It seems to me he has been trying to replace Bill Walsh when he should just try to replace Donahue and Erickson.

The West Coast Offense was born here in SF and it should at the very least be incorporated into this dead offense. A swing pass to safety-valve Gore would be as welcome as an old friend.

Walsh preached and usually practiced cutting ties too early rather than too late. Nolan prefers the loyalty route, sticking with players and coaches at the expense of performance (Larry Allen, Hostler, Alex Smith - Walsh would never have put all his chips on Smith at QB).

Walsh was an offensive genius, and Nolan is defensive-oriented, but the Walsh era was hugely successful because of the stellar defenses. Nolan has brought the Baltimore Raven tradition of winning ugly with defense while the offense struggles. Definitely un-Walsh-like, and, as far as I'm concerned, unacceptable.

If Nolan could have taken this team to a 10-6 record he would have been a worthwhile successor to Donahue and Erickson. But this is Walsh's team, and this temporary usurption should be abided only as long as it is successful.

Bring back West Coast, 49er football, and I for one will extend a little more patience.