Why you should root for the 49ers

Why you should root for the 49ers
Image by 49ers.com

Kendall Jones
Account Executive

12.02.2011
Comments: 0
In: Professional / Financial Services, Public Relations

I’m a person who analyzes trends. I’m also a person who loves football. And this year’s 49ers are blowing my mind.  Looking at the numbers, the San Francisco 49ers should not have the second-best record in the NFL. Their opponents have more offensive yards, more sacks and more third and fourth down conversions than they do. Season totals can be misleading, but when you see those same trends show up in individual games, it gets even more confusing. When the 49ers beat the New York Giants in week 8, Giants players had more passing yards, rushing yards and receiving yards than any San Francisco player. And yet, the 49ers have nine wins and two losses and could clinch a playoff spot this Sunday. Before I get into why the 49ers are so amazing this year, and why you should root for them, let’s have a little history.

This time last year the 49ers had just three wins and seven losses. Last year, everyone (including me) was wondering why the talent on the team wasn’t generating wins. This year, that same group of players is being described as the best team in football. (Don’t take my word for it. Listen to Super Bowl champion and two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Theismann around the 5:26 mark). So what changed?

One thing: Leadership. Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach. It’s not so much that Harbaugh is a football genius. But as the new head coach, Harbaugh stressed the importance of a team rather than the importance of a player. So many sports teams these days are built on the importance of one player or a small group of players. Remember when everyone was calling the Philadelphia Eagles a “dream team?” That dream team just lost their playoff hopes to the Seattle Seahawks last night. It’s easy to forget NFL teams are actually companies and there is so much “regular” companies can learn from Harbaugh’s leadership style.

 
San Francisco has good players, but the team as a whole is better than the sum of its parts. The 49ers rarely leave the game in the hands of their defense, or offense, or special teams. Each player takes responsibility—whether the team wins or loses—for their role on the team. (See the recent loss to the Baltimore Ravens). The coaches and leaders help the players develop instead of just telling them what to do. (See Alex Smith). That’s the kind of company I work for and that’s the kind of team you should root for. The 49ers win because they are more than just talented players. They are talented players that work together

A team like that should go to the Super Bowl, if only so you can profile them at your next staff meeting and talk about the importance of team work. Even if the 49ers lose in the first round of the playoffs, the things I’ve learned from watching them for hours this season will not go to waste. And whether you root for them, or just watch them beat your favorite team, I’m sure you’ll learn a little something about team work too.

Read more posts by Kendall Jones.

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