Its interesting that the Packers are clearing cap space for a big run at Free Agency. Also it is interesting that John Mara of the Giants says they are not going to use the franchise tag at all because they want to raise some cash, probably for Free Agency as well. Our NFC opponents are on the move and making big plans. We'll be hearing from the Seahawks as well soon enough. The Cards and Rams won't sit still and the Falcons won't get worse. The Bears and Viking will be competitive. The Cowboys still have Jerry Jones so you can kiss them goodbye for another decade.

Another interesting fact is that John Mara's niece is the actress Rooney Mara, who's father is Tim Mara, VP of player evaluation for the Giants.

Mara has Irish roots on both sides of her family. Her Rooney ancestors originated in Newry, County Down. Through her maternal grandmother, she is also of Italian descent. Her paternal grandfather, Wellington Mara, the long-time co-owner of the Giants, was succeeded in that position by her uncle, John Mara. Her maternal grandfather, Timothy James "Tim" Rooney, has run Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, New York since 1972. Mara is the great-granddaughter of both New York Giants founder Tim Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, Sr. Her great-uncle, Dan Rooney, is chairman of the Steelers, the United States Ambassador to Ireland, and the co-founder of The Ireland Funds charitable organization. U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney from Florida is her first cousin, once removed.


Rooney's and Mara's. The Irish made a big splash in America. (Me Mum was also born in County Down, in Downpatrick).

Rooney Mara was in "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo", which I thought was a great movie, and more recently in "Side Effects" with Jude Law, Catherine Zeta Jones and Channing Tatum, which I saw a few nights ago and I thought this was also an excellent movie.

Speaking of Hollywood, Colin Kaepernick could have been walking the red carpet, rubbing shoulders with the big stars, but instead chose to work out all day 7 days a week in Atlanta.

I think the 49ers have got to make big strides in Free Agency and the Draft just to keep up with our NFC rivals and to exceed their level of performance so as to defeat all of them. Winning is everything and he not busy planning how to win is planning to lose.

Speaking of winners, my little blurb on Facebook yesterday after the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss:

Dr. Jerry Buss Rest In Peace. I remember when he bought the Los Angeles Lakers from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979. The great Jerry West was the General Manager. West brings in Kareem and Magic and host of other incredibly talented players and they proceed to win 5 NBA championships in the 1980's. Jerry West brings in Shaq and Kobe in the 1990's and with Phil Jackson as coach and they proceed to win 5 more in the 2000's. I remember an interview with Jerry Buss where the interviewer asks him, "so, what are your plans for the future?". He doesn't pause and calmly replies, "well, the Celtics have 16, we have 14, guess we gotta win 3 more". I like that kind of attitude for winning and success. Currently the Celtics have 17 championships and the Lakers have 16 championships. I guess Gerry Buss's son, Jim Buss is going to have to win two more. Time is running out for Kobe Bryant, however. Dr. Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Edward DeBartolo, owner of the San Francisco 49ers, two of the great ones on the West Coast. They both loved to win as do I.


The key is to bring in the best managers and coaches, develop the best system and then bring in the best players. The key is to re-tool and never stop thinking about your opponent.