the surprise that is the Broncos this year. That could be you guys next year!  Now go kick Bronco ass!

Now I thought our trash talk post with our rival fans of the Seacocks was pretty entertaining. Eventhough we aren't really rivals with the Vikings I thought a little trash talk might be fun considering we have the best LB in the NFL against the best RB in the NFL(Although Gore is a solid 2nd). Not to mention AD had his worst career game against us 2 years ago. I feel if the 9ers can stop AD and force Favre to throw then we will win. So lets have it! How do you guys feel?

Thought I'd change things up a bit since we still have a few weeks till training camp. Picked up my copy of NCAA 10 this morning and I must say, it is awsome! The best yet. Given they didn't completely redue the game and there aren't too many changes as far as gameplay but then again the gameplay for NCAA Football has always been pretty good. It's the little things I noticed that make the game stand out. Erin Andrews ofcourse is a fox and is a nice smaller addition to the game. What I've enjoyed the most is the new creat-a-school feature. I am shocked with how easy it is to use no kidding. You have to have access to a PC in order to do it but once you're there it is fantastic. I was able to make an exact duplicate of my high school team and bring it to Div. 1-A. All the way down to the helmet logo which is perfect. Just in love with this game. The game is not perfect but there are enough changes to keep it more than interesting. So what are your thoughts for those of you who have gotten a hold of it?

I had my 1 year anniversary with my wife on the 5th. Took her out for a whole day dedicated to her on the 4th. My brother had a party for us on the 5th and he makes an announcement there that my wife has something special for me. She walks into the room with me and all of our friends in there. She's wearing my 9ers jersey(Vey hot mind you) and presents a note to me. The note reads "Get your game face on because I got you season tickets this year". Freaken awsome! I've been going to atleast a game per season for years but this is just fantastic. I had to share it with more than the party so I thought this would be great to share with you guys. If you have any good stories similar please share. Always good to take a short break from what the team is doing or is going to do or needs.....

It's early in the week but heck lets get this started. If there is one game I want the 9ers to win out of the 6 they have left it is the Dallas game. They couldv'e gone 1-15 this year and I'd still be happy if they were to beat Dallas for that 1 win. The rivalry has cooled in years but I and I think most of us still hate the Cowboys more than ever. I want the best moments in memory against Dallas. I'll start by going with the T.O. Dallas star enzone celebration. One of the best celebrations I've ever seen and they blew em out on top of that. I have tons more but want it open for comments. Lets get a win Sunday. It would be so sweet. Given how close the 9ers-Giants game was, I won't count the 9ers out of any game. So lets hear it. Best Cowboy moments.

Is it just me or is overtime in the NFL a freaken joke? After watching lastnights game, I've had it with overtime in the NFL. I've done the best research I could on other sports and ovetime and this is what I got. Every major sport including college sports has an almost flawless form of overtime. Except the NFL. Soccer(which I hate) has sudden death along with hockey. Sudden death is great if both teams get an equal shot at winning which hockey and soccer teams do. Baseball? Extra innings. Both teams get their shot at it. Basketball? A timed overtime starting with a face-off. College football? The best. I don't think I have to go over all of the rules. Most of you guys probably know these rules but I had to go over the basics. And this brings me to the biggest QUESTION.

Why does the NFL not go to college football OT or something SIMILAR that includes punts and kickoffs as long as both teams get an equal shot?! Too set in their ways? Come on, they are always changing rules every year. Why not this? I saw a great game last night. Great game! Only for it to be ruined by sudden death. Some of you know I'm pulling for the Pats. They remind me of the old 9ers teams. It has nothing to do with this. Sudden death overtime sucks! I'd rather see a tie. Honestly. How great would it have been lastnight if they were using college football OT? Jets kick the field goal. Pats get the ball and get a field goal to tie it. OT2: Favre scores an incredible close your eyes and throw it bullcrap TD he always does to Coles. The Pats get their chance again and blow it with a fumble. GAME OVER.

Just a scenerio if they went to college OT but it sounds good right?

I'm sure they can come up with something similar to college OT. Why Not?

Since there is so much talk about what the 9ers will do come offseason, I thought it would be good to throw out probably one of the best ideas for the 9ers to execute on this coming offseason. Trade for Anquan Boldin! He wants out. He wants to be the #1 guy as well. I love how physical he plays too. Probably the toughest to Hines Ward. A great option for a franchise looking to get physical.

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/cohn/2008/11/jed-york-transcript.html

Jed did well I thought in this interview. I do sense a lot of Eddie D. in him. I hope he can turn this thing around too. I like to think of myself as an optimist especially considering we don't have to see Jed's dork of a dad who doesn't even like football trying to do press conferences. The jury is out on Jed. I hope he can back up his talk of bringing us back. He made a great point out of the Patriots which was funny considering I feel the Pats remind me of the 9ers of old. His best quotes I thought were indirect references to Jerry Jones. Pretty funny stuff. Enjoy.

