The San Francisco 49ers are an example of an immaculate football dynasty. However, the 2005-2006 49ers cannot be considered a part of this tradition of greatness. While young quarterback Alex Smith may blossom into a star with years of experience, this year has proven to be one of the worst seasons in 49ers’ history. At the bottom of nearly every category of team production in the National Football League, the team looks forward to the rebuilding opportunities of the off-season.
While the current roster offers little reason for cheering, fans in San Francisco remember the records and the Super Bowl victories of years ago. Under Hall of Fame head coach George Walsh, the 49ers won the Super Bowl in 1982, 1985, and 1988, making the “West Coast Offense” famous for its overpowering level of point production. Fellow member of the Hall of Fame, quarterback Joe Montana, led the offense, making eight trips to the Pro Bowl and providing the force behind a legendary 31 fourth-quarter comeback wins. His favorite target, Jerry Rice, retired with an all-time NFL record 207 touchdowns.
After Walsh retired in 1988, George Seifert took over the head coaching position, and the 49ers continued in the same manner of excellence. Montana continued to play until Steve Young assumed the quarterback role, but little was lost in the outstanding San Francisco passing game. After years of learning on the sideline, Young was prepared for his new role of leadership. He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player twice and went to the Pro Bowl in seven straight seasons. His quarterback rating of 96.8 makes him the most accurate passer of all time. He led the team to victory in Super Bowl XXIX, making San Francisco the first franchise to win five Super Bowls. In addition to his passing skills, Young’s ability as a runner made him an even more intimidating offensive threat. His 43 scores on the ground ranks first all-time among NFL quarterbacks.
San Francisco’s defense played a significant role in the team’s dominance, too. Hall of Fame cornerback and safety Ronnie Lott holds the record for postseason interceptions with nine, and the team’s defense held the Denver Broncos to a slim 10 points in the fourth Super Bowl win. Between 1983 and 1998, the 49ers were one of the NFL’s most consistent teams, winning at least 10 games in each of these 16 seasons. Because of the 49ers’ dominance, an empty seat at a game in the 70,000-seat Candlestick Park was a rarity.
Now, San Francisco 49ers football tickets do not carry the same weight. After one of the most miserable seasons in the franchise’s history, the 2005-2006 49ers hope for a productive draft that brings fresh talent to a team in desperate need of help in nearly every area. If head coach Mike Nolan keeps his job at the end of the season, he will work to mold Alex Smith into the type of quarterback that San Francisco fans have grown accustomed to seeing on the field, and the 49ers will work to return to glory in the near future.
