RealClearSports: 49ers Open Window to Glorious Past

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN FRANCISCO – They were The City’s team, in name and function, created here, not transported from New York or Philadelphia. And if they never reached the top, they were no less entertaining than a ride on one of those cable cars halfway to the stars.

The 49ers were so very San Francisco, adored, beloved and invariably stuck in the fog of mediocrity. Oh well, let’s go down to the Buena Vista Café and have an Irish coffee.

The Niners originally played at an expanded high school stadium in Golden Gate Park...

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© RealClearSports 2012

Newsday (N.Y.): 49ers wary of rematch with surging Giants

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- They are happy to be staying home, which is no surprise.

"You'd rather not have to get on a plane and fly to Green Bay, where you don't know what the weather is going to be like,'' 49ers safety Donte Whitner said Monday.

Yet the 49ers are not particularly happy to be facing the surging Giants...

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Copyright © 2012 Newsday. All rights reserved.

SF Examiner: In Smith, the Bay has a new miracle worker

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Think he managed that one well enough? You want to compare Alex Smith to Joe Montana or Steve Young? Well compare away. Alex is the new miracle worker by the Bay.

What he managed to do on Saturday at the ’Stick was turn logic and inevitability upside down.

This was one for the ages, and for the Niners. This one was redemption for Alex Smith...

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Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company

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.

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Copyright © 2012 Newsday. All rights reserved.

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...

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Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company