Obviously right now it is Shaun Hill which I completely agree with. But what about the future? I think we should draft a QB. I don't know what round to do it in, but I do think our boys should draft someone to make a project out of. But who's going to be the guy til then? Say Hill doesn't play well. Do we go after Derek Anderson who was recently benched for the so-called QB of the future in Cleveland? Do we go after Kurt Warner if he's released by the Cards? What do we do? I love everyones response even when the conversation gets heated. Makes it fun because we all know how important this sport is to us. I'm leaving this one wide open.

One of the best press conferences I've seen in a long time. And kicking VD off the field? That was number 2 to Seifert benching Steve Young during the Eagles game in 94. I think Singletary made a great statement yesterday by all of his actions including benching JTOcrappavin.

Changes:

 Singletary did not have a whole lot of time to prepare for yesterday but now i think he knows what he has to change. He started off good by putting in Hill and I'm glad he didn't wait til it was too late like last year when we had to suffer through Trent Dilcraps play far too long. It will be interesting to see what happens during the bye. Some things to look at.

-Shaun Hill being the starter from here on out

-Gore being ran like the workhorse he is

-Walt Harris and Mark Roman getting benched for guys "who want to play"

-Possible shake ups on the offensive line

-More blitzing

-Youth getting more action(doesn't mean you give up the season; it just means you have guys in "who want to play"

-Spelling Gore with Foster

-If VD is going to straighten up or not

Vernon Davis:

 For those of you like Damon Bruce who like to call for VD's head, and that he's a complete cancer and bust please read along. Vernon Davis is now being coached by someone who will not put up with any crap. Under Singletary I feel this team is headed in the right direction. If you've read Mike Silver's article yet, it shows a whole lot about Nolan. Nolan let VD get away with too much and now Singletary is the man and will not put up with it which i love. It is up to VD to learn from it and change for the better. I love VD. I think he is a great athlete and under-utilized in this offense. Give him the darn ball! Let him prove he's a bust. The good news with Vernon is that he's still very young and not set in his ways like T.O. or Buress who have been in the league far too long to ever change their poor atitudes. Davis can and I hope he will. If not, then he probably is a cancer and I say trade him. But you don't just get rid of a good player just because he has an atitude. You work with him first especially because he's young. We all have seen what he can do when he gets his hands on that ball.

Right Direction:

It was a breathe of fresh air watching Singletary rip into this team and show emotion that Nolan never did. It tells us even more about him. I hope he can mount together enough wins to keep the job because if he does I think this team is in line for a whole lot of changes next year.

So this post maybe long but please read fully. I have been very much in tuned with all of the different takes on our current 49ers team and I have to say I'm dissappointed with the lack of knowledge that many of the 9ers critics have. This post may rattle some cages but remember we all have our oppinions. Some things in this post I've stated before in comments. The point I'm making is that you have to bring the FACTS into consideration.

I'll start with the Razor. On the show this past week, the Razor has hammered the Yorks, Mcloughan, the players and so on....He has said that there is no talent on this team and has strongly stated that the team won't win under the Yorks ownership. Also, he has used Bill Walsh and Eddie D. as an example of what to do right while ignoring their faults. Here's where he is wrong on all of it:

1. I'd give the Yorks some credit.  They did take alot of flack and made some big mistakes in the beginning for their treatment of the franchise. When they wised up a little and hired Nolan and Co. to come in, this team was HORRIFIC. The team has improved since the 2-14 season and there is a foundation here. NO CAP PROBLEMS EITHER! They opened there "checkbooks" as Mcloughan stated on the Razor and Mr. T show. They have paid big money for players. Sometimes it doesn't pan out. That happens to EVERY team including the 9ers of old. The difference is coaching and I'll get to that.

2.Time will tell if Mcloughan needs to be fired. I think he's done pretty good with hiring Martz and signing Bruce and Spikes to name a few. When it comes to firing and relieving no one can do it right. The move is always picked apart however it is done.

3.THIS TEAM HAS TALENT: I believe there is more talent on this team than the Eagles, Saints, and Cardinals(Naming teams that have beat the 9ers). I feel it was mainly coaching(baring the play of Harris, Roman and JTO which has been dreadful lately). We will see when Singletary is on the sidelines Sunday. Jed was right in saying there are pro-bowlers on all sides of the ball ie. Clements, Spikes, Willis, Gore, Bruce, Rossum ect. So don't tell me there is no talent on this team RALPH. Being a Pro-Bowler means you have talent.

4.Acknowledge that Bill walsh and Eddie D. also contributed to some of the filth we've seen. Eddie D. got this team into cap trouble before his departure. Bill Walsh was the one who reccomended Terry Donahue as the guy the 9ers needed to lean on. And what happened? We all know what it lead to. You don't get rid of both Garcia and Owens. You have to keep one of them. Under Donahue and Erickson, San Francisco put one of the statistically worst teams in NFL history on the field. So even our greats whom I love so much for making this team sucessful contributed to the fall of this team. Nolan had to come in and clean up a big heap of CRAP.

Now don't get me wrong, I blame Nolan for things too. His coaching got to the point of horrific and that's why Singletary is in charge of getting these guys fired up.

In other words ZIP IT Ralph you have no clue of what youre talking about!!!

On to more critics:

Chris Berman and everyone else....

