Guarded optimism

I always enjoy the last exhibition game, especially the fourth quarter. By then, the network has long since lost interest, barely remembering to cut away from sideline interviews with starters to televise the action on the field. That's a shame, because the final period of the final game is the most compelling action of the preseason, a valiant struggle wherein fired-up long shots strive mightily to distinguish themselves, young athletes flying around with reckless abandon, giving everything they have. They compete as if every snap were their last chance to play in the NFL, because for most of them, every snap really could be their last chance to play in the NFL.

The fourth quarter also features fading talents trying to salvage their careers. I almost felt bad for Kyle Boller. Oakland's third-string quarterback--once a top draft pick and starter for Baltimore--got pressured and pulverized by Seattle's scrubs, a bunch of kids, most of whom will likely hit the waiver wire sometime today. A  few of those youngsters may wind up on the practice squad, but veterans like Boller are ineligible for that. Of course, he is a millionaire and a Raider, which helps keep my sympathetic impulses in check. Moreover, the abuse to which Seattle's defenders subjected Boller contributed to an encouraging Seahawks victory.

Our defense was particularly impressive, smothering a series of Raider drives. I remain skeptical of Pete Carroll and Gus Bradley's schemes, and I realize that shutting down Oakland's anemic offense in an exhibition contest does not necessarily foreshadow regular season success, but I appreciate the hustle,  passion, and effectiveness displayed by our defenders last night, and I hope to see more of the same in San Francisco next Sunday.

The O-Line looked better last night. They showed that Tarvaris Jackson can play functionally when he has a little time and protection. Unfortunately, the line's only real veteran--left guard Robert Gallery--went down with a sprained knee, making him questionable for the season opener, and endangering the fragile chemistry that has taken so long to develop among our starters. Since Russell Okung has missed the last few games, the entire left side of our line may be in flux for the season opener.

Aside from throwing a touchdown-forfeiting pick, T-Jack probably performed well enough to persuade Coach Carroll to stick to his guns and start the Minnesota castoff against the 49ers. However, backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst continues to impress, so Seattle should not hesitate to call on the Lord should Jackson falter. (If I were coaching the team, I would consider deploying Jesus of Clemson as early as our second offensive series in the season opener.)

Golden Tate secured a roster spot for himself last night with a generally strong performance. However, there remains a lot of room for improvement. Leon Washington's heads-up Immaculate Reception play--wherein the diminutive running back scooped up a pass deflected by a Raiders defender--was made possible by Tate's failure to come back to the ball, which allowed the Oakland DB to jump the route in the first place. We were fortunate that the pass was not intercepted.

With regard to special teams, I miss Olindo Mare. If we had kept him, I'm not sure our opponents would have been able to return a single kickoff all year, since Mare routinely nailed touchbacks when the ball was spotted on the 30. Now that kickoffs have moved up to the 35 yard line, Mare's probably sending the ball through the uprights and into the upper decks. At this point, every pro placekicker should be putting the ball in the end zone every time. Jeff Reed--our new kicker--hasn't been able to do that consistently. His accuracy is decent on field goals, but his short kickoffs make us vulnerable in the return game.

Beating the Raiders is always fun, even in the preseason. I can't wait for the real football to begin.