#1: A Ticket to Game 5

"Here comes Bell, rounding third, heading home....here comes the throw.....IT'S OVER!!"

We could watch this video all day. It's a perfect combination of game footage, amateur filming and a killer soundtrack (and you thought Enya couldn't enter into your daily routine). Ollie Fu's creation begins with Santiago's game four-winning home run, a rare chance to see a baseball player pretty much close his eyes and swing as hard as he can...and actually connect. If you don't get chills watching this video then you should be banished across the Bay Bridge where you can watch a baseball team outscore your football team every Sunday. The expressions of pure, unfiltered joy running through the stadium and on the field are magnified by Enya and Jon Miller, whose call of Lofton's immaculate single shows why he is the marquee voice in baseball announcing.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Number One Bay Area YouTube clip:

#3: The Catch

Despite our today's earlier proclamation, we here at HMB respect our elders, and, by extension, the predecessors to 49er greatness. For our third-rated clip in the Bay Area YouTube Hall of Fame, we go back to the play that started it all. Joe Montana would become the most clutch performer in NFL history, Bill Walsh became a genius, and Dwight Clark will forever top NFL Films' list of "Top Ten Greatest Catches of All-Time". We bring the drive that led to the Catch, that led to five Super Bowls.

Web Watch: Adonal Foyle

Athlete web pages. A trend that's starting to pick up, but probably not the way those superstars (and even superstar hopefuls) envisioned. They see dollar signs and sponsorships; we see over-inflated egos and perfect heckling material. Is it possible to have one of these without coming off as a pompous, self-involved tool? Every Thursday, until I can't find any more, we'll look at a (sometimes ex-) Bay Area athlete's site to find out...

Athlete: Adonal Foyle
Webpage: http://www.adonalfoyle.com

The Skinny: In all honesty Adonal manages to put together a pretty comprehensive page here, even though it's hard to get over the fact that it's Adonal Foyle. I mean come on, he's a below-average, overpaid center. What works here is that his NBA career is not really the reason he has this virtual space. He uses his resources and (semi-) celebrity to redirect the spotlight on other aspects of his life including community development, poetry, and even villa rentals courtesy of Adonal Foyle Enterprises.

If you don't know the Warriors center, he's actually very well read and eloquent. Apparently Foyle also holds poetry contests, posts essays he's written on everything from being named the all-time leading Warriors shotblocker to his thoughts on NBA players as role models.

("An athlete of 19 years, who has done nothing to better his community, does not deserve the honor of being called a role model. Charles [Barkley], like myself, wanted the word role model to be reserved for people who deserve it.")

Did you know that Foyle's favorite movie of all time is Crash? And coming in at number four is Brokeback Mountain.

Ever wanted to hear what Foyle thinks of the break-up between Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt? You can find it here. ("They were such a great couple.")

Overall a fairly impressive site, but then you remember he is holding your team hostage with three more guaranteed years on his six-year, $42 million contract...

#4: Super Bowl XXIX Scores

Unfortunately, HMB was so caught up in the TO attempted suicide/allergic reaction to painkillers story that we missed our posting for the Bay Area YouTube Hall of Fame. Shame on us. I guess it was the prospect of all Niner fans wishes coming true--that TO would forever be out of our lives--that captivated us so, but we're back and ready for a morning/afternoon doubleheader.

As you may have realized, we at HMB are more partial towards recent Niner and Giant history (unfortunately, there really isn't anything to celebrate in the past couple of decades regarding the Warriors). We know that the Niner teams of the '80s were great and created the dynasty that we enjoyed and eventually watched crumble in the '90s and '00s, but we didn't watch those teams daily (or remember it well enough) to appreciate them as much as we did the teams from the '90s. So as one would expect, we tend to give our props to more recent history.

That would be one of the reasons that we selected this highlight reel at #4 in our Bay Area YouTube Hall of Fame. The 1984 and 1989 Super Bowl champions blew out their opponents in a similar fashion, but since HMB did not get to experience the victory quite like the 1994 dismantling of San Diego, we aren't as inclined to celebrate the team as fanatically. Consequently, we are more attached to the likes of Bar None, Timmy Mac, Deion and Merton than Keena Turner, Freddie Solomon, Wendell Tyler, and Dwight Clark. Of course everyone loves the stars, but it's those background guys that really make you remember--and love--your team.

Another reason why this clip is in the Top 5: it is the only succinct highlight of all the scores of a Niner Super Bowl on YouTube. All the others appear as segments of the game, while this clip is just uncensored domination, the kind you only see on websites that require you to be above the age of 18 to view. The smackdown the Niners put on the Chargers was really only akin to the beating Montana laid on the Broncos in '89, but there remains no evidence of it on YouTube. The ease with which this offense dominates San Diego is uncanny, and if Dan Dierdorf is dumbfounded, then what the hell are we all supposed to do? Plus, who doesn't love seeing Steve Young finally get his due, and remove that Irish monkey off of his back?

Stay tuned for the afternoon clip.

Niner Report: Learning Things The Hard(-a-)Way

The loss against the Eagles this past Sunday exposed some of this team's inadequacies that have been overlooked, ignored or glossed over because of the frisky start to the season. First and foremost: youth. Despite the optimism everyone feels when rookies or second-year players succeed, you have to keep in mind that these guys are young and inexperienced, and are going to make mistakes and learn some hard lessons. Gore's maddening fumble habits (eerily reminiscent of Dexter Carter) may force him to relinquish his goal line duties to rookie Michael Robinson.

It was also evident from watching the game that the Niners really have some problems in the defensive secondary; they can barely cover anyone. This is partially a result of the fact that the Niners are forced to blitz to make up for a weak pass rush, thus leaving the secondary a bit exposed. But the fact remains that the team needs more players back there, a problem the Eagles easily capitalized upon.

While the coaching staff has done a great job of getting its players prepared to play, head coach Mike Nolan is still experiencing a learning curve. Evidence: the infamous punt at the end of the first half. Nolan has defended his decision--even remaining a bit stand-offish--but to the casual observer the decision really wasn't even one: go for it! The team was down 21, in Eagle territory, and had a good drive going. The reward outweighed the risk, but Nolan chose the ultra-conservative approach. Obviously, the backlash to his decision will affect his coaching henceforth, but as Tim Kawakami writes, maybe the criticism is a good thing; at least we aren't making excuses for Nolan and Alex Smith anymore.

Overall, Nancy Gay really hits the nail on the head: the Niners just aren't ready for the big boys of the NFL yet.

Not only was Gore's game-deciding fumble awful to watch, its reprecussion were downright apocalyptic. Yes, the Truth will be out for about a month. HMB will be opening a support group by Friday. The only good news is that at least there is depth at tight end.