Berman said that the firing of Nolan was "disgusting". Why? Nolan didn't WIN. He did a good job of cleaning this team up. No cap problems and made decent draft picks. You still have to win. It was time for a change and I feel the timing was great. Better now than later. Atleast if Singletary does'nt pan out you know you have to find someone outside of the organization in the off season. Im' hoping someone with head coach experience ie. Cowher, Billick or Schottenheimer(Hey atleast he can get em to the playoffs).

Chris Carter, Mike Ditka, Chris Collinsworth and all of the ex-players/coaches who commentate besides Troy Aikman who used to beat the 9ers so he's fair of all....

Relax fellow 9er fans these guys are still bitter that we used to whoop on them when the team was still rolling on the league. Our team hasn't been good so that gives these bitter beer faces some ammo to use. And even if we start winning we won't get respect because those guys all hate the 9ers anyways so whatever. Take it with a grain of salt.

OVERALL FEELING:

Hard to say right now. Don't know if Singletary is going to get wins or not but with the recent movement and Jed looking to be the guy(He looked strikingly familiar to Eddie D. up there and talked like him too), it seems like the 9ers are going in right the direction from here. I feel they are not set at QB and need to look into it in the off season and also need to pick up someone who's only goal is to kill the QB. Get that "Killer Instinct" that was mentioned. We'll see. All I know is that these so called experts on football don't know diddly and need to get their facts sraight.

I say let JTO start one more game. if he sucks then stick hill in there as a starter. i feel nolan will do this simply because he HAS to win. he is more deperate than anyone to get a win and maybe save his job. the defense started to play better against the giants and i feel JTO'crapavin makes way too many turnovers. Put HILL in there. i'll be chanting his name at the seacocks game if JTO'suckit starts to give the ball up again. I was screaming shaun hill last year when trent dilcrap was in there doing the same stupid turnovers.

I LOVE my 9ers! Love them! But it's plain and simple what needs to happen with our 9ers. The coaching has to be changed. The schemes have to change. I'm sorry but it's the truth. I was a huge Nolan supporter but now I just can't roll with him anymore. I was at the Pats game and saw no adjustments at all. The game was nowhere close to what the score said. It started with the defense and the offense followed with poor play. Nolan has the D playing this bend but don't break crap scheme and it is not working. it didn't work against Seattle, the Saints or the Pats. The good defensive teams do not play that kind of ball (See The Steelers, Bears, Ravens, Titans for examples). And as for the offense, give Gore and Davis the ball. i'm tired of people ranting about Davis being a bust! The guy doesnt get thrown to. And when he does, it for the most part is a bad pass. He is not a receiver. Give him a good pass. Highest paid Tightend in the league! Throw him the ball and see if he's got anything. He is a playmaker look at his yards per catch. Give him the damn ball! And as for Gore, he vanished in the 2nd half after a solid performance in the 1st. Keep using him. Gore is one of the best players in the league! Thats Martz call and he didn't follow through. Bad coaching!!! I don't see how they will win the next 3 games with how they are being coached. There is way too much talent on this team to be playing as bad as they have.

On to part 2:STUPID FANS.

Im sitting w my brother and we're surrounded by Pats fans except for the 2 people in front of us. The Pats fans mind you are good sports and good to watch games with. I'm 21 but I've been watching football my whole life. I have been very critical about my teams performance and coaching. I'm a realist and not a raiders fan whos going to blow smoke and say we're winners when were not. Besides the 1st quarter I hammered the 9ers play and play calling. When O'Sullivan threw the 2nd pick  I turned to my OLDER brother and said it was over. I knew the way the game was going that even with the score close there was no way this team was going to win. The 9er fan in front of me turns to me and ask if I'm always that pessimistic at games and how he was so annoyed by my brother and I all game(keep in mind we weren't drinking either). He turned red cussed at me and said I wasn't a real fan. He strongly stated that this team was better than last years and they were going to win. I said I hoped he was right. He also said I didn't want them to win. I kept my cool and we kept watching the game. He has a right to be upset because our team was not performing top notch. When the 3rd interception comes, the guy gets up with his wife and begins heading down the stairs. Correct me if I'm wrong but there was somewhere around 3 to 5 minutes left in the game. The Pats fans sitting near began shaking there heads at the guy. I say to them "yea I'm the pessimist and this guys leaving with 4 min to go in the game...". He turns and glares at me while I ask where he was going. He says It's over. I yell theres 4 minutes left in the game! He leaves and I hope evenmore so that the 9ers figure out a way to win so this idiot feels stupid for going off at me during the game. And I'm unfaithful? I am sick and tired of stupid 9ers fans who live in denial. Wake up!!! We are not in the 80's anymore. I respect the past but I live in the present. They are not as good as they should be. This team if anything is as bad as last year. The offense is better but the defense has taken a step back. They have great players but the coaching SUCKS. No amount of talented players for the most part can overcome horrible coaching. They need someone to come in who shows emotion at press conferences, screams at players on the sideline, and adjusts to how the game is being played! This is rediculous! They should be a lot better than this and it's going to take coaching changes to make them better. I hope I'm wrong and they turn it around, but right now it does not look good for Dick Nolan's son.