By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner
SANTA CLARA — This is how you start, how the 49ers start, by choosing, talented, intelligent players, by selecting men you’ve judged to be one of the best — and your opinion is shared by others, even the television analysts who could find fault with Miss Universe.
Hey, she’s slow getting off the line.
©2017 The San Francisco Examiner
By Art Spander
SportsXchange
HOUSTON -- It was nearly a perfect ending for Kyle Shanahan. The offense that he developed as coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons couldn't be stopped, and the defense was no less impressive.
Shanahan's final game with the Falcons, Super Bowl LI on Sunday night before he stepped away to become the presumptive head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, was everything the Falcons and their fans -- and the Niners -- could have wanted.
Copyright 2017 SportsXchange
49ers, Falcons, Kyle Shanahan, Patriots, Super Bowl LI Email Article By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner
Hey, Jed York, what’s the plan? That’s the issue now. No one has to be told again your 49ers are a bad football team. That’s evident on the field, 12 straight losses. In the standings, second worst record in the NFL.
The question is how to make things better.
We’re well aware owners or executive officers never fire themselves, so anyone demanding your resignation is either naïve or ignorant. That understood, something has to be done. Or a lot of things have to be done.
©2016 The San Francisco Examiner
By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner
It was as if Mother Nature was cackling from somewhere east of Eden or west of Milpitas. Late on a Sunday afternoon that had been all too wet, and — for the 49ers — all too unsuccessful, the sun broke through, casting a glow on the upper rows of Levi’s Stadium and creating a rainbow in the skies above.
The old gal must have a perverse sense of humor. Now that the ceremonies were finished, a hurrah for Eddie DeBartolo, which surely will not be the last; now that the football game was finished, a 49ers loss, 30-17, to New England, the weather turned fine.
©2016 The San Francisco Examiner
By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner
The man who operates the elevator to the boxes at Levi’s Stadium said he tried to console Trent Baalke on the ride down. Nice of him, but who consoles the 49ers fans — the ones who showed up Sunday to watch another debacle — and the many who had tickets but didn’t show?
Empty seats. Empty hope. Another Niner season is down the drain, and we haven’t even reached Halloween.
©2016 The San Francisco Examiner
49ers, Colin Kaepernick, Trent Baalke Email Article