Blasphemy

Other random HMB observations:

• Michael Robinson looks like a load at running back. Normally, I'm 100% against this whole "draft a former college quarterback and switch his position" new fad (i.e. Rasheed Marshall, Arnaz Battle), but Robinson is looking like a perfect fit in his new role at running back.
• Antonio Bryant is walking a thin line. This guy might be even more insane than 'The Player", so I guess that it's fitting he's wearing 81. But his antics make him seem so combustible that I wouldn't be surprised if a sideline altercation took place. And, yes, it gives me a near-aneurysm every time.
• It's official: Alex Smith is a fantasy quarterback. Join HMB in congratulating him.
• The next draft needs to focus on defense. Now I'm not sanctioning a Mario Williams over Reggie Bush here (which is looking like the most egregious draft decision since Darko over Anthony/Wade/Bosh/Hinrich/entire draft class), but it is becoming blatantly obvious that this defense is in dire need of playmakers in the secondary and along the defensive front. Knowing Nolan's defensive background, I'm pretty sure we're in good hands with this one.
• My favorite non-Niners in the NFL are Chris Henry and Odell Thurman, respectively. I'm speechless, really.
  

That does it for this edition of the Niner Report, stay tuned for Friday's game preview and prediction.

#5: A Tribute to Joe Montana

From pupil to master, we go from Hall of Famer Young (yesterday's video) to Hall of Famer Joe Montana, whose tribute below comes in at number five.

Take a second and look at Montana's Hall of Fame credentials if you can't already recite them from memory and experience--his profile and reputation is littered with superlatives. There's no one I would rather have under center down late in the 4th quarter than Joe Cool, who notched 31 fourth-quarter comebacks in his career. Some of today's QBs (or even coaches) can't even get 31 Ws on the board before they get sent out the door. Nothing I say about Montana will be enough, so without further ado:

Game, Set, Season

There's a fine line between ignorance and faith, and while it's probably true that this year's team, had they made the playoffs, wouldn't have gotten very far, I like to hold by the maxim that anything can happen in a five-game series. At least this year we won't have a playoff run boil down to a dropped fly ball by Pedro Feliz. Yes, it has been a while. In a best case scenario the Giants will knock the Dodgers out of the playoffs while using those same games to help answer the many off-season questions that loom.

The Giants--individually--have shown very little fight since their playoff hopes evaporated. I discount the team view because a significant portion of the team is now solely playing for contracts next season. Durham hit a solo home run in a rare loss by Schmidt against the Diamondbacks, continuing to make a case as a DH or for a team badly in need of an offensive upgrade.

Keeping in line of looking to next year, a tentative 2007 schedule was released today. Highlights include a visit to Fenway Park and a visit from the Yankees. In 2004 the Giants took two of three from the Sox in San Francisco, and as you all know Boston would later go on to win the World Series. Bay Area fans will be treated to a 163rd game next season, with the All-Star game coming to AT&T Park. Remember folks, this time it counts...

#6: Steve Young Montage

The sixth-best Bay Area sports YouTube clip is fueled by the lyrics of Rod Stewart and the voice of Joe Starkey. There really is no introduction necessary for Steve Young, one of San Francisco's most beloved athletes. Of all the great plays, memories, comments, and commercials that came from his career, I think the lasting image I will have of the Young era will be his joint elation with Jerry Rice as both hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX with Brent Musberger grinning in the backgroud like a maniac. Oh, how I miss the DeBartolo regime, gambling debts be damned. Enjoy the following highlight montage of Young and his greatness, aptly named "Steve Young: The Forever Young".

#7: T.O. on The Catch II

The Catch itself is amazing, especially considering Owens' terrible game up to that point and the fact that he manages to hold onto the ball despite getting sandwiched by two Packer defenders. But this video is about more than just the event--finally sending Favre and the Packers home for the season rather than the other way around--we love that it gives us an "unplugged" perspective on The Catch II, although one could just as easily argue that the real Owens is the one we see now donning a Discovery Channel uniform while sitting out another off-season practice.

It's strange and discomforting to see a younger T.O. acting more mature than now, eight years later and playing for the Dallas Cowboys. He takes personal responsibility for his subpar game ("I was stinking up the game") and even shows appreciation (multiple times) for his teammates, who in this instance got on his case for dropping so many balls but still supported the precocious receiver. When you watch this video you can't imagine Owens ever wanting to leave this team; you feel like being a 49er means something to him. Maybe he just tricked us like he did so many others, but the sentiment seems genuine at the time.

For Owens' emotion, his perserverence in the game and well, for giving us another classic 49er memory, we present the number seven Bay Area YouTube video:

"You can't script this bullshit"

(Perhaps the best summary of this road trip, courtesy of Todd Greene).

Barry might be back to normal--slugging home runs and sitting near the top of the league in many offensive categories--but the Giants certainly are not, even by this year's lowly standards. Having dropped three in a row to the Brewers and given up about 200 runs on this recent road trip, Bonds & Co. can't wait to return to 24 WMP and distance themselves both physically and emotionally from this trainwreck. Barring a monumental collapse by the multitude of teams ahead of the Giants in the division and Wild Card, the best the team can hope for is to spoil the playoff dreams of the Dodgers, who finish the season in San Francisco.

In other news Dr. Art Ting is back in our lives, after a tumultuous three-round bout last season with Barry's knee, the surgeon will attempt to remove bone chips from the left-fielder's left elbow.

#8: Shawon Dunston Cries

OK, you're just going to have to give this clip a minute or so.

Shawon Dunston was never a great baseball player, always a guy you wanted around for his intangibles and presence. He was free-swinging, a mediocre fielder, and by the time the 2002 season rolled around was pretty much over the hill. Throughout the playoff run to the World Series, Dunston played a minimal role and slipped to the background as Bonds, Lofton, Kent and others shined on the game's biggest stage. But he still remained the consummate professional and team player, and proved it in this clip with his selfless words and tears.

But Dunston wouldn't remain in the background for the whole playoffs, stepping up in what, for seven innings, looked like the game the San Francisco got the monkey off their back. Unfortunately, Dunston's Game 6 homer didn't make him a household name; Scott Speizio's late-game heroics made Sand Frog one. This clip, thoiugh after the NLCS, proved too much for his composure, and serves as a sobering reminder for all Giants fans of what almost was.

#9: Jerry Rice Tribute

A tribute to the greatest wide receiver to ever play the game. Even though it feels like you're watching a preview for Varsity Blues, you can't help but get chills from this video. Simply Jerry at his best: not flashy at all, but his ability to separate from defensive backs (if they're still in the picture) is uncanny. There might not ever be another receiver like him in a long time.

We here at HMB wonder what fantasy football in the late 80's and early 90's was like. Was Montana-Rice the most dominant QB-WR combo ever? Or did it never really happen because Montana, Young, and Rice all went in the first round all the time? Could there be any more of a year-in, year-out lock than Niner QBs and Rice (minus the knee injury year) for fantasy football?

In any case, enjoy.

