I’m up here at Sea Ranch listening to the waves come in and out — they are, in a sense, the history of the world. And in a weaker moment — don’t ask me why — I went online and read a transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s interview with the media, the poor media, in Santa Clara today. He tries push them around. At one point he leveled this at them and I quote:
“A lot of obvious questions, a lot of master of the obvious questions today. These could be really answering themselves up here.”
Well, gee, I’m sorry that he thinks Matt Maiocco and Matt Barrows and Cam Inman and Eric Branch and Grant Cohn are not sharp enough for him, not smart enough, certainly not aggressive enough to ask questions that would interest him. I’m sorry he thinks they are masters of the obvious. I’m sorry they are not up to his standard. So, in order to please Harbaugh, here are some harder questions:
Will your offense, especially on third down and in the red zone, be any better this season? It sure stunk last season.
Will Alex Smith ever be anything more than an average quarterback?
If Randy Moss is so great, why is he not starting Friday night?
If you are such an offensive genius, why does your defense save your life every week?
And why are you so grumpy verging on paranoid before the season has started? What’s up with you, Jim? I mean, what’s up?
And yes, Jim, had I been there I would have asked you these questions. You and I know that. Are these the kinds of questions you had in mind?
Stan
I’m predicting a national news making showdown this year between the Earps and the Clantons..aka Cohn’s and Harbaugh and Balkee. Could be early,could be after a tough loss or big win..but it’s going to be a doozy.
And Larry Kreuger a day later to shoot who he can in the back.
August 9th, 2012 6:53 pm
Michael S.
Lowell, it’s a long season. Enjoy your vacation. You’ll have enough time to deal with Harbaugh’s PR skills when you return.
August 9th, 2012 7:16 pm
CohnZohn
Michael S, Thanks for your suggestion. It’s not his PR skills — or lack of them — I wrote about. It’s his disdain for working journalists, his need to go out of his way to start a fight no one asked for.
August 9th, 2012 7:21 pm
Dennis
Lowell, is that a glass house your are renting? Chill out man. Save your anger for when you are actually there. It doesn’t seem like this vacation is actually helping you enjoy life like it should. You sounded just like what you are complaining about – a bad attitude. Relax and go take some deep breaths of that fresh sea air. We need you focused when you come back from vacation.
August 9th, 2012 7:33 pm
Tiburon Dave
What I find so interesting is the degree to which he has intimidated what you call our professional press corp…
Barrows, Maiocco, Branch & Imman are clearly terrified to do their jobs lest they risk his ire…
The grey beards are the only ones with the guts to get in his face and then they’re eviscerated by Jim and his merry band of jock sniffers…
It’s tribal…and it’s very troubling…
August 9th, 2012 7:40 pm
CohnZohn
Dennis, I’m in a great mood, I swear. Here’s a story you’ll like and I give it to you because you’ve hung in with me so long. Years ago, when Kevin Mitchell was new to the Giants, I wrote something he didn’t like. Before the next game, I was at the batting cage. I saw Kevin and Jeffrey Leonard talking at second base. Jeffrey was pointing to me. Kevin and Jeffrey walked over to me and Kevin said some stuff and I told him to chill, he wasn’t scaring me, and Kevin walked away. And Jeffrey, God love him, said, “Lowell, you like this, you really do.” And I do. I like the action, including the conflict. It’s why I gave up on academia and Joseph Conrad because it’s too calm for me. FYI, Jeffrey and Kevin are two of my all-time favorites in all of sports. Put Chili Davis and Will Clark in there, too.
August 9th, 2012 7:45 pm
CohnZohn
Tiburon Dave, I totally agree. I’m not sure the Watergate, Washington Post newspaper series could happen in this media-terrified era.
August 9th, 2012 7:49 pm
Johnc
I miss Kevin Mitchell also. He was my favorite Giant.
Your questions to Harbaugh made me laugh because no one dares to ask them and yet they are on everyone’s mind . I give Harbaugh a pass because when you said paranoid..I seriously feel that some of that is in play for real and I have said
so before. Remember Lieutenant Commander Philip Francis Queeg, USN ?
August 9th, 2012 8:42 pm
B-Rad
In the 26 years beginning in 1985, the Harris Poll has surveyed the popularity
of the various sports in America and the NFL has been the most popular each year.
