Harbaugh feeling the HEAT

Let's face it, nobody likes to loose. However if you play sports, loosing is inevitable. The key is shifting strategies to bounce back from one loss and prevent the next one. That in essence is what differentiates successful leaders from the rest of the pack. What Jim Harbaugh did his first three seasons with the 49ers proves he has the ability to guide his team to victory. But there's something missing in 2014. Steve Young who knows a few things about winning Super Bowls and was on the sidelines during last Sunday's dismal loss to St. Louis described his former team as: "broken." Not much different than my contention while watching, that something was wrong. Colin Kaepernick just din't look like himself. Of course getting sacked 8 times can throw anyone off their game.

This week we are all looking to Coach Harbaugh for answers. First for why it's happening and then for how he's going to "fix" things. Yet here is where things are getting ugly because we aren't getting anything from the team's point man.  Time feels like it's running out, and we're only half-way through the season at a very unfamiliar 4-4. One of the most honest 49er faithful I know,  told me today he's fed up with Harbaugh's attitude. He suggested Harbaugh talk to Giants Manager Bruce Bochy and emulate his winning ways. Niners fans are noticing there isn't the kind of camaraderie among the red and gold this year as in the past. While some critics dismiss the importance of "team chemistry," I firmly disagree. As I wrote in a blog last month while covering the Giants, I stated that; yes,  talent comes first, but talent alone doesn't win championships. Just ask the Dodgers. So much goes into winning and Harbaugh knows this.  The key is can he fix what's wrong or does he even want to. As much as he loves winning, he hasn't ingratiated himself with ownership and of course the media, and little by little he's loosing the fans and reportedly even some in the locker room. According to unnamed sources players are questioning their coach's antics as much as the rest of us, and when the players aren't drinking the kool-aid or buying into the Harbaugh philosophy 100 percent, winning becomes almost impossible. Of course, everything can change with a win Sunday in New Orleans and consecutive wins in coming weeks, but for now, the flame appears to be aimed straight at Harbaugh.