The First Test

Forty-Niner Nation is still basking in the glow of last Sunday's victory over the Rams. While last-season's opening victory against those of the Land of the Arch felt more like God throwing the Niners a bone after the saddening death of Thomas Herrion, the win at Candlestick this go around has much more substance behind it. Not only are the local papers and--I'm assuming--talk radio heads optimistic and praiseworthy, but to the observing eye of the average fan this team seems like they get it. They run hard, hit hard, and genuinely care. If the talent level was as high as the achievement level, we'd easily be looking at a playoff team. Regardless, the start to the season has some people mentioning Mike Nolan's name and the word savior--gasp!--in the same sentence. Unfortunately, that wasn't Kevan Barlow's breath. The season is only two games old and there is still a long way to go, but Nolan clearly has the ship headed north in the standings.

Apparently, the front office was so pleased with the progress of the new team that it felt that it had to shell out some contract extensions. Offensive lineman Adam Snyder was inked, and Shawntae Spencer also received a deal--not a small feat for a holdover from the Terry Donahue era. In today's NFL it is always prudent to sign your assests to extensions early so as to avoid cap issues and pay a lower-tier salary before the player inevitably holds-out. But I applaud the signings (especially the Walt Harris); it shows the Niners see that they have some good players, want to keep them in Red and Gold, and are willing to make a commitment to win. Now if HMB can only get the Giants and Warriors to start making prudent signings...

Adam Snyder celebrating his new contract with Frank Gore

Another guy playing inspired football and probably deserves, at least, his own website at this point, is Frank Gore. A quick synopsis of his career: enrolls at the U as a bally-hooed recruit with hopes of following in the footsteps of Edgerrin James and become the next great Canes running back. After averaging nine yards per carry during his freshmen campaign, he blows out his knee, misses the national championship victory over Nebraska, and has to watch as Willis McGahee dominates the competition while he is out. After a year of rehab, Gore becomes the feature back only to blow out his other knee and misses the remainder of the season. In his third time around, Gore remains healthy and immediately enters the NFL draft and is selected by the Niners. We all know what has happened since he's been here. And don't forget about his great high school career; Frank sure doesn't. Gore's determination and development have been impressive, and he is officially a good fantasy play for all you Gore owners out there.

This week the Iggles come into San Francisco reeling after absolutely blowing a sure victory against the New York Football Giants. Not only did they lose the game, but Jevon Kearse is out for the year and the underrated secondary has collectively checked into the infirmary. Without a doubt, this is the game that the Niners will be measured by. Da Birds are far and away the best team the Niners have played, and there is extra incentive to repay the Eagles for 42-3 ravaging they gave this team a year ago. In addition, Jeff Garcia will be in da house for a bittersweet return to where it all started, and for all intents and purposes, ended. I always liked Garcia despite the fact that he had a lavish lisp, had the worst receding hairline I have ever seen, and pissed off the star receiver (well, that really wasn't his fault, Owens is insane). No matter how you stack it, the Niners need to put on a good show.

While the Eagle offense put on a three quarter clinic before going on cruise control for the fourth quarter, Brian Westbrook is ailing, Donte Stallworth and Reggie Brown aren't game-breaking receivers, and they lack a punishing run game. It's obvious that this Niner defense will likely struggle against teams that throw well--like the Eagles--because of their lack of top-end cover corners, and getting a pass-rush is imperative. In Week 1 they couldn't muster much of anything and lost; last week they could and won. Donovan McNabb is no longer the running threat he used to be but is a much more polished passer. I don't see him replicating his five touchdown performance of a year ago, but he should have success.

Offensively, the Niners are up against their toughest test. Though the Eagles have injury concerns, they are still loaded on the defensive side of the ball, and coordinator Jim Johnson, who already loves to blitz, will probably bring the freakin' house at Alex Smith. Smith will really be under fire and has the most to prove. Through the first two games he has looked good, but accuracy issues remain, and will be under serious pressure all game. Gore should be able to run but he needs to worry about ball security. Look for the Truth to be a factor, as he took a backseat on the first-round rookie hype machine after Manny Lawson's two sack day last Sunday. If the Niners want to have any chance, Davis and Antonio Bryant will need to make big plays. The offensive line, which played so well last week, will be under the same microscope as Smith. To win, they need to keep the white jerseys out of the Niner backfield.

The Niners also need to be wary of fightin' mighty-might David Akers!

Cry you little bitch.

As good as the Niners have been this season, I have a hard time believing that they will beat one of the better teams in the NFC. Fortunately, the Eagles are coming off a tough loss to an archrival, but I'm not sure if that is a good thing. The game will be close, but I can't see the Niners offense scoring enough points to the win. It will be another one of those "moral victories". I hate those.

Prediction: Eagles 27-17. The silver lining: no TO.
Season: 2-0.

More Dog Days

Now we know that it wasn't just a humidor-less Coors Field or a potent St. Louis offense that caused the recent Giants skid...the rotation just can't get it together. Matt Morris now shares the league lead in losses with 15 as starters just can't find their rhythm, or even the right tune. The former St. Louis ace has fallen a long way from his mid-90s fastball, looping curve days. Nevertheless as many have pointed out his clubhouse presence helps to justify (somewhat) his lofty contract.

It's nice to see Shea and Alou go yard, but when you give up nine runs early to the Brewers (!) those round trippers don't really mean much. In Hillenbrand's short tenure in San Francisco he has shown some signs of life and I certainly wouldn't mind his return next season. Maybe we can finally close the book on Feliz, who has essentially run out of excuses now that he is an everyday player at a consistent position.

Sanchez pitches tonight, continuing to audition for next year's rotation. It seems like he has yet to establish any type of middle ground--he either brings it or he doesn't. If the Giants want to depend on him as a starter down the road he needs to learn how to get by when his stuff isn't there. He's still an exciting player to watch though.

Counting Down the Days

What, you may be wondering, are the chances that this version of black and orange play in October? Let me give you the answer: 100%. Don't get too excited; the Giants close the season out on October 1 against the Dodgers at home--not exactly the October we San Franciscans hope for. But while this season may be lost, at least the Giants saved face last night by avoiding a grotesque sweep at the hands of the Rockies.

More news on the whole steriod source saga. I am still conflicted about this whole thing. At the moment, I am reading Game of Shadows and remain at heart confused. Initially, I was tearing through the thing like a Swimsuit Issue but now am slowly coming to the depressing conclusion. While the book is exceptionally researched, the writing is only so-so and you can lose interest quickly unless you have something more than just a story invested in the book--something like all the recent great memories of your career as a Giants fan. As dishonest and immoral it is for ballplayers to take steroids, I saw some unbelieveable things in the last six years as a Giants fan, for instance the team actually appearing in a World Series. I don't care how many players were juicing that season, the feeling of leaving a rockin' Pac Bell Park after a 16-4 victory over the Angels in Game 5 will never have an asterisk near it for me. I enjoyed every single one of Bonds' bombs, even to this very day. Does that make me a steroid apologist? Supporter? I don't pretend that Bonds didn't cheat; the evidence is between extremely overwhelming and there isn't a chance in hell he didn't take performance-enhancing drugs. But just because Barry lacks morals does it have to tarnish every fond memory I have as a Giants fan? I say no, and reserve the right to still cheer him. I can't just rescind every memory Bonds has created for me (trust me, the list is extensive). Of course, I don't condone his illegal actions. See what I mean? Confusing.

