Super Regrets

By Matt Ginn

I wanted to post something about the Super Bowl, the way a thing like sports can impact our lives so completely, can make me pulse with restrained frustration and excitement. But because of the adrenaline hangover I’m almost at a loss for words.

My team should be the Super Bowl champion right now. If I was told before the game that the 49ers would have four shots from inside the ten to take the lead with two minutes left, I would have been confident that Greg Roman would call a play that would succeed. It would have been nice to see a different call on third down, though the QB counter they called on the almost-delay-of-game sure looked like it would have been successful had they gotten the play off before the timeout/delay. It would have been nice to see the clear helmet to helmet hit on a defenseless Crabtree be called on third down, or the toss-up of a holding call on fourth down be called, but that’s just sour grapes because my team didn’t come through.

Ultimately, two years ago this team had worst-coach-ever Mike Singletary as its head coach, a completely ruined Alex Smith as the starting QB and an under-performing top 10 pick in Michael Crabtree. After watching Harbaugh and his staff run this team for two years, Alex Smith played the best football of his life and still has been significantly outplayed by a 25 year old who makes beautiful down field throws and can run 100MPH. Crabtree has blossomed into a guy with great moves, better than ever separation, and solid hands, hopefully destined to be a 1,000 yard receiver for years to come. The defense, long a bright spot on a mediocre team, has stayed consistently capable of performing at an elite level.

Things are looking up. Even if this game didn’t go their way, the 49ers are poised to be successful for a long time. Management has shown great ability at drafting well (AJ Jenkins aside) and they should be able to replace some of our aging starters over the next few years with smart picks. Our two coordinators will be around for another year at least, most of our starters are already signed and while the competition looks to be getting stronger in the NFC West, it’s hard to say the 49ers won’t still be the favorites next year.

Looking back at the last decade of my 49ers fandom, I know that they are in the best position to succeed since Eddie D was bribing Louisiana bureaucrats for riverboat gaming rights, but knowing that doesn’t make this sting any less.

Oh well, there’s always next year!

UPDATE: I went 1 out of 4 on my prop bets. I successfully picked the first quarter as the lowest scoring quarter, unfortunately I had bet on it to be the highest scoring quarter. Interesting to see that had I gone with my gut and bet the third quarter it would have won the bet. Flacco didn’t thank anybody during his MVP speech so that was a loss as well, and the 49ers did not cover the spread. The Ravens led by 22 at one point so my largest lead of the game prop bet paid.

Total Wagered $350

Total Payout (including stake) $215

Total won/lost ($135)

By Matt Ginn
Follow Matt on twitter at @mattginn