In 1985 the NFL barely beat out MLB – 24% to 23%.
In 2011:
1 – NFL……………………………………36%
2a – MLB………………………………….13%
2b – College football………………….13%
4 – Auto racing………………………….8%
5a – NBA…………………………………..5%
5b – College football…………………..5%
7 – Hockey
8 – Men’s soccer
9 – Men’s golf
10 – Track and field
11 – Bowling
12 – Men’s tennis
13 – Boxing
My point is, the beat writers need him more than he needs them.
Regardless of whether he’s rude or not,
whether he let’s you watch practices during the season or not,
whether he talks to you when he doesn’t have to do so or not,
the Niners are going to be just fine as long as they are competitive.
August 9th, 2012 9:07 pm
CohnZohn
Johnc, Mrs. Cohn Zohn mentioned Captain Queeg to me tonight in this very context, I swear.
August 9th, 2012 9:27 pm
CohnZohn
B-Rad, Yes, as long as they are competitive. There’s the rub.
August 9th, 2012 9:29 pm
Dennis
Thanks for sharing the story. I like Kevin Mitchell. I know you love the conflict. But you were going on about how beautiful life is and how Sea Ranch makes you think about the meaning of life and talking about trivial stuff like the over use of the word awesome and I am thinking good for him. This is a guy who knows how to shut down and relax. I am sitting here happy for you. Even a little envious because I can’t go to Sea Ranch or any ocean area without climbing the walls. Then out of nowhere you go off on Harbaugh like you were in the room with him. I guess I was enjoying your vacation with you through your blog and thank you for that. Anyway, you will have plenty of time to ask Mr. Harbaugh all those questions when you get back. Right now you are on vacation enjoying a stress free life. Don’t ruin it for me.
August 9th, 2012 10:47 pm
Brady
slightly tangential, but I don’t get why everyone expects Harbaugh to be an offensive genius. Is it just because he was a QB in the pros? Because he’s always been a defense oriented coach, with a run oriented offense. He’s not Nelly.
I’m not making excuses I’m just curious as to why people think he’s supposed to be an offensive genius.
August 9th, 2012 11:17 pm
Streetglide
Come on Lowell, the questions were horrible, stupid, puerile and self serving. I’d be insulted too. Why isn’t Moss starting? He’s old for a start! He didn’t play a down last year! Let the cannon fodder take on the first string defense in the first pre-season game of the year.
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How can anyone take the Bay Area media seriously?
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In other news, some nice salami, artichoke hearts in oil, french bread and a bottle of your favorite plonk makes a stop on the cliffs overlooking the Peaceful Ocean a wonderful stop…
August 10th, 2012 4:55 am
Rob
Stan, I don’t get Larry Krueger either. Radnich gave Krueger a big pat on the back yesterday for “coming back.” But if coming back is putting down the Cohns publicly on the radio so as to gain favor with Harbaugh et. al., I can do without that.
August 10th, 2012 5:29 am
chris
Lowell, cant wait for you to get back from vacation and go right at Harbaugh with those three hall of fame journalist questions……..you’re the best man, no one else would dare to ask those.
August 10th, 2012 9:10 am
Bob In Portland
If Harbaugh wants to raise the level of discussion he needs to actually start answering questions with longer, more complete answers. No need to be a jerk about things.
August 10th, 2012 10:08 am
Mark M
You’re in mid season form! Get refreshed and get down there.
I like all those smart reporters, but none of them have the guts to ask those questions. They are all way too meek and timid in my view. Kawakami is OK. Looking forward to your return
August 10th, 2012 10:23 am
Brian in Oakland
One the thing that I love about Lowell is his willingness to engage in conflict when it’s warranted. It’s a lot of fun. Clearly not everyone agrees — by an large we live in a society that runs from conflict — can’t stand it. Clearly many of the comments here reflect a view point that they’d much rather Lowwll “chill” or “relax”. Why? That would be so boring. We might as well all eat vanilla ice cream and listen to Muzak.
August 10th, 2012 10:43 am
StevenG
“A lot of obvious questions, a lot of master of the obvious questions today. These could be really answering themselves up here.”
It is the beat writer’s job to ask questions and it is Harbaugh’s job to answer. He doesn’t have to be particularly effusive, I suppose. That’s his decision. But he was disrespectful and condescending to hardworking men and women. The irony is that the questions he finds “obvious” are only obvious to him because he’s the one that knows the answers. Hey Jim, that’s why they’re asking!
