Week 1 - a statement game

Well, well, well! Do my eyes deceive me? The Niners, a team nobody is giving a chance of doing anything this year, a team without its #1 draft choice, has defeated the defending NFC Champion Arizona Pigeons 20-16.

The funny thing about this win was that the Niners won in a game in which Frank Gore was a complete non-factor (22 carries, 30 yards). No, this win was all defense, with an important dash of Shaun Hill clutch performance thrown in to retake the lead in the 4th quarter.

Patrick Willis had a monster game. M-O-N-S-T-E-R. 13 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass defensed. But he wasn't alone. Shawntae Spencer shut down all-world Larry Fitzgerald for the entire first half and much of the second. Parys Harrelson, Ray McDonald, and Justin Smith each had a sack. Smith also came up HUGE in the closing moments of the game, causing Kurt Warner to hurry his last-chance throw. Even that waste of oxygen Nate Clemens got a pick!

Shaun Hill is the man. On the go-ahead drive, he showed amazing poise in the face of a swarming Arizona defense.

I seem to recall a certain father of mine crowing about the Pigeons "kicking 49er ass". How do you like your crow served, father? Fried, steamed, or baked?

ESPN reported this morning that Michael Crabtree is planning to sit out the season. Please do! We don't want you. And, if today's game is any indication, we don't need you.