Newsday (N.Y.): Smith, Davis lead 49ers to thrilling upset of Saints

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

SAN FRANCISCO -- The other quarterback was the magic man. Drew Brees did what he could, but Alex Smith did what nobody thought he could -- become a winner.

Smith, maligned in his previous six seasons after being taken as the overall No. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL draft, threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with nine seconds remaining to give the San Francisco 49ers a 36-32 NFC divisional playoff win over the New Orleans Saints Saturday.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2012 Newsday. All rights reserved.

RealClearSports: Tebow, From Denver to Jerusalem

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

The Thursday morning ESPN special devoted to the man was acceptable. The AOL article that his winning touchdown pass was illegal was understandable. But when a writer for the Jerusalem Post feels compelled to point out Jews shouldn't be afraid of Tim Tebow's displays of Christianity, you ask, "What next?"

A psychological analysis of Tebow by some doctor in Vienna - Austria, that is, not Virginia? An instructional video on how to throw wobbly passes?

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

SF Examiner: At long last, the Niners are back on big stage

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

They get one shot. That was the reminder from the man who has helped enable them to gain that shot, Jim Harbaugh.

“It’s special being in the playoffs,” said Harbaugh, the 49ers rookie coach.

Special because they haven’t been there for years. Special because six months ago...

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Raiders New GM Proclaims 'New Era'

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

OAKLAND – The little analysis of Hue Jackson by Al Davis is right there in the Oakland Raiders media guide. “The fire in Hue,’’ said Davis, “will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and Raider nation.’’

It was snuffed out, however, by Al’s son, Mark, who took over the team upon Al’s death.

On Tuesday, Mark Davis hired Reggie McKenzie from the Green Bay Packers as general manager, the position Al held de facto for decades.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

SF Examiner: New Orleans Saints streaking into San Francisco

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

This is what makes it appear hopeless for the 49ers in the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday at the ’Stick. Their opponent, the New Orleans Saints, scored 45 points each of their past three games, including Saturday’s wild-card win over the Detroit Lions.

This is what makes it appear less than hopeless for the Niners: The Saints never have won a road playoff game.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company