August 10th, 2012 10:52 am
mike
One of the key questions for Harbaugh is not if your Red Zone or 3rd down offense will be any better this coming season…….
but….What changes in design, utilization of personnel and implementation of concepts have you studied and undertaken this off-season to improve your Red Zone and 3rd down offenses?
Make him give you more than a one-word answer and ask open-ended, not close-ended, questions.
August 10th, 2012 11:06 am
CohnZohn
mike, You suggest a very good question. I can tell you how Harbaugh would respond. “I won’t answer that because that’s scheme.”
August 10th, 2012 11:28 am
KauaiRobert
You’re waaaaay too sensitive Lowell.
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I see that you mentioned Iggy last in that group…but you seem much more sensitive when he’s involved.
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I wonder if Harbaugh would’ve irked you as much if Iggy was on another assignment.
.
.
.
*ALOHA*
August 10th, 2012 12:27 pm
Stan
Damon Bruce WAS taken off the 49er postgame show. Only pregame where all he can do is chit chat..no postgame looking deep. And I bet Krueger really told KNBR how much he needed his good friend Damon,post game!..that’s sticking up for your buddys Larry.
There’s a gun named Kreuger isnt there? only for shooting people in the back.
August 10th, 2012 12:28 pm
CohnZohn
KauaiRobert, This is not a personal issue for me. It is a professional issue. I would feel the way I feel whether or not Iggy is involved. I expect to be treated as a professional and I expect a coach to treat the media professionally and what Harbaugh said yesterday was disrespectful of professionals doing their job.
August 10th, 2012 12:34 pm
tkh
Have you considered that Harbaugh is just giving you the business because sportswriters have always analized and critisized his work? And, when the sportswriters take the bait, as you have done here, he sits back and has a little smile to himself, self satisfied that he has accomplished his goal. Instead of being insulted you could just ignore it and continue to ask questions as if it didn’t faze you (as you would any other bully) Or you could get creative in the questions and make light of what he is doing rather than lashing back in anger. It may not fit your style but he surely wouldn’t get satisfaction that he got your goat. Surely you don’t believe he cares that he has made you uncomfortable, so why give him the satisfaction?
August 10th, 2012 12:50 pm
tkh
oops *Criticized.
August 10th, 2012 12:53 pm
Frank in Minnesota
Beautiful Questions Lowell….wish you had asked him those questions but…i believe he knows that those questions are out there now….watch, no response from the genius….
August 10th, 2012 1:03 pm
Gooselosgatos
I understand your disdain for Harbaugh. He treats journalists like second class citizens and you are absolutely correct to call him on this as opposed to being reverential like many journalists.
However, I do feel your disdain for Harbaugh does bias your questions as many seem like cheap shots.
August 10th, 2012 1:07 pm
Stan
I caught the 200 meter race..Bolt and all the rest did nothing but mug,point at themselves (the new gods?) and one wore sunglasses!. The only white guy was plain as vanilla..no act. I watched that and thought Avery Brundage is spinning in his grave like a turbine on Lake Havasu!
August 10th, 2012 1:26 pm
Stan
Oh,and those sunglasses he wore as he ran? They weren’t even streamlined glasses like you see in many sports..they were just cool looking Aviator style.
lol.Times have changed.
August 10th, 2012 1:29 pm
Dennis
“KauaiRobert, This is not a personal issue for me. It is a professional issue.”
You know Lowell, after reading your statement I went back and re-read your questions with a bent towards professionalism. I have to be honest here with you, your questions don’t appear to be that professional to me. They sound more like they are coming from someone who is mad and upset.
I know – you are talking about Harbaugh’s lack of professionalism and I get that. But I have always been taught never to complain about someone else’s behavior when demonstrating that very same behavior. I don’t want you take what I am saying wrong because I am starting to agree with you about Harbaugh’s disdain for the press. I am just suggesting that you can take a slightly higher road and still make your point.
August 10th, 2012 1:36 pm
mike
Wow! Those are really tough questions Lowell. You are quite the antogonist.
I bet there is a lot of fans, myself included, that really like Jim Harbaugh and do not appreciate your consistent attacks on him.
It’s such a treat to have one of the best coaches in the league coaching the 49ers.
