Rekindling the Nolan Steamwagon
If you listened closely during the press conference, you could almost hear the collective groans of 49ersnews.com staff and members as the news of Mike Nolan’s return was made official. I could almost hear them here in Cincinnati over the clacking of an idling diesel engine and the scraping of a hardened steel plow blade against iced blacktop. In those few short moments, the hopes of getting yet another fresh start in the great hunt for the return to the playoffs, the hopes of so many bright eyed and eager young 49er faithful of installing a new regime and wiping clean the memory of Mike Nolan and his redundant (and in the end desperate) mantras with a few gallons of vodka, nine months, and a fresh face for the sideline were rent in two like so many worn out suits.
Likely the memories came pouring back to you. The hire of Jim Hostler as OC, the unwillingness to replace him after the sickening display our offense showed early, the trading away of our precious first round pick (I defend this move by the way), the Alex Smith debacle, eight straight losses, the non-use of an expensive free agent WR, the overuse of an over the hill excuse for a LB, and many more arguments that can be made all flecked with the same absurd, regurgitated, re-masticated chants of “stay the course”, or, “this team has a lot of character”. Shuddering, I know, but we’ve all heard the reasons the Yorks should’ve fired Nolan at the final gun last Sunday. And at this point, there’s nothing to discuss but why I am glad he’s still here.
Continuity. I’ve made the argument before that I’m tired of going through coaches like Hostler goes through three downs. But continuity at what cost? If you ask me, very little. If you fire Nolan and his whole staff you obviously must bring in a new HC and his staff, who will want to install there own offense, their own defense, and spend a few years themselves getting the players they want arranged the way they want them. At the very least it’s a great possibility that we would have a two year waiting period to even smell the playoffs again. With Nolan still here, we can continue to build on his plan, a plan in which I believe, and possibly get into the playoffs next season. Granted, we’re bringing in a new OC, but with any luck and a certain Irish GM firing a certain coach, he’ll be running a variation of Norv’s offense (hint, hint). That brings me to my next point.
Recognition of fault. I said it from the day Norv Turner packed his Phillip Rivers bobble head and headed to San Diego. We were screwed from that time for the 07 season. Nolan, despite frantically defending Hostler during the season, recognized what the problem was and now Hostler is gone. And that’s something that a great many of you feared he was incapable of doing. Next.
Recognition of getting on the stick or getting out of SF. Nolan knows that it is just by the skin of his character that he retained his job, even with losing a scant few decision making abilities. That was obvious during his presser after the Cleveland game where he appeared apprehensive and under severe duress. And if that were not enough or you, just watch the video of him leaving the day of his meeting with the Yorks. His relief is evident. Nolan knows that there can be no more favoritism. He knows there can be no more “strains” with his highly paid QB. He knows there can never, ever, ever be another buddy-buddy hire like Jim Hostler. He has now learned that when a player simply isn’t working out, or a coach for that matter, it’s time to make a freakin change, and quickly. All decisions from this point on simply must be the best decision in the interest of the 49ers returning to the playoffs in 08. There is no doubt in my mind that this was the largest thing Nolan learned this year, and I have one hundred fifty percent faith that Nolan has been cured of his stubbornness.
The man can draft. I’ve heard arguments to the contrary and I’ve heard arguments that it’s Scotty Mac who’s the mastermind, but Nolan has had final say. Alex Smith (who I still believe in), Manny Lawson, Patrick-the godsend-Willis, Joe Staley, and Vernon Davis (who was starting to burgeon with a healthy QB) are all people Mike Nolan drafted, and I wouldn’t rather have anyone else in my war room on draft day.
Defense. I love Mike Nolan’s defense. I like the 3-4, I like his choice of players (D. Smith aside.), and I think with the defense he has put together plus a few key pieces and a competent offense, we could post a few shutouts. Who knows, maybe even lead the league in defense. (Okay, maybe I’m dreaming a little, but I really do have that much faith in his D.)
Okay. I can hear the teeth grinding from here. I know the hate for Nolan runs deep in this fan base. I know that after this article, the hate for me runs deep in this fan base. I admit that Nolan looked like a deer in the headlights and made frantic decisions that cost this team dearly. I admit that his game time decisions..and the timeouts….my god, the use of timeouts was horrendous. I saw and disapproved of the way he handled things with Alex Smith, and I’ve heard him say some pretty stupid things. But look at it this way. Whether you like it or not, Nolan is here for at least another year. I believe in Nolan and what he’s doing, and I have all year long. It’s time for you to put aside your contempt for him, and stop whining about the way things are. Get a drink, come down off of that fire Nolan bandwagon with the broken wheels, and hunker down for the off-season. I’ve stoked the fire back up in the Rollin with Nolan steam wagon and I’ll be driving. We’ve got nine long months to get this thing rolling again. All aboard.
