Say what you want about preseason NFL games, about how meaningless they are and how boring they are to watch, but they can still be important for some players.
You can put just about everyone on the San Francisco 49ers roster on the list of players for which the games are important, with few being higher on the list than former Live Oak star linebacker and Morgan Hill resident Jeff Ulbrich.
Ulbrich, who was limited to only five games last season due to a torn biceps muscle, is looking to return to the same form that saw him tie for team-high honors with a personal career-high 167 tackles in 2004.
So after a severe injury, it's definitely a big step for Ulbrich to get back out on the field and gain some confidence again.
He certainly did that in Friday's exhibition opener, a dominating 28-14 win over the Chicago Bears.
Ulbrich picked up a Rex Grossman fumble late in the first quarter and returned it 40 yards for the Niners' first score of the game that made the score 10-0.
Last year's injury was a devastating one for Ulbrich, who was just coming in to the prime of his career. That being said, this year becomes extremely important for the 29-year-old.
To get off to a good start in the preseason, as meaningless as some say it is, should boost Ulbrich's confidence significantly.
It's an encouraging sign for any Niner fans or those who are just fans of the local boy that he is off to a good start. He's clearly a big part of future success for the Niners and it'll be important for him to be at the top of his game if San Francisco hopes to contend in the next couple of years.
And, of course, it's always nice for us to be able to see one of our own playing at the highest level possible so for some selfish reasons it's a good way to see Ulbrich return to the field.
But even more than that, Ulbrich's play can be encouraging for our local high school teams as they take on two-a-day practices this week. I'll bet anyone playing for Live Oak or Sobrato would love to be in Ulbrich's shoes some day (otherwise they probably wouldn't have the pads on). So to see him back on the field, and hopefully back to the level of play that he is capable of, should be fun for them watch and admire.
This week should be another fun game for Ulbrich and the Niners as they take on the Oakland Raiders.
Regardless of which side of the Bay you root for, when those teams clash it's always interesting, whether it's regular season or the old boring preseason.
It's another big step for Ulbrich to continue getting ready for the start of an important season, and I'll be sure to keep a close eye on No. 53.
Jimmy Durkin is the Morgan Hill Times sports editor. Reach him at (408) 779-4106 ext. 203 or jdurkin@morganhilltimes.com.
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