Things right now aren't that confusing: the Giants must win nearly every game from here on out or the season is done. Even so, it may be anyway. They take on the Brewers tonight.

#11: Steve Young Gets the Monkey Off His Back

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

Steve Young's celebration after the 1995 NFC Championship game with commentary by Pat Summerall and John Madden. Summerall desperately tries to keep the show rolling but Madden can't stop talking about the elated QB. The expression on Young's face, his hall of fame fist pump, combined with the momentous occasion put this video at number 11 here on HMB. Also, you have to love the desperate cameramen trying to follow Steve around when he's celebrating. One of them totally eats it too.

What makes this video all the better to watch is that we all know what happens in the following game, too.

A quick side note: Steve Young sat in the first row of a Giants game in late August and when they put him on the jumbotron the whole place went nuts. Makes you long for a time when San Francisco sports teams could make the postseason...

#12: Montana to Taylor Beats Bengals

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

Though already a Niner legend, this game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes to torment the Cincinnati Bengals once again firmly cemented Joe Montana not only as the most clutch player of his era, but as one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. This clip is of the entire final drive and includes many great minute details that make the game of football such a joy to watch:

• I know this is cliche and overplayed, but the collective cool on the entire 49er team is impressive. Not one player makes a bonehead mistake like we see today (um, the Cedrick Wilson fiasco of a couple years back), and everyone knows their role in the two-minute drill. Conversely, in every shot of Sam Wyche it looks like he might crap his pants.
  
• One of my favorite things to do when feeling depressed about current Niner football (which may not be the case much longer if the sun keeps shining in the right places...) is watch old Niner footage to see just how methodical, disciplined, and freakin' good the past teams were at executing offensively. Seriously, this final drive is a clinic. They mix draws, short sideline passes, out patterns, and go over the middle when they should. This offense used to be a legitimate machine under Montana; it's uncanny.
• I love the big pass play to Jerry Rice that he nearly breaks for a TD. First of all, the Niners were backed up to 2nd and 20 after a penalty on Randy Cross and the Bengals showed some excitement for the only time on the drive. Montana then ripped their collective hearts out with the rope to Rice. The other detail I love about this moment--and an example of why I love John Taylor so much--is that after Rice is tackled near the 20 you can see Taylor slamming his hands on the ground because he couldn't finish off his block to let Rice walk into the end zone. Now you'd see some idiot running around celebrating and sauntering even though he blew what should have been a touchdown. Taylor didn't, but he'd get his revenge.
• The Bengals literally make no defensive plays on the entire drive. Montana isn't pressured on a single play.
• The cut-away shots to Boomer Esiason, Wyche, and #91 and his Tom Selleck-esque mustache get me every time.
• Bill Walsh went out on top and didn't come back to taint his legacy ten years later. Some things are just meant to end the right way.

That's about all I can think of. There are a multitude of YouTube clips featuring this drive so I have picked two to post here. The first is our official selection (the drive in its entirety) but I couldn't resist the other one just because it is a pretty sweet dramatized version.

Um...Mercy

If only such a rule existed in Colorado. Some dignity could have been salvaged.

Everyone's calling it now. After the Rockies matched the 49ers score last night, hopes for a Giant postseason become all the more grim. Come on, 20 runs? That's utterly embarassing even when you take into account the venue and a bad start by Lowry. Suddenly the starters can't get out of the first inning and in the case of last night the bullpen only put up one zero in nine chances. But until that last Sunday (or maybe Monday) we refuse to put out a season summary or hand out any yearly awards yet. A week ago we were scoreboard watching and riding a modest Giants streak, only to arrive in St. Louis and succumb to the baseball gods once again, who seem to have this team destined for an 81-81 finish (if they even need to play Sunday's rainout).

There's not much to say about the remainder of the season. Cain must right the ship tonight, and the rest of the starters must pick up the momentum. Speaking of the youngster, who thought back in May when he was walking six in five innings that he would be the stud of the rotation? With his recent success the Giants are thinking about campaigning for his honor as NL Rookie of the Year.

What, Exactly, Do We Have Here?

Regrettably, HMB did not post its usual Friday Niner blotter with news, notes and a prediction, but if that omission serves as a harbinger for victory we'll by all means stop running the feature.

A team that no one really gave a shot in the preseason has really begun to come into its own in the beginning of the season. While I still have guarded optimism--I don't want the expectations to get wildly out of hand--this team has played with intensity, purpose, and confidence. In other words, they are playing nothing like the teams of the past three seasons. In defending the Candlestick turf against the rival Rams, the Niners showed toughness and an ability to balance the run and pass while converting crucial third downs. Maybe the most relieving aspect of the early season success is the development of Alex Smith into a seemingly bona fide big-play quarterback. While there is still reason for skepticism (low completion rate and sometimes happy feet), if Smith continues his recent trend, he should become a legitimate fantasy sleeper by Week 4.

A look at the development of the young players would only bring smiles to the faces of Mike Nolan and Scot McCloughlan. Manny Lawson answered some critics by registering his first two sacks Sunday, in a game that turned out to be somewhat of a coming out for the defense. If the Niners can disrupt the pass like they did Sunday, the questions about the defense will begin to sudside. Though Frank Gore fumbled again, he came back and delivered a big day. Gore's success had a lot to do with the play of the makeshift offensive line, which was missing both of its starters on the left side. As each game passes and Gore proves himself to be a worthy NFL starting running back, the happier I am at the thought of Kevan Barlow toiling on the New York Jets. Antonio Bryant continued to assert himself as a brash playmaker much like his #81 predecessor did. Don't think this doesn't cause nightmares here on HMB. Ray Ratto has something to say about Gore and Bryant. Be aware of pretentious writing; you were warned here.

The Niners may have the Rams' number but this is no longer the Greatest Show on Turf. Good freakin' riddance.

Nancy Gay with another piece on Bryant Young, this time detailing his trench battles with Rams guard Adam Timmerman over the years.

In other good news, TO is hurt! and the Raiders are looking increasingly pathetic.

Though there was no post Friday, I did predict in my season preview that the Niners would beat the Rams at home. I think it is fair to stick with that predictions. That brings HMB to 2-0 this season. Stay tuned for the prediction this Friday.

#13: Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott for Tivo

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

Joe Montana takes a page out of Steve Young's book with this hilarious commercial. While Tivo itself is lagging behind DVR, this ad (and the sweet beeping sounds in the Tivo interface) will never get old. This "patented oily balm" will relieve you of your worst masculine itching. Boy Howdy!

Enjoy.

A Weekend of Firsts

For the second straight game the Giants couldn't escape the first inning unscathed. Yesterday Matt Morris gave up a 4-spot in the first, just as Brad Hennessey did the night before. The team needed to at least show some fight in the series, especially while the Dodgers and Padres duke it out, but so far it has merely tested the faith of its fanbase. Yesterday's loss put the Giants back at .500 and each one from here on out will further shift the scope from October to April, and, according to Scott Ostler, life without Barry.

