Jim Harbaugh Knows Football and Joe Flacco says SHOW ME THE MONEY!

So by around 3:50 Sunday afternoon I was in the midst of sinking into a deep despair. As a lifelong 49ers fan seeing the first quarter of yesterday NFC championship game come to a close felt like they were worrisomely close to closing the door on the 2012 season. The 49ers were down ten, the vaunted Kaepernick O has -2 yards, Julio Jones was doing his best Jerry Rice impression, and the Falcons just looked to be the more inspired and determined team to punch their tickets to New Orleans. And to make matters worse the Falcons would extend their advantage to 17 points early in the second quarter. It felt like were headed of another off-season of woulda, coulda, and shouldas to be pondered over as the days till September were counted down.

Just as most prisoners of the moment I couldn’t see the whole picture clearly. I should have remembered to just the week prior. When Colin Kaepernick threw the early pick six against Green Bay, he was immediately shown on the sidelines mouthing the words “I got this”, and preceded to take the Green Bay defense to school on the 49ers pistol run option. The beauty of the pistol run option is when run correctly is just near impossible to stop. The Falcons came into the game determined to not let Kaepernick have any of his highlight TD runs. That was perfectly fine with Kaepernick who let Gore and James do the damage on the ground. Then use the play action of the pistol to keep the linebackers frozen all game and the middle of the field 10 yards down field was clear skies for Veron Davis all day. The maturity of a second year QB to not only stay calm down 17-0 but to see what the defense was giving and let his teammates take advantage of their weaknesses was incredible.

Still when it comes to these 49ers there is no return to the Super Bowl and no return the top tier of NFL teams without Jim Harbaugh. Just as Michael Jordan was born to dominate basketball games, Ted Williams to hit baseballs, Tiger Woods to hit golf balls, and Jerry Rice to catch footballs, Jim Harbaugh was born to coach football. He took over a team that was saddled with a losing mentality that comes from a decade of mediocrity and bottom dwelling. In a year in which he had no off-season due to the lockout to implement his “system” he took those perpetual losers to the very cusp of the Super Bowl. Then when confronted with the idea of it's not broke then don't fix it, he simply trusted his gut and said i can make it better and promoted Colin Kaepernick to starter. One thing is crystal clear Jim Harbaugh knows football and how to keep his finger on the pulse of the heart of his team. When his team fell behind 17 points was he ranting and raving up the sidelines, no he was just stoic watching the event exuding the faith and confidence his team needed from its leader. Then later in the 2nd half the emotion to push his team over the top.


Yet Jim won't be the only knowledgeable Harbaugh in New Orleans as his brother John's Ravens won the AFC title due to the stellar play of Ray Lewis and the defense but more importantly the sensational play of Joe Flacco. Coming into the season on the last year of his contract people wondered if he was top dollar. I'd hope Ravens fans could remember the Kyle Boller days and look at the Cardinals, Jaguars, and Browns of the world. Remember that life without a franchise quarterback can pretty depressing. So when you find a quarterback that can take you to five straight playoff appearances and 3 out of 5 AFC championships games its usually a good idea to keep him around and happy. Flacco might not be the type to lead a dink and dunk drive like the Brady and Petyons of the world. But as long he boasts the strongest arm in the league and receivers like Boldin and Smith the Ravens passing game will have an explosive threat that will allow them to beat the beat teams in the NFL. I'd like to think that Flacco had a moment with his agent like Cuba Gooding Jr in Jerry McGuire, SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!



 It's going to be an awkward family moment waiting for the Harbaughs after the game in New Orleans one brother pure elation the other devastated over the incomplete ending on a successful season. Ray Lewis has an opportunity to go out on top with the fairly tale ending. Joe Flacco could push for a top 5 QB in the league acclaim. Kaepernick could start a revolution of the modern offense with the option pass QB. Yet one thing is certain already those Harbaughs sure know football and I can't wait for the show in New Orleans