I wonder who the fans appreciate more — you or Harbaugh? Last I looked you nor any other sport writer has coached any team professionally, let alone turn a losing team into a winning team in just one season.
Remeber last year when you blasted Harbaugh after the first preseason game questioning his ability to coach at this level. Looks like you ate some cake on that observation.
I will say your contempt for Harbaugh is funny and entertaining in some odd way — probably not in the way you intend it to be.
I’ve been reading your columns for a long time but until the past few years I never realized your shortcomings and anger towards others you do not agree with.
Go Jim Harbaugh — 49er fans are grateful for your ability to coach!
August 10th, 2012 1:44 pm
Streetglide
Still disagree. Lowell, you are aces in my book because you can write about something besides sports and you’re funny on the teevee. But what is a “professional” sports writer? What is the requirements for that title? Lots of the writing is pretty thin gruel…
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Harbaugh has been involved in all aspects of the game. He has paid dues no sports writer can imagine. So when he gets a non-stop barrage of idiotic questions, especially from people looking trip him up — people who ridiculed his hiring and his backing of Smith — he’s not going to play nice.
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I’ve read people saying he better be nice now because if the team hits the skids it will be bad for him. Guess what? I don’t think he’ll care. He has more than enough money. He’ll build churches in Peru and coach QBs for Cleveland. The guy just doesn’t give a fig about PR; and that’s the way it should be…
August 10th, 2012 2:10 pm
Stan
If Bolt drank a gallon of Mountain Dew,I think he would be off the charts fast..even today it didn’t look like he was straining at all.
Amazing.
August 10th, 2012 2:58 pm
MJ
Stan…youre a bit obsessed with Larry Krueger (or KNBR). What did he do to you to bring such wrath? Might I suggest listening to 95.7? I started listening to them before they had their official name last June or so and haven’t looked back. It actually hurts to listen to AM, all the callers and interviewees muffled speech, night and day.
August 10th, 2012 3:30 pm
Dennis D
Fired up and ready to go! Anyway, have you walked along the bluffs where the Marine Sanctuary is? Just watch those harbor seals lazing in the sun for a while and you’ll be back in your chilled place. Enjoy.
August 10th, 2012 3:36 pm
Streetglide
Dennis what did you “fire up?” Hope it was from Mendo… ;- )
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Oh, you mean f-i-r-e-d up about the game?! Ah, now I get it, my bad… -L-
August 10th, 2012 5:32 pm
Tiburon Dave
A journalist works for us. It is their job to be combative if required to get to the truth and publish the truth for public consumption.
Many of you appear to think it is the job of the journalist to be our surrogate boot lickers…
To those who want to lick Coach Harbaugh’s boots…have at it…
To those who wish to learn about professional journalism…please read the following…
“Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel propose several guidelines for journalists in their book The Elements of Journalism[6]. Because journalism’s first loyalty is to the citizenry, journalists are obliged to tell the truth and must serve as an independent monitor of powerful individuals and institutions within society. The essence of journalism is to provide citizens with reliable information through the discipline of verification, as well providing a forum for public criticism.”
August 10th, 2012 5:37 pm
Stan
I get tired of his co -host bragging that Larry knows everything..and from what I can tell,Larry Krueger can memorize every piece of a puzzle…and still has no idea how they fit together. He gets it all wrong..right up to his LeBron James bashing. It was so obviously a stupid opinion to make a stand on…that LeBron “Wasn’t loyal” to Cleveland’s owner. And then Krueger had egg on his face after the Finals..once again.
Or how about this one.. a certain columnist and son? What do they know to second guess Harbaugh,he says? “They never scouted a team”, I guess he considers THAT an expert’s opinion. Oh,did I mention Larry was paid to scout for a few days in his younger days?..LOL..
Krueger has been wrong on everything..and then has his co host brag at how brilliant his calls are.
Kreuger is whats wrong with the worst of media!
Well,you asked.
