In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the San Francisco 49ers was the class of the entire NFL. The late, Great Head Coach Bill Walsh was able to put a dynamic team on the field every Sunday , with superstar Quarterback Joe Montana taking the snaps.

The 49ers, representing the NFC West Division, routinely rolled over their competition and Montana, a QB with an average arm, but a way-above-average football intellect, was the star attraction. He had the ability to turn looming defeats into surprise, sudden victories by leading his offense on last minute, even last second drives, to score a game winning touchdown or field goal.

Fans in the city by the Bay loved their team. And who could blame them. San Francisco was competent , capable , had a winning attitude , loads of confidence , and a killer instinct. Coupled with Bill Walshs innovative and out-of-the-box thinking and game-planning for the offense, the San Francisco 49ers were, for the most part, an unstoppable force.

They dominated their division for several years , won a few Super Bowls , and cemented their legacy as one of the greatest teams in league history. But football is no different than any other professional sport when it comes to the athletes who play the game. They get older , their skills diminish , or they suffer injuries that rob them of entire seasons, and the team suffers the inevitable consequences.

In time, that is what happened to the San Francisco 49ers. Their reign as league royalty came to an almost abrupt end. Montana retired from the game and was followed by many of his fellow teammates who had played important roles in the teams success.

New players came on board, of course, but they were not as good as the men they replaced. And San Francisco started sinking in the standings. Its been close to twenty years since the glory days. And the 49ers havent come close to repeating what once came so easily to them.

They have been an ordinary team for the most part , even a bottom-feeder, at times. Poor drafts and trades , injuries , and more have been the factors that have kept this team down. Will they ever recover the lost glory of their great years? Its hard to say.

There are 32 teams in the league , 32 executive offices vying for the same talent every year , 32 teams trying to get better fast. It takes knowledge of player skills and lots of good luck to put a winning team together.

Bay area fans that are starved for a winner may have to wait a bit longer. But those who like to wager may find that the 2009-2010 49ers can put a big smile on their faces , and a little extra cash in their pockets.