Paul's San Francisco 49ers fan blog

Anyone somewhat familiar with college football surely is well aware of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). The BCS ranks the top college programs based on a rankings, college polls, and computer selection methods. The top 2 BCS ranked teams at the end of the college season qualify for the right to play in the National Championship. Over the years it has had its fair share of hits (USC vs Texas a couple of years ago) to downright misses (see Miami vs Nebraska) but has always provided the sports world with controversy and something to talk about. Now imagine the BCS being used in the NFL? One can only dream of the madness it could create. The NFL will always have playoffs, the league would die without it, but here is a look at what the NFL BCS rankings could look like following week 8.

Continue reading "BCS: NFL Edition"

One of the most important moves by the 49ers in the past 6 years was made before this weekend's game vs Seattle. The firing of Mike Nolan came just one day after another disappointing loss, this time to the New York Giants. The Nolan era will not be remembered for much, except for the fact that the team is in better shape now than when he was first hired. The 18 wins, bad personnel decisions via free agency and the draft, and horrible decisions during games on Sundays. Those factors alone will make anyone wish to forget the 4 years of futility. "The decision was difficult, because Mike has been both a friend and a valued coach of our team," said Scott McCloughan, who was hired by Nolan but was promoted to general manager last year. "My first obligation is to do what is in the best interest of our fans and the entire 49ers organization."

Continue reading "Despite loss 49ers should keep Singletary for the long haul"

The 49ers have opened the season at 2-1 fresh off a blowout victory over the hopeless lions 31-13. The excitement and talk of a winning season after a second consecutive year starting 2-1 was quickly washed away by losses to the saints, patriots, and eagles respectively. The 49ers, once considered fast rising contenders in the wide open NFC, allowed 31, 30, and 40 points during their current 3 game losing streak. The biggest heartbreak occurred last week when the 49ers gave up 23 points during the 4th quarter. San Francisco is allowing a staggering 27.8 points per game which ranks dead last in the NFL and the team's turnover differential is a disappointing -5.

Continue reading "49ers Need Some "D""

As if the NFL couldn't get any better? Well it can, especially week 6 which had so many games decided in the last 10 seconds (you heard that right) of the 4th quarter, not to mention an exciting overtime game that had the first ever blocked punt for a touchdown. Week 6 really had everything and just goes to show once again why the NFL is the greatest sport on the planet. Here's a recap to the week that was:

Upset of the Week: Browns 35 Giants 14. The talk of the NFL for the first month was the 4-0 Super Bowl champions and how they may have been one of the most overlooked teams in recent memory. Even without Plaxico Burress the Giants still rolled to a blowout win last week and this week on Monday night I expected the same. Just don't say that to Browns qb Derek Anderson who kept Brady Quinn on the bench for another week by throwing for over 300 yards and leading Cleveland to one of the biggest upsets of the year. The Brownies at 2-3 are still in the hunt without question and while this loss is disappointing for the Giants, they are still in first in the NFC East.

Continue reading "NFL Week 6: Close Games, Rookies look like Pros, and more"

The 4th season of 49ers head coach Mike Nolan looks so much like the 3rd. San Francisco entered the fourth quarter of Sunday's game vs the Eagles leading comfortably 26-17 until chaos erupted. After Akers' 38-yard field goal put Philadelphia ahead with 7:46 to play, Quintin Mikell's interception return to the San Francisco 7 set up another short field goal. Trent Cole then swatted the ball out of quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan's hands, and Chris Clemons recovered to set up another field goal with 1:10 left.San Francisco got past midfield with one last drive, but O'Sullivan threw a pass directly to Juqua Parker, who returned it 55 yards for a score with 38 seconds left. The Eagles owned the quarter scoring 23 points and securing a victory by the score of 40-26. For the Eagles it was an amazing come from behind win that improved their record to 3-3. With the Redskins losing to the Rams and Dallas losing to Arizona (and now Tony Romo out for a month), the win proves Philly's season is far from over.

Continue reading "49ers Fall Again"

The NFL season keeps getting more interesting. After a great end to week 5 with the Monday Night thriller last night, I am proud to say this may be one of the best seasons for football in at least 5 years. Look to every division and you will find an interesting story to follow. 2 unbeaten remain in the Giants and Titans, anyone still doubting the G-Men as Super Bowl champs now? Not me. The Bills took a big blow losing Trent Edwards to a concussion and Indy had a monumental comeback against the win-less Texans. Not enough headlines? There is plenty more where that came from.