August 10th, 2012 5:50 pm
Anthony S
Cohn… I know that you have expressed your displeasure with Harbaugh and his attitude with the media with many of your posts. I will not provide quotes from past blogs to corroborate my statements with evidence, however, I will let you and others judge if my statements are factual. In summary… you claimed Harbaugh does not allow press members to perform their jobs like NFL coaches should. Apparently he is stretching the rules and guidelines that the NFL has outlined in regards to the rights of media member access to football operations. You claimed he does not respect the media. You claim he is picking a fight with the media. You claim the media can get under his skin but he can not get under yours. For that matter, you are enjoying a vacation listening to the waves and history of the world right now. I recall you comparing him to Walsh in regards to being media friendly. I don’t mean to assume but it seem liked you prefered Walsh instead of Harbaugh to work with. Overall, you seem to make a lot of judgements about Harbaugh that are negative.
I am just wondering if you have tried putting yourself in Jim Harbaugh’s shoes. The media, including you, doomed the 49ers last year. They did not give them any chance whatsoever. In doing so, they posted/blogged/wrote about all the negative things associated with the 49ers. They questioned the pick of Aldon Smith and questioned the intelligence of the people in charge of the 49ers. It was a new regime so I thought they deserved a fair chance. Alex smith was denounced by virtually everybody. I believe you were a strong advocate of the termination of Alex Smith’s career as the 49ers quarterback. I don’t know who you picked to win the Saints game but I am going to guess you picked the Saints. I do remember you finally gave Alex Smith some credit after winning that game, but in this post you ask if Smith will ever be more than an average quarterback. I think that throwing only 5 interceptions (4 interceptions is fewest of all time) and being number 9 overall in QB rating last year when healthy, with talent, and with coaching makes Smith much better than most people were giving him credit for. He is definitely proved he can be better than average last year proving everyone wrong. You can point to the Giants game, but lets get real you didn’t even think he would win 5 games probably (I’m guessing). Harbaugh believed in Smith when nobody else did. Why would Harbaugh want to be gracious with the people that ridiculed his team, picked against them, the intelligence of the men in charge of the 49ers, disrespected his players, etc.
Now some reporters are tearing down the AJ jenkins pick. Yes, he is a first round pick (30th overall), however, we do not need a rookie receiver to produce this year. We especially do not need a rookie receiver to produce nearly as much as we needed a rookie pass rusher to produce. AJ Jenkins has the time and luxury of to develop because we have Crabtree, Manningham, and hopefully Moss in front of him. But for some reason some reporters are only reporting the bad news/plays from AJ Jenkins when other reporters are reporting everything (good and bad) about AJ Jenkins. I won’t say any names but this shows unnecesary bias probably because the individual that the writer thought the 49ers should have drafted (Stanford TE) was not drafted. His posts make it seem like he wants AJ Jenkins to fail. If he does not wish for his writing to come across this way then he should report all of the facts instead of just the negative facts.
Cohn, lately your posts have seemed like you have a personal vendetta against Harbaugh… all of the complaining about Harbaugh and his personality, and now questioning Alex Smith, Harbaugh’s offensive intelligence, and pointing out all of the negative parts of the offense last year (we all already know about 3rd down and redzone efficiency) just make you seem like you want to prove Harbaugh wrong. Harbaugh is the head coach of the 49ers and is responsible for hiring the defensive and special teams coordinator (all of the staff). Harbaugh got the 49ers to play football they way they did last year, which by the way is my favorite type of football (another discussion). Harbaugh brought a team within one play of a superbowl in his first year without an offseason, and yet you still have so many negative things to say about the man. You were wrong about most things regarding the 49ers last year. Does that have anything to do with your disdain for Harbaugh now? I know you say don’t root. But it really seems like you want Harbaugh to fail because you clearly make it seem like you personally do not like him in your articles. I could be wrong, but I am just a reader and that is how I am perceiving your writing.
I know that you can probably find some textbook/technical flaw in my argument and some grammatical errors, and then come back with something to say attacking this flaw. But I ask you focus on the big picture of my post if you are capable of that. Focus on football and the facts.
August 10th, 2012 7:23 pm
mendozaline
“Because journalism’s first loyalty is to the citizenry, journalists are obliged to tell the truth and must serve as an independent monitor of powerful individuals and institutions within society. The essence of journalism is to provide citizens with reliable information through the discipline of verification, as well providing a forum for public criticism.”
How is this definition of Journalism in any way related to the role of a sports columnist?
How does it in any way relate to a sports blog?
Sports columnists and bloggers entertain, they do not practice the “discipline of verification.”
Lowell regulary produces columns and blog entries that are very entertaining.
