by Bruce MacGowan

SAN FRANCISCO–49ers linebacker Ray McDonald’s situation has not been a huge distraction for the 49ers as far as we know. This is the first time this has happened and this is a problem that is an epidemic to the NFL today. This is a distraction leaguewide but individually the 49ers have enough problems of their own. If McDonald was like a Pro Bowler and was like his teammate Aldon Smith you’d hear alot more talk about it.

49ers broadcaster Ted Robinson is returning back to the booth after a two game suspension this Sunday after saying Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice’s wife Janay was “pathetic” for marrying Rice after he punched and knocked her out in an Atlantic City elevator. For Robinson it was not appropriate, but to put Robinson on the sidelines for two weeks to penalize him and not penalize Ray McDonald that was wrong and that was very hypocritical on the part of the 49ers.

It was not something that they should have done, it’s over and done with and thank goodness and Ted is a better man he’s moved past it and to him it’s not as big a deal as you think. In defense of Ted sometimes you get too comfortable on the air and sometimes you don’t always say the right thing. Having done radio myself for many years you have to be a little aware of the way you say something.

Robinson will be the first to tell you, it just kind of popped out of his mouth and sometimes we have these filters that our brains will take care of this. It’s early in the morning and he’s probably getting all revved up. It happened but then again to suspend a guy for that, Robinson didn’t use any profanity, he didn’t compromise anybody’s integrity, he didn’t say who’s at fault he just had an opinion.

It was the wrong thing to say but I can’t say Robinson should have been suspended for that and it’s hypocritical on the Niners part. They should have suspended McDonald because he’s the one who caused the problem in the first place not Robinson.

There has also been talk that head coach Jim Harbaugh is under consideration for a return to college coaching, Michigan was named as one school, but when it’s all said and done Harbaugh is not going to consider any other place other than the San Francisco 49ers. Harbaugh is going to stay with the 49ers and he can say he’s not going to have a better deal anywhere else.

He’s put together a great team on the field and today their still a very good team, the 49ers are going to look at Harbaugh and say “who are we going to get that’s any better?” This team was in wilderness when he came along, they had eight or nine years of mediocrity or worse. This guy over night turned the team into a champion. So it’s incumbent upon 49ers owner Jed York and coach Harbaugh to work this thing out.

As far as losing the locker room Harbaugh might have had a problem here and there, what coach doesn’t? Players will tell you when you have a winning situation it’s pretty rare that your going to have a lot disharmony. Maybe there’s been a little back biting and finger pointing but I’d be surprised if that continues and Harbaugh is smart enough to recognize it.

Bruce Magowan is a guest commentator this week on wwww.sportsradioservice.com and is heard on KGO Newtalk 810 San Francisco. The rest of this interview is below on soundcloud.