Sport As Moral Teacher

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has taken to repeating Malcolm X’s slogan, “by any means necessary.” The other day his star linebacker, Patrick Willis, echoed it in a press conference, so the motto has obviously taken hold in the locker room. I imagine that if I still lived in San Francisco, I’d be hearing it from my friends.

That’s because sport is pedagogical as well as entertaining, even for onlookers. It teaches as it entertains us.

Final Score: SF 36 - NO 32

Noman got the score wrong, but not the result!  The San Francisco 49ers scored a touchdown in the final seconds to defeat the New Orleans Saints in a thriller.

Vernon Davis, shown above crying in his coach's arms after making the game winning catch with :09 seconds remaining, was magnificent.  He came to play.  His final line: 7 catches for 180 yards--a single game, post-season record for tight ends--and 2 touchdowns.  And, that doesn't capture how well he performed, especially in the clutch with the game on the line.

Davis's catch and tears of joy reminded 49er fans everywhere of Terrell Owens' catch of Steve Young's pass against the Green Bay Packers in the final seconds of a Wild Card game in 1998.  TO blubbered uncontrollably afterwards, which was the last time anyone saw his endearing, humble side.  After that, it was all braggadocio and self-promotion.  Noman hopes that Davis knows it's better to be loved than to be a pariah.

Today's game was compared afterwards to the NFC title game between the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys played nearly 30 years ago to the date.  (Noman was there, and lists that contest in his bio as the happiest non-family moment of his non-life.)

In terms of theater, this one was more dramatic because of the back-and-forth lead changes in the final minutes that lasted for two rounds: four lead changes in the final five minutes.  In terms of meaning, however, that one is tough to be beat.  The Saints don't have the history of tormenting the 49ers the way the Cowboys did throughout the 1970's and up until that 1981 season.

Today's winning pass to Davis, however, reminded Noman most of Joe Montana's strike to John Taylor to win Super Bowl XXIII in 1989.  A slicing dart to the post--touchdown!

The enigmatic Alex Smith answered his critics by driving his team down the field in the final minutes of the game when behind not just once, but twice!  He couldn't get much going for most of the game.  But, he did when all the chips were in the pot--a trait he exhibited in several games this season.

The 49ers defense was great.  They hit people hard, covered superlatively for most of the game, and harried the indomitable Drew Brees, who looked uncomfortable all day.

Donte Whitner laid a hit on Pierre Thomas that knocked the Saints second-leading rusher out cold, and caused a fumble near the goal line on New Orleans' opening drive.  It was a bone-rattling tackle that set the tone for the game, and sent a message to the favored team.

In keeping with a season-long trend, he 49ers forced 5 turnovers, and committed only 1.  Its special teams were superb as usual, but not dominant.

The defense eventually succumbed to the relentless Brees, who reminded Noman of nobody more than the Terminator.  He kept coming and coming and coming all game long--throwing 63 passes, 4 of them for touchdowns--shaking off 2 interceptions to throw for his usual 400+ (almost 500) yards.

Thankfully, by then, Smith and the 49er offense were primed for heroics.  

Towards the end, this game reminded Noman of a title bout in which boxers stand toe-to-toe in the ring and trade haymakers that would fell a mere mortal: Ali-Frazier; Ward-Gatti, for instance.

Among the vanquished, Darren Sproles deserves special recognition.  He looked fantastic in the Saints' recent games, but was beaten into submission early in this one.  He seemed gun shy from the punishment he received each time he touched the ball, and even fumbled a punt.  But, he got in synch late in the game, and struck for a scintillating 44 yard touchdown scamper with 4:11 remaining in the game.  After a subsequent touchdown, he hauled in a critical two-point conversion.  Hats off to a competitor.

Surprisingly, Michael Crabtree didn't show up on the 49ers side.  He caught a 4-yard TD pass early in the game, but disappeared thereafter.  Perhaps he was double-temaed, and threw unheralded devastating blocks.  The 49ers could have used his moves and hands, though.  He dropped a couple of catchable passes that hurt the offense, which needed to put a drive together in order to keep the ball away from Brees, and to give the defense a rest.  Without Crabtree, they couldn't, until the glorious end.

Congratulations 49ers, and thanks for the thrill!  It was a game for the ages, especially because the Saints--who routinely win these slugfests, including a Monday night heart-stopper in San Francisco in 2010--were knocked out in the final round by a team that is more boxer than puncher.

Noman's condolences to Saints fans, whose team was spectacular.

Football Mania!

Just for the record, the San Francisco 49ers will defeat the New Orleans Saints today.

The stats and hype indicate a Saints win by a score of 49-28 or some such blowout.  Forget the stats; ignore the hype.

Good defense beats good offense as surely as good pitching beats good hitting.  The 49ers have great defense; the Saints, great offense.  The same principle applies.

San Francisco's special teams are a game changer.  The 49ers can score by reaching the other team's 40 yard line because the field goal kicker is a long-distance machine.  They keep the other team pinned deep in its own territory because the punter is lights out.  They've got a kick returner who can take it to the house.

In a normal 49er game, the Saints would be able to roll up 350 yards without entering the red zone.  And, if they do, they'll discover that the 49er defense steps it up a notch in those situations.

On offense, the 49ers have the inconvenient truth, a pair of dangerous receivers, and an intelligent quarterback who reminds Noman of Bob Griese.  Nothing too flashy; just a guy in command of a great team.

The Saints bombard the opposition with deep passes.  The 49ers force lots of interceptions and turnovers.