Remember the unnamed scout who predicited Lincecum’s downfall?, the recent column about
the guy who wanted to build a stadium in Oakland? There was not too much discipline of verification in those columns. I don’t think there needed to be. Those columns were written (I think) to entertain us not to provide us with reliable information.
August 10th, 2012 10:14 pm
lameduck
C’mon TJ…Yet again i agree with the Tiburon Dave. We all have jobs to do.
August 10th, 2012 11:38 pm
martin
Harbaugh’s job is to win football games. Period. Not to cater to writers or answer their redundant questions. Writers should question and gain insight on the players and leave the coaches alone. A coach knows 100 times more information about football than a writer will ever know so no wonder they get short having to answer mostly inane stuff. Coaches get upset becasue they consider time spent on press duties wasted becasue it is time spent away from planning for the next practice or opponent. I am sure as a writer you feel different but try looking at it from a coaches point of view.
August 11th, 2012 9:01 am
CohnZohn
martin, Coaches are required by league policy to spend time with media. Period. Some coaches do it graciously.
August 11th, 2012 9:03 am
Neal
Good Questions Lowell. I really have a hard time listenning to Harbaugh because he is either condenscending or pulling our chain, with comments like we are just evaulating Peyton, Ales Smith is elite and Crabs best hands I had ever see, Total BS !!
August 11th, 2012 9:46 am
martin
Did not know about league policy rule. That being said I have seen you react to inane comments and it is no different for coach Harbaugh. It is tough to be gracious when some questions have answers so obvious that they are obviously being asked just to fill dead air. Perhaps writers should stop asking questions in an obviously comabtive manner. Questioning why Randy Moss isn’t starting the first exhibition game would enter into that equation. It’s the first game. Who cares who plays and sits out. It is not relevant. Relevance would be how bad is Aldon Smith injured and will he be ready for the Packers.
August 11th, 2012 12:09 pm
Brotha Tuna
Lowell-
> The sound of the Ocean is primal, isn’t it?
> C’mon, now; covering Bill Walsh or Jim Harbaugh IS NOT like the Watergate story; at all. Oh, OK, there are times Jim reminds me of Haldeman, but nobody expected to get a straight answer out of Haldeman or the WH Press Secretary. That story broke on investigative work, not Pressers.
> that being said, Yes, JH is systematically ornery, difficult, obstructionist, and yeah, sometimes rude to The Press with whom he’s supposed to have a cooperative relationship to promote his
team brand and product.
> So to me a better complaint to direct at JH is: Since you don’t answer meaningful questions, why do you expect anyone to ask one? JH by design gives us (you-all) vague, evasive cliched answers, so what does he expect?
> Bill Walsh was more effective; in fact, with all due respect, he had a lot of people dancing to his tunes. As to Harb’s, I’m reminded of the line from North Dallas Forty: “Seeing through the games isn’t the same thing as winning the game.”
Ciao
>. My feeling when Harb’s sneered at the quest
August 11th, 2012 2:35 pm
Stan
If you believe everything you read on the internet no.87,956= A 57 year old Alameda woman invented a face cream that makes her look 27,and that angers Doctors.
A 53 year old man invented a way to get 75% better gas mileage and the video you must see now before it’s banned.
Some things dont change..just like my old comic books and X ray vision glasses…or that suitcase full of 3,000 toy soldiers..and when they came? just tiny army men..some like 10 attached to a single base. How can you play with those?
And I still read those adds..
August 11th, 2012 4:30 pm
Stan
I read that the Beasty Boys will not allow their music to be ever used in commercials. The story listed their biggest hits like “Brass Monkey”. It struck me that I never thought too much of the song..never understood it. It was catchy..but “Brass Monkey,that Funky Monkey”..not deep. But, almost 30 years later..I like it better now. Wow,that “Soundtrack of your life” is a powerful emotion. I could still pass as a young man when that came out,get in the younger man line-lol.. And that nothing is now like that..just stamps it as “In the past”.
I wonder when people first noticed that soundtrack effect?..1920?S as recordings passed a decade?..was it back to the mid ages?..Its real. I feel it.
August 12th, 2012 10:17 am
Stan
The Olympics are very ageist..extremely discriminatory. Why no gold medals for “Born in the 30′s-60′s” events? We have a huge edge in maturity and wisdom. And yet we get no gold medal for surviving the worst the rat race threw at us for decades???…that’s BS.
