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[Headline unknown]
The Seattle Seahawks will strive for a “first” today when the National Football League opens shop in the Kingdome.
No expansion team has ever won a first exhibition test, dating back to the Dallas Cowboys in 1960.
Seattle’s long-awaited debut in the NFL will begin at 1pm against the rebuilding San Francisco 49ers before what should be a capacity crowd of nearly 65,000.
Jack Patera, making his debut as head coach, dearly would like to start with an impressive showing, although he downplays the considerable emotional aspects of today’s opener.
“To me, it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference that this is a first,” Patera said. “There will be too many firsts.”
But you have to believe this is more than a normal preseason show, both for the many fans who have waited so long and for the players who will wear the Seahawk blue, green and silver.
The pressure on the players mainly will be to prove themselves in a game. There are, after all, 71 on the roster and only about 43 – the limit has not been set – will make the team.
“Some individuals may feel the pressure,” Patera said. “But some always play well, or coach well, regardless of the situation. WE would like to have a team together that is able to play up to its capabilities, regardless of the situation.”
Monte Clark, rookie coach of the 49ers, also hopes to establish quickly that his club is on the upswing behind the leadership of Jim Plunkett, the former Rose Bowl hero from Stanford.
Each coach faces the difficult preseason choice of how long to play key personnel in an effort to win, and how many other players to take a look at.
Both teams probably will play many athletes, perhaps 45 to 50, because they face a cutdown to 60 by Tuesday.
Neil Graff, who played behind Plunkett in New England, and left Jim Zorn are scheduled to divide the quarterbacking for Seattle.
Neither has been exposed to the type of pass rush, in practice, they will be subjected to today from San Francisco’s fine defensive ends.
Graff started two games with the Patriots last season when Plunkett was injured. Zorn was with Dallas through the preseason last year.
How much Plunkett plays may be determined somewhat by how effective the patched 49er offensive line performs. “We don’t want to get him killed,” Clark said. Four starters in the offensive line are injured.
Norm Snead, San Francisco’s No. 2 quarterback, probably will not play. When Plunkett is excused, he will be replaced by Scott Bull, a big rookie from Arkansas.
The 49ers are loaded at running back. Delvin Williams and Larry Scheiber will start, with Wilbur Jackson, Kermit Johnson and Sammy Johnson in reserve.
Seattle’s defense, led by such established players as Mike Curtis, Ken Geddes, Don Hansen, Eddie McMillan and Al Matthews, is rated fairly strong, although the pass rush is suspect. The top two rookies, Steve Niehaus at defensive tackle and Sammy Green at outside linebacker, will play.
An intriguing aspect is whether the Seattle offense is capable, particularly this early, to sustain anything against the likes of Hardman, Hart, Frank Nunley, Skip Vanderbundt, Dave Washington, Jimmy Johnson and Bruce Taylor.
The Seahawks are hoping that either Graff or Zorn will emerge as a take charge quarterback. Gary Keithley and rookie Steve Myer likely will get their chance next week.
Seattle is short of quality running backs. Bill Olds is the only experience ball carrier in the ranks, although rookie Sherman Smith and Gary Hayman have shown promise at halfback, particularly coming out of the backfield as receivers.
Seattle also has a rash of injures. Two of the leading wide receivers, Ahmad Rashad and rookie Steve Raible, are hobbled by injuries. So are Dave Williams, who has yet to put on a uniform, and Rolly Woolsey, a fine young cornerback.
Because of the nature of today’s game – a “first” for everyone – many expect an emotional scene.
“I know it will be for me, coming home before a capacity crowd and playing in the Kingdome,” said Ron Howard, tight end from Seattle University and the Dallas Cowboys. “It’s really a test for us as an expansion team. We’re going to surprise a lot of people.”
Although some fans may be expecting more, however, it should be remembered that today’s no count battle is a testing ground for both teams. San Francisco has a new system and some new personnel. Seattle is brand new, of course, from top to bottom.
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