Did Kaep Have to Open His Mouth?

Trash talk is part of the NFL. No one will dispute that fact. Players from opposing teams often engage in spirited verbal altercations both on and off the field. In the wake of the NFC Championship Game, Richard Sherman's now famous rant has been the hot topic of discussion. Today, Colin Kaepernick finally gave his opinion on the entire matter. I wish he hadn't.

I prefer my players back up their talk through actions on the field. Kaepernick and the 49ers lost in Seattle two Sunday's ago, nothing will change that. I understand the frustration with Sherman and the big game's end result. However, the Seahawks are playing on Sunday, the 49ers aren't. Kaep could have easily kept his mouth shut until after the Superbowl. Preferably, he wouldn't have said anything at all. I would much rather have him burn the Seahawks, at Levi, at Century Link and during the playoffs. Next time and every time from then on. But no, he had to go and say (of Sherman) "He's afraid of our receivers". Oh really? For some reason I don't think that's true. Just keep those zingers in the back of your mind Colin, you'll need them when the time is right.

Now, some of what Kaep said was observant and mildly comical. For example, "If you have to tell people how good you are, then how good are you really?" Undoubtedly, in regards to Sherman, many others share this same sentiment. Regardless, my initial argument remains. Just because it's true, doesn't mean you have to say it. Kaepernick was out of line with the entire thing. I would rather he wait until next season to SHOW me why Richard Sherman is scared, or isn't the best, or whatever. Beat them, that's all he has to do.

My overarching point here is that Kaepernick has disappointed me. Although some of his words were true (like the "inches being in Sherman's favor" line), I still think the time was wrong. Richard Sherman's rant was acceptable, in my opinion, because the Seahawks had just won the game. He was entitled to a little trash talking after making the play of his career. IE, the moment was right. Had he done the same thing after Michael Crabtree caught a game winning touchdown pass, he would  look like a pouty and sore loser. Kind of how Colin Kaepernick looks now.

Smart Re-Sign By Doug Wilson

Stanley Cup in San Jose? Smart to Re-Sign Thornton and Marleau

Today, the San Jose Sharks re-signed their two most recognizable players, Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. Depending on who you ask, these re-signings are either the greatest or worst possible move for the franchise. Some will tell you the deals are great, allowing Thornton and Marleau to finish out their distinguished careers in Shark's uniforms. Others will say the duo should have been traded, that they are part of the reason San Jose has failed to hoist a Stanley Cup. I submit fully to neither camp's train of thought, although I do believe these moves will be beneficial for San Jose.

For starters, they are arguably the two greatest San Jose Sharks of all time. Marleau is the team leader in games played (1,216), points (908), goals (425), game winning goals (81) and second overall in assists (483). Thornton, on the other hand, is the team leader in assists (549), plus/minus (+148) and is second overall in points (717). The bottom line is, these two players find ways to light up the scoreboard. Based on the above statistics alone, a resigning was warranted.

Those stats, however, don't take into account the intangibles Thornton and Marleau bring to the team. As Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson said today, "Patrick and Joe continue to perform at an elite level in the National Hockey League and, most importantly, they make the other players around them better." They make the players around them better, a key to success. For, as any sports fan knows, one or two good players do not guarantee a successful season for the team. Elevating the play of those around him has been a cornerstone of Joe Thornton's career. In 2006, winger Jonathan Cheechoo was the league's top goal scorer with 56, he was centered by Joe Thornton. Winger Devin Setoguchi scored over 20 goals in three out of four years with San Jose while playing on Thornton's line. Since being traded for defenseman Brent Burns before the 2011 season, Setoguchi hasn't enjoyed nearly as much success. Even look at Burns, he thrived at the forward position when coach Todd McClellan put him on Thornton's line midway through last season. Joe Thornton makes other players better, hands down.

The playoff performance of both Marleau and Thornton is called into question nearly every season. They are constantly accused of being choke artists and ridiculed for not producing during the postseason. Anyone who has payed attention to the Sharks for the last four years knows this simply is not true. Although they may have been guilty of "choking" in the past, Marleau and Thornton have since ramped up their game come playoff time. Since the 2009-2010 Postseason, the pair have a combined 78 points in 97 games, including 7 game winning goals. With the exception of 2012 against St. Louis, Marleau has netted more than 5 goals in each postseason. In the same span, Thornton has been incredibly efficient both ways on the ice while tallying 34 assists. Not to mention his series clinching goal, in overtime against the LA Kings in 2011. Choke artists? I think not.

