Sports

Niners thrilled to be back in the big game again

WHEN THERE’S A WILLIS … Linebacker Patrick Willis (52) lets out a scream in celebration of the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game victory over the Falcons that sent the franchise to the Super Bowl for a sixth time with a shot to beat the Ravens for their sixth NFL title. (Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS — The story of the Super Bowl cannot be told without chapter and verse on the 49ers franchise, five times a participant, five times a champion.

It is unparalleled success but also somewhat ancient history, as the Niners haven’t been in the ultimate game or brought the grand prize back to the Bay Area in 18 years.

“This organization has a tremendous history and we’re proud of it,” coach Jim Harbaugh said last night after he and his team arrived in New Orleans for Sunday’s game. “But this is new business.”

Indeed, it is the dawn of a new era and Harbaugh is the man to finally get the 49ers back. His NFC champions arrived first, nearly a full day before the Ravens will touch down for a week of work and hype leading into Super Bowl XLVII.

“We’re focused on winning,” said Harbaugh, dressed more casually than most Super Bowl coaches, wearing a black sweatshirt and 49ers baseball cap for the first of his six full-scale media interview sessions. “This is the best focus on unity and winning I have been a part of.”

The favored 49ers are a no-nonsense bunch and they arrived in low-key style. Their sudden star quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, sat and spoke in short, uninspiring sentences, a far cry from the dynamism he displays on the field. Players said the highlight of the flight was the 30 special sleeper seats that allowed them to recline all the way back for some rest, after a spaghetti and meatball snack.

It’s a trip the Niners were denied a year ago when the Giants beat them in overtime in the NFC title game.

“It’s like somebody pulled the rug out from under you,” recalled defensive end Justin Smith. “We were so close. We’re right back here. We got to take care of business now.”

Harbaugh never got to the Super Bowl in his 14-year playing career and made it once, in 2002, as a low-level assistant with the Raiders in his first NFL coaching gig. This is clearly an entirely different deal.

“Uncharted waters for a rookie Super Bowl coach,” said Harbaugh, not sounding the least bit concerned. “That’s exciting too.”

Harbaugh said he received some advice last week from John Madden — a former Super Bowl winner with the Raiders — that included relaying to your team that, despite the massive disruption in the usual schedule there should be no complaints. After all, you are in the Super Bowl.

Harbaugh has also spoken more than once with Tony LaRussa about various coaching/managing techniques and fine points. Getting to the World Series and how to deal with it is part of LaRussa’s educational DNA and he shared that particular strategy.

It does not appear Harbaugh is going to be tightly wound this week, even as he prepares for the biggest game of his life, facing older brother John’s Ravens.

“Enjoy the moment, enjoy the preparation and especially the competition,” he said.

Harbaugh refused to heap too much credit on Kaepernick for the Niners’ ascension.

“I feel like there’s a lot of people who have fingerprints on this team’s success,” Harbaugh said.

All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis, the other No. 52 in this game with the Ray Lewis hysteria, said the wait for the 49ers has been worth it.

“The 49ers have a tradition of winning Super Bowls,” Willis said. “We kind of went through a dry spell. It’s nice to be back.”