Pigskin and Pine Tar

As another avenue to NFL dreams closes off for Tim Tebow, it seems prudent to look at some of the biggest collegiate stars that never quite cut it in their respective professional leagues in the last ten years. These guys aren’t draft busts-often times professional GM’s have been shrewd enough to recognize that these athletes peaked in college. Often times, these guys have still made it into the first round based off their name recognition alone. For whatever reason, they weren’t the same type of transcendent talent as professional athlete as they were as an amateur.

Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina

One of the toughest players college basketball has ever seen, Hansbrough was as good as any power forward in the history of college basketball during his time as a Tar Heel. A National Player of the Year Award was followed by a National Championship, and he is UNC’s all time leading scorer. Sports Illustrated covers and ESPN Interviews made him a national icon. Still, when it came to the NBA, Hansbrough was two picks away from falling out of the lottery due to concerns about how his lack of athleticism would translate to the NBA game.Turns out those concerns were valid. If Hansbrough were a second round pick out of Northeastern Oklahoma Tech, he would have been considered to have carved out a nice little career for himself. But as one of the best college basketball players of all time, his career has been a disappointment. His scoring average has declined every year in the league since his second season,(his career average stands at a paltry 7.2 per game, at it stood at just 3.6 last year) and he will turn 30 this fall. Hansbrough is still in the league, and can be considered a success in that regard, but his days as the face of a sport are long gone.

Jimmer Fredette, BYU

Everybody misses Jimmer Range. That is, pulling up from anywhere inside half-court and having it be a quality shot.

Before the 2009 NBA draft, there were concerns about the skinny point guard from Davidson who had hit up March Madness with his sweet shooting. NBA teams were concerned that he wasn’t quick enough to get past NBA defenders, not strong enough to guard big point guards, and not savvy enough to become a good enough passer to become a true point guard.

Well, today Stephen Curry’s life is about as good as it gets, coming off an MVP Award and an NBA Championship. The Timberwolves are probably sorry they drafted Ricky Rubio and Johnny Flynn over him.

Clearly, Steph has proven the doubters wrong. But what if they had been correct in thinking he was too slow, too weak, and not athletic enough for the NBA?

Well, Steph’s detractors were basically worried that he would become what Jimmer Fredette is. That is, a point guard with oodles of three point range and…not much else.

Jimmer gave us one of the most exciting years of college basketball in recent memory and has a National College Player of the Year Award to show for it. Since then, zilch. Jimmer’s main problem is that even with all that range defenses have to respect, he’s not quick enough to beat most NBA power forwards off the dribble, let alone the world class athletes that are NBA point guards. Perhaps Gregg Popovich can turn his career around-he certainly has an excellent track record in that regard-but Fredette, like Hansbrough, has gone from national sensation to NBA afterthought.

Tim Tebow, Florida

We have arrived at our destination. Everybody either loves or hates Tebow-though I can’t understand why anyone would hate him. He seems to be a great guy-though perhaps not a great quarterback.

Tebow has what many believe to be an hitch in his throwing motion that would be impossible to correct. Twenty four teams were wise enough to pass on him during the 2010 NFL Draft, but the Denver Broncos just couldn’t resist the thought of Mile High Tebow Time and snagged him with the 25th overall pick.

Tebow has the typical song and dance for this type of player. Heisman, National Championship, yada, yada. But Tebow was seen as a great athlete who played quarterback-not a great quarterback who was athletic.

But what about that playoff game? Tebow won a playoff game! His playoff winning percentage is better than Peyton Manning’s! Tebow’s clutch! He wins games!

It’s true, Tebow Time during the 2011 NFL season was a lot of fun. And yes, he did play the best game of his life in a playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the throw that won the game wasn’t exactly tightest window a QB has ever had to throw through. Tebow played out the play action fake, stepped up, and chucked it as far as he could to one of the best and fastest receivers in the league. Certainly a good throw. But one 30 other quarterbacks in the NFL can make, and more consistently at that.

As for the next game, the one everyone forgets-oh yeah, Tebow didn’t win the Super Bowl-9 for 26 for 136 yards, no touchdowns. That’s a completion percentage of 35. Yikes. Maybe that’s why he didn’t make it.

Tebow’s saga was far from over. Stints with the Jets, Patriots, and most recently the Eagles have all ended unsuccessfully for Tebow. If Bill Belichick, the league’s best talent evaluator, and Chip Kelly, whose offense has made Nick Foles look elite and every other QB at least above average, can’t find a place for you on their team, it’s probably time to hang them up.

A tough running style, an insane work ethic, and a plethora of success in college wasn’t enough for Tebow in the NFL. It’s not the first time, nor will it be the last, that a highly successful mobile QB in college isn’t NFL material. Troy Smith, Terrelle Pryor, Johnny Manziel (may be too early to label him a bust), Dennis Dixon, Nick Marshall…the list goes on and on. Stand up guy. Below average QB. He’s got a nice gig working SEC TV though, so don’t feel too bad for him.

Even those of us whose peaks are higher than most can fall prey to peaking in college. Historically, Herschel Walker, Christian Laettner, and Jason White stand out as players who were all that in college and nothing much in the pros

Everybody and their mother is predicting a catastrophic meltdown for the San Francisco 49ers this season. It seems nothing has gone right since they moved from their namesake city of San Francisco to the South Bay to start the 2014 season. In January 2014, the 49ers entered Seattle with the hopes of returning to the Super Bowl and completing their Quest for Six.

They left with their superstar linebacker injured, their No. 1 receiver embarrassed, and their dreams crushed.

It’s been all downhill from there. The 49ers finished 8-8, a far cry from the 12 win seasons they had enjoyed under Jim Harbaugh. And now, on the surface, with the mass exodus of quality veteran starters from San Francisco, it would appear that they are on pace for perhaps not even half their 2014 win total.

However, that is an inaccurate assumption.

For starters, the Niners could easily have gone 12-4 last year. In a home game against the Rams, had 1st down and goal in the final minutes needing only a field goal to tie and Colin Kaepernick did pretty much the worst thing possible, turn the ball over. Then there was the unacceptable and pathetic performance against the far inferior Oakland Raiders, an anomaly that they should be eager to avoid repeating. They also blew a 17 point lead against the Chicago Bears in Week 2, a team that finished 5-11. And finally, there was the Chargers game that appeared to be well on its way to a victory before a fourth quarter defensive implosion. Point is, the 49ers had trouble finishing games. Even if they had won just two of those easily winnable collapses, they would have been in a nice wild card position at 10-6.

It will not be easy to replace the litany of off-season losses suffered by the 49ers. But it can be done. Impact players that started 2014 as 49ers and no longer are include Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox, Aldon Smith, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati, and Anthony Davis. Did I miss anyone?

The Drop-off rankings are based on replacing 2014 production.

Patrick Willis: It’s never easy replacing a franchise legend. Willis was the best linebacker in the NFL for a better part of a decade, and his decision to hang ’em up seemingly still in his prime shocked many. Still, Willis is human. He played only six games last year, most of them with a debilitating toe injury that led to his eventual retirement. Replacing a prime Patrick Willis is next to impossible. However, replacing six games worth of production while injured should be doable. Number 52 will be missed, but he was really already gone after the 2013 season. Drop-off, scale of 1-10: 3

Chris Borland: Then again, a major reason why the 49ers were able to win eight games without their captain was the emergence of rookie Chris Borland, a third round pick that earned Defensive Player of the Month honors among others and merited strong consideration for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Borland shockingly retired just six days after Willis at age 24, citing concerns over the long term effects of concussions. No one saw this coming, and it’s a bitter pill to swallow. The good news is the 49ers have two players who look to be capable starters competing for Borland’s vacated spot. Michael Wilhoite has appeared in all 16 games the previous two seasons, and Nick Moody is an athletic young linebacker with upside. Drop-off: 6

Justin Smith: Cowboy, as he was known, was one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive linemen for over a decade with the Bengals and 49ers. An imposing figure on the field and a veteran leader off it, Smith was invaluable to the 49ers defense that went to three straight NFC Championship Games. In 2014, Smith dealt with injuries and advancing age, and unlike Willis and Borland, his retirement was not a surprise to anybody. Trent Baalke has drafted with an eye towards Smith’s eventual retirement, and the 49ers have two young stud defensive linemen in Quinton Dial and Tank Carradine ready to contribute even more this season. It would appear unwise to mess with anybody named “Tank.” Drop-off: 3

Ray McDonald: McDonald was a good defensive linemen on the field, but he was an unsavory character off of it, and the 49ers’ decision to let him play under a domestic abuse investigation was a black eye to the organization and a slap in the face to Jed York’s “Win with Class” mantra. Dial and Carradine are younger and superior players, and the 49ers signed veteran interior linemen Darnell Dockett as well. Dockett is coming off an injury but was a terrific player for the Arizona Cardinals for a long time. It’s a good thing for everyone that McDonald is gone. Drop-off: 1

Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox: Replacing both starting corners is a tall task, but Trent Baalke has done a fair job of mitigating the damage. To start off, Cox was replacing Tramaine Brock, who was the 49ers number one corner before the season started and was subsequently injured. As long as Brock stays healthy, the secondary shouldn’t be awful. On the other side veteran Shareece Wright and second year player Keith Reaser are battling it out for the starting job. Wright started last year for the San Diego Chargers but graded out poorly on most metrics, while Reaser has been turning heads in camps but has yet to take the field in an NFL game.This one really depends on Brock’s ability to stay healthy. Drop-off: 5

Aldon Smith: Sigh. The most recent and perhaps most disappointing loss this off-season was Smith, who the 49ers cut after yet another DUI. Smith had all the talent in the world and set the world on fire with 14 sacks his rookie year and 19.5 during the 49ers’ Super Bowl run. Smith needs to focus on fighting his inner demons rather than offensive tackles, and the Niners promised him support even though he is no longer a member of the organization. It’s a sad story, but Smith didn’t do much on the field last year. Playing in just 7 games due to a suspension, he recorded just two sacks and he was invisible on the field at times. Replacing his production should be no problem for the Niners, with perennial starter Ahmaad Brooks, talented second-year pass rusher Aaron Lynch, and highly touted rookie Eli Harold out of Virginia. Drop-off: 2

Frank Gore: The franchise’s all-time leading rusher and most consistent offensive performer through abysmal and auspicious years is beloved the the 49er faithful. He defied father time and injuries again and again, showing he could still hang with the young pups even at the ancient running back age of 32. Yet this past season marked the end of the line for Gore in San Francisco. Although he was productive as ever last season, his loss may end up being more sentimental than anything. Age will eventually catch up with Gore, with all signs pointing to severe statistical drop-offs for running backs of his age. The 49ers are well prepared to replace him as well, having known for years that one day the 5 time Pro-Bowler would ride off into the sunset. The Niners drafted Carlos Hyde in the second round of the 2014, possibly the best running back in college football during his senior season at Ohio State, where he averaged over seven yards per carry. Those aren’t numbers you see every day. In addition, Hyde showed that he could play in this league during limited action this past season. Throw in the speedy Kendall Hunter, rookie Mike Davis, and intriguing former rugby megastar Jarryd Hayne, and the Niners have a pretty good looking cast of tailbacks to work with this season. Drop-off: 3

Michael Crabtree: Michael Crabtree was one of the best receivers in College Football history at Texas Tech, and the 49ers were positively giddy when he dropped into their lap at Number 10 in the 2009 NFL draft. Crabtree eventually developed into the guy they were hoping for in 2012, when he caught 9 touchdowns and went over 1,000 receiving yards. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles in mini-camp the following season, and was never the same. Additionally, he was a poor fit opposite of Anquan Boldin in the 49ers offense. Neither were especially fast in NFL terms, and both were third down possesion receivers, with Boldin clearly the superior player. Crabtree’s replacement, Torrey Smith, is a perfect compliment to Boldin and the two won a Super Bowl together (at the 49ers’ expense) in the 2012 season. Crabtree had great potential and is a fine receiver, but Smith is a far better fit in San Francisco’s offense and. Drop-off: 2

Mike Iupati: Iupati, a first round draft choice of the 49ers in 2010, was a key cog in the dominant offensive line that laid the foundation for the three year run of dominance the Niners enjoyed in their trip to three straight NFC Championship games. Iupati was an absolute mauler in the run game, among the league’s elite, but he was below average in pass protection. Iupati will most likely be replaced by Brandon Thomas, a third round pick in 2014. Thomas was a great linemen at Clemson, but he tore his ACL during a pre-draft workout with the New Orleans Saints. Thomas certainly has the potential to be a quality starter in the NFL, but asking a second year player who has never played an NFL snap coming off an injury to replace Iupati is asking far too much. Drop-off: 7

Anthony Davis: Davis was drafted just a few picks before Iupati out of Rutgers, and developed into an above average right tackle. Davis unexpectadly quit football in June over concerns over the effect of concussions. Davis recently promised to return in 2016, but that doesn’t help the 49ers this year. This one is a doozy. The 49ers have to choose from Erik Pears, a 33 year old veteran, and Trenton Brown, a 7th round rookie. Both stand an imposing 6 foot 8, but Pears’ track record is unimpressive and Brown is unproven. Both have reportedly been dominated by linebackers during camp. Hopefully that says more about the linebackers than it does about Pears and Brown. Because Davis’ sabbatical came out of the blue and after the draft, the 49ers were effectively sucker punched (ha-ha, sorry Geno Smith) by Davis’ decision. This could end up being a real problem for San Francisco. Drop-off: 8

Of course, the 49ers also lost Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman, and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio.

Losing Harbaugh is tough because he instantly revitalized a downtrodden organization. His grating style and extreme methods worked for a while, but eventually wore players down and his departure was inevitable with the egos in an NFL locker room. He is much better suited to be a college coach. His replacement, former defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, is unproven as an NFL head coach, but is uniquely loved and respected by his players. The only thing that is for certain is that his players will play hard for him. By all accounts, he appears to be a good man. Hopefully Jimmy T is a good coach as well.

Last year’s offense was excruciating to watch. Defenses were able to time the snap count because it took so long to execute the excessively intricate playcalls. Kaepernick struggled to make reads and the offense appeared woefully out of sync. New offensive coordinator Geep Chryst has a good relationship with Kaepernick, having previously worked with him as the team’s Quarterbacks coach, and has sought to rectify all of the issues with the offense last year. The offense was the team’s biggest problem last year, and losing Roman may end up being an addition by subtraction.

Vic Fangio was the mastermind behind the 49ers elite defense and he merited strong consideration for the head coaching job vacated by Harbaugh. You’d be hard pressed to find a superior defensive coordinator in the league. Eric Mangini was Baalke’s choice to replace Fangio, meaning all three major coaching vacancies were replaced by in-house candidates. Mangini might not be up to Fangio’s standard, but it’s the players who make a defense and if Mangini is wise he’ll listen to the opinions of NaVorro Bowman and won’t try to mess with a good thing. Mangini has previous experience as a head coach in the league, and he wouldn’t have stuck around so long unless he had some semblance of what he was doing.

So all is not lost for the Red and Gold this season. Nothing will come easy in the NFC West. The Seahawks remain the NFL’s best team. Who knows what the Arizona Cardinals would have done in the playoffs with a real quarterback? They had the best record in the league last year when Carson Palmer was healthy. The Rams boast a ferocious defense and are seen as a young up and coming squad throughout the league.

It’s unrealistic to predict a sixth Super Bowl this season. But 10-6 isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. And if the whole thing crumbles like a Nature Valley bar, they can’t do worse than 6-10 or 5-11. So cool it with the 3-13 talk. The Niners have something to prove this year. Most of their success hinges on Colin Kaepernick. If he can up his game, maybe we’ll be talking playoffs. A repeat of last year’s cringe-worthy showing, and they’re probably bound for another 8-8.

The exodus was shocking, but it has not left the 49ers bereft of talent. It’s all speculation at this point. Everyone will have to put their money where their mouth is September 14th.

Pictures:

https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1600&bih=775&q=49ers+in+seattle&oq=49ers+in+seattle&gs_l=img.3…572419.575507.0.575807.16.8.0.8.8.0.78.456.7.7.0….0…1ac.1.64.img..7.9.462.YJiUQ3W8-a0#tbm=isch&q=49ers+vs+seattle&imgrc=UPlsryst2uvMkM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1600&bih=775&q=navorro+bowman+injury&oq=navorro+b&gs_l=img.1.1.0l10.1046.2550.0.4534.9.6.0.3.3.0.88.398.6.6.0….0…1ac.1.64.img..0.9.410.XPuMa14Xhrw#imgrc=v1NQBuSi5Sbv0M%3A

I do not own these pictures and all credit goes to the photographer and website.

As A-Rod continues to pass baseball legends in the record books despite the best efforts of former Commissioner Bud Selig, I marvel at his persistence.  A-Rod was the MLB’s cockroach. No one wanted him there, and they did everything they could to get rid of him. When A-Rod was handed a 162 game suspension, it was effectively a death sentence to his career. There’s no way A-Rod, with two busted hips, can come back and resume his career at age 40 after a full year out of the league, right? But like the cockroach that lives for two weeks with its head cut off, A-Rod returns and positively rakes. He’s on pace for over 30 home runs and a .286 average. How many 40 year old dudes can do that? It’s all pretty much a moot point for Alex Rodriguez at this point. He’ll show up on the record books, but it will always be with an asterisk next to his name. As for his Hall of Fame chances, forget it. His pathological lying tendencies soured much of the baseball world on him. There are very few people out there who would enshrine A-Rod in Cooperstown, mostly due to his PED use. This raises certain questions. Do people have a vendetta against A-Rod, or are all PED users similarly condemned? Will a Steroid User Ever Make it to the Hall of Fame?

To date, none have, after several years on the ballot. A few of the most discussed names include Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Roger Clemens.

Bonds’ case is simple-how can a 14 time All-Star, seven(!!) time MVP, and the Home Run King with 762 not be in the Hall of Fame? Additionally, Bonds has never been officially named a steroid user. But anyone with half a brain can see that the skinny kid swiping 50 bases a year for the Pittsburgh Pirates was not the same man as the behemoth that mashed 73 home runs and made pitches so weak at the knees that he was once walked 232 times in a single season. That, paired with Bond’s perjury conviction and involvement in the BALCO scandal, has tainted his reputation forever. Still, there are baseball pundits out there that make a case for Bonds’ immortalization in the Hall of Fame. If the era is truly known as the “Steroid Era” and 80% of players were truly using it (as Jose Canseco claims), then Bonds’ numbers should stand as they are among the all time greats. It’s understandable that some people may feel this way-you can’t win a footrace against someone on a bicycle, after all. The natural thing to do would be to even the playing field.

However, the logic of the people that believe Bonds’ records aren’t tainted is flawed in several aspects. First of all, everything Canseco says should be taken with a grain of salt. It’s unlikely that 80% of players truly used steroids. Second of all, using an illegal substance to gain an advantage is morally corrupt. While it was not illegal while many players used it, many of those players continued to use it when it was banned and it’s simply unfair to compare players who have been assisted by chemicals to those who have not. The final nail in Barry’s Hall of Fame coffin is the fact that he received just 36.8% of the vote last year, when 75% is required for entry. It will be difficult to make up 40% of the votes over the next fifteen years as other, more deserving players enter the ballot.

In or Out: Out.

All that hard work for a disappointing end to his story.

Mark McGwire is an interesting case. Surely, if Bonds is out, how would Mark McGwire make it into the Hall of Fame? McGwire’s only hope is if the committee decides to take into consideration the impact McGwire had on the MLB and his contributions its revival.

Following the 1994 strike, an ugly incident, many baseball fans turned their back on baseball. They wouldn’t return until 1998, with McGwire and Sammy Sosa going down to the wire to overcome Roger Maris and capture the single-season home run record. McGwire and Sosa’s race brought in millions of dollars in revenue and sparked baseball’s return to America’s Game. So, his impact on the game of baseball and the MLB is arguably greater than Bonds’ impact on the game.

Additionally, he admitted to using steroids and apologized. In stark contrast to A-Rod, who lied about his steroid usage multiple times, McGwire paints himself as a contrite figure who deeply regrets his mistake. People are lenient when someone is honest with them. It’s easier to forgive someone if they appear to be well and truly sorry for their actions. Of course, it could be an act. But it’s certainly better than Bonds’ improbable denial and the circus A-Rod led baseball fans through.

You want to forgive McGwire, but he made a choice and therefore must suffer the consequences. McGwire does fall into the category of players who used steroids before they were banned, but it’s unlikely that he stopped using them once they were outlawed.

McGwire’s Hall of Fame chances are basically pushing up daisies. He received just 23.7% of the vote in his best year, 2010.

In or Out: Out

Roger Clemens is an intriguing case as well. While most of the steroid controversy has been focused on hitters, Clemens is the most prominent pitcher linked to steroids. Clemens’ accomplishments are unbelievable. Seven Cy Young Awards, over 4,000 strikeouts, 300 wins…his statistics, at first glance, seem to make him a shoo-in.

There is so much more to Roger Clemens, though, that it is paramount that he be recognized for all he is, good and bad.

Clemens is a central piece of baseball history. He was the MVP in 1986 and the ace of the Boston Red Sox team that hoped to break the then 68 year Curse of the Bambino. The 1986 Series is widely recognized as one of the greatest ever. The Red Sox were one strike away, but it was not to be. Bill Buckner will forever live in infamy, though his pain must be eased with the Red Sox finally breaking the curse in 2004. Clemens was also a vital piece of the Yankees modern dynasty, serving as the ace for two of their four championships in the late 1990’s/early 2000’s. He was on the losing end of another World Series Classic in 2001, as the underdog Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees in seven games. He also led Houston to their first and only World Series appearance in 2005. Three decades of the league’s history have Clemens’ fingerprints on them. He was the dominant right-hander of his era, fiery and aggressive, challenged only by a lanky lefty with the nastiest slider ever, Randy Johnson.

Yet, the steroids. Always the steroids. Clemens was one of 82 players named in the Mitchell Report. Perhaps one day a player will do enough to overcome the black mark on their resume that is Performance Enhancing Drugs. It’s unlikely that it will be Clemens, who didn’t make too many friends during his time in the league, developing a penchant for hitting batters, making inflammatory remarks, and his infamous bat throw at Mike Piazza. Clemens’ percentage rests at 37.5%, interestingly above Bonds but not so much so that his chances are any better. In or Out: Out.

Clemens’ Hall of Fame chances are similar to what he made many hitters do over his 24 year career: A swing and a miss.

Well, if I’m counting correctly, that’s three outs to zero ins. And as we all know, three strikes in baseball-you’re out. Perhaps these three players of baseball’s darkest hour can take some solace in the fact that they will be remembered. But they will never receive a plaque in Cooperstown.

Pictures:

https://www.google.com/search?q=barry+bonds+angry&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS601US601&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=775&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=OA6TVdXEOoi0ogSvt4agCQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#imgrc=zmvuaDxPH1sCFM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=mark+mcgwire+upset&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS601US601&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=775&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=HhWTVeCFFY7woATz-rO4AQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#imgrc=IIRiVxVn4PG2RM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=roger+clemens&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS601US601&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=775&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=OySTVfjVC9CpogTL84P4Bw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg#imgrc=IRUEhxEv_QTIuM%3A

None of these photos are mine and all credit goes to the website and photographer.

Hall of Fame Percent Numbers:

“2014 Hall of Fame Profile: Mark McGwire.” SBNation.com. N.p., 07 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 June 2015.

“Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens Still Facing Long Hall of Fame Odds.”CBSSports.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2015.

Let me get some qualifiers out of the way-the playcall was really, really, bad. Throwing it on the one yard line with Marshawn Lynch in the backfield? A man who has been stopped for no gain or negative yardage just 7% of the time in the 2014-15 season? So yes, bad. Unwise. Perhaps even incomprehensible. But not the worst playcall ever.

The stage that the call was on and the national exposure is what made this playcall so reviled around the country. The 2015 Super Bowl was the most watched program in television history, 49.7% of America tuned in. That’s incredible. We’re talking 150 million people watching one of the biggest mishaps in sports history.

