Week 4 - 49ers vs. Falcons

If this were only week two rather than week four, then yesterday's loss wouldn't be so wearisome. The 49ers were this close (holding forefinger and thumb close together) from victory - in fact, would the dejected comments people are making about the team be anything like they would have been had they won, say, if the late interception hadn't been fumbled back to the Falcons? The exact same game except for that one mistake?

Given that the Niners are starting over with a new offensive coordinator, will we as a fan base give him any time to improve, or will we assume that was the best he had to offer even though he had less than a week to assimilate into his new role with the team? Former OC Jimmy Raye had over a year; will fans give Mike Johnson the rest of the season? It was a tough game that few people gave the 49ers any chance of winning; that they teased us by keeping it close and even taking a two touchdown lead early on was an excruciating thing to go through - but at least they didn't get blown out like they did against the Seahawks and the Chiefs. I'm not ready to throw in the towel nor am I ready to call for an ownership change or firing this guy and that guy.

This isn't easy, but here are some of the positives: even though the Niners are 0-4, they are still only two games back in the division and the season is still young; Mike Johnson's game plan seemed more varied than before and I assume will keep improving; the defense played better than the previous week; Michael Crabtree was involved!; and the blocked punt for a touchdown was exhilarating (highlight reel play by Taylor Mays). Unfortunately, this latest loss gives the team no leeway now - although I hate to use the phrase "must-win," that's more or less where they've left themselves. Coming close against favorites the Saints and the Falcons is better then getting blown out against teams they were expected to beat, and is perhaps encouraging, but now they just have to plain 'win.' The winning teams make mistakes and still win; the Falcons were intercepted twice too, but won anyway.

Oh yeah... find a way to utilize Brian Westbrook and GO (San Francisco baseball) GIANTS!