From: timr@sco.COM (Tim Ruckle)
Subject:  49ers vs. Seahawks
Organization: The Gifted and the Damned
Date: Thu, 03 Sep 1992 20:51:26 GMT
Summary: Young and Rice impressive in Niners' 24-17 victory


[this's a little late in coming, but I hope it'll still be interesting
to some.  also, if you've sent me mail regarding my articles over the
last few weeks, I *will* get back to you as soon as my workload permits.]


Newly promoted first-string quarterback Steve Young looked impressive
Friday night in the 49ers 24-17 exhibition victory over the Seahawks.
In a little under 2 1/2 quarters Young completed 11 of 19 passes for
116 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.  He also ran 4 times
for 56 yards and one TD.  Young had previously started 3 pre-season
games, and while completing 69% of his passes he had failed to score
a single touchdown.

Eric Davis' interception set up the first 49er drive on Seattle's
22-yard line.  On the first play from scrimmage Young hit Rice--who
was in uniform for the first time since signing his new contract--on
a quick slant for a 7 yard gain.  On the second play he connected with
Rice for a 22-yard TD.  It took only 48 seconds for Rice to prove he
was back and in regular-season form.  Rice's third catch, on the 49ers
third series of the first quarter, was a 18 yard pass from a scrambling
Young.  The play preceded Rice's only mistake of the evening, when
Young found him open in the back of the end zone but the ball bounced
off Rice's pads.  He caught his next one though--another Young TD
pass from the Seattle 1 yard line--and then sat down for the rest
of the night.

Young ignited a second-quarter touchdown drive by scrambling 29
yards.  Four plays later he threw the 1-yard TD pass to Rice.
Near the end of the half, with a 3rd-and-10 from the Seattle
11-yard line, Young called his own number and ran straight up
the middle for the 49ers' last touchdown.  He said later that
it looked like a blitz, and with only 4 seconds on the play 
clock there was no time to audible, and since  there were no
defenders in the middle of the field he ignored the pass play
that was called and took off running.  The next time he ran,
however, he was tackled hard on the Seattle 7-yard line after
a 14-yard gain and rolled over on his neck and head.

At first it looked like he was stunned and might come out, but
he did stay in the game.  Later coach Seifert said that one of
his teammates had suggested that Young be fined every time he
fails to slide instead of taking on a tackler.  Young said he
thought he had a TD and could beat the final tackler.  So what,
I say.  It was an exhibition game that the 49ers had basically
put away already.  He's been named the starting QB and didn't
have anything to prove at that point.  I can't help but think
back on the Falcons game last year when he was injured running
in a situation where it was not critical.  All season long I
just knew he'd go down pulling that ``Bronko Nagurski" stuff.
I predict it'll happen this year too.  Maybe he'll be 4-5 again,
only this time it will be Montana who comes off the bench to
ignite the team...

Bono relieved Young with 7:55 to go in the 3rd quarter, completing
3 of 7 passes for 36 yards.  All he had to show for it was two
cleat marks on his swollen throwing hand.  Musgrave made a brief
appearance, but did not attempt a pass.

It was said that Montana would dress out and might take a few
snaps, but Joe was in his street clothes for the game.  He
tossed a few passes during warmups with Bono.  He did not talk
to Young at all during the game.  He's made no secret about his
dislike for Young, and he's irritated with Seifert's decision
to name Young number 1.  He obviously did not like the idea of
making a ceremonial appearance in the pre-season.  The word now
is that he'll likely be put on injured reserve after Tuesday's
cuts, meaning he could not play for the first four weeks.  His
doctors have okay'd him throwing 20-30 balls every other day.
He did not practice on Saturday.

The most frightening play came on a 35-yard punt return by
cornerback Kevin Lewis (who was trying out for the job after
WR Ron Lewis broke his finger last week) in the second quarter.
At the end of Lewis' impressive return he was hit in the neck
and landed on his head.  He lay motionless for 15 minutes and
was taken away in an ambulance.  At first it was thought that
he'd broken two vertebrae on the play, but later X-rays showed
no fractures.  He was up and around Saturday, but very sore
and wearing a neck brace.  He'll probably remain in Stanford
Hospital for a day or two, and is a likely candidate for injured
reserve (though if they place him there before Tuesday's cuts
he'll be out for the whole season).

There seems to be a curse for the Niners on that last pre-season
game against the Seahawks.  Last year starting cornerback Darryl
Pollard sufferred a season-ending injury in that game.  In recent
years at least four other players--Bubba Paris, Terrence Flagler,
Riki Ellison and Todd Shell--have suffered serious injuries against
the Seattle team. 

