The 49ers are aging fast. With player retiring and getting released due to injury or age in an abundance. It started with John Taylor, and has continued on from there with players like Kirk Scrakford, Brent Jones, Gary Anderson (released), Gary Plummer, Kevin Greene and Rod Woodson (both released), and Jeese Sapolou (expected to retire). Who will be next? Chris Doleman, who came to the 49ers to have a chance at the Super Bowl? Steve Young, whose concussion full carear has only felt the magic once in the past? Jerry Rice, who until last season had never missed a game due to injury, and has taken part in almost all the 49ers complete sucesses? Ray Brown, or Kevin Gogan, the two guards that have changed the way the 49ers play on the offensive line?
Fortunately, we do not have to deal with this just yet, and the 49ers are building for the future, but what about now. How long will these veterans go? They all want one more ring, or to taste the sweetness of championship for the first time, but how many of them will have the oppurtunity? The Super Bowl is a big question mark for most of these players, it seems like every year, more and more 49ers are retiring, when will this trend stop? Is this the last chance for all or just some of the players mentioned above?
The time is now for the 49ers. No more, excuses, make it or break. Super Bowl or bust! Sound familiar? These phrases are uttered every year about the 49ers, but this year they may really mean something. A Super Bowl this year is not that far out of the question. The 49ers have put together a strong team this year with a good mix a veteran and young talent. But are they good enough? Do the young players fully understand the way guys like Jerry Rice and Steve Young feel? Or Chris Doleman, Ray Brown, and Kevin Gogan?
The 49ers really are good enough to go all the way this year. Sure they lost some good players, and some long time 49ers at that. However they have to move on, staying where they were at would only have them fade into oblivion. That leaves the 49ers with one option. Win at all costs. If it means going 18-0 and winning the Super Bowl, that is what they have to do. Too many players have said they came to the 49ers for a chance to win a Super Bowl. Most of which are still wondering where that ring resides. Well maybe next year is becoming too much of a trend.
49ers are demanding. The coaches the players and the fans, this is why the excellence continues. However if the 49ers don't win the big game again soon, they may be past as the team to be on. Players might deside to go to another team, slowly but surely dismantling the 49ers. William Floyd and Dana Stublefield are the classic examples. Normally a couple thousand or even ten thousand dollars would not be able to persuade a player to leave the 49ers for another team, but it has this offseason, more then once.
This year may be tough, the fans need to show there support the whole way, lots of teams have really improved. Fortunately however the teams on top, just aren't what they used to be. Green Bay is falling apart, and Dallas has already fell apart. Denver was slaughtered by the 9ers last year. This leaves the 49ers as the team that has a real chance. More then anyone. They now have everything they need, stay healthy and a unprecidented 6th Super Bowl is not out of the question.