Preseason Week 2 — 22 August 2005

From: Jeff
To: mnf@doobie.com
Subject: It's Monday...

...and you're leaving work early today.

Because, with tonight's MNF preseason special, it's time to kick off this season's Monday night sports bar tour. Yes ladies and gentlemen, even though the first kickoff of the regular season is 17 days away, and the first round of roster cuts aren't due until the 30th, you are just a few hours away from your first pint of the season.

Say it with me: "Are you ready for some football?"

The news in the NFL this week is overwhelmed by the tragic death of 49er's lineman Thomas Herrion. Herrion quite literally dropped dead in the locker room after the 49ers/Broncos game on Saturday night, for still unknown reasons. He was 23.

On a happier note, our own 49ers are looking quite a bit better than they did last year. I saw some new blitz formations coming out of the San Francisco backfield this week, most of which were amazingly effective, even against a reasonably big offense like Denver's. This is good news, because I'm afraid that the SF defense is going to have to carry the team. The Niners still lost, 21-26, but at least they're looking better.

The Raiders lost to the Houston Texans, but that was mostly due to both teams' second and third string players. The starters from both sides were on the field for most of the first half, and the Raiders had a 17-7 lead at halftime. The Texans didn't look like a very good team, especially on defense and the ability to stop the running game. Unless they get that worked out, keep an eye on the over/under for Texans games.

And the quarterback controversy in Washington has become inevitable. Current starter Patrick Ramsey threw for 190 yards and a touchdown in the first half, 109 of them to David Patten, who came to Washington from the Patriots. Alas, he also threw two interceptions, both in the red zone, and of course, endured the first of what hopefully won't be too many boo-ings at home. Washington, at least when Ramsey is on the field, is starting to learn to use the long pass, but the consistency and touch that's required for shorter passes continue to elude him. On the other hand, their second-string guy, Marc Brunell threw 10 for 16, and more than one good pass was dropped. Third-string QB and first-round draft pick Jason Cambell didn't even play this week. Ramsey's going to start the season, but if he keeps throwing the ball away, he better find his ass on the bench soon.

And TO's contract demands have earned him squat. According to Sports Illustrated's Dr Z. (link below), the Eagles were prepared with a better offer for TO, had he come to them and asked for it in a reasonable fashion. Still no word on whether the Eagles are going to play him, trade him, or renegotiate his contract. Fortunately, most people aren't paying much attention to him right now.

Which brings us to tonight's game.

Most people won't be paying attention tonight, when the Dallas Cowboys, now with Drew Bledsoe as quarterback, go to Qwest field in Seattle to take on the Seahawks, in a rematch of what was one of the better Monday night games last year. It's also a good chance to see the Dallas offense, now regrouped under Bledsoe. Bill Parcells has finally gotten a chance to shape the offense in a fashion that suits his playbook, and it'll be interesting to see if it works.

Qwest field is a horseshoe-shaped stadium with a partial roof that can keep Seattle's rain off the heads of most of the 68,000 fans as they look towards the Seattle skyline. It is the only stadium in the league that as field-level luxury boxes behind one end zone.

This was the first NFL stadium to install Fieldturf, the natural looking artificial turf that's currently considered the best in fake lawn. The blades of grass are made of polyethylene (similar to the fake grass that arrives on your sushi tray), woven into a carpet-like backing and filled in with sand and rubber. It's much more forgiving than Astroturf, and Seattle's installation ranks higher than most natural surfaces in the league.

The Game:

5:00 pm, PDT
Dallas Cowboys
at Seattle Seahawks.
Qwest Field
800 Occidental Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134

The Line:

The Seahawks are favored by three, the over/under is 38.5. The smart money continues to avoid playing during preseason, but likes the over tonight.

The Bar:

Tonight, we're revisiting an old favorite. We're going to head out to Cow Hollow and visit Bayside Sports. Bayside has the largest projection screens in town, advertises 19 beers on tap, and plans to charge a cover charge for the September 8th NFL season opener. They also serve food.

Bayside Sports
1787 Union St
San Francisco, CA

Spitting distance from the 41 and 45 downtown/SOMA busses. Two blocks from the 47,49,76 and 30x Van Ness busses. It's much easier to get here than you think.

Kickoff is at 5:00. Say that again, because it's earlier than usual. Kickoff is at FIVE.

See you there?

Links:

Dr. Z. on Owens and the Eagles
Overhead view of Qwest Field
FieldTurf construction details.

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