game 2 - Cowboys vs. 49ers

That could have turned out better.

It's easy before the season to say that the 49ers will go through some growing pains installing a new system, but it's not so easy watching it happen. The Niners had set themselves up for a big win yesterday, but managed to lose the game anyway. Although the Cowboys were beat up and gimpy with all of their injuries, both in players that didn't even suit up for the game as well as players that were hurt during it, they still managed to come up with a victory. Perhaps that shows what having an already installed system can do for a team. A sense of confidence in being able to make the big plays when needed.

There's been a lot of discussion about a decision that Coach Harbaugh made in the 4th quarter – the 49ers had just made a long field goal when they were given a choice of taking the points off of the board and advancing the ball 15 yards due to a Cowboy penalty. Since it was the 4th quarter and the points would give the Niners a 10-point lead, Harbaugh opted to decline the penalty and take the field goal. Now in hindsight, it's natural to say that he should have taken the penalty and taken a shot at maybe scoring a touchdown, or at the very least, take some more time off of the clock by running some plays and making a closer field goal, hence still getting the 3 points.

Kicker David Akers is new to the team, but I trust that he would have made a closer kick. I suppose that there was the possibility of something going wrong, like a turnover... as it was happening, I didn't feel too strongly either way. Yet it gave me the same feeling I get while watching the 'prevent defense.' Even though it might work the majority of the time, that kind of strategy never projects an air of confidence. As I understand it, the Cowboy penalty on that field goal attempt would have placed the ball inside the Cowboy 25-yard line. Given a fresh set of downs, it would have been nice to see the 49ers try for a touchdown while at the same time saying to Akers, we know you can make another field goal anyway. Making another field goal certainly wouldn't have been high-risk.

Given the newness of the 49er roster this season and the new coaching staff and playbook, communication is of utmost importance. And it's clearly showing in two of the most crucial areas of the team: the offensive line and the defensive backfield. One of the reasons football is my favorite of the major sports is the coordination and synchronization necessary in all of the units. It's all about teamwork. The running game needs improvement and so does the passing defense. One blown assignment can change the entire outcome. As the season progresses, I expect that all the adjustments will be ironed out.

And finally, kudos to Tony Romo. Whereas last week he was criticized yet again for playing a good game only to make critical mistakes to lose the game in the end, this time he rallied the team for a comeback victory. With fractured ribs, no less. I'd hate to think that his coming out party was at the expense of the Niners, but this could be the start of something special for him. Still, I'm sick of the Cowboys...