Another One Bites the Dust

Yesterday the 49ers inked Jim Harbaugh to a five-year, twenty-five million dollar contract. At first glance, the signing seems honorable. Harbaugh has rebuilt a storied college football program at Stanford, and has a dignified approach toward both the media and most importantly his players. But reality would say, he’s just 29-21 in a four span at Stanford. Until this season, a gloried year in the Cardinal red, was a 6-6 mark. Now after a 12-1 season, with a lone loss to Oregon, and a 40-12 route of Virginia Tech in the Orange bowl, Harbaugh has put his face on the map as a plausible super coach or one-hit wonder.  I’m sure Mike Singletary agrees with the latter.

The 49ers are like a rusted old 1956 Chevy pickup with no tires, windows, or steering wheel.  Yes they have the best linebacker in football in P-Will, a blossoming superstar receiver in Mike Crabtree,  a top three tight end in Vernon Davis, and when healthy, which don’t put your money on, dude would get hurt walking in the grocery store, top three running back in Frank Gore. BUT THEY DON’T HAVE A QUARTERBACK! And unless they can resurrect Trent Dilfer, the only non-quarterback recently to win one, then it sure as hell is not happening with Alex Smith, David Carr, or Troy Smith. All three have compiled a career record of 38-78 at the starting quarter back position. Which makes me wonder…how much of a difference will Jim Harbaugh make in comparison to the hard-nosed Singletary?

To be fair, Singletary did not do that bad of a job. Honestly he was the man who took Vernon Davis from dud to stud, and brought back an attitude of hard-nosed play the 49ers have not seen since the mid-90’s.  His 18-22 mark is an over-achievement for an organization with about as much direction as Latrell Sprewell’s spastic dribbling. A team that has been through more offensive coordinators than my wife has haircuts in the last ten years. He did this with no quarterback,  and an inconsistent defense that lacks mainly at the corner position. A serious position, considering most yards accrue through the air.

It is fair to say, when going to an organization like the 49ers, the majority of coaches will fail. It doesn’t matter your intent nor your expertise, because the reality is that unless you have the components to work the car, then the car isn’t going to start.  Frank Gore’s health? Starting Quarterback? Mike Crabtree’s drive? Cornerback? And the list continues to mount within a depressive off-season for a team that finished 6-10.  As the great Freddie Mercury so elegantly put, “another one bites the dust.” Give it two, maybe three, years and reality would say Harbaugh will be filing for unemployment.

-Luke Johnson