It's hard to explain how the Raiders' offense could improve in every facet after stinking up the field twice this preseason - even factoring in the home crowd and the level of competition.

Did Aaron Brooks and LaMont Jordan and Robert Gallery and Langston Walker all get better at the same time? Doubtful.

If there was one main underlying factor, I think it was Tom Walsh's play calling against the 49ers. San Francisco seemed surprised to see the Raiders pass so frequently on their first few series. The Niners generated little rush, and that can make any NFL offense look like the Indianapolis Colts (well, almost).

The more I think about it, the more I believe Walsh's offensive scheme and game-day noodling will be the key to the Raiders' season. The defense and special teams look pretty solid. LaMont Jordan could easily be a 1,400-yard back. The receiving corps is deep and quarterback Aaron Brooks, while inconsistent, could have a lot of fun distributing the ball.

The big question mark is the offensive line. Is it strong enough to push defenders off the line of scrimmage? Can Gallery and Walker keep speed rushers from getting around the edge? I don't believe they can do it without help from Walsh. A steady diet of "downhill running" is fine if you have Art Shell and Gene Upshaw and Jim Otto elbow-to-elbow-to-elbow. The 2006 Raiders don't; they'll need some innovative - or least unpredictable - play calling to keep the pressure off. Stay tuned.

Other notes from the 23-7 victory against the 49ers:

• The Raiders obviously have been focusing on the tight end during the preseason, but Courtney Anderson's achievements have not been handed to him on a platter. This guy has really developed as a receiver. He would have had his second touchdown pass of the preseason if it weren't for a highly questionable pass interference call. I have to remind myself Anderson was a seventh-round draft choice - the 245^th overall selection - in the 2004 draft.
• The quietest Raider so far during the preseason? I nominate Derrick Burgess. The Pro Bowl defensive end has three tackles in three games, and hasn't done anything remotely spectacular. This has to be considered good news for the Raiders. Burgess is a relentless worker, and we saw his speed around the corner last year. At some point he will begin to make disruptive plays; perhaps by then, the Raiders will have found some other contributors.
• Sebastian Janikowski is 7-of-7 on field-goal attempts this preseason. Almost as encouraging, did you see his first two kickoffs on Sunday? He blasted them eight yards deep and five yards deep; both were downed for touchbacks.