THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Take these preseason NFL games with a grain of ZZZs

Some of you are full-blown sports junkies.

Really.

You’ll watch just about anything that pops up on TV, no matter how obscure the event or odd the time.

I’m not being critical here, just making an observation.

Hey, my stepson falls into this category.

He’ll sit and stare at any sport – although to be fair, he drew the line at an all-night tractor pull.

And why am I bringing this up today?

Well, because the Seahawks have played one godawful preseason game, and now and must slog through two more – beginning Saturday night against Denver.

We all know these “exhibitions” exist solely to fatten the wallets of NFL owners, but for diehard fans they somehow are must-watch TV.

Are these viewers truly paying attention?

I cover the Seahawks as part of my profession, and despite every effort (and taking notes) during that 20-7 loss in Las Vegas last weekend, I fell asleep right after Carlos Santana’s halftime gig.

I did see a replay of DeeJay Dallas’ nifty second-half TD dash, so that pretty much covered the Hawks’ highlights.

IT HAS always baffled me that fans will pay good money — or give up three-plus hours in front of the tube — to watch a football game in which victory means nothing, and the heroes you want to see never even put on a helmet.

Heck, at least the Spokane Shock are trying to win their battles in the rock ‘em Indoor Football League.

The Seahawks, meantime, are trying not to get hurt.

Coaches aren’t supposed to admit it, but their first (and maybe only) goal during these useless preseason dances is to prevent any injuries.

Seattle couldn’t even manage that in Vegas, as backup quarterback Geno Smith nearly got killed on the game’s first drive.

Raiders corner Nate Hobbs blew past fourth-string tackle Stone Forsythe and blindsided Smith, who wound up with a concussion.

Smith’s short night allowed the Seahawks to have some fun with obscure QBs Alex McGough and Sean Mannion.

If you need further evidence on the quality of play here, Mannion was drafted by the Rams in 2015, and his career stats for L.A. and Minnesota over six seasons tote up to 159 passing yards and two interceptions.

But at least he went to Oregon State.

I’LL SAY it again…

Why would even a serious Seahawks fan want to watch this circus?

We were told by the talking heads on TV that there are some players who might be making huge breakthroughs this season — so presumably we should focus on them.

The problem, obviously, is that these guys trying to get the last spot on the roster were matched up against the same level of players for the Raiders.

So, what can you learn?

Predictably, a Seahawks semi-regular like pass rusher Alton Robinson tossed linemen around like rag dolls.

He was terrific, but of course, he’s also a legitimate NFL player and so…

He looked like it.

Most everyone else, you got one decent play that was followed by a gruesome mistake.

We were told that Darrell Taylor, who supposedly must become a critical piece of the Seahawks linebacker corps, showed “a nice burst.”

Sorry, I missed it.

I was watching the concussed Geno Smith, wondering about HIS health — and even he isn’t likely to see a meaningful snap from scrimmage this year.

Those all go to DangeRuss, who viewed the evening’s proceedings while wearing a slick Bose headset on the sideline.

Sheesh!

I hope he was listening to Santana.  

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Steve also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball that is published monthly during the offseason.