If the first exhibition game is an opportunity to finally butt heads with an unfamiliar opponent, the Raiders and 49ers might be a tad disappointed when they meet tonight in Oakland.
After all, it's been only four days since the teams spent a full day together at Raiders training camp in Napa, a session that saw a handful of fistfights but mostly tough and spirited football.
As was the case Monday, all eyes will be on the quarterbacks.
On one side of the field, Raiders fans will be watching JaMarcus Russell, the 2007 No. 1 overall draft pick who hadn't even signed his contract when the teams played last summer. To find the 49ers' own No. 1 pick – at least at the start of the game – you'll have to scan the San Francisco sideline.
Alex Smith will be an observer during the first quarter, the first time a healthy Smith has not started a game since the fourth week of his rookie season.
Starting instead is someone who is very much Smith's and Russell's opposite – J.T. O'Sullivan, the former UC Davis and Jesuit High School standout who already has been on a quarter of the NFL's rosters since entering the league in 2002. O'Sullivan has a chance to set the tone – and the bar – for the 49ers' quarterback battle with a strong performance tonight.
Read Matthew Barrows' 49ers blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.
