from trench warfare to modern warfare

Wow, that was sudden... Jimmy Raye was fired as 49ers offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson was promoted to take over the job.

Though made just a day after a game, the decision had to be made right away if it was to be made at all - the new coordinator has to be given as much time as possible to settle into his new position and somehow game-plan for next week's opponents, the Atlanta Falcons. Not only that, but the Niners are playing an away game, which takes yet more time away from preparations. It's a long flight all the way across the country, and the team has to adjust to Eastern Standard Time.

Although Coach Singletary has been stalwart in his desire to impose his offensive philosophy on opposing teams (heavy on smashmouth, light on deception), I am excited to see what new wrinkles the new coach brings to the team. Last season, even Raye was flexible enough to utilize a spread-type offense to move the ball. Now with the team 0-3, and the bottom-line to win still being the ultimate goal, let's see what happens with Coach Johnson. I've read that he was supposedly even being groomed to be the successor (but not this soon).

Though Alex Smith is in effect playing under yet another offensive coordinator, maybe the adjustments will be seamless and hopefully all positive. I'm hoping that Coach Johnson will have the freedom to implement whatever means necessary to gain lots of yards and score plenty of points, even if it goes against Coach Singletary's vision of old-fashioned smash-mouth football. If the goal is to win, then let's make full use of a very talented 49ers roster and all of it's weapons: Crabtree, Morgan, Ziegler, Gore, Westbrook, Dixon, V. Davis, Walker, Byham, et al. Let's keep defenses guessing.

I remember when Bill Walsh first began coaching the 49ers. It was a rough first couple of years, but I recall really enjoying how well the offense moved the ball. It was fun to watch. I think the current team has the talent now to adjust the play-calling to whatever defenses are doing. If they're plugging up the holes North and South, then run East and West; if they're taking away the middle, then run or pass laterally. Let's make the game fun again.

Wouldn't it be a blast to score tons of points while defenses are running around in circles not knowing what hit them (admittedly, what the Chiefs did to the Niners yesterday)? I like reading the word 'creativity.' Okay, guys, let's turn this season around!