It has been over a month now since the 49ers fired head coach Mike Nolan and replaced him with assistant coach Mike Singletary. "Right now, the guys realize that we do have something here," To what degree, I don't know, but we do have something special here", Singletary said after first being named interim coach. In the 5 games since Singletary took over the 49ers are 2-3 and just last week came away with a 10-3 win in a defensive struggle against Buffalo. The 49ers are playing harder, the coaches are coaching better, the team is actually better. Although a 4-8 record and an assurance that the 49ers will fail to make the playoffs for the 6th straight year can't please to many fans, Mike Singletary should. Singletary said he's "having the time of my life" as head coach. "This is what I was born to do -- there's absolutely no doubt in my mind." He has taken responsibility when the team hasn't played well and he will go straight after players when they make mistakes. Both of those things former coach Mike Nolan wouldn't do.
This Sunday the 49ers play at the Jets, who are coming off a hard 34-17 loss at the hands of the Broncos. With the Jets reeling, and Brett Favre comparing himself to an old car about to give out, the 49ers have a chance to secure their first 2 game winning streak since week 3. Frank Gore is certainly on pace for his 3rd 1000 yard season, but for the 49ers to secure the upset this weekend he will have to get more yards than the 92 he has accumulated the past 2 weeks (compared to the 106 vs the Rams in week 11). Shaun Hill has been an excellent upgrade to the quarterback position since taking over in Singletary's debut vs the Seahawks weeks ago. Hill, who signed a contract extension last year, has thrown 8 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions and had over 300 yards passing 2 weeks ago in the loss to Dallas. The play at quarterback will be extremely important and if the 49ers can limit Favre like Denver did last week (50% passing and an interception) a win could be in the books.
For Singletary the win would put his mark at 3-3 for the year with 3 games left against the Dolphins, Redskins, and Rams. A finish of 4-5 or even 3-6 could impress 49ers brass. "I'm very excited to see what Mike [Singletary] can do and bring out the passion and intensity in our football players." That was the word of 49ers co-owner Jed York, who also had a close relationship with ex coach Mike Nolan. Singletary has given this team new life and has improved the team vastly in just 6 games, something Nolan failed to do for most of his 4 yrs here. The keeping of Singletary could give the 49ers a breathe of fresh air and avoid the constant change the team has seen for most of the decade. The team could build upon what limited success they have had in 2008 and continue to grow in 2009. Shaun Hill may not be the next hall of fame niners qb but could lead the team while the 49ers develop a younger player they select in next year's draft. Frank Gore will continue to be a dominant force at running back for the next 3-4 years and the team could finally go out and pursue a true number 1 wide out. Sure, all of this could still happen if the 49ers decide to go in a different direction at the head coaching position, but at this point Singletary has proven his worth. He deserves a chance to continue to lead.
