Fan Fest 2011 at the San Francisco 49ers Santa Clara facility was full of activities, fun and excitement for the coming season.
San Francisco running back Frank Gore looked quicker than ever, even after the severe hip injury and a four day hold out, Alex Smith looked fine tuned, polished and ready, the offensive line looked fit and experienced and linebacker Patrick Willis looked like Patrick Willis—whom 49er fans feel is possibly the best defensive player in the game.
The sun was out, 74 degrees and smiles were all around the facility.
There were fans from ages 1 to gray haired and wrinkled, with jumpy houses, football throwing games and good looking Gold Rush cheerleaders for everyone to look at.
“What a wonderful day to watch a Niners practice,” said Brent Wilkinson, a 15-year season ticket holder. “It’s good to see Alex throwing the ball well, and the cheerleaders look good.”
New head coach Jim Harbaugh impressed fans. The practice was run like an army bootcamp with players in real game playing jerseys.
“The lockout has held us down,” exclaimed Coach Harbaugh over the microphone to the fans before the practice started. “I want my players to be ready. They need to wear real jerseys, not light fake practice jerseys.”
Coach Harbaugh welcomed fans before the practice started. He also said that he was going to have three and a half hour practices to simulate real game time—typical practices are 2 hours.
49ers safety Taylor Mays was present at practice even though it was public that the team wanted to trade him.
Wide receiver Braylon Edwards and three-time pro bowl center Jonathan Goodwin were also present. It was their first practice.
Adam Snyder was starting at Center for this practice and seemed to be helping Goodwin get a grasp of the offense.
“I want us to win,” Adam Snyder said after practice when asked if he was mad about the 49ers signing Goodwin. “I want Jonathon to get a good shot at me. Even though I really want to play, I see no evil in helping Jonathan out.”
With Smith, Gore, Willis and tight end Vernon Davis looked healthy and solid, fans were excited that this may be a division winning team.
“It finally feels like football is back,” said long time fan Nick Magill.
