By Janie McCauley
The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - The 49ers miss the electrifying catches and big plays from Terrell Owens - it's everything else about the star receiver they're happy to do without.

And San Francisco seemed to handle its first game without him just fine.

For the most part, the Niners moved the ball efficiently and made good offensive decisions in a 33-30 loss to the Oakland Raiders in their preseason opener Saturday night. They didn't punt until midway through the second quarter, and didn't turn the ball over all game.

Owens, a four-time Pro Bowler, developed into a major distraction for this team in eight seasons in San Francisco. He questioned coaches' decisions, ripped his teammates and often behaved childishly. But he also produced on the field.

"There is only one other person who can do what T.O. does, and he plays for Minnesota," receiver Brandon Lloyd said, referring to Vikings star Randy Moss. "You kind of get spoiled as a fan by having T.O. on your team, because he makes such spectacular plays.

"It's time to play football now. We can play as a team and not have to depend on one player to put up points or numbers. We can all contribute."

What a refreshing notion - playing as a team. With Owens around, he demanded the focus be on him.

Owens, who became as well known for his creative and outlandish antics as he did his acrobatic grabs, was traded to Baltimore in March, then dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles in a three-team swap.

San Francisco also lost Tai Streets in the offseason.

Now, the Niners' young receiving corps has a handful of go-to players for the quarterbacks to choose from.

"I'm just out there having fun," said 12th-year receiver Curtis Conway, who will be counted upon to provide guidance at his position. "It was exciting to be out there playing and being around these young guys. It brings the youth back in me."

But the 49ers know there were still plenty of missed opportunities Saturday.

It didn't help matters that the 49ers were missing top quarterback Tim Rattay, who's out with a painful forearm.

Ken Dorsey, a second-year pro out of Miami, was 8-for-12 for 94 yards, including a 31-yard completion to Eric Johnson. Dorsey was sacked once.

"I just want to find ways to win," Dorsey said. "We were able to move the ball, but when we get down there, we have to be able to put it in the end zone."

The receivers are confident the team will pull things together.

"You can say we're inexperienced or you can say we're talented," said Lloyd, a second-year pro who caught 14 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns last year as a rookie. "If you say we're inexperienced, I take that as a compliment, because you have to start somewhere. The experience is going to come on Sundays."

Without Owens to stand in their way.

Owens out, Conway in

With the departure of Terrell Owens to Philadelphia, the 49ers will look for veteran Curtis Conway to provide leadership.

Conway, signed in May to add depth at receiver, has 556 catches for 7,827 yards and 49 touchdowns in his career, including three 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

He had 46 catches for 640 yards and two touchdowns for the New York Jets last season.

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