Monday, December 01, 2008

last updated: September 08, 2008 10:53:14 AM

It's time to launch another NFL season, or as we like to call it in Northern California, "Thumped By Thanksgiving."

Let's store into the closet the eight dusty Lombardi trophies, the combined collection of the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders. Right now, they are as relevant as yesterday's weather report.

Let's also file all those hoary slogans about commitment to whatever and the endless spin about improve-

ment. Until these franchises rise out of their funk and show something more than punts and field goals, they will be known as thus:

The two worst teams in the NFL.

Howl at the moon, throw darts at the messenger or just sink deeper into your easy chair. The 49ers and the Raiders are what they are -- two football companies wandering in the NFL wilderness.

Expectations and predictions have been reduced to one huge moot point. After all, what's the worth of improvement from 2-14 to 4-12, the Raiders' result in 2007? If you downsize from 7-9 to 5-11, like the 49ers did last season, what is your direction when you've taken your most important player -- quarterback Alex Smith -- and basically ruined him?

All we can project this season is more exciting offense, a fairly safe observation. After that, you're on your own. We've been conditioned for failure, so anything above an unforced fumble is a plus.

The 49ers begin today against Arizona, followed by the Raiders hosting Denver on Monday night, and from here on, it's a "show me" world.

Because what they've shown lately is big-league lame. The numbers since the 2002 season leave no argument.

The Raiders, after losing to Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl, are 19-61, the NFL's worst record. The 49ers, during the same time span, are 25-55, next-to-worst. Both teams have deserved their fate -- unstable or sub-average coaching, bad drafts, misdirected ownership, etc.

The Raiders have positioned themselves for an upgrade via running back Darren McFadden and quarterback JaMarcus Russell. The quick development of McFadden, contrasting with Russell's holdout absence last year, will help the Raiders.

Across the bay, new offensive coordinator Mike Martz -- the 49ers' sixth OC in as many seasons -- might rescue an offense that last year bordered on unwatchable. The surprise was quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan, a 29-year-old journeyman, beating out both Smith and Shaun Hill.

O'Sullivan starts today only because he worked with Martz in Detroit last year and is more comfortable with his offense. The ex-UC Davis Aggie, unlike Smith, will be bolstered by the 49ers' first serious talent at receiver in years.

Better offense aside, both teams are saddled with the same major problem -- uncertainty at head coach. Put bluntly, the seats occupied by the Raiders' Lane Kiffin and the 49ers' Mike Nolan are hotter than Modesto asphalt at 4 p.m. Both franchises will languish until these issues are addressed.

Owner Al Davis overruled Kiffin's dismissal of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan last winter. Kiffin then refused to sign a letter of resignation from Davis. The coach basically said, "Fire me and pay me $4 million, because I'm going nowhere." Davis blinked, but now he's stuck with a coach he likes slightly less than a root canal.

Kiffin's presence on the Raiders' sideline, given the toxic environment, continues the soap opera. Will McFadden's breakaway speed and a few wins wash away this mess? Stay tuned. One encouraging, if costly, sign is the Raiders' forking over $224 million for McFadden and three other starters. Regardless how you think about the Raiders, they're always trying to win NOW.

Which happens to be Nolan's only chance to be wearing San Francisco red next season.

Nolan has exhausted all patience due to three factors: 1. His team's 16-32 record; 2. his careless handling of Smith both on and off the field; and, 3. his grammar-school game management. Worse for him, his potential replacement -- Martz -- calls the plays on offense.

The 49ers believe a defense keyed by linebacker Patrick Willis, merged with a more productive offense, will correct their course. Again, we're waiting.

Fundamentally poor judgment has plunged both Bay Area commodities to the bottom -- the Raiders' chasing away Jon Gruden after the 2001 season, and the 49ers' firing of Steve Mariucci a year later after an NFC West title and a playoff win. Not surprisingly, they're still groping for traction.

We'll count anything better than "Thumped By Thanksgiving" a step forward.

Bee sports columnist Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee.com or 578-2302.

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