game 7 - Browns vs. 49ers

Winning is fun!

As I write this, I'm listening to people on TV commentating on how yesterday's game and the 49ers aren't fun to watch. Well, after so many years of losing and futility, isn't it enough that the team is winning? As the offense starts to gel even more and schemes get implemented, it will get more exciting. Fewer three-and-outs, fewer punts without gaining at least some valuable field position, fewer drives that end at the opponent's one-yard line without scoring some points. At this point, it's just important that they win... period. Heck, they won by 10 points!

What I saw, and knowing how intellectual and scheme-oriented the coaching staff is, are situations that will serve as means for learning. Sure, the third quarter was largely ineffectual, but I know that they'll learn from it. Not scoring right near the opponent's goal line? Time to implement new ideas! I am so impressed that this year's version of the 49ers keeps improving all the time. And they won - so that's a plus.

Just watching offensive tackle Joe Staley and nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga actually catching passes shows that this team is fluid in its play-calling. It's fun imagining that other teams will now have to adjust their coverages to make sure the big linemen are being covered for pass plays. Which will open other things up! And it mustn't be forgotten that tight end Justin Peelle caught a pass too. If the Niners can manage to more-or-less control a game without utilizing tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker for more than blocking, other teams have a LOT to be worried about in the future. I can't wait until San Francisco puts it all together!

And isn't it nice to have both the Defense and the Special Teams playing at such a high level already? ALL the units are playing so well! So many budding stars! If it's true that defense wins championships, then it would appear that the 49ers actually have a shot of going far in the playoffs, if not reaching the Super Bowl. As long as Freddie P. Soft doesn't mess things up.

Looking back at the championship teams during the Bill Walsh and George Seifert years, they didn't win every game. And all their games weren't exciting. It's easy to look back and remember only the great plays and the great wins, but there were tough games that were won in a blue-collar way... just like they're winning some of their games now. If this is how well they're playing in Coach Harbaugh and staff's first seven games, just wait until they've been at it even longer!