Zohn readers are all in a tizzy because I was critical of Jim Harbaugh. I’m getting lots of negative energy directed my way, as they say in California.

Some readers point out that Walsh was 8-24 his first two  seasons in San Francisco. That is supposed to make me and others go easy on Harbaugh — if Bill couldn’t deliver his first two years why demand any more of Harbaugh?

Wow.

Does this mean Harbaugh gets a two-year grace period and while the Niners try to finance a stadium we don’t care about the product on the field until 2013?

That’s a long wait.

Here’s something else. Walsh inherited a very bad team, one bereft of talent. His bad records made sense.

Harbaugh inherited a better team. Last year, many people, me included, predicted the Niners would win the NFC West. That was before we realized how bad Mike Singletary really was. As bad as Singletary was, the Niners still won six games. If they had been coached better they might have won 8 or 9. Who knows?

The point is Harbaugh is inheriting a team with real players. First rounders on the offensive line, a great tight end, a big time defensive lineman, a very good running back, a great linebacker. Walsh didn’ t have players like these at first.

So don’t make the Walsh/Harbaugh comparison. And don’t ask for a pass on Harbaugh. He needs to produce this season — maybe not win the division, but his team must compete and be respectable.