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About the Author: 27 From Cincinnati, Ohio
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unknown niner | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
You need to decide: Are you a Nolan lover or hater/ I really don’t care. The only problem i have seen so far from him is that he picks favorites over the talent. He brings in the talent, and if he doesn’t like them he doesn’t use them. He also knows nothing about offense. We need a OC that can do everything himself. Also you guys are harsh. He is a young Head Coach and this is still his first team he is coaching. he is learning from his mistakes, he knows where the problems are, unfortunately he is too nice and doesn’t make quick descisions, BUT I think he will start doing this, because his ass is on the line, and then again his job will be on the line after next year anyways, even if we keep him (Last Contract Year). He will learn from his mistakes, and i think he will,eventually, turn out to be a great Head coach. This team used to suck on Defense and now we are good on defense. We need an offense he can’t help us with that. Only by hiring an OC with experience (NFL). That is the only way he can affect this offense. If he does suck he will be fired, so don’t worry, unless you are a 90ty year old Niners fan that wants an NFL championship before he dies, then, in that case,you are screwed, because you will have to wait.
Niner Pundit | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
unknown…FYI, I didn’t write this. This was written by one of the other staff writers.
Skywalker | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know if anyone heard last night but NFL Live said that the 49ers had the best chance of making the play-offs next year out of the bottom dwellers in the NFL. They gave a few reasons:
1. Best talent ending the season
2. Team did not get a chance to shine with injuries to VD, Frank Gore and Alex Smith
3. The loss of Norv Turner so late in the off season
unknown niner | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
I know that. I know this team can if we could just get a good offensive coordinator. Plus after another draft this year our team will just keep getting more talented.
tonemontana | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
that is the problem… the niners have the best talent (out of the bottom dwellers) and we get out coached every f***** week !!!! the coach does not put our best players in postion to make plays …..PERIOD!!!!! is that Nolans fault? when your “the coach” better yet the Face of the franchase and you dont get results… for whateva reason…. IT IS YOUR FAULT !!!
unknown niner | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Eventually we will have the talent, and with the right offensive coordinator, too overcome the bad coaching. if we get a good offensive coordiantor we will not be out-coached because the offensive coordinator will be the one coaching the offense, and the offensive game plan ,not Nolan. Our defense needs a couple more changes and we will have a defense that could be a top ten defense that can shut down weak opponents scores and hold good offenses under 21 points.
Ryan the 1st | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
I don’t want to hear excuses anymore…I AM OVER THE HONEYMOON PHASE of the Nolan era. PUT SOME W’s ON THE BOARD OR GET THE HELL OUT OF DODGE!!! People on here are making excuses for a coach who is yet to give us a 500 record. WHY? Unless we have Cameron or Martz as our next coordinator I have completely lost faith in Nolan, McCloughan, and the entire front office of this organization. I will still be a niner fan, but I will have the same expectations as your average Falcons fan when it comes to results. Nolan clearly isn’t getting it done!!! Why Warhop still has a job is WAY BEYOND ME. The decisions he has made show me that he is more interested in employing his friends than employing the best man for the job that can pull my beloved niners out of the cellar!!!! He has worked with Chan Gailey before (five years) and we all know about his connections with Billick…I am not about favors, I am about WINNING!!!
Niner Pundit | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Ryan…agreed on Warhop. They have Solari and Houck available and Warhop still has a job. I pray his is next to be fired. The OL this season set a team record for most sacks allowed.
missyoung97 | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
We may not be as talented as we think we are offensively, in my mind at least…we have a long way to go…Hostler probably wasn’t a sensational OC, but I really don’t see why people think Jason Garrett is the next Offensive Mastermind…the guy can do whatever he wants because, arguably, second to N.E., he has the most talent in the NFL….it must be nice to open your playbook and see that you have all of your options open for you…our offensive line clearly needs to be upgraded-not warhop…and by the way, the 49ers may have the best WR’s coach in the game of football…and I think Nolan genuinely thought that Hostler would have made some progress off of what Turner did last year, contrary to what some may believe that it was a hasty decision…Nolan is a football guy and is trying deperately to right the ship…but we all must face the true problem, the problem that Donahue started when he overhauled our talent filled rosters 5-7 years ago and tried supplementing them with poor draft choices and mediocre free agent acquisitions…the 49ers will improve next year but they are no where near the crest of the hill…good talk gentlemen
Bob In Pacifica | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Here’s some problems.