Originally seen as a pillar of strength for the Giants, the starting rotation (minus Cain) has put the team in early holes that Alou believes the offense can't climb out of. And since the All-Star Break Morris has been a shell of his former self, losing seven of his last nine decisions and no longer oozing the confidence he once did as a redbird. Simply put he looks defeated; his post-game sound bytes used to carry an air of bitterness toward an inconsistent offense, but as of late the burden falls exclusively on his shoulders, and he knows it. Mentoring youngsters in Cain, Lowry, and Sanchez is all and good, but Morris and Schmidt might need to step back and rethink their own approaches to the game.

#15: Mike Dunleavy Freaks Out

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

Lipreading made easy.

Mike Dunleavy Jr. flips out at this charging call, rips off his jersey and tosses it into the stands. There are a bunch of reasons why we here at HMB love this clip. First of all, it's Mike Dunleavy, former Duke Blue Devil and more or less the laughingstock of the Warriors. Second, the lucky kid who catches the 34 immediately puts it on as if he just bought it at the Warriors store. The jersey actually fits the kid...now is that worse for him or Dunleavy? Finally in the added picture montage at the end just to let the song finish is a priceless picture of Dunleavy getting kicked in the face.

#16: Jerry Rice's Record TD Catch

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

The best at his best. My favorite part of this clip is how everyone knew that the ball was going to Rice, and they still had no way to stop it. Give him more points because it's on Monday night. Plus, it was the home opener against the Raiders, and the season concluded with a Super Bowl victory. All in all, a historic moment seen by a national audience; you can't ask for much more.

How Many Puns Cain We Think Of?

Yesterday was exactly the kind of game the pre-All Star game Giants would have lost: an afternoon contest (already a warning sign) that followed an ugly, high-scoring loss the night before. Actually, you might just say the outlook was grim because the Giants were playing the Rockies, against whom they have had difficulty this season. While Cain's performance last night (and as of late) was spectacular, the biggest difference in the past few weeks is the confidence. This team expects to take rubber matches and win these three-game series.

But the rest of the rotation is full of question marks, from Schmidt's back to a recovering Lowry and to just Morris himself. Although Jonathan Sanchez was not tagged with the loss on Tuesday, he has shown similar inconsistency that can't make Felipe Alou's job any easier. With 16 games remaining, these are the kinds of issues that should more or less be ironed out by now. That's one mark of a bonafide playoff contender.

For those who can't get enough of the NL Wild Card implications of the coming weekend, Ray Ratto breaks it down for you. The conclusion: either the Dodgers or the Padres needs to sweep. The implied conclusion, as always, is the Giants need to win.

#17: JT Snow Montage

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

Before I left the cozy confines of the West Coast this summer to return to the East Coast (and their bias), I had the treat of attending one last Giants game, the typical San Francisco send-off that always makes you want to come back, and feel very relieved when, in fact, you know you will. Of course, the Giants won and everyone went home happy, and I was left with the feeling that maybe, just maybe, this year's team could make one last push.

That was back on August 26, a 4-1 victory over the Reds. Three or so weeks later, I remember little about the game; no play or performance really stuck with me. But there is one thing that I will take from that game and remember for quite sometime: seeing JT Snow at a Giants game not in uniform. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Jumbotron began to flash some vintage highlights of ol' #6 making beautiful defensive plays and gathering clutch hits. I figured they must have dipped into the "Giants Vault" a little earlier than usual. When the highlight reel finished, the camera panned toward Larry Baer's unfairly sweet seats, and there was JT sitting in a black shirt, shorts and shades. The crowd exploded in an uproar; within seconds, everyone was one their collective feet cheering one of the most beloved Giants of our era. Being the class act that he is, JT acknowledged the crowd multiple times before sitting down. Funny thing happened: no one stopped cheering. The applause lasted into the first at-bat of the inning before the euphoria ended. At the game the previous Monday, Steve Young was in attendance sitting in the same seats and was treated to the same every-person-in-the-building-on-your-feet ovation. And even though JT was a far less accomplished Bay Area athlete, there was something more behind the crowd's aduration. It wasn't merely praise; JT knew he was good and so did everyone in the attendance. It was an appreciation with a hint of desperation. It was as if the entire crowd was simultaneously acknowledging what JT meant to this organization, while also wishing he could still be suiting up for the orange and black. And the best part was that JT knew that everyone wanted him on the field that moment, scooping poor throws from Feliz as if were nothing, and displaying his calming and professional influence on the team. We all miss JT and from what I saw, he missed the Giants too. And that's all you can hope for as a fan.

The following video is one our favorite montages of JT and his San Francisco days. Yeah the song is cheesy, and the clips are mainly recent, but it still does the job. It includes his save of Darren Baker (for whatever that was worth), but regrettably does not include his incredible homer off of (unfortunately) Our-Mando in the bottom of the ninth against the Mets in the 2000 playoffs.

Web Watch: Pedro Feliz

Athlete web pages. A trend that's starting to pick up, but probably not the way those superstars (and even superstar hopefuls) envisioned. They see dollar signs and sponsorships; we see over-inflated egos and perfect heckling material. Is it possible to have one of these without coming off as a pompous, self-involved tool? Every Thursday, until I can't find any more, we'll look at a (sometimes ex-) Bay Area athlete's site to find out...

Athlete: Pedro Feliz
Website: www.pedrofeliz.com

The Skinny: See I don't understand why a guy like Feliz has an apparently was written by a twelve year old. On the other hand it is nice to know you can contact Feliz (Pedro@PedroFeliz.com) and maybe tell him to stop swinging at the first pitch after two batters before him reached on four-pitch walks. True Pedro fans will enjoy the official t-shirts coming soon. On the front is a headshot with a signature, but strangely on the back it says official website. Not only that, but it brings pretty much nothing to the table other than some awkward photos and a bio that "Caribbean" and not "Feliz."

Best Quote: (from his bio) "As a child, Pedro Feliz always dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. He started playing baseball at the age of five on the porch of his mother's house. They would take a sock, wrap it in rubber bands, and make a bat out of a stick play. Pedro's dream came true, when in 1994 he was signed by the San Francisco Giants."

#18: J-Rich's Contest-Winning Dunk

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

This clip is short and sweet, which is good because you'll probably end up watching it 4 or 5 times in a row just to see what exactly happened. It's the 2003 Slam Dunk Contest, and Reggie Miller and Kenny Smith are absolutely blasting Richardson before he elevates: "He's gotta show me something I hadn't seen before ... I don't think the throw in the air is gonna do it."

Wait for it...

"I've seen something I've never seen before!"

The collective "Ooooohhhh" is amazing. Sadly the Warriors have more Dunk Contest Championships than playoff victories in the past 12 years...

This Really Doesn't Concern Us, But...

I couldn't let this piece of information go: Jerry Porter is a fucking asshole. Here is more coverage of the incident. I'm sorry, but when Randy Moss is the voice of reason there is something seriously wrong. Nancy Gay ponders the obvious: what the hell are the Raiders coaches doing? This question becomes even more pertinent after the Monday night debacle. The point here is to rest easy, Niner fans. At least our malcontents (paging Kevan Barlow) are shipped out of town so they can't cheer against our team on our own sidelines. Sorry, I just can't get over this.

