While many on this board would refuse to admit it, the facts are pretty plain - the 9ers are a damn good football team and arguably the best team in the NFL at this moment... though, they have a huge test this coming Sunday versus the Giants.
Nonetheless, I was debating with some folks as to what has played the largest role in their turn-around... Some say it was the additional of Harbough. Others say just getting rid of a loon like Singletarry alone was the catalyst. I actually believe it goes deeper than all of that. And IMHO, you need not look no further than their o-line:
Staley - 1st round pick by the 9ers
Iupati - 1st round pick by the 9ers
Goodwin - 5th rounder picked by the Jets back in '02, but, has been incredibly durable and reliable, playing in a whopping 154 games since being drafted!
Now back-up by
Kilgore who was drafted in the 5th round by the 9ers in 2011.
Boone - UDFA selected by the 9ers in 2009
Anthony Davis - 1st round pick in 2010 by the 9ers
That is 4 starters that were drafted by the 9ers - 3 of which were 1st round picks!
Now compare that to the Cards current and historical o-lines, and try to do so without barfing...