How much did challenging that field goal really matter?

Before I answer that question I want to give you some insight into how a columnist thinks. I covered the Niners on Sunday and when the game was over, I had to decide what to write my column about — what my theme would be. I thought about criticizing Nolan for his challenge calls and his non-challenge calls and how he ran out of timeouts — for his overall poor management of the game. And that would have been a legitimate topic. Many of my colleagues at other papers wrote about Nolan’s challenges, especially the failed challenge of the field goal.

But I thought Mike Martz’ mangling of the offense in the fourth quarter contributed more directly to the 49ers’ loss. An offense and defense work together, and it was Martz’ obligation to keep his offense on the field so his defense could rest. But he failed at that, failed miserably.

Does that mean I gave Nolan a pass on his bad judgments? Certainly not. But I thought Martz hurt the team on Sunday more than Nolan.

On the other hand — and this has longterm significance — Nolan’s bad judgments show, well, that he often has bad judgment. A head coach gets judged on his judgment and leadership and Nolan often comes up short. One imagines ownership notices the same thing.

— Lowell