http://www.wavsource.com/snds_2007-11-12_122104128728376/tv/gomer_pyle/gomer_surprise.wav

The Reverend Jim Jones led his followers to their death when he ordered them to drink from a tub of cyanide and tranquilizer laced grape Kool Aid.
I won't go so far as to say that I am anything like these people who were taken in and brainwashed and led to Jonestown where they met their death.

What I am saying is that I have lost all my perspective when it comes to the NFL team that I invest my time, my money and my emotions on, the San Francisco Forty Niners. That investment has led me down the path of football misery.

Ultimate optimist that I am I have faithfully held my head high, worn my team colors and uttered the mantra, "the Niners are going to be a good team this season, just watch as Vernon Davis hauls in the tough passes and Darrell Jackson gets separation from the db's and wait until Bryant Gilmore and Ashley Lelie streak down the field and attack the corners, and Frank Gore will add to the scoring festivities as he has another spectacular season. And, Alex Smith, well, he's ready to be among the elite quarterbacks in then league".

The headlines say it best, the 49ers are woeful, their offense is inept, and they are the worse team in the league, even worse than the 0-9 Dolphins.

Ouch and double ouch.

The 2007 held such promise and expectations were high. This team was finally ready to challenge for the NFC West title.
The season as a whole has been fairly unpredictable, and I do love that about the NFL.

But we have really been shocked by what some of what were considered good teams at the start of the season have done and conversely what some of the average teams have done.
We will leave the Patriots, Colts and Cowboys out of this discussion.

They were expected to contend and they have.

But as Gomer Pyle would say..Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

The Good Surprises

The Green Bay Packers, 8-1
I teased a friend of mine about his Packers this summer and now I feel like I have to go out and put four pounds of Swiss cheese in a fondue and toss it over my head.

The Detroit Lions, 6-3
Jon Kitna predicated a ten win season and so far he seems to be right.

I guess Matt Millen doesn't have to wear a disguise anymore when he goes out in public.

The Cleveland Browns, 5-4

In the land of Dawgs these brownies have found a new savior and his name ain't the Mighty Quinn, nope his name is Derek Anderson.

Tampa Bay Bucs, 5-4

Jeff Garcia has made the difference in offense and the Bucs signature defense is playing tough.

The Buffalo Bills, 5-4

They have quietly made progress and improved weekly. They aren't great but they are surely a surprise this season.

The Bad Surprises

Ahhh.where to begin.

The New York Jets, 1-8.
They looked for all the world like they could give the AFC East a good run as they ended their season in 2006 at 10-6. But something happened on the way to the end zone.

Cincinnati Bengals, 3-6
Brian Billick may be looking for a new job. Even Ray Lewis is questioning the coach's leadership.

Denver Broncos, 4-5
The experts had this team in the hunt for the division, that is, if the Chargers didn't run all over them. But the Broncos haven't scared anyone and the fans are starting to turn on Shanahan.

The San Diego Chargers, 5-4
It's really too soon to call them out, but they seem to play week one week and terrible the next week, something we didn't see under Marty. So much talent, yet so many questions. Is the coaching the issue here?

Philadelphia , 4-5

The Eagles are flying off course and seem to have some missing feathers. It's yet another season of controversy and doubt for the coach, quarterback and the team.

Chicago , 4-5

The Super Bowl Jinx is alive and well in Chicago land of deep dish pizza. The switch to Briana Griese at quarterback has had mixed results, but the biggest difference this season seems to be on the defensive side of the ball.

Rams 1-8

The Rams were early picks to challenge for the NFC West, and with a little bit of luck that would not have been too difficult given the sorry state of that division. But things have not gone well in Saint Louis .

49ers 2-6

My personal disappointment. There just doesn't seem to be any one thing to point your finger at. The offense has talent but can't score. The defense was revamped and should be better, but they are having to carry the team every single game.

The unfortunate and inconvenient truth, we are being out coached and until Nolan makes some coaching changes, especially on offense, this team will continue to flail. What's even worse is that by becoming the dregs of the league they should be entitled to an early first round pick, but..no, they traded that pick away last year to the New England Patriots who need a good pick like another 40 point game.

Of course my undying loyalty has its price. I had a miserable record in Week Ten.
But I can't jump ship now. The Niners have one last shot at fan redemption; they can beat the 1-8 Rams on Sunday in front of their disillusioned fans and send us home with the Turkey Trophy.

Season Record: 90-54
Week Ten Record: 3-11

Week Eleven Picks: