The scene in San Francisco may appear utterly hopeless. Any chances of turning around this 2008 NFL regular season seemed to go out the window for a 49ers team which, after losing their fourth straight, seems to be headed deep into yet another meaningless, empty year.

Head coach Mike Nolan frequently spoke of change and restoring the glory days in the Bay Area and for three and a half seasons roamed the 49ers sideline while the team fell apart on the field. Despite his best efforts, including bending the NFL’s dress policy so that he could wear a custom suit during home games, Nolan never translated his convictions into the team’s weekly performance.

And so the criticisms continued; not just towards Nolan, but for seemingly questionable ownership of the team under John York, who didn’t earn the job but rather was given it when Eddie DeBartolo bolted. The change in team management has clearly been evident: from 1992 to 2002, the 49ers missed the playoffs only twice; since 2003, the team has not even once tasted the postseason. Read more »