I deserve a few gold, AND a handful of purple hearts to boots!
August 12th, 2012 8:16 pm
Jeff
maybe you should just stay on vacation….. Harbaugh has the BEST press conferences in pro sports. Truly are very entertaining.
August 13th, 2012 12:11 am
Streetglide
Gotta agree with Jeff on this one. Harbaugh has those hawk eyes (and beak) that stare you guys down. I had an English teacher like that back in high school. You fooled around in Mr. Jezesko’s classroom and he would bounce you off the lockers a couple of times until you got the point.
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In a world of weenies it’s great to see someone who doesn’t pander. Was it too foggy to watch the meteors last night? Or are you back to Cohn Estates? Either way, don’t forget the sound of the ocean waves when you are sitting through your next presser…
August 13th, 2012 12:59 pm
RickDC
Kaepernick: Speed
Johnson: Arm
Tolzien: Poise
*Alex Smith possesses some to none of the above.
I’m 100% for Harbaugh but strongly disagree w/him on Alex Smith. Put Tolzien or Johnson at the QB’s spot and the offense would’ve matched or exceeded the expectations. The defense should take credit for last year’s 13-3 record, not Alex. Enough of the different offenses and OC’s excuses already. Whether or not it was coming from Urban Meyer’s flavor of the gimmicky spread, Alex will never be on same par as someone Scott McCloughan and Mike Nolan passed on: Aaron Rodgers. That said, ready for more ’3 and outs’ and ‘thrown behind passes,’ from a protected offensive scheme, from an 8-year vet?
August 13th, 2012 1:23 pm
CohnZohn
Streetglide, We’re back at Cohn Estates although we like to call it Sky Ranch. I fly to NY Thursday for my nephew’s wedding and NY pizza.
August 13th, 2012 2:01 pm
Streetglide
Cohn Estates is okay if you are living in Connecticut or Florida, but in California how about “Casa Cohn?” Or perhaps “Cohnhead Quarters” as a tip of the hat to Dan Akroyd?
Glad you are getting some real pizza. Best I ever had was in Tokyo. Little place run by Vinnie and Sal over in the shitamachi area near the Kokogikan – the Sumo stadium. Guys were from Naples, only spoke Italian and a little Japanese Had a wood-fired oven, checkered tablecloths the works. They’d been there for years, sorta married into the family if you know what I mean.
Have fun. Watch out for Jets fans…
August 13th, 2012 2:42 pm
Stan
Comcast,wants you..and want you to bring viewers..but they really dont want you talk on the hot issues.. They asked you about some Little League?..that was of minus zero interest. And to water you down even more..Barry Tomkins.. a guy(!) who will be at your funeral? wheres the conflict,the difference of opinion there?
The show has gone backwards since the days of Papa hosting and Del Grande and Ratto’s verbal fisticuffs. Most days its Romper Room sports talk.
August 13th, 2012 6:13 pm
Alex
This “feud” is getting ridiculous. Can we get a full transcript of these press conferences? Or is that not allowed?
August 14th, 2012 9:19 am
CohnZohn
Grant Cohn always provides transcripts of the press conferences on Inside the 49ers.
August 14th, 2012 10:47 am
Val
A Kevin Mitchell story…
My family was in Seattle visiting family and we were walking near the ballpark where there had been a game earlier that day. We saw some kids in the parking lot surrounding a player so we walked up. It was Kevin Mitchell.
We asked if we could get a picture of him with our kids (we don’t do autographs).
He was gracious and we walked away with a very positive feeling about him. I always think of that experience when his name comes up.
August 17th, 2012 8:57 am
LHB
It goes both ways. See how Harbaugh lashed out at the media and then the rebuttal is you lashing out at Harbaugh. Here we have a simple case of the pot calling the kettle black. Obviously Harbaugh does not like these questions and obviously the media likes to ask these questions. So in hindsight, what really happens is the media knows how Harbaugh is and then start to push his buttons. To continously ask questions you know Harbaugh won’t answer doesn’t make sense. From an outsider looking in it appears as if the media wants to see Harbaugh go crazy. Just an opinion don’t take anything personally.
August 17th, 2012 10:05 am
CohnZohn
LHB, I can’t see that Harbaugh likes to answer any kinds of questions. Maybe he would answer questions about the weather.
August 17th, 2012 11:18 am