Even with all the above information, some readers likely remain unconvinced. They firmly believe Marleau and Thornton need to go. Well those people are wrong. Doug Wilson already went through a mini firesale when he dealt Doug Murray, Ryane Clowe and Michael Handzus last year. Evidently, he believed the draft picks gained from those deals will be sufficient moving forward. Marleau and Thornton are two of the main puzzle pieces to this team. While they are on the roster, San Jose has its best chance to win a Stanley Cup. Just look at the numbers this year, #12 and #19 are in the top three for points on the team. Marleau has 21 goals and 26 assists while Thornton has 6 goals and 47 assists. You can't trade away production like that and expect it to materialize from nowhere.

If Sharks fans want to see the Stanley Cup parade through San Pedro Square, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau need to be on the team.

*All Stats courtesy of sharks.nhl.com, photo courtesy of espn

The Double Edged Sword of Fandom

Skynet went on line August 4, 1997. It became self aware at 2:14 AM Eastern Time, August 29th. Then, it proceeded to nuke Russia and all hell broke loose. Next thing we know, Kyle Reese is in the trenches duking it out with the machines.

This Terminator 2 timeline nearly parallels my volatile relationship with the San Francisco 49ers. In the the early years, I watched games, cheered and mourned like any normal kid. I was still learning the game, my football mind was in its infancy. Like Skynet, I was online, but not yet aware.

Sometime around 1998, the game clicked for me. My understanding of football went to an entirely different level. From the comfort of my own couch, I had become as close to an active participant as possible. Just as Skynet began to learn at a geometric rate, my knowledge grew and evolved. There would be no more blissfull cheering in my future. I was truly aware of football.

Now, imagine Kyle Reese in the remains of Los Angeles, going toe to toe with a bunch of robots. That is the what every Sunday has become for me. A Coors Light fueled, blood pressure through the roof, profanity laced tirade directed at my television. Not healthy. Knowing the ins and outs of the game is undeniably a double edged sword. For every great victory, there are dozens of equally crushing defeats.

Where am I going with all this? Well, three seasons in a row, my 49ers have come heartbreakingly close to a SuperBowl title. Not quite Buffalo Bills status, but still pretty close. I know how hard it is to win in today's NFL. It's nearly impossible to stay at the top for long and unfortunately, no one remembers the teams who almost made it. Knowing this makes Sunday's loss even more difficult to stomach. So, here are the words of comfort I've been saving for the finish. It's ok. It is better to be aware of the game. It is better to rant, rave and either experience the elation or go down with the ship. I know all the emotion put into defeat will be returned one hundred fold when the team achieves the greatest win. For young Niner fans, like myself, this return just happens to be in the future. When I look at individuals like my father, it's hard to believe how much 49er history he has seen. Five decades of heartbreak and triumph. So I took a step back and realized, the pain of these last three years should be looked at as an investment. An investment that will only make a Superbowl victory all the better.

Jim Harbaugh Day

 

January 7, 2011, the day Jim Harbaugh was hired to be the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Three years ago today, no one could have forseen the immediate transformation that would occur within the 49er organization. No one, not even those who hired Harbaught, could have anticipated how successful he would be. As if it were yesterday, I remember the exact moment I heard the news of his hiring. 

It was a Friday, myself and my fellow Marine Reservists were starting a three day drill weekend. While sitting on a Bluebird Bus, packed like sardines, awaiting departure for another pointless field opp, an ESPN app broke the news. From the front of the bus, my friend Matt Sollars yelled, "Hey Tony, the Niners got Harbaugh!" There it was. A collective cheer was had amongst the Niner fans on the bus. Little did we know, it would turn out to be the single most meaningful moment for the 49ers in ten years. A sudden burst of elation came upon me. Was this it? Would Jim Harbaugh be the coach to return the 49ers from the dark depths of insignificance? We once thought it was Mike Nolan, then we thought it was the firey Mike Singletary, but they turned out to be pretenders. Little more than usurpers who hijacked the sideline of our once proud franchise. Well, Jim Harbaugh is no pretender. He didn't just make the Niners respectable or slightly better than .500. He didn't make them a second rate, out in the first round playoff team. Jim Harbaugh returned the San Francisco 49ers to the forefront of NFL discussion. He has molded them into a perennial NFC powerhouse and Super Bowl contender. He has done more in three seasons than anyone anticipated.

Who would have thought the 49ers had such incredible success looming in their immediate future? Two division titles, four playoff victories, two NFC title games, the Super Bowl. Jim Harbaugh means absolutely everything to this franchise. Without him, none of those achievements happen. Even if they lose in Carolina this Sunday, who could truly be upset? Disappointed, yes, but not upset. Jim Harbaugh has returned the 49ers from the dungeon that was once the bottom of the NFC West. He has lead the team to the promised land. All 49er fans owe him thanks. From now on, I will celebrate January 7 as, "Jim Harbaugh Day".