Joe Cool

Just a second ago, the 49ers lost to the Cardinals through a goal line stand. Personally, I would have gone with a play-action QB bootleg to the far left of the endzone. Then again, with the luck of the niners...you never know.

Which brings me to today's look back...the True Legends of the NFL. I'm not talking about the current generation of so-so players. I'm talking about the 80s and 90s athletes. Back in the day when you could hit as hard as you could. When you could actually celebrate after you scored a touchdown.

Before Peyton Manning, there was Joe Montana, the best of the best. When he was in the game, you knew that the game would be over with another W for the 49ers.

Before Terrell Owens and Hines Ward, there was Jerry Rice and Cris Carter, the elite wide receivers of the NFL.

It wasn't just them though. Ronnie Lott. John Elway. Brett Favre (the old Brett Fav-ruh). Dan Marino. These were and still are the greatest players in the NFL. Even if today's players are matching up to the numbers, they just didn't have that mystical lure of Montana Magic.

You don't have the great plays of old anymore.
The Drive - John Elway's 98 yard game-winning drive.
The Immaculate Reception - Franco Harris' ricochet catch scored for a touchdown to win their playoff game.
The Catch - Joe Montana's game-winning play against the Dallas Cowboys, Dwight Clark jumping this high. Props to Chris Berman, Eddie DeBartolo and Bill Walsh too, in their prime.
The Guarantee - Joe Namath's underdog guarantee to win in the Superbowl and become Broadway Joe.

Those were the days of impossible.

Of course, the current generation may never reach that epic level of the 80s, but lets hope they can create some more memories.

And of course, how to leave out Nike from the NFL. Vick...Owens...Poms Poms... (And no...no dogs, leave the guy alone)