Jim Harbaugh rallies the 49ers in the huddle

For the last nine seasons the 49ers have averaged around twenty-eight minutes of possession. So far this season the 49ers have average just over thirty-two minutes of possession per game. Coaches like Erickson, Nolan, and Singletary all believed in controlling the clock, but in the end it never translated into reality. Those new to the mysteries of coaching, controlling the clock is as much an art as it is science. Coaches make their game plans and contingencies to account for as much as it can. However the coach must be able to make the calls on the fly, toughest of all they have to try and make the right call. Factors like players performing well, or poor, injuries, and a thousand other details must be taken into consideration.

When Jim Harbaugh was hired from Stanford, he announced the return of the west coast offense. It was easy to get excited about that when added with the fact that he was friends with the west coast offense’s inventor Bill Walsh. In three games, Jim has already dis-proven that the 49ers are lacking the tools to return to greatness. During Bill Walsh’s tenure he hovered right around thirty-two minutes of possession time.

The last time the 49ers average over thirty-two minutes a game, Jeff Garcia was under center. The 49ers had weapons like Terrell Owens, Tai Streets, Garrison Hearst, Eric Johnson, J.J. Stokes, Fred Beasley, and Kevan Barlow leading the offense. On defense players like, Derek Smith, Julian Peterson, Jason Webster, Tony Parish, Ahmed Plummer, Jeff Ulbrich, Andre Carter, and Bryant Young would form the core. That season would be the last time the 49ers would make a playoff appearance to date.

I am not saying that holding onto the ball for thirty-two minutes will guarantee a win, but rather it can be used as a measure of success, and progress in the right direction. If the 49ers under the command of Jim Harbaugh’s leadership can maintain the time of possession right at around thirty-two, then I will be so bold as to predict our first playoff appearance since 2002.

49ers Have Potential

The last time the 49ers had a winning record and won the NFC West was in 2002 and now seven years later after enduring Terry Donahue, Dennis Erickson, The Joke Family, aka the York’s, the loss of T.O. (probably a good thing, but he ran the almighty Jerry Rice out of town), Mike Nolan and his brilliant number one draft pick, should we have a sense of potential for the 49ers in 2009?  Listening to Mike Singletary the team has it in them to be great if they give everything they got, here’s looking at you Vernon Davis, and if they play ever down like the game is on the line the 49ers will succeed.  But with training camp less than two weeks away I wonder as a Niner fan, how should I be feeling about the upcoming season?  Sure, the potential is there but we have heard that many times the last couple of years that this is the year the 49ers turn it around.  When you look at it our first round pick is a wide receiver which have not had a lot of success in the NFL when drafted in the top ten, we have another new head coach with lots of potential which has been earned but we need a stable regime in place, and Singletary is stirring a quarterback controversy between incumbent Shaun Hill and potential bust draft pick Alex Smith.  I don’t know what Smith has shown in OTA’s but I suspect Singletary is trying to put some fire under Hill to make him show he can be relied on as a permanent starter with some competition.  Our defense continues to be the biggest question mark and with Walt Harris out for the year the cornerback position opposite Nate Clements is up in the air between Terrell Brown and Dre Bly.  The 49ers only consistent coach has been defensive coordinator Greg Manusky.  He has installed years of defensive schemes led by Patrick Willis so whatever question marks the secondary might have the rest of the D could develop into a force this year.  The running game is cemented with Frank Gore and the return of fullback Moran Norris.  With young and improving offense lineman Joe Staley and Chile Rachal leading the way Gore will give the defense hell as Crabtree, Bruce and the rest of the young and fast receiving corp. exploit defenses.  Another question mark is how will our seventh offensive coordinator in seven years structure the offense?  Jimmy Raye has had success as a coordinator and is known as a great running backs coach but can he develop an offense that will be a staple of not only the Red and Gold but of the NFL?  I guess that’s not a fair question because I know we all long for the days of having a genius head coach in Bill Walsh and our team being known for the creation of the West Coast offense.  I think 2009 might be different.  I am not shooting for the stars but progress is the only thing we can make now, right?  How you feelin’ Niner fans?

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It was been over one year since the legendary Head Coach/General Manger Bill Walsh died of leukemia. The 49ers organization rightfully honored Walsh in numerous ways last year. This included the renaming of the playing surface at Candlestick Park to Bill Walsh Field along with a plaque in the 49ers locker room that is seen by players just as they walk onto Bill Walsh Field that reads: “This Field is dedicated in honor of legendary 49ers head coach Bill Walsh and the players he inspired to greatness. His genius brought three world championships to San Francisco and forever changed the game of football. His legacy lives on with those who set foot on this field.”

Yet at no time last year, not even on the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals nor at any home game did it say anywhere in the stadium Bill Walsh Field.

“Shortly after his death at 75 on July 30 from leukemia, the playing surface at Candlestick was christened Bill Walsh Field. However, no visual evidence was established to show that the field has been named for Walsh.”(www.sfgate.com)

It seems the 49ers organization only wants to name the field, not to recognize it by having his name somewhere, anywhere in the stadium where it reminds the 49er Faithful and all those who watch a 49er game the greatness of Walsh. I attended the last 49ers preseason home game against the Packers and still saw no mention of Bill Walsh Field anywhere in the stadium. What is the reason for this? I know the 49ers playing surface can be one of the worst in the NFL, but would it be too much to ask the organization to have the groundskeepers spray Bill Walsh Field anywhere on the 100-yard playing surface?

I wonder if this was just another empty promise from the Joke (York) Family in trying to honor a 49er and NFL legend. Who knows maybe the Joke Family has plans to put Bill Walsh Field somewhere in the stadium this year, although I highly doubt it. So this year I am calling on all 49er Faithfull as they watch the games in person and on T.V. to keep an eye out for and to hear if at the stadium or on TV any reference is made to Bill Walsh Field.

No mention at the 49ers team web site under “stadium tour-field” or anywhere on the web site. I challenge someone to try to find a mention of Bill Walsh Field at www.49ers.com

No mention at Ticketmaster for tomorrows 49ers VS Charger.

Call to ask where is Bill Walsh Field! (408) 562-4949