Nolan now gets to dress up his bid to revive Niners
He chose the latter.
That should go over large with the home fans. When it appeared earlier this month that Nolan and Del Rio wouldn't be allowed to wear suits because of a league contract with Reebok, its apparel sponsor, some 49ers' season-ticket holders started talking about protesting by attending the home opener in -– what else? -– suits.
"I think they might've helped," Nolan said.
He thinks commissioner Roger Goodell might've helped, too, though he's not sure. He's not sure what he's going to say to Reebok, either, when he meets with the company Thursday, other than he's grateful that it and the NFL relented on the issue.
What Nolan is certain of is that he wants his team to look as good as its head coach, and we're talking about performance here, folks. The 49ers have been down far too long, on a four-year losing streak that started when the club fired Steve Mariucci.
Once the organization measured itself in terms of Super Bowls, and there are five on display at the team's Santa Clara headquarters. Now it can't measure it by winning seasons, with the team compiling a 20-44 record the past four years, including an 11-21 mark under Nolan.
But there are reasons to like this team. The defense that sank to 26th last season and allowed a league-high 412 points has made changes everywhere, including a new coordinator, free-agents Nate Clements, Tully Banta-Cain and Michael Lewis, first-round draft pick Patrick Willis and third-rounder Ray McDonald.
Then, of course, there is quarterback Alex Smith, who started looking like a franchise player last season. There's star running back Frank Gore, too. And tight end Vernon Davis and the newly acquired Darrell Jackson.
"I think we started getting this thing turned around when I took the job," said Nolan, "and I don't mean to sound egotistical. But we have created a winning system. Yes, we're 7-9 until the 2007 season begins, and I'm not going to sit here and tell you we're going to win 10 games this year.
"But I do know that my expectations are to make the playoffs, and, if we don't, we all should be disappointed."
Maybe. But I'm not disappointed in Mike Nolan. Not now. I like what he's doing. And I like where he's going. Here's hoping others follow.