#19: Boom-Dizzle Backcourt

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

If you're looking for the blueprint for internet sports montages, the following video of Jason "Boom" Richardson and Baron "B-Dizzle" Davis is the archetype: great clips of the highlights, excellent music, and a compelling background story. Obviously, J-Rich and Baron form one of the league's most exciting backcourts but they have little to show for their aerial displays in the win column. That and Baron's albatross of a contract are what really hold this video (and the Warrior's salary cap room) back. Until the Warriors start making playoff runs, this duo will unfortunately be remembered for its style and not substance. The clip, to our knowledge, appeared first on a great Warrior blog, Golden State of Mind. Check it out if you haven't already.

Looking Ahead at Life Without Papi

The Giants hope they have found their fifth starter in Jonathan Sanchez, who starts tonight and is coming off a solid performance (1 run in 5 2/3) last week against the Reds. Brad Hennessey returns to the bullpen, which currently lacks right-handed options. In what could be interpreted as a subtle slight to Our-mando (and I'll take anything to get another rise out of the WC Papi if not for sheer entertainment value), Felipe Alou had this to say about current closer Mike Stanton:

I don't recall him blowing any games. If he did, it was not a dramatic event. He relaxes his teammates. Even if he does not throw a 1-2-3 inning, everybody believes he's going to get the guy out.

The upcoming series against the Rockies is followed by a trip through St. Louis, Colorado, and Milwaukee. You can find a comparison of remaining schedules among wild card contenders here. The beginning of the road trip is especially huge not only to get started on the right foot, but because the Padres open a four-game series in Los Angeles at the same time.

Yorvit Torrealba, who has hit well against his former team, will be sitting out this series due to a shoulder injury. The Rockies look to Chris Iannetta for bat flips and exaggerrated fist pumps in the meantime.

Hope is Justified

All things considered, you couldn't really ask for much more. Alex Smith looked liked a poised NFL quarterback, especially when leading the team down the field in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. He and Bryant looked in sync (most of the time), particularly in the fourth quarter when the Niners almost completed a furious comeback. Smith looked so good that--dare I say it?--he even resembled a possible fantasy quarterback. The Cardinals took notice of the new and improved Smith and gave him the cheapest of cheap shots in the second quarter. Though there was a case of fumble-itis in the first quarter, the team played hard until the finish; the Cardinals seemed to be relieved that the game was over.

For the most part, the young guys played well. The Truth scored his first NFL TD, but also made some expected mistakes. If Frank Gore continues to produce at his current rate (without the fumbles, of course), he can rightfully take his place alongside the great former University of Miami running backs in the league. Look at this list: Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis Mcgahee, and the defecating Najeh Davenport, a personal favorite. My boy Marcus Hudson--who I hyped up a month ago--got some burn and recovered the onside kick.

But for all the good that came out of the game, there remain issues. The pass rush struggled and the defense couldn't get the Cardinals off the field on third down. There were missed opportunities and dumb mistakes, but it is all part of the learning process. Another reason to proceed with caution and tone down any outrageous thoughts: last year the Niners opened with a win and proceeded to finish 4-12. Granted this team looks infinitely more competent than last year's rag tag bunch, but just remember to proceed with caution. If this game is a precursor for things to come, then it is clear that the team is going in the right direction. And for once it is not just us at HMB saying it: there is hope.

Nancy Gay wrote a praising piece of Bryant Young who remains the single most respected Niner of my generation. Yeah we all loved Steve, Jerry, Joe, Ronnie and the whole gang, but has there ever been a negative thing said about--or by--Bryant since he joined the team thirteen seasons ago? The guy practically owns the Len Eshmont Award to the point that it will probably be renamed the Bryant Young Award. He will easily go down as one of the greatest Niners ever, and is in my hallowed group of players you just love having on your team, which includes but is not limited to: JT Snow, Ellis Burks, Kirk Reuter, Robb Nen, John Taylor, Jesse Sapolu and Tim McDonald. Sadly, I can't think of any Warriors. That's not the whole list, but only a start.

We'll revisit the Niners on Friday with more news, info, updates, and of course, a predicition.

#20: Ronnie Lott Tribute

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

I wanted to look crazy. I wanted people to feel that I was gonna try and hurt them.

There really isn't enough you can say about Ronnie Lott, but Bill Walsh, Cris Collinsworth, and some others try and squeeze their sentiments into this video. A crushing hitter with 63 career interceptions (leading the league in 1986 and 1991), Lott anchored a 49er secondary that built its reputation based on intimidation and swagger. The result? Four Super Bowls and enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Some great sound bytes in this clip, especially by Bubba Paris (with a huge smile on his face):

He hits people so hard that if somebody hit my son like that I'd probably come to the game with a shotgun and shoot him.

Yes, you read that correctly. And I'm not sure what the rest of Paris's kids look like, but if they take after him like daughter Courtney does, then I'm not even sure Lott could hit the Paris progeny that hard.

#21: Goal Line Stand against Bengals

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

A young and inexperienced 49er team rolled into the Motor City euphorically after upsetting the Dallas Cowboys on Dwight Clark's famed catch. All that stood between Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Clark and Ronnie Lott were the Cincinnati Bengals, a good but not imposing team; how can you be when Cris Freakin' Collinsworth is your top receiving threat? Nonetheless, the Niners took an early lead and went into the half primed to bring San Francisco its first Lombardi Trophy. But the Bengals crept back into the game, and behind the mustachioed Ken Anderson drove inside the 49er five-yard line with a chance to pull within six. After getting stuffed on two consecutive running plays, the Bengals decided to try to fool the Niners with play-action--Dan Bunz would have none of it. The stop on fourth down finished off the greatest goal line stand in Super Bowl history and, for all intents and purposes, slammed the door on the Bengals. The Niners would win Super Bowl XVI and begin their quest to become the team of '80s.

And You Thought ESPN Came Full Circle...

The key to the Giants season thus far does not don an orange and black uniform; he actually plays for a cross-state division rival: the San Diego Padres. Terrmel Sledge has bookended what may be the one of the most improbable turnarounds of the season. Sledge has two homers this year, the first coming off Our-mando on July 23rd that tied the game, one the Giants eventually lost in 11. What happened next? The Giants lost 16 of 19 and slid from the top of the NL West to its cobwebbed, moldy, somewhat hellish cellar: representing (statistically) the worst team in the worst division in the worst league in the majors.

Yesterday Sledge hit his second homer of the season, a two-run shot off of Schmidt in the 7th. This time his round-tripper came in a win (also in the 11th) for the major's hottest team. Yes, the Giants are 18-7 in their last 25 games, better than any other team (even the scorching A's...but if a baseball game happens and nobody is there to see it, does it count?).

