It wasn't just the OC. This was the first week of the whole year where the Offensive Line looked like it was playing something resembling football. Everything else just followed.

But the much improved playcalling this week didn't hurt.

Still, I can't believe how bad the defense looked.

What a confusing win.

Right, but do you really think Hostler was calling the plays?  I kind of bet that Nolan just quietly gave Tollner that responsibility but didn't want to publicly embarrass Hostler by canning him midseason, so he's keeping him around for the last six games to help him save face.

Dude, where the hell have you been?

When you're only going to win four games in a year, one win IS a big whoop.

That's a little sad for a team that came into the year hoping for the playoffs, but snapping that 8 game skid was HUGE, just for the psychological benefits if nothing else.

Party pooper.

Hey, last I saw the Cardinals were in the thick of a playoff race! And what's the point in being depressed over a win? Warner's still a good QB, and hasn't played poorly since 02/03, when I believe he was hurt. On top of it, the Cardinals might have the best receivers in the league. The offense finally looked like it could play in this league. Frank Gore went for almost 200 total yards.

There's a hell of a lot to be happy about. Yes, they fell facefirst into their third win this season (the other two of which they also fell face first into), but nothing good can possibly come out of being depressed when so much finally went right.

Take the Oasis, man! Drink from its deep, ice cold pools! The person who says "So what I'm at an Oasis? I'm still in the middle of the desert with no food and no umbrella so stopping here to rest and drink is pointless" is the person who dies in the desert first and gives the rest of us something to eat.

Perhaps I took that analogy a half step too far....

Offensively, they played better than they have all season.  Frank Gore ran wild and caught a ton o' passes.  There were timely sacks and a coupl'a ints, plus a fumble recovery in the end zone.  Sure, the Cards screwed up their clock management at the end, and pretty much gave away the game with that missed field goal.  Yes, the Niners barely won.  But they won.

I'll want to see what happens next week before I start thinking they've turned a corner and might play well the rest of the season.  But I'm happy to have seen good things happen to this team, finally.  I'm not drinking the Kool-Aid, but I'm happy something good finally happened this season.  I ain't no Debbie Downer.

See, that would make sense, except I think Nolan has actually, maybe, been a better GM than Coach.

Let's break it down:

Swings and misses:
Jonas Jennings (probably gone after this year)
Re-signing Derek Smith (partially mitigated by the fact that he was badly affected by a freak eye injury)
Tully Banta-Cain (he didn't cost a ton, but he's not proven to be a great starter from what I've seen)
Darrell Jackson (no question, this looks like a bad move)
Antonio Bryant (actually was pretty decent on the field, but had to be cut because of behavioral issues, I've got no problem with Nolan giving a guy like this a shot)

Hits:
Frank Gore
Patrick Willis
Manny Lawson (kid looked like a star before his injury in game two, can't wait to see him back on the field next year)
Nate Clements (shockingly, he's MAYBE been worth the money. And the contract isn't actually as bad as it seems-- he'll never see a lot of that cash)
Joe Staley (yeah he's had some rough moments, but he really stood out to me today and looks like he'll develop nicely)
Walt Harris

Guys who look to have bright futures:
Vernon Davis (too much athleticism for him to be contained forever, and he's done well when the offensive gameplan hasn't been mired in the stone age)
Parys Haralson (has really come on strong of late)

Who the hell knows:
Alex Smith

Really, IMO, the talent-level difference of the roster from when Nolan took over to now is like night and day. The problem isn't that the Niners don't have any decent players (though certainly they could use more), it's that for whatever reason they've underachieved on the field this year.

hey, trent flies high every night if you know what i'm sayin'.