No doubt that Nolan is no longer wanted

By Adam Sweeney  |   Friday, October 17, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

San Francisco 49ers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore may be in beleaguered head coach Mike Nolan's corner, but it likely won't be enough to stop the momentum building for a change of regime. For the third straight year, Nolan has the once-proud franchise off to a 2-4 start. That may fly with some fans who have come to expect futility for so long, but there's no reason at this point to not consider going in another direction.

Commentary: Nolan made a series of mind-numbing moves in last week's 40-26 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. When a 16-yard pass to Eagles wide receiver was clearly not a catch, Nolan didn't challenge the play. After the game, Nolan claimed that he didn't get word from his assistants to challenge it. That's surely because he wasn't wearing his headset at the time. However, he did decide to challenge a fourth-quarter field goal Philly made without even knowing if the play was reviewable. Nolan can complain all he wants that the referees didn't help him in the situation, but the fact remains that it is his job to be prepared for such matters.

Add to the poor decision-making a bad defense, virtually nonexistent leadership and poor offensive play-calling, and you can clearly see why Nolan needs to go. Would a promotion of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who won an NFC title as the Rams' head coach earlier this decade, produce any worse results?

Fan Pulse: The 49er community thinks that "the sins of Mike Nolan" extend beyond the field and into the Draft-Day war room: http://forums.49ers.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=60127.

Fantasy Football Commentary: Vernon Davis caught six passes for 75 yards last week. If you need a tight end in the worst way, consider him.

Injury Watch: LB Manny Lawson missed practice Thursday with a hamstring injury.

Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (2)

About Adam Sweeney

Adam Sweeney spent 4 years as an opinions and arts & entertainment columnist with the Lone Star Lutheran, also working with Sports Illustrated.com. Along with his work on Realfootball 365 he currently is a contributor for Film School Rejects, SLAM Online, Talkhoops.net, and C-Heads Magazine.
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report