Finally, even though New Orleans is a great city, San Francisco is a greater one.

Enough said.  49ers 29 - Saints 23.  Noman wants to say 49ers 19 - Saints 13, but doesn't have the nerve.

In the day's other game, all Noman can say with certainty is that the Broncos will have more people around the globe praying for them than any other team in the history of sports.

Mister Smith Goes To Washington

That's Alex, not Jefferson, Smith.  San Francisco's former pinata was 17 of 24 for 200 yards and one TD against the Redskins in another efficient, workmanlike effort for the victorious 49ers. 

Smith is apparently concentrating on not being the reason why the 49ers lose this season, on not making mistakes.  It's working.  Perhaps by the end of the year he'll be intent on being a big reason why they win.  

Whether he feels the need to carry the team on his shoulders or not--and Noman hopes he never does if it takes him out of his groove--Smith is a key variable in the 49ers resurgence under their new coach, Michigan-man Jim Harbaugh.

This first link shows a play that could easily have led to a crucial fumble, and certainly would have in prior years. Today, Smith got crunched and held onto the ball somehow.  It led to a punt, which is far preferable to a turnover deep in your own territory.  

http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d823d1aa3/Alex-Smith-sandwiched

This second link shows 49ers v. Redskins game highlights.  Though they're winning on defense, and special teams, the offense is doing what it needs to do in order bring home the bacon.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d823d553b/49ers-vs-Redskins-highlights

For the season, Smith is completing 64% of his passes, and throws five touchdowns for every interception (10 TD's v. 2 Int.).  Importantly, the team didn't deflate when he turned it over on an errantly thrown pass against Detroit, for instance.

The great 49ers teams of the 1980's had a brilliant, but fumble-prone, running back named Wendell Tyler.  Whenever he coughed one up, the team would visibly sag.  It was like a bad omen.  Mercifully, Smith's gaffe did not have that affect.

Noman brings Smith up because--aside from the fact that Noman's team is winning--something heart warming is happening on the 49ers.  Alex Smith is getting some love from his coach, who made it clear coming in that he wanted Smith to lead his team. And, Smith is responding like a happy puppy.

Note the tail end of Coach Harbaugh's post game speech after the 49ers road win against the previously undefeated Lions.  He points Smith out calling him clutch, and Smith curls up into an aw-gee-golly-shucks-cut-it-out ball of joy, and bashfully soaks up his teammates accolades.

Smith was indeed clutch; not spectacular, just clutch, which was enough to win.  With time running out and the 49ers behind, they ran play after play up the gut of the Lion's defense.  It was reminiscent of Rocky's rematch fight against Mr. T in Rocky III.

With 4th and goal and time running out, the game was in Smith's hands.  He delivered a six yard, game winning TD pass to Delanie Walker when there was no margin for error.   Clutch.  This is how it looked to a deflated Lions fan.

The watershed moment came in week four of the season in Phildelphia.

The 49ers trailed 20-3 at halftime. Less than six minutes later, the Eagles' lead was extended to 23-3. 

But, then, something strange happened. The team that came into the game with the 32nd-ranked offense in the NFL, produced nearly as much offense in one quarter than it averaged in the first three games. 

Quarterback Alex Smith completed 9 of 9 passing attempts for 179 yards with two touchdowns. The 49ers, who came into the game averaging 213.7 yards of total offense, rolled up 199 yards alone in the third quarter. 

And the 49ers rallied from a 20-point deficit for the victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. And Smith returned to the Bay Area on Sunday evening with his signature NFL victory. 

"I think it's huge for a quarterback," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "You don't have many 20-point comebacks as a quarterback. And when you do, that's definitely a character-builder for the football team, for the quarterback, for everybody." 

"Since I've been here, playing on the road has been a big test and something we haven't done well," Smith said. "To find a way to get two wins is something, since I've been here, we've never done it." 

"Alex Smith and I came in together," running back Frank Gore said. "He just needed a coach to believe in him and this coach does. This was a big game for him and for all of us because we know we can win." 

Read more: Alex Smith's signature victory

Here's what the locker room looked like after that win.  Note Harbaugh calling Smith "Mayberry": presumably a reference to the Andy Griffith show, a staple of 1960s television and of an age when Americana and innocence were synonymous terms.

There is a bit of mom and apple pie, of Jimmy Stewart to Smith.

Something good is happening on the team.  They're now working on a four-game road winning streak, and are 7-1 on the year.  Wow.  It's been a long dry spell.  Coach Harbaugh is getting lots of recognition for it, as he should.  

Alex Smith is not likely to win over skeptics until he brings home the hardware, that is, a championship trophy of some kind.  San Franciscans were spoiled by Joe Montana and Steve Young, who set the bar very high.  Even Jeff Garcia garnered some appreciation.  

Nevertheless, Smith deserves a pat on the back for the way he is playing.  Noman's suspicion is that fans (and No-fans) want to like him; they want him to succeed.  They're just tired of dashed expectations.

Noman is happy for Smith.  He is a likable fellow whose career has been marked by an unfortunate penchant for disappearing at key points in a game, or interview.  That guy has shown up much less this year than in prior ones.

On a final note, he wears a Giants cap to post game interviews.  Well done.  He knows where he plays, the fans he plays for, and what the 2010 Championship meant to San Francisco.  Kudos, Alex!  

Bring one home for the 49ers.  And, don't be deterred by the fickle fans, of whom legendary quarterback John Brody once said "San Francisco fans are the best in the world, win or tie."