SAN FRANCISCO – Linebacker Parys Haralson and the 49ers' defense were in Kurt Warner's face all afternoon Sunday, but officials felt they got a little too close on one critical play in the second half.
The Cardinals had just recovered a muffed kickoff return at the San Francisco 33 and were threatening to pull away late in the third quarter. On third and nine, Warner dropped back and found Haralson – who finished with 2 1/2 sacks – and defensive lineman Ray McDonald bearing down on him. Warner's pass to Edgerrin James went for no gain, but officials flagged McDonald for roughing the passer, saying he struck Warner with a blow to the helmet.
Afterward, McDonald disputed the call.
"I just put my hands up to knock the ball down," McDonald said. "If I was trying to hit him, it would be true. But I wasn't."
The penalty gave the Cardinals a first down on the 11-yard line. Four plays later, running back Tim Hightower scored on a two-yard run.
Looking for that first "W" – J.T. O'Sullivan, the former star at UC Davis and Jesuit High School, was one of six quarterbacks to start a game this opening weekend without an NFL victory in his pocket.
The others: Atlanta's Matt Ryan, Baltimore's Joe Flacco, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, Kansas City's Brodie Croyle and the Raiders' JaMarcus Russell.
Ryan and Flacco led the Falcons and Ravens to wins over Detroit and Cincinnati, respectively, and O'Sullivan and Croyle fell to Arizona and New England.
Rodgers and Russell get their shots tonight against Minnesota and Denver.
Looking back – Before O'Sullivan, the last San Francisco quarterback to have his first start as a 49er come in a season opener was Steve DeBerg in 1978 at Cleveland. DeBerg, who later in his career gave way to the likes of Joe Montana, John Elway and Vinny Testaverde, completed 16 of 32 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions in the 24-7 loss to the Browns. The 49ers finished 2-14.
Starting caliber – As expected, veteran Bryant Johnson got the start at split end over rookie Josh Morgan. Johnson finished with three catches for 48 yards. Morgan, who mostly entered the game in four-receiver formations, had only one pass thrown his way and did not have a catch.
On defense, Jeff Ulbrich started at "Ted" inside linebacker but then alternated series with Takeo Spikes.
Read Matthew Barrows' 49ers blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs .
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