A lot has changed since late July: the bullpen can slam the door (even if it sometimes takes five to push the door and one to put the latch on), Bonds has regained some strength in his legs and is even poking balls out of the park when he is out in front, and the team seems to have more starting pitchers than spots to put them.

By the way, in addition to picking up pointers from Matt Morris, Matt Cain must be sipping some hardcore pickle juice because his numbers are off the charts.

Final game is on ESPN tonight (as if there wasn't enough to watch today). Stay tuned for today's YouTube clip also.

#22: Tim Hardaway Mix

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

As we stated before, we love the montage. And today we present to you a montage of former Warrior great Tim Hardaway, the King of the Crossover. While his career in Golden State is remembered more as unfulfilled promise, he still provided the home crowds with a dizzying array of ankle-breaking crossovers, no-look dimes, and acrobatic finishes. Not only was he a fan favorite for his style, but he easily had one of the best names in the NBA at the time; any kid sporting a Hardaway jersey was one of the cooler kids on the block. My one major gripe with this montage is that it contains too much footage of Timmy on the Heat, but I guess we don't live in a perfect world. If I had created this clip, it would contain more of the Run TMC variety: no look dimes to Mullin, Richmond, Billy Owens, Chris Gatling, and the immortal Sarunas Marcilunis. Of course, there would be look-away shots of current Warrior coach Don Nelson yukking it up on the bench.

Less than Peaved

The Chronicle's Giants blog puts it best: "Danger: Optimism alert." All year this team has toyed with our emotions to the point where we expect to hover around .500 with a series of 8-2 / 2-8 streaks. Do we reserve our excitement? A little over 20 games left...it's time to get pumped.

But is anyone else feeling like a playoff berth would be slightly bittersweet? Not sure how Sabean will react to a somewhat "successful" .523 season, but there is always a chance he might keep stacking vets, especially since Bonds is creeping closer to Aaron.

Regardless in the short term games like last night's, simply put, are fun to watch. When this team realizes (read: hides) its true potential (read: age) the Giants look like a respectable ball club. Jake Peavy, who traditionally handles the Giants very well (6-3, 3.31), couldn't keep up with Matt Cain, who flirted with a no-hitter and combined with Correia, Kline, and Stanton for a two-hitter. The bats are still inconsistent but as of late the Giant arms have been exceptional, throwing up zeroes and closing out games.

Schmidt will take on Wells in today's matchup, while Morris goes up against Williams tomorrow.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your Engines

Are you ready for some football?

While we here at HMB are clearly obsessed and primarily concerned with the Giants, we are just as pathetically attached to our beloved Niners. In the post-Terry Donahue era of Niner football (which I contend somewhat resembles post-WWII Germany), happiness and satisfaction has been a fleeting feeling. After last season's ineptitude, a renewed sense of optimism is abounding around Monster Park these days, and much of has to do with the Nolan's new crew. Chief among the early surpises has been the impressive play--and character--of rookie Michael Robinson. The former star QB/RB/WR at Penn State has displayed the skills of a powerful inside runnner, and has likely locked up the primary backup duties behind Frank Gore. Speaking of Gore, he is priming himself for a big season with the departure of now-maligned Kevan Barlow. With the emphasis on young talent and promise, there is only one conclusion and for once I'm not the only one making it: Mike Nolan is doing a good job.

While most of the so-called "experts" pick the Niners to finish last in the NFC West and among the league's worst teams, there remains hope. Deadspin has all the important NFL season forecasts for the NFC West. They remain the only one not to pick the Niners last, and even think they could become a chic pick for next year! While I won't even go that far out on a limb, at least the Niners are looking a little better nationally to some. For what it's worth, I'll give you my prognosis for the upcoming season:

• I forecast another 4-12 season. Let's put it this way: it will be very difficult for a young team with a young quarterback to win on the road, especially when the road schedule is tougher than the home one. Before the Week 7 bye, the Niners have three winnable games: at Arizona, and home against the Rams and Raiders. I think they'll win the two home games, only because the Rams probably won't come together until midseason under the new coach, and the Raiders could be extremely inept. Among the final ten I think the Niners will take down the Packers and Cardinals at home, and could up-end Detroit on the road. So you are basically looking at 4-12, possibly 5-11, and no better than 6-10. You can view the whole schedule here.
• The offense will be better than people think. Behind a new and improved offensive line, the running game should thrive and Alex Smith should be upright most of the time. But it will still become apparent that the team is lacking a #1 game-breaking option. While Vernon Davis could become that, a great receiver could make this offense explosive. If the Niners have a top-5 draft choice, do they succumb to temptation and take dazzling receiving talents in Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson or USC's Dwayne Jarrett (both juniors) despite glaring needs at defense? Time will tell.
• The pass-rush and secondary will be the team's Achilles' heels. I'm really not going out on a limb here; the cupboard is nearly bare at both spots.
• Robinson, Delanie Walker, Marcus Hudson and the two-first rounders will prove with their play that they belong in the team's future plans. From the preseason it appears that Nolan has drafted well. I believe the regular season will only reinforce what we have already seen.
  

From what you see, I have guarded optimism; the young guys will have learning curves, but at the same time show that they do belong in the NFL. Unfortunately, most of the pressure falls onto Smith's right shoulder, and it is still unclear whether he possesses the mettle to become a good NFL quarterback. This season will be vital in his development in the eyes of the organization and fan base.

This week: at Arizona. The Niners try to prove that they weren't a gift for the Cardinals to open with a win at their new stadium. While this should serve as motivation, the talent on the Cardinals, though rarely fully realized, should do the Niners in. Though the addition of Edgerrin James finally gives Arizona a proven commodity in the backfield, it is the receiving tandem of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin that will defeat the Niners. Despite expecting a heavy dose of James, the lack of reliable corners and a pass-rush will allow the Cardinals to throw at will. The offense should move the ball, but it has always had trouble punching it in, especially on the road.


The prediction: Cardinals win, 27-9.

#23: Garrison Hearst's 96-yd TD Run in OT

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

The 1998 49ers found themselves at a large crossroads: Steve Young was nearing the end of his concussion-filled career, Rice was coming off knee surgery, and for the last three years the team had seen its playoff run end by the hated cheeseheads from Wisconsin. Might this perhaps be the last gasp of a 49ers team on the decline?

The season's opening win, played against the Jets, helped push this Niner team (who would finally get the Packer playoff gorilla off their back in a Wild Card game) in the right direction. The game ended with an incredible 96-yard run by Garrison Hearst in overtime. I could watch that savage stiff arm all day...

The Table is Set

Today provided an appropriate off-day for baseball's most mysterious team. After defeating the Reds in a pivotal rubber match, the Giants head into San Diego for a series of such importance, I'm not even going to try to put it into a single word. The G-Men are sitting 3.5 games back in both the Wild Card and Division races. Linden continues to impress with his glove and credited the entire team with the victory. Maybe most importantly--for the present and future--was the performance of Jonathan Sanchez. The southpaw threw 5 2/3 of three-hit, one-run ball and composed himself well. Assuming that Sanchez's performance was not an aberration, the future rotation holds promise. Lowry and Cain have proved themselves of being very competent pitchers at some points this season, and though inconsistent for much of the year, the talent is there. Sanchez seems like another good option, and Brad Hennessy will always be a decent 5th starter. If Schmidt doesn't return, there will be a glaring hole at the top of the rotation, however.