Upset of the Week: Miami over San Diego. First New England now San Diego, the Bill Parcells era is certainly an upgrade over Cam Cameron. Already this season Miami as eclipsed its lowly 1 win from a year ago and actually may have a chance at making a run for the post season. This "wildcat offense" that the 'Phins have unleashed in recent weeks seems to be working, at least for the time being, and qb Chad Pennington has been excellent thus far. For the Chargers, an AFC favorite, they need to pick up the pace and in a hurry. Perhaps the real Norv Turner is being shown this season. 

Continue reading "NFL Week 5: The week that was and more"

Several days have passed since the NFL's second (yep already) coaching change took place. Lane Kiffin is finally out as Raiders coach after months of speculation replaced by offensive line coach Tom Cable. The hiring of Cable as the interim coach raised some eyebrows but wasn't a complete shock as he is the one responsible for the Raiders emerging running game. Still you would have thought a more NFL experienced assistant like Rob Ryan would have won the job. None the less this is not a permanent hiring regardless of how the Raiders finish the season. Despite what Al Davis said in his press conference the Raider's can't be led by a man that was a horrible failure as a college head coach. If he failed in the college ranks what makes Davis think he can succeed at the pro level? This is the Raiders we are talking about here and you never really know for sure what Big Al has in store for his team. I must admit the NFL is better when the Raiders are good, adds to the drama of the sport that millions including myself can't get enough of.

Continue reading "The Future of the Oakland Raiders"

While the Monday night contest has yet to be played between AFC North rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore, Sunday's week 4 of the NFL season offered some high octane scoring, upsets, and the usual drama that the NFL is famous for. Here are 5 things to take from Sunday's games

5) The Bills are for real. Buffalo had another late come from behind victory, this week beating the win-less Rams 31-14.  The Rams entered the fourth quarter with a 14-13 lead, but Bills CB Jabari Greer’s interception for a touchdown on the first play of the quarter would lead to another Rams loss. Buffalo has defeated 2 playoff teams from last year and play only 2 teams the rest of the season that had winning records in 2007. An easy schedule and a battered New England team could mean division title for Buffalo. At the very least a playoff appearance for the first time since '99.

Continue reading "5 Observations from NFL week 4"

Remember the good ol' days? Back when the Rams still played in LA and then the early part of their stay in St. Louis? I sure do. From 1990 to 1998 the Rams lost 9 or more games per season. The draft pick blunders (see Lawrence Phillips) and the coaching firings. Things were so bad that Cardinal and Lions fans were sending the Rams get well cards. It wasn't until Kurt Warner hit the scene in 1999 that the Rams started to finally win again. Between the Super Bowl run in '99 and up to 2004 St. Louis made the playoffs each season and was a consistent contender in the NFC. Hard times have fallen since, with several 8-8 marks and the removal of Mike Martz as head coach. The team seems to be in a downward spiral, blowing the roster up and starting all over from scratch. I couldn't be happier.

Continue reading "Same Old Sorry Ass Rams"

The Syracuse Orange football team won its first game of the season yesterday by a score of 30-21, making their record 1-3 before entering Big East play next weekend vs Pittsburgh. Senior Curtis Brinkley rushed for a season high 145 yards and first time starting quarterback Cameron Dantley completed all but 3 passes and a touchdown. That was about the only good highlights you will see from the Orange this season.

Now the bad news? The win came against a win-less Division 1aa Northeastern team. The Huskies entered the game at 0-2 and still only lost by 9 to a bcs conference school. Not only that, but Syracuse lead early on 10-0 and still only managed to win by 9 points. In retrospect Big East counterpart Louisville faced 1aa Tennessee Tech earlier this month and won by a score of 51-10. Northeastern also totaled almost 400 total yards and had 22 first downs compared to Syracuse's 23. All the Orange reportedly celebrated after the game and just wanted this one to "sink in". Did they just think they topped the number one team in the country? You know things are bad when a team is so thrilled after a win like today. 

Continue reading "Syracuse finally wins...sort of"