Ricky Watters, the 49ers starting half back, looked good with
5 carries for 17 yards.  He also caught two passes for 23 yards.
Amp Lee had 6 carries for 19 yards, and caught one pass for a 21
yard gain.  Marc Logan, who is on the bubble and a likely cut,
looked very good--rushing for 19 yards in 4 attempts.  He also
caught one pass for 26 yards.  Fullbacks Rathman and Sydney had
two carries each, with 1 and minus 3 yards respectively.  They
also both had one reception, gaining 3 yards each.  Last year's
leading rusher and de facto starting running back Keith Henderson
was not a factor in the game.

Mike Sherrard, who will probably get more playing time this year
in some 3-WR alignments, had 2 receptions for 15 yards.  Mark
Seay, who was on the bubble but may make the team now due to the
injury to Ron Lewis, had one catch for 10 yards.  Veteran Odessa
Turner, who's also an ulikely candidate to make the team, has been
hampered with a groin pull.  However, he too could benefit from
the injury to Lewis.

Starting TE Brent Jones had one catch for 3 yards.  Wesley Walls,
who's been slowed by a shoulder injury, had no catches at TE but
made some key blocks.

The returning starting offensive line played well--the only question
is center Jesse Sapolu's tender knee.  Besides backup Ralph Tamm,
expect second-year man Harry Boatswain and rookie Brian Bollinger
to make the team.  Journeyman Tom Neville has a shot also, but second
year man Ricky Siglar has not played well enough yet to be a keeper
(both are free agents).

Cofer had one 37-yard field goal, but missed one of only 19 yards.
However, it was off a low snap from the new long snapper Ralph
Tamm.  But 49ers' special teams are still not looking very special,
and with both Lewis' injured it's unclear who they will have to
return punts.  John Taylor, perhaps one of the best around, was
still nursing a sore knee and did not play--and the injury to
Kevin Lewis illustrates why the 49ers would rather relieve him
from that duty.  Dexter Carter, who returned both punts and
kickoffs last year, is still out with a sore shoulder (and may
even be a candidate for IR).  It was hard to evaluate the coverage
teams since the Seahawks punter consistantly shanked his punts.
Hopefully Tamm will get a lot of practice time this week on his
snaps, before the 49ers face the Giants in their season opener...

Joe Prokop had 4 punts for an average of 32 yards.  At best he
can expect to be released Tuesday when the Niners settle their
roster numbers, and then brought back after folks are sent off
to IR.  Best for the team would be for them to pick up a decent
punter who's left unprotected by another team.


The defense looked pretty good Friday night.  Granted, we're
talking about an exhibition game against a team that will be
lucky to go 8-8.  Tim Harris, now the primary pass-rusher now
that Haley has been traded, had two sacks (the "pistols" waiving
afterwards).  However, the real pressure was coming from Dennis
Brown.  Brown had his best year ever last season, and though
looking a bit heavy, was impressive again against the Seahawks.

Bill Romanowski looked right at home as an inside linebacker,
stuffing running plays and getting in some good hits.  He hasn't
played that position since college, but may start there against
the Giants.  Mike Walter moved to the strong side instead of his
usual weak-side spot, and said he felt good playing there.  Second
year man John Johnson may have won himself a starting position at
weak-side outside linebacker for now.  Free agent Brian McKenzie
had a great showing against the Seahawks and may have earned a
spot.

Previously, Mitch Donahue was looking good until he injured his knee.
Ilia Jarostchuk was signed just last week but hasn't had a chance to
show anything that would indicate keeping him.  Antonio Goss has shown
some good things on special teams and may be kept.  As might the
first-year man Martin Henderson, who is a combo DE/LB.  Darin Jordan
is a backup inside linebacker who's a candidate for IR.  We'll see
what happens after this weeks cuts...

Last year's starter Keith DeLong is still a holdout, and he can't
believe that the 49ers are still offering him only $450,000.  He
says he's willing to come down from his asking price of $750,000,
but that the 49er offer is rediculous.  Team president Carmen
Policy said Friday that there was a chance a deal could be done
soon, but it don't look like DeLong will be ready--much less
signed--by next Sunday.

The secondary still needs to "come together", and the injury to
Kevin Lewis does not bode well.  Eric Davis, who's trying to win
a starting position at left corner, did have the INT to set up
the first touchdown.

I'm still concerned that the defense is much too soft, but we'll
just have to wait and see.  Let the games begin!

-timr

--
That's the problem, all right, where to start.  To reach him you have to
back up and back up, and the farther back you go, the further back you see
you have to go, until what looks like a small problem of communication turns
into a major philosophic enquiry...
              --Robert M. Persig, _Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance_