Disgusted, unamused, sickened, take your pick of any number of descriptive words to illustrate how I feel today after last night having to endure the freak show that is the Arizona 9 o’clock news. Sure I can stomach the mundane, pathetic excuses they have for anchors, even the weather dude is alright, although his name is actually Royal, his parents must have been hippies, or just plain stupid. Nevertheless, once the newscast made it to the sports portion and I was forced to listen to Jude LaCava who by the way happens to be one of the biggest tools I have ever had the displeasure of watching, I almost threw up in my mouth.

The portion of this segment that gave me that regurgitating sensation was where they decided to introduce some peon doing a fluff piece on the Cardinals and their first game in their new stadium. It talked about the excitement of the game and I agree, there is a lot to be excited about this weekend in the city of the sun however I want nothing more then to see that excitement doused and turned to complete and utter sadness. This poor excuse for a news piece though talked about how “VERY EXCITED” the Cards were to be facing the “LOWLY” San Francisco 49ers this Sunday and how they swept the team last season. When asked the question of what they were worried about from this season’s version of the team from the Bay, Anquan Boldin had this to say,

“Nothing at all really. We have to go out and play our game, it really is not about them at all, there is nothing they can do. We have to go out and execute and make the plays we are capable
of making. It is not about them at all, it is all about us and how we play.”

Now I don’t know about you but when I heard this I wanted to jump into the screen and rip the receivers head clean off and let Manny Lawson relieve himself down his neck. Seeing how that was not a possibility I opted for something a little less impossible and although some might say my vision was just as unfeasible as my previous one, it did end with no one getting killed. It started with Lawson getting 3 sacks and an interception and the offense putting together some run heavy, clock consuming drives and the 49ers leaving Arizona with a win Improbable? Sure. Impossible? No.

As we all know this year’s rendition of the team we all know and love does not present much hope for the faithful however I believe they are going to show signs of greatness at times. I look no further then this weekend for them to do so. Of course there are some factors that will have to take place in order for this to happen. None more important though then the man Vernon Davis actually proving once and for all that he is the reincarnation of the Son of God. (Still love that article) All jokes aside though, the key to this game will be if the 49ers offense can in fact control the clock, grind it out with the power running game that we have seen glimpses of this preseason, and basically, if this team will stake their pride to the outcome. Not one person in the know is giving the 49ers a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this game, there would be nothing sweeter then to not only start the year with a win, but also do so on the road, in a new stadium, and being able to shut the so called pundits up in week one.

There is no doubt that this team is not garnering any semblance of respect around the league, there is not a soul here who can honestly say that they are not aware of this fact. Perhaps it is because the team does not deserve any respect based on the last three seasons; however I do believe that things are starting to look up on the dock of the bay. After two great drafts by Nolan and McCloughan and most likely a third this April based on perceived draft position and the needs that can be filled, 2007 could produce a contending product on the field.

As many of you know I will be in attendance at this weekends game and there are many things I will be looking for, most importantly the play from the defense and how they can handle or at least try to handle Boldin and Fitzgerald, if they can get at least some pressure on Warner and how the run defense steps up. I will be taking many pictures as well as posting my impressions of the game as I see it from section 114, row 9 seat 10… the seats are right above the tunnel which should be nice. Have a great weekend everyone and remember, we can win this game and I predict that we will.

27-24 Niners