RealClearSports: Cowboys Fans at Home in San Francisco

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN FRANCISCO — Maybe the dateline should read Dallas-by-the-Bay. A Northern California stadium half full of Cowboys fans? The next thing, the area will be endorsing Rick Perry.

That nonsense about the Dallas Cowboys as "America's Team?" It isn't nonsense around here.

Where did it all go wrong? How did fans...

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

SF Examiner: 49ers' Jim Harbaugh already mastering coachspeak

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Jim Harbaugh is as much a football coach as a psychologist is a pixie. His words are measured, his thoughts unlimited. There’s a reason for every comment, just as there is for every play call.

Wednesday at 49ers Central in Santa Clara — and via phone hookup — Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys, who play the Niners on Sunday at Candlestick Park, said what one coach always says about another: That Harbaugh is brilliant.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: 49ers could feel some growing pains this season

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Perspective is a word fans do not like and often don’t understand. They are looking for wins and championships, not explanations or reference points. Yet for the 49ers, in what surely will be a transition season, perspective may become the saving grace.

Jim Harbaugh has arrived ...

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: San Francisco's Candlestick Park turns into combat zone

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

So now what do we tell L.A.? That we have as many thugs at our sporting events as they do? That Candlestick Park is every bit as dangerous as Dodger Stadium? That the scofflaws and punks have imposed their will on society, just like in Southern California?

Fans entering NFL games are patted down. As if it does any good. Fights — brawls, really ...



Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Quarterback questions loom for Bay Area football teams

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Yes, as Jim Harbaugh pointed out, we love talking about the quarterback position. Why wouldn’t we? Arguably, it’s the most important in any team sport. It’s the position that wins games. Or loses them.

We know quarterbacks. We’ve watched Joe Montana and Steve Young and Jim Plunkett. What we don’t know, after six seasons, is whether Alex Smith...

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company