Harbaugh is the first 49ers coach since Walsh in '81 to win the AP award. The future looks bright with even a new stadium on the horizon. For the first time in years the organization is finally moving in the right direction and reclaiming their rightful place as one of the NFL's elite franchises..

Thought Aldon Smith might have a shot at Defensive Rookie of the Year, but I see he finished second to Von Miller...who had the added advantage of playing on the same team as Tebow. Thus, more media attention..

No votes for Belicheat or Coffin, LOL.

I think he deserves it but I also think the jury is still out out with this guy...

These are Singletarys guys with Singletarys discipline.

I've seen to many coaches come in and take over a ready made team and have success.

Give Jimbo a couple of seasons when it is truly his team and we'll see how he does.

As far as the Niners being back... hah.

One name: Alex Smith.

namely, let's see how things look in a few years. The challenge lies in continued good drafts and FA signings, keeping players focused and the primary core of assistant coaches intact. That's as much Harbaugh's challenge as GM Trent Baalke. The good news is they're on the same page and seem to get along.

Bay Area pundits report that Harbaugh reached these guys in a way Singletary couldn't. They played with confidence. His practices have been less physically exhausting and more productive than Mike's were. The playbook is light-years more sophisticated and better taylored for the existing talent on the team. That's coaching, not discipline.

Are they back? Well, I'm skeptical too and for the same reason.

but again --- I could name half a dozen coaches who came in and took over a ready made team.

Dave Wannstedt is my biggest example. He took Jimmy Johnson players and had two seasons at 11-5---

When it fully became his team---he fucking sucked.

I can't say I'm a fan of his, but he did a good job. It will be interesting to see how he does next year when scheduling parity kicks in.

Noooooo-body!