49ers fans weigh in on likely departures of three favorite players

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) -- The rocky off-season continues for the San Francisco 49ers with the news on Monday that three of the team's biggest names may be gone. Some fans are scratching their heads and some are downright angry, with many pointing fingers at team boss Jed York.

With the final 49er football game at Candlestick Park now more than 14 months in the past, the park is a shell of its former self.

Some die-hard fans at San Francisco's Lefty O'Doul's restaurant might say the team that now plays in Santa Clara is coming down in much the same way.

"The leader of the band is really screwing things up," said Jake Russell of San Francisco.

The Niners left San Francisco for greener pastures, and some marquee players appear to be doing the same. Fan favorite running back Frank Gore is leaving the team via free agency, and defensive stars Patrick Willis and Justin Smith to possible retirement.

"These guys, they're jumping ship, they're retiring because I believe, they don't want to play for the organization any longer," said Will Campbell of San Francisco.

"It's been madness!" exclaimed radio talk show host, Matt Kolsky on KNBR around noon.

In the KNBR studios, the mass exodus was topic number one.

"When you look at it in concert with everything that's happened, no, it does not look like 'We have a concrete plan, we're sticking to it.' And then you hear Kaepernick trade rumors and it's like I don't know what to think," said Kolsky.

One caller sounded hopeful.

"I think there's much more to be said for changing of the guard, cleaning the ambivalent players out. Let's see what happens," he said.

At the 49ers store in the Westfield Mall, fans were discouraged.

"It's not great, is it when your best players are leaving. There must be something seriously wrong if all your best players are leaving. Usually it's something in the background, isn't it?" asked Christian Mielke, a 49er fan from Dublin, Ireland.

One fan thinks all this might be amusing to fans of rival teams.

"In the back of my head I can kind of hear everyone in Seattle like 'Hee hee hee!' You know? I can kind of hear it, but it's like.... I'm doing the same. 'You guys lost the Super Bowl, so back at you!'" said Misty Bradford of San Francisco.

About Patrick Willis, teammate Michael Crabtree Tweeted, "Nothing but respect... We've been thru a lot together. Real true baller."

Of course, Crabtree is also said to be possibly on the way out as a free agent this off-season.