Enjoying the Game Again

"Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game."- Michael Jordan 

For 8 long years, I never enjoyed the NFL. How could I? My favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers, were a laughingstock of the league. They had bad general managers, bad players, and even worse coaches. They were a rudderless ship.  So I stopped watching the NFL with the same passion. It drove me to love the college game because I really have no dog that can compete for a national championship in college. 

Now the 49ers are 7-1 on the season and could clinch their division before Thanksgiving. They could even clinch a first round bye in the playoffs. I'm not even sure how to react to this notion. Eight years of losing will do that to you. So at this moment I'm just enjoying the game again. 

I'm enjoying Alex Smith not doing too much and not making mistakes. I'm enjoying Frank Gore run for over 100 yards each week. I'm enjoying Patrick Willis dominate. I'm enjoying watching rookie Aldon Smith pass the rusher. I'm enjoying NaVarro Bowman make his case for all-pro at linebacker. I'm enjoying the 49ers again. 

That's all what I'm doing right now though. I'm just enjoying the game because I just don't believe this team will make the Super Bowl. Alex Smith has been good, but he's not good enough to beat Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees. He's a game manager and the 49ers aren't exactly the 85 Bears on defense. So no I don't have big expectations for the 49ers in the postseason. And that's how it really should be for 49ers fans. You're just setting yourself up for heartbreak if you're think Super Bowl or bust. 

So sit back and enjoy the 49ers at the moment. Enjoy the winning. Enjoy seeing the 49ers near the top in power rankings. Enjoy the ride. This has been a fun year so far for the 49ers.