December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) blocks San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) during the third quarter at Levi
First, I want to congratulate San Francisco 49ers right tackle Anthony Davis on his retirement, I think. Retirement is supposed to be a joyous celebration of one’s career but when it happens in a man’s prime, you have to wonder what’s going on. You Really have to wonder what’s going on when you have so many players on one team retiring.
This isn’t an old batch of players retiring, these are guys that have a lot left in the tank. And the guys that didn’t retire from the 49ers couldn’t get out of San Francisco fast enough via free agency this offseason. Davis, 25 years old, shocked the NFL world with this sudden retirement just like teammate Chris Borland did.
They both had concussion issues but that doesn’t explain why so many left the team this offseason. Running back Frank Gore went to the Indianapolis Colts and receiver Michael Crabtree went to Oakland Raiders and guard Mike Iupat is with the Arizon Cardinals. Ray McDonald screwed up, Chirs Culliver is with the Washington Redskins and Perrish Cox is with the Tennessee Titans.
Then there’s inside linebacker Patrick Willis and defensive end Justin Smith retiring with some good years left. All of the sudden, the 49ers are the team no one wants to play for and the players would rather not play at all. Right guard Alex Boone isn’t happy in San Francisco either as he is the only one that remains from the 2013 o-line along with left tackle Joe Staley.
And they have to face the dominant front-sevens of the NFC West for a total of six times this year.
How much of this has to do with the firing of head coach Jim Harbaugh?
Did that give the team the message that doing a good job isn’t good enough?
So many players leaving their heart for football in San Francisco doesn’t make sense.