Yes, Kyle Williams' two fumbles led to the 10 points that kept the Giants in the game and then delivered the margin of victory. It's easy to pick on the kid and label him as the scapegoat for yesterday's defeat. But I will go to my grave knowing that Ed Hoculi's crew were the real culprits yesterday. Ahmad Bradshaw FUMBLED. The 49ers should have had the ball at the Giants' 21-yard line near the two-minute warning with an excellent chance to score and win the game in regulation.
Hoculi and his crew screwed up and it cost the 49ers a trip to the Super Bowl. Plain and simple.
I shouldn't be surprised - I was in Denver the day Hoculi infamously blew a call on an apparent fumble by Jay Cutler in the closing minute that was incorrectly ruled a forward pass, thus robbing the Chargers of a victory. It's unbelievable that he continues to merit assignments to conference title games.
That's all I'm going to say about what went down on the field yesterday.
Off the field? Well, it was another typical Candlestick performance including slippery puddles in the restrooms, congested traffic in and out of the stadium and a general lack of facilities. No big surprise.
As I said before, they can't tear down Candlestick soon enough. However, the league may want to think of staging a Super Bowl at the Stick while it's still standing. The last four postseason games played here have all been barnburners: Terrell Owens' "The Catch II" against the Packers, the wild 39-38 come-from-behind victory over the Giants, last week's instant classic against the Saints and yesterday's overtime battle against New York.
The postseason crowd at Candlestick the past two weeks was absolutely insane. My ears are still ringing. The Stick rocked for four hours, from player introductions to the final whistle. This isn't the wine and cheese 49ers crowd anymore. This is a loud, boisterous collection of fans that gave the Niners a real advantage by whooping and hollering and standing on their feet for the entire duration of the game. Outstanding.
Speaking of home-team advantages, it's time for the NFL to step aside and stop managing the in-game entertainment and festivities during the postseason. Having a shrill and annoying New York Giants fan sing the National Anthem in San Francisco? A country music performance at halftime? Unbelievable. This is SAN FRANCISCO. We have plenty of local performers to choose from. We don't need to see or hear Kristen Chenoweth and Brad Paisley because some clowns in the league office decided it would promote corporate synergy or cater to mouth-breathers in the midwest. DO NOT disrespect OUR city, OUR stadium and OUR team by bringing a New York Giants fan into Candlestick to sing the anthem. EVER.
It was a long day yesterday and a disappointing way to end the season. But the 49ers are back from the dead and will only get better over the next few seasons.
It was a great, fun, wild ride. And now I'm exhausted. Thanks, 49ers, for making me a believer again.
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