Great Loss?
Let's be positive for a day. Why not? The Seahawks are
arguably the best team in the NFC and the Niners were a two-point
conversion from taking them to overtime. Against one of the better
teams, our QB found the end zone for the first time since September.
Our 3rd string running back was a spark plug on the field. A battered D
held it's own on the home field. And the second greatest Niner QB of
all time was on hand to be honored. Hey, it was all good Sunday except
for the final score!
I think in a season of pain and
suffering we all need to jump all over the positives. None of us
thought the Niners would have a chance, and yet, there we were. Ken
Dorsey was outstanding. He showed he understands the concept of the
game, his arm is stronger than we thought, and he is just mobile enough
to stay on his feet that extra second. It felt like the first time in a
long time that we actually saw some QB play.
Maurice Hicks was again a spark plug. He showed that speed is a
beautiful thing when used right. He also showed like last year he is a
great change of pace from Barlow. Then again, who isn't? (Oh yeah, I am
staying positive today)
Give huge props to the OL, especially our new left Tackle Adam Snyder.
I paid special attention to him in the first half and he did a great
job. He understood the simple concept of moving his feet, head on a
swivel and just stay between the defender and the QB. Three things
Clement could not do. The right side is still a mess. The communication
between Newberry, Heitmann and Harris was horrendous and that is where
most of the pressure came from. But it really felt like for one day,
Snyder solidified the left side. Maybe this years draft was not a
complete bust?
T-Rex, I mean Brandon Lloyd, was
outstanding again. While he can not go over the middle he still makes
the spectacular plays. Give the coaches credit for NOT sending him over
the middle this time. They kept him on the outside where it would be
1-1 and he could do his acrobatic thing.
The D played their hearts out.
Stopping Alexander has been impossible for anyone this year, so holding
him below 150 is not too bad. Hasselback was controlled in the second
half. When BY went down we all trembled, but it was very inspirational
to see him walk off the field on his own, and even more so to come back
on the field.
I really thought this would be the game the Niners would truly unravel.
Getting blown out at home the team would de-evolve even more. But they
showed me something. even down two scores the team rallied and did not
quit. They played hard for the coaches and made it one of the best
losses we have seen. As a team this was far and away their best game of
the year and that includes the two wins.
I am not drinking the kool-aid and thinking that the ship is righted
and ready to sail. There are still too many problems on this team from
talent, to coaching, to vice-presidents. We still need to compete on
the road. But for a day, we can be positive about a team effort that
fell just short. How the mighty have fallen that on a day we honor a
Niner great, we celebrate nearly getting to OT. But those are the days
by the Bay. What a loss it was!