With the season-long resurgence of Ray Durham, GM Brian Sabean will have some tough decisions to make regarding the second-baseman's future. Additionally, Bonds and Hillendbrand have put on hitting clinics recently and will make this off-season the most scrutinized--and important--of Sabean's tenure.

But we're going to keep our minds off of that steaming issue here at HMB and try to enjoy the remainder of this maddening season. Stay tuned this weekend.

Web Watch: Barry Bonds

Athlete web pages. A trend that's starting to pick up, but probably not the way those superstars (and even superstar hopefuls) envisioned. They see dollar signs and sponsorships; we see over-inflated egos and perfect heckling material. Is it possible to have one of these without coming off as a pompous, self-involved tool? Every Thursday, until I can't find any more, we'll look at a (sometimes ex-) Bay Area athlete's site to find out...

Athlete: Barry Bonds
Website: www.barrybonds.com

The Skinny: What else did you expect from the man whose name is "synonymous with baseball greatness"? Stats, a journal, info on his foundation, stats, his own MLB store, and more stats. Bonus points for an awesome multimedia section which has audio and video of his recent home runs.

Best Quote: On his favorite book, "Nothing's better than the Bible"... Close second, from reader Michael Hickey from Pennsylvania, "Barry, when you were a kid did you like sports (baseball)?"

#24: 1994 NFC Championship Highlights

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

Simply NFL Films at its best. They capture the Cowboys' cockiness at the beginning of the game, add in a great shot of Jesse Sapolu himself, and seamlessly integrate Joe Starkey's calls into their highlight reel. After losing the previous two NFC Championship games to the Cowboys, the Niners beat the Cowboys 38-28 to advance and eventually win Super Bowl XXIX.

Said then coach George Seifert after the game:

To shake that damn thing and win this game and to see all the San Franciscans and all the 49er fans, it's special ... I couldn't be more proud to be a San Franciscan than I am right now, believe me.

With a team this stacked carrying unbelievable momentum, the Chargers never had a chance.

#25: Jason Richardson Mix

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

YouTube features some great montages made by some dedicated sports fans, and our first favorite comes in at number 25, featuring Warrior high flyer Jason Richardson. The song in the background is titled "On My Own" by Sum 41. An all-around solid montage: great highlights (especially the dunk contest) and dunk-music coordination.

The Surge Back to Mediocrity

The Giants have returned to .500 for the first time since July 27th when they were 51-51. Behind the power surges of Barry and Shea Hillenbrand, the team has put together a 7-3 record in their last ten games, in spite (or because?) of and injury to WC Papi himself. Bonds and Hillenbrand have combined for 10 HRs and 22 RBIs in the recent stretch. Bullpen anchor Mike Stanton has stepped up, finishing Benitez's 0.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB outings with the final 0.2. Unfortunately the recent string of W's has been more or less matched by the Dodgers and the Padres. Also, while the team has shown remarkable resilience to return back to the .500 mark, it has been equally inept at escaping the mark's gravitational pull.

As Henry Schulman points out, if Barry's two-week tear continues, the Giant front office faces an increasingly complex decision regarding the future of their superstar.

Also good to see that Alfonzo is okay. He may have plenty of 0-4 games under his belt flailing weakly at sliders that bounce ten inches off the plate but seems to come up with that clutch hit more often than not.

#27: Deion Interception Return vs. Chargers

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

For the second YouTube clip of our morning-afternoon doubleheader, we bring you Deion Sanders! While this particular pick may not have meant as much personally to Deion as the dagger against the Falcons did, it is on a higher pedestal for HMB for a few reasons. One, it reveals his breath-taking speed and quickness a little better than the other video. It also showcases his unparalleled self-confidence and flamboyance: he slows down somewhere near midfield and sort of saunters for about 30-40 yards before high-stepping towards the end zone for twenty-five yards. Then he starts dancing at the five--classy guy. (Bonus because there is a replay of the dance and the cheerleaders are in the background). Having Madden and Summerall gushing over Deion also makes it seem more important. And finally, my man Tim Harris is in it!

Without further or do:

Bay Area Sports Report?

With so much action this past weekend, I am beginning to feel like an overwhelmed FOX broadcaster on the now-defunct Bay Area Sports Report. It was a good run while it lasted, but I was getting pretty tired of listening to anchors who couldn't hold a candle to the insufferable Vernon Glenn. I'm not asking for much, just something better than Kevin Frazier. Enough foreplay, let's get into the action.

The Giants took two of three from the Cubs. While Bonds has led the recent offensive surge, Hillenbrand has finally started to hit. He hopes that it will bring him back next year. We at HMB do not share the same sentiments. There appear to be a myriad of choices for the most infamous Giant in 2007.

The Niners won! I realize that this doesn't make national headlines, but a win is a win. While the rookies have impressed, the first team offense has only generated one touchdown in the last three games. Still, Robinson and Walker look like keepers and it appears that Nolan may know what he's doing personnel-wise, Kevan Barlow be damned.

A lack of a pass rush may do the Niners in this year, writes Kevin Lynch. Lynch isn't the only one concerned.

Saturday day was also cut-day.

College football is back. The tradition! The rivalries! Good times for everyone. I'll tell you one thing: NCAA 2007 is a personal favorite in the Playstation. The dynasty mode is great if you have the patience; in a tour de force performance (in '05), I took Florida Tech from dormant SEC East school (replacing Vanderbilt, obviously), to national powerhouse in three years. The run included five straight national titles and only 20 losses in 12 seasons on Heisman difficulty--no big deal.

Unfortunately, Cal and Stanford started with a huge collective thud. Any national title hopes were pretty much dashed for the Golden Bears but the season is apparently not over. In my opinion, the worst aspect of the loss is that it can only reinforce any existing East Coast bias.

Oregon laid the smackdown on the Cardinal. If Trent Edwards wants to remain the "best quarterback no one knows", Stanford will have to improve its play dramatically.

All in all, an exciting weekend. The Giants are in serious wildcard contention and approaching .500. The Niners closed out the preseason at .500 for whatever that's worth, and the college football season finally started. Will be watching the 'Canes battle the 'Noles tonight at 8 because I'm displaced Back East.

#28: "We Are the 49ers"

In case you missed the introduction, for the month of September HMB is counting down the Top 30 Bay Area sports YouTube clips. It's pretty simple: one per day for the entire month, excluding the Oakland A's and Raiders because, well, we don't like them and from their attendance figures, it doesn't seem that many people do either.

We are doing two videos today because YouTube was down yesterday. The first part is what would have been Day 3 and video #28.

"We are the 49ers"...a great (though a bit cheesy) tribute to the franchise, chronicling practically its entire history. Filled with chill moments even though the music sounds like it could be made by a bunch of wasted college students. The video pretty much speaks for itself.