1. If you are a former coach/offensive coordinator, unless you have to come up with a lot of money fast, why would you want to run the offense for Mike Nolan? I know, I know, McCarthy went from the Niners to the Packers, but he already had a rep and it wasn’t based on what he did in 2005 for Nolan. Same with Turner. Nolan is rigid and conservative. Sure, there players were coached terribly, but it was Nolan who made the offense so conservative. That’s his style. Unless there’s an offensive coordinator who needs to serve penance for something awful he’s done, I’d suggest anyone with a reputation to preserve stay away. I heard nothing at the press conference that indicates that Nolan won’t be screwing with the offense just he has the last three years.
2. Matt Maiocco said yesterday that it was McCloughan who chose Ashley Lelie. Nolan didn’t want him. So Lelie sat all year. He wasn’t a Nolan guy. Never mind that a couple of sprints downfield would pull a safety back from the box and actually help the run game. Lelie wasn’t a Nolan guy.
3. After the Cleveland game Nolan said that he wanted Larry Allen to come back next year. Allen hasn’t been able to move from side to side for a year now. This morning on KNBR when Nolan was asked about bringing back Dilfer he went on a rant about how Trent is a warrior.
Everyone’s excited about Shaun Hill. Compared to Dilfer he looks great, but he’s not going to lead the Niners to the playoffs. Even if he could Nolan won’t let him. Nolan plays not to lose, and so he doesn’t win.
Next year there will be blackouts. I doubt if they will, but if the Niners manage 8-8 or even 7-9 the Yorks will probably bring Nolan back for another year.
I can’t stand to hear Nolan’s voice anymore. Lies.
The hosts on KNBR must be feeling the heat because with the exception of a stray call blaming everything on Alex Smith just about every caller is wretching about Nolan. KNBR is stuck with the Niners, with the Mike Nolan show, etc. The hosts are getting hostile to the callers. Maybe I’ll just stop listening for awhile. This is terrible.
unknown niner | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Wow … i guess we will have to wait till he gets fired after this season then, won’t we. He would be better off as our defensive coordinator/draft scout. he sucks at head coaching. I’m sure he will kill some more of his family members to get some more sympathy and injure some players, and not start the good players. STOP PICKIN FAVORITES, or I swear I’m gonna flip. I guess if nolan like you, you suck. i hope he doesn’t like this team, maybe we will actually be good.
unknown niner | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
I WILL HAVE RESPECT FOR NOLAN IF HE GETS CAM CAMERON. If he gets Brian Billick, I’m out of here. OMG Billick sucks! He will hire Billick because he knows him and like him too. Maybe Nolan wants to be GAY with everybody he knew before he was with this team. Everybody he knows sucks. Why did we even pick him as our HEAD COACH? I’m a farely new fan, but why did this team pick nolan in the first place. probally used his lying as mouth. Nothing but lies. Than again this is IF he gets Brian Billick. If he doesn’t I’m cool. We have Nolan so that’s who I will stick with. (FOR NOW)
xaos50 | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Nolan will have the team unprepared with no game plan as usual. How can still believe in Alex Smith?? I dont think he hs what it takes to be an nfl QB. He’ll just hols onto the ball to long and get sacked. I was hoping for a fresh face on the sideline and a fresh start to the coaching of our talented team !
Rob | Jan 4, 2008 | Reply
I will say one thing. I am NOT “Rollin’ With Nolan”. That said, I know that we are stuck with him, and might as well make the best of it. I know the Yorks are going with consistency here. Even some great coaches have off years. So, sticking with Nolan to try and prove whether he is good or not is something I can’t argue against. And, I know that some coaches just can’t handle the HC/GM role Nolan had. So, making him just a HC isn’t a bad idea. And, yes, McCloughlan can bring in talent. So, I think we are good with talent and will only get better. But, I think the only hope we have is if Nolan did indeed learn his lesson and stops showing such blatant favoritism, and if he hires a good, experienced OC (like Cameron). If he can do those things, yes, we do have a shot at the playoffs. But, the Superbowl? That, I’m not so sure of…
Saitek | Jan 4, 2008 | Reply
Im ok with Nolan staying. Im hopeful we will get B Billick over Cameron simply because of what Billick did with the Vikings and of course his Super Bowl appearence.
But i absolutely feel that both Smiths, Alex and Derrick need to hit the road. I still feel that Alex Smith is a huge bust and an even bigger waste of money. He decent at best, but good enough to lead us to a Super Bowl victory he is not.
vdfortd | Jan 4, 2008 | Reply
The person who wrote that article likes men.
PrimeTime | Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
Stay The Course (lol)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4ZwSt_mnWg