RealClearSports: Harbaugh Keeps Everyone Off Balance

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — There is a rhythm to Jim Harbaugh's words, if not exactly a pattern. After all, any football coach wants to keep the opponent guessing, make him feel off balance, and maybe nobody does that better than Harbaugh.

Maybe nobody coaches better either.

In his first season in charge, Harbaugh has the San Francisco 49ers...

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© RealClearSports 2012

SF Examiner: New mindset looks right on 49ers Alex Smith

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Now it's not an issue of redemption. Alex Smith has made it through the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, made it past the New Orleans Saints. Now it's not a matter of words, of arguing his worth.

Now it's getting to the Super Bowl.

He knows he's endured, knows he's survived, knows he's been called a bust...

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Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company

Newsday (N.Y.): Season of redemption for 49ers QB Smith

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- He wasn't supposed to be here, one game from the Super Bowl, not after the criticism, the boos and time on injured reserve.

Then again, as the first player picked in the 2005 NFL draft, a quarterback chosen to lead the San Francisco 49ers, Alex Smith was supposed to be here, facing the Giants on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park.

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Copyright © 2012 Newsday. All rights reserved.

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.