2011 NFL Schedule: Game-By-Game Break Down of the San Francisco 49ers' Season

It is no secret that the San Francisco 49ers' franchise has taken a tumultuous hit these past few years. The team is a far cry from the dynasty that was Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, etc.

However, it seems like the franchise continues to get hit harder every year, causing the team to push farther and farther back in competitiveness on the field.

Last season, it was Mike Singletary's time to shine with a talented roster and a surprisingly impressive preseason ( whatever that meant). The 49ers followed that up by

San Jose Sharks: 3 Simple Reasons Why They Are Better A Better Team This Season

The San Jose Sharks and GM Doug Wilson have been extremely busy this offseason, Their flurry of trades and signings have been well-documented throughout the league, and some wonder whether or not they were for the betterment of the team.

The Sharks started off by trading young winger Devin Setoguchi, prospect Charlie Coyle and their first round pick to the Minnesota Wild for All-Star defenseman Brent Burns.

2011 MLB Grades: Evaluating the Top Teams of the MLB Trade Deadline

The MLB Trade Deadline is usually one of the more exciting times of the sports year, and this season's was no different.

Several talented, high-profile players, like Hunter Pence and Carlos Beltran, were dealt, with some teams being overwhelming sellers and other teams buying their way into contention for the World Series.

San Jose Sharks Extend Brent Burns; Worst Fears Subsided

The San Jose Sharks signed newly acquired defenseman Brent Burns to a five-year contract worth $28.8 million, according to the San Jose Mercury News' David Pollack.

Burns is set to receive $5.76 million per year.

The 26-year-old was acquired by the Sharks back in late-June in a deal that sent Devin Setoguchi, prospect Charlie Coyle and their 2011 first round pick to the Minnesota Wild.

San Francisco Giants: Carlos Beltran Acquisition Means Aubrey Huff On Hot Seat

The San Francisco Giants got their guy, and hopes are high for a World Series repeat this season. Just looking at the new lineup, you can tell how much of a difference Beltran is to this team.

He adds sexiness to a lackluster lineup. Beltran, Sandoval, Huff and Schierholtz is a good way to go 3-6 in the lineup. It is clear to a Giants fan, at least, who is sick of the dull roster that lacked a power hitter.

As I sat in front of the television on Thursday night, I could not help but treat Beltran's at-bats like I had treated Barry Bonds' at-bats back in the day.

Bay Area Rundown: San Francisco Giants, Carlos Beltran, Alex Smith, Frank Gore Making Headlines

Did the last 24 hours just blow your mind? The Bay Area was on fire with rumors, hold-outs, signings and more rumors on a wild Wednesday in the sports world.

It all started late Tuesday night with the announcement that the San Francisco 49ers had re-signed QB Alex Smith in a one-year deal for $5 million.

For those waking up to eggs and bacon the next morning, how about eggs and Carlos Beltran?

The Beltran rumors were electric Wednesday morning and continued into the afternoon.

San Francisco 49ers Eye Matt Hasselbeck; Will Not Bid For Him

Blame Steve Young for this one. The 49er great made one comment on ESPN about a potential hook-up between free agent quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and the 49ers, and all hell broke loose.

Pure speculation, though, which is what Young should have said.

The 49ers have talked to Hasselbeck about joining their team, according to ESPN, but it all but stops there.

San Francisco Giants: The Likelihood of the Rumored Trade Bait

The now infamous "untouchables" list of Giants GM Brian Sabean took a little twist a few days ago when the San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman tweeted that Sabean had told him that his "untouchables" list may be different than public perception.

What does that mean?

Public opinion says that the Giants' top prospects of Brandon Belt, Gary Brown, Zach Wheeler and Francisco Peguero are at the forefront of players that Sabean would hate to part with since they have such big futures apart of this team.

MLB Trade Rumors: 5 Alternatives to Carlos Beltran for the San Francisco Giants

One of the most exciting times of the baseball year is set to get underway this week. The MLB trade deadline is this upcoming Sunday, July 31, and the San Francisco Giants are at the center of it.

The Giants are rumored to be the front runners in the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes, however there is much debate over who the New York Mets want and who Giants GM Brian Sabean is willing to give up.

The debate comes in when the Mets start demanding key players in the Giants' talented farm system. That list includes Brandon Belt, Gary Brown, Zach Wheeler and Francisco Peguero, although the noted "untouchables list" may include any and all of those players.

"Torture" Does Not Fit the San Francisco Giants Anymore

Manny Burriss had just stolen second base and reached third in the 11th inning of a 3-3 game in San Diego on Sunday. Catcher Chris Stewart came to the plate, got the sign and proceeded to squeeze home the sprinting Burriss for the lead and eventual win.

However, as I watched this rare and nerve-racking event unfold before my eyes, I could not help but think for a second.

I expected that to happen.

NFL Free Agency 2011: 5 Realistic Options for the San Francisco 49ers

If there was a team hurt by the NFL Lockout the most, it would be the San Francisco 49ers. A new head coach with zero NFL coaching experience and only one quarterback signed on the roster would seem to imply trouble for the 49ers next season.

One good thing that did come from this lockout for the 49ers was the leadership of free agent QB Alex Smith.

Smith is not signed by San Francisco, yet he organized a training camp-like workout for all players on the roster this past month that seemed to signify another year of the 2005 No. 1 overall pick under center.

San Jose Sharks: Breaking Down the Projected Starting Lines in 2011-12

It is no secret that the San Jose Sharks have been active this offseason. The black and teal traded wingers Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley in exchange for All-Stars Brent Burns and Martin Havlat in two separate deals with the Minnesota Wild.

Why attempt to fix something that is not considered broken?

Ask Sharks GM Doug Wilson, who seems determined to put together the exact pieces for yet another Stanley Cup run next season.

'The Franchise' Is Entertaining If You Are A San Francisco Giants Fan

The Franchise: A Season With the San Francisco Giants premiered on Showtime this past Wednesday to a national audience anticipating the fun and quirky World Series champions.

Of course, the main attraction to the Showtime series was, and will forever be, Brian Wilson. His outrageous act is impossible not to give at least a wry smile at when seeing him in a spandex tuxedo on national television.

Surprisingly, Wilson was not the main character in Episode 2 this past Wednesday. They did have to sneak in

The ESPY Awards Need A Dose of Reality

We must understand that the ESPY Awards are about having fun and entertaining an audience, while bridging the gap between sports and entertainment, but let's at least keep a little bit of our sanity through it all.

For that matter, let ESPN keep some of their dignity, as well.

For those who could not tell from the revealing of the winners of every category, the ESPY Awards are based on fan voting.

San Jose Sharks Rumors: J.P. Dumont, Chris Drury Are Real Possibilities

It is hard to say what kind of an offseason the San Jose Sharks are having. Active would be a nice way to put it. However, the second word to describe it is a matter of opinion.

Is it bold? Confident? Stupid?

Has Sharks GM Doug Wilson shot his team in the foot, or is he just a genius?

The answers to these questions will come sooner than we think.

San Francisco 49ers: 10 Questions to be Answered Once the Lockout is Over

As much as there has been an absence of football news since the NFL Lockout, the San Francisco 49ers have been one of those teams that have made their presence felt throughout the Bay Area despite no gameplay.

Whether that was beat writers making something out of nothing or not, it is news - some good and some bad.

The best news for the 49ers since the lockout was Alex Smith's leadership in organizing a mini-camp event at San Jose State.

The worst news was the hostility shown by wide receiver Michael Crabtree towards Smith as the 49ers' starter next season.

Jim Harbaugh Vs. Mark Jackson: Which Bay Area Coach Has the Brightest Future?

Two of the Bay Area's professional sports teams have jumped on the phenomenon of hiring young, hip coaches to run their teams. They did so in hopes of jumping the gun on the next big thing in coaching. In the case of these two coaches, the San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors may have struck it rich.

Jim Harbaugh played 14 seasons in the NFL, most notable for the Chicago Bears, but his new chapter as a head coach may be the highlight of his NFL career.

NHL Rumors: Should the San Jose Sharks Continue Shopping?

It seems as though someone whispered into San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson's ear after last season and told him that back-to-back Western Conference Final losses are just not enough.

So Wilson re-tooled.

Making the biggest splash of the 2011 free agency period, Wilson and the Sharks sent young scorer Devin Setoguchi and talented sniper Dany Heatley to the Minnesota Wild for All-Star defenceman Brent Burns and All-Star winger Martin Havlat in two separate deals just 10 days apart.

San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson Is Doing Work This Offseason

I ran into San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson the other day. No, I do not personally know him. I am not quite that far along in my journalistic career as of yet. However, I do work at the country club that he is a member at. So, yes, we're best friends.

Of course, I tried to sneak several peaks at him.

Can you blame me or anyone with a love for the Sharks?

This was the mastermind behind the Sharks' success year in and year out. He was the man with the power to do what he pleased with this team.