Interestingly, the 49ers seem to have followed a similar trajectory as the Raiders. Right now, they are where the Raiders were in 2002-03
From 1963-1985, the Raiders were the most successful franchise in pro football. They had 3 Super Bowl wins to go with 1 AFL championship. No team was as consistently good over that stretch. They probably should have won even more Super Bowls, and were a few controversial plays/games away from doing so. Along with their success, their hall-of-fame players, memorable games and moments, and renegade image gave them an unparalleled mystique.
From 1986-2002, the Raiders endured a period of ups and downs, capped by a 3 year run of title contention (2000-2002). They were a very solid playoff team in the early 90s under Art Shell, but that period was sandwiched by two stretches of mediocrity with no playoff appearances. They then had a three year run as serious title contenders, and they got rid of the coach who brought them back (Jon Gruden).
From 1981-1998, the 49ers were the most successful franchise in pro football. They had 5 Super Bowl wins. There were other years they probably were the best team in football, yet came up short (the Montana injury and Craig fumble in 1990, the 1992 loss against the Cowboys). They were so successful, that anything less than a Super Bowl victory was considered a complete failure. The 49ers always seemed to have the best players, and at times it just appeared unfair.
From 1999-2013, the 49ers endured a period of ups and downs, capped by a 3 year run of title contention (2011-2013). They made the playoffs a few times in the early 2000s, but those appearances were sandwiched by stretches of mediocrity with no winning seasons. They then had a three year run as serious title contenders, and they are considering getting rid of the coach who brought them back (Jim Harbaugh).
The parallels are kind of crazy!!!
You 49ers fans better hope you're not about to enter a decade of perpetual losing ...
From 1963-1985, the Raiders were the most successful franchise in pro football. They had 3 Super Bowl wins to go with 1 AFL championship. No team was as consistently good over that stretch. They probably should have won even more Super Bowls, and were a few controversial plays/games away from doing so. Along with their success, their hall-of-fame players, memorable games and moments, and renegade image gave them an unparalleled mystique.
From 1986-2002, the Raiders endured a period of ups and downs, capped by a 3 year run of title contention (2000-2002). They were a very solid playoff team in the early 90s under Art Shell, but that period was sandwiched by two stretches of mediocrity with no playoff appearances. They then had a three year run as serious title contenders, and they got rid of the coach who brought them back (Jon Gruden).
From 1981-1998, the 49ers were the most successful franchise in pro football. They had 5 Super Bowl wins. There were other years they probably were the best team in football, yet came up short (the Montana injury and Craig fumble in 1990, the 1992 loss against the Cowboys). They were so successful, that anything less than a Super Bowl victory was considered a complete failure. The 49ers always seemed to have the best players, and at times it just appeared unfair.
From 1999-2013, the 49ers endured a period of ups and downs, capped by a 3 year run of title contention (2011-2013). They made the playoffs a few times in the early 2000s, but those appearances were sandwiched by stretches of mediocrity with no winning seasons. They then had a three year run as serious title contenders, and they are considering getting rid of the coach who brought them back (Jim Harbaugh).
The parallels are kind of crazy!!!
You 49ers fans better hope you're not about to enter a decade of perpetual losing ...
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I dare you to take out Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Bill Walsh and those 5 superbowls from the game of football and see what happens...
message board off your 56k