Freddie Solomon, 1953-2012

I was at home last night watching Chronicle Live (which probably makes me 10% of their total audience), when the news broke that Freddie Solomon passed away yesterday.

The tributes immediately came flowing in from many of the members of the Niners' organization that made those early Super Bowl seasons so special: Joe Montana, Charle Young, Carmen Policy, Dwight Clark...the list of familiar names from 30 years ago continued throughout the evening.

While I'll always remember #88 for providing some of the earliest flashes of offensive excitement during Bill Walsh's first couple of seasons (including that 38-35 come-from-behind victory over the Saints), those that knew him are remembering him as a great guy and hard-working humanitarian.

I can still see him making an incredible catch in the back of the Rams' end zone while dragging his feet inbounds before his momentum carried him past the goal post uprights. Or taking a short dump pass from Steve DeBerg against the Falcons and turning it into the (then) longest pass play in Niner history. Or making the game-winning grab against the Lions during the '83 postseason.

RIP, Freddie - and thanks for the memories.

How Appropriate

Fumbling.

The image of Ahmad Bradshaw falling ass-backwards into the end zone for an uncontested touchdown to win yesterday's Super Bowl was a perfect encapsulation of the New York Giants' last two games.

I can't recall a team that had so much postseason luck and good fortune as the Giants did during the NFC Championship and the Super Bowl. Rather than snatch victory from their opponents, New York graciously accepted the gifts bestowed upon them.

• Two fumbled punts? Check.
• A blown call on a potential game-deciding fumble? Check.
• Tom Brady - Tom Freaking Brady - taking an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone on a 30-yard pass down the middle on his first play from scrimmage, handing the Giants 2 points? Check.
• Every fumble bouncing right back into the Giants' hands? Check.
• The Patriots' receivers playing like their hands were covered in olive oil during the 4th quarter? Check.
• The "we give up, just give the ball back to our offense" defensive strategy during the aforementioned Bradshaw touchdown? Check.
  

Yeah, this is sour grapes. And yeah, I think the 49ers could have beaten both teams yesterday.

10, 20, 30 years from now, what will be the lasting image of this Super Bowl? Super Bowl I had Max McGee racing down the field to score the first touchdown in Super Bowl history. Super Bowl X had Lynn Swann's acrobatic catch. Super Bowl XVI had the Niners' goal line stand. Super Bowl XVIII had Jack Squirek's interception. Super Bowl XXIII had Joe Montana's game-winning toss to John Taylor. The list goes on and on.

Super Bowl XVLI's lasting image? A running back falling backwards into the end zone against a yielding defense while trying to keep himself in the field of play rather than score the game-winning points.

How appropriate.

Super Bowl Time

The Niners should be playing today. 

Getting ready to settle in for a final afternoon of football to close out the 2011 season. I'm rooting for the Patriots, but if the Giants happen to win, I hope they remember to give a portion of their Super Bowl share to Ed Hoculi.

And yes, this is a photo of an actual t-shirt I made for today's big game...