Let’s put it in perspective, though. During the 2014 season, the 49ers lost a home game to the Rams in a terrible way. After a sloppy, messy, game against an inferior opponent, the 49ers drove the ball down the field in the closing minutes of the game down to the goal line of the Rams-without an insanely lucky catch that must have brought back bad Super Bowl memories for Patriots fans. Not again. (Note: Tyree Catch was a great job by Eli of escaping pressure and finding Tyree, fantastic catch by Tyree, and great job by Tyree holding onto the ball. The Jermaine Kearse catch was just luck. Lying on your back and the ball falls right into your hands after four ricochets? Come on. Reminiscent of that Vikings-Packers Monday Night Football Game I’ve seen replays of with Antonio Freeman. Good defense, better luck.)

Anyways, the 49ers are down three with the ball on the five yard line. This is a critical difference from the Super Bowl, where the Seahawks were down four and needed a touchdown. A simple chip shot field goal would have done the trick and put the game into overtime. So instead of a conservative handoff to “The Inconvenient Truth”, the ever reliable Frank Gore, Greg Roman dials up some read option hoopla for Kaepernick, who, in typical fashion (he played terrible that game/part of the season), fumbled the ball and the Rams recovered. Ball Game. Gut wrenching loss at home to an inferior team in a bad way, but it wasn’t given the national exposure of the Super Bowl. I’d argue a quick slant against a stacked front is a better play than the trickery Greg Roman tried to get too fancy with. I understand that it’s a quick slant and there isn’t a lot of time to make a read, but Russel Wilson could have done anything else and gotten a better result, so some blame has to go on him too. And hey, what about giving Malcolm Butler some credit for making a heck of a play?

Sticking with the Niners theme, how about how in the 49ers-Ravens Super Bowl, the 49ers threw three straight incompletions to Michael Crabtree. On the exact same play. Didn’t try anything else, didn’t get it in. Season over in an equally heart breaking fashion because they got so close.

But wait.

It gets better.

Soooo, the next year, the sting of the Super Bowl loss still fresh, the 49ers use the loss as fuel to return to the NFC Championship game. After taking an early lead, the 49ers fell behind. Kaepernick led an energetic, revitalizing drive at the end of the game and brought the 49ers to the goal line. (Sound familiar?) Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh, in all of their collective offensive genius, decided to run guess what play? Fade to Crabtree? Never would have guessed. But Richard Sherman must be smarter than the average bear, because he was positioned perfectly to tip the ball and it was picked off by Malcolm Smith. Season over. Aaagain.

In a non-football example, how about the decision to hold the runner at third in the 2014 World Series? Gregor Blanco had already misplayed the ball badly, and he is a great defender but doesn’t possess a cannon arm. In all honesty, I thought that he would have scored if he was sent. Trusting your hitter to deliver in the clutch against a guy that had been pretty much untouchable for the last month and turned in one of the greatest postseason performances of all time? In doing so, the Royals third base coach denied the Kansas City their first championship in 29 years. Most of the credit has to go the the Giants, though. San Francisco delivered in the clutch.

On a simpler level, what about the numerous managers or pitchers that decided to pitch to Barry Bonds instead of intentionally walking him and got burned by it?

And while it will be a playcall that will live in infamy, it falls fall short of the worst off-field blunders of all time. Pete Carroll may have cost Seattle a Lombardi trophy, but come on, they won one last year. The Red Sox traded Babe Ruth for $100,000. The greatest slugger of all time for cash considerations? The 10 year-gazillion dollar A-Rod contract isn’t looking too good right now, either. So don’t feel too bad, Pete Carroll. It was a great game that Seattle really did not play well enough to win. Without Kearse’s miracle catch or the bizzare 80 yard-30 second drive at the end of the half, this one wouldn’t even have been close. I’ve heard two College Football Championships and one Super Bowl Victory is great for the healing process.

Really?

If this play was in the Super Bowl, 49ers fans would never hear the end of it.

Credit for the images goes to: http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/160713/super-bowl-xlix-photoblog-jermaine-kearses-incredible-catch

http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2014/11/colin_kaepernick_fumbles_away.html