Is One the Loneliest Number?

Except for two. Which as we all know too well is where the W column ended last year. I had more fun watching that game than Tommy Lee in a sorority of blondes. This win is a great way to start for Nolan and a terrific confidence builder for the team. How does this reflect on the husband of the owner of the Forty Niners, Dr. York?

Well, we should give some credit to the hiring of Nolan; exactly one-wins worth of credit. How much is one-wins worth of credit? The excruciating enmity that launched this website and punished Niner fans across the globe swelled over years as we watched bungle after bungle decimate our beloved team. The site of winning a highly anticipated game in regulation play, something we hadn’t seen in over a year, was like the relief one feels from an ice cream headache. You are just so damn happy you’re not in pain that you could kiss a cop.

I’m also happy we didn’t have to wait for several thrashings before the virtual aspirin kicked in. That it was the RAMS only made it sweeter. So that is as much as one-wins worth of credit can buy you. Or is it?

A loss and black outs, fan boycotts and financial turmoil were that much closer.

The real measure was captured in a story from Steve Young Sunday morning as the ESPN team discussed Brett Farve’s situation. He said he decided to step away from football (after experiencing several concussions) because the Niner org told him “they were no longer playing for championships.” Why struggle for a comeback when you aren’t going to the Promised Land?

Is Dr. York playing for a championship or a new stadium? They likely aren’t mutually exclusive, but I believe the latter. Why? Because I think York is in it for the money. I believe the De Bartolo family’s eggs are all in the NFL basket now so we’ll only win the big one if it isn’t exorbitantly expensive for them. Stadiums are revenue engines. They must have one and can’t get one without fan support.

I would love a new stadium, but I don’t watch football to see the pretty seats. Time will tell if they are in it for the championship or not, one win at a time.

My Advice, My Dream
I have some advice for you Dr. York. Adapt. Get a few wins and sell while the team value is high and your empire isn’t burdened with the risks of real estate development. That was your father-in-law's forte. You’ll look smart. You’ll make big dough. You’ll put one in the family win column. Don’t worry about Jed. I’m sure whom ever you sell it to can keep him busy in the locker room.