Cher asked it. Journey urged it. Even the mellifluous voice of Country Music Hall of Famer Don Williams stated it plainly.
(Early digression: If you haven’t familiarized yourself with the smooth stylings of Don Williams, you’re welcome.)
Belief!
“Do you believe in the 49ers?” Cher might sing in the remix.
“Don’t stop believin’ in the 49ers!” Steve Perry and Journey might belt.
“I believe in the 49ers,” the late, great Don Williams might croon, smoothly.
Today’s Jock Blog is taking a temperature, 49ers fans: In a season to be played without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, do you believe the Niners can accomplish meaningful goals? To wit, believe in an NFC West title? Believe in a home playoff game? Believe in a playoff win, even?
Oof. Just typing the words “without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner” strains belief. Like the 2010s Warriors without Steph and Klay. Or the Beatles without Lennon and McCartney. Or NWA without Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. Or … well, you get the point.
Yes, Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams and George Kittle still will suit up on Sunday night agains the Falcons. And a hearty welcome back to Kittle, by the way.
But the defensive unit will huddle up, look around and say to each other: Well — what do we do now?
Deommodore Lenoir came on our show to say he’s ready to be more of a vocal leader in Warner’s absence. Any number of 49ers — up to and including general manager John Lynch on our show Thursday — vouched for the ability of untested Tatum Bethune (one NFL start, 48 snaps this year) to step in and wear the green dot at middle linebacker. The role of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has been a talking point; that Saleh’s considerable smarts and strategy can find a way to try and at least slow the Bijan Robinson-fueled Atlanta Falcons without Warner and Bosa.
But let’s be honest: the 2025 Niners are up against it.
As someone who counts “Hoosiers”, “Rocky” and “Ted Lasso” among his all time favorite sports movies/TV shows, I’d never give up, right? I mean, Jimmy Chitwood makes the shot. The Italian Stallion goes the distance. And Lasso even wrote the gosh darn word “BELIEVE” in the locker room of AFC Richmond.
The 2025 49ers are going to need a combination of all of the above if they are going to make good on a season that still has so much promise — but is now fraught with peril.
The 4-2 start, and in particular the 3-0 NFC West start, has given the 49ers a head start, even if the NFL Grim Reaper is bearing down on them in the rear view. And the theory that the 49ers have the offensive firepower to score 30 a game and try to win Arena Football-style shootouts is out there. But that brings into question the non-existent run game and ineffective offensive line. That’s another Jock Blog for another day.
All I’m saying is, as much as I’d like to see a “Breaking Away”/“McFarland, USA”/“Miracle” cinematic run by the Bosa-less and Warner-less 49ers, it’s a big ask.
Someone put Cher on the boom box. Let’s see what happens.
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