THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: So far, the 'rebuilding' team has the upper hand
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 4 years AGO
“Is Trey Lance a bust?”
That was the question I got — perhaps in jest — the other night from my friendly grocer at the supermarket, as I maneuvered my shopping cart somewhere between the lunchmeat section and the toothpaste aisle.
“He’s a bust,” another customer offered rather matter-of-factly, as he wheeled his cart around the corner, past the Vaseline.
ARGHHHHHHHH!
He’s not a bust! He’s started three games in the NFL. Three!
Not that he’s the next Joe Montana, but Montana wasn’t Joe Cool until his third year as the 49ers quarterback — when they won their first Super Bowl.
Of course, San Francisco was lousy when Joe rolled into town, so his early mishaps were forgiven as he and the 49ers slowly found their way.
Plus, there was no social media then, no NFL talk 24/7 on TV and radio. He could fail — and succeed — in relative anonymity.
But this is also the world we live in today, where everybody expects athletes to be great YESTERDAY.
Plus, the current 49ers were on the cusp of a Super Bowl victory three seasons ago, and nearly made it back to the Big Game last year, so their fans are not interested in any learning curve — they’re itching to win NOW.
MEANWHILE, UP the coast, the supposed “rebuilding” team is leading the NFC West, and looked good in beating the Formerly Great Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos on Monday night.
Funny — it was just a few years ago Russ was adored as if he was the second coming of Christ.
Now he’s wearing another uniform, and he’s a bum.
And Seahawk fans are now rallying around Geno Smith.
Geno Smith.
In any event, if the Seahawks play at San Francisco today like they played on Monday night, and if the 49ers play as dismally as they did — especially in the second half — in the rain in Chicago, the “rebuilding” team will be 2-0 and still atop the NFC West, and the “Super Bowl contending” team will be 0-2 and hearing about the cries for Jimmy G 24/7.
Which is why being a fan can be a lot of fun — or a lot of frustration.
Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @CdAPressSports.