Columnist Lowell Cohn plans to weigh in on his thoughts about the 49ers' quarterback competition for tomorrow's newspaper (and tonight's Web site). In the meantime, he provided this transcript (courtesy of the 49ers) on what Shaun Hill had to say today.
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One 49ers receiver who has looked good in practices is somebody that not many folks are talking about is newcomer Brandon Jones, a free-agent pickup from the Titans.
This is what Hill had to say about him: "(He) is showing an awful lot. He's got some wheels and much stronger hands than I thought."
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Niners might show interest in pass-rusher Greg Ellis, whom the Cowboys recently released, when/if his asking price drops. He turns 34 in August. Right now, the 49ers are pretty confident that Manny Lawson can handle the job, though.
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CB Nate Clements Clements progressing well but will sit out rest of OTAs after experiencing "a mild case of pneumonia." He was seen in the parking lot Monday chatting with teammates Jeff Ulbrich and Michael Robinson. Veteran LB Takeo Spikes was given some time off. Just consider it a veteran courtesy. Ulbrich did not practice today. The club said he got sick. (Hope he didn't catch anything from Clements.) DL Isaac Sopoaga sustained a left thigh bruise during practice Tuesday.
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Which QB would you like to see open the season as the starter? Vote here.
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Ellis' price is way too high for a 34yr old IMHO. I don't know what interest he is drawing from other teams but I would rather he want to play for us really bad and lower his asking $.
Hi Matt,
This must seem very premature, but I'm curious about the PS eligibility of some of our potential bubble players who came from other teams - Jacob Bender, Joe Toledo, Justin Roland, and Mark Washington. Could you also clarify Jay Moore's situation? I'm guessing that he still has 2 years PS eligibility since he's spent his whole NFL career on IR.
Ellis would be a good addition to the roster as a backup
"one good play makes up for those bad ones" - S.Hill.....this is why i have no confidence in hill...
...the idea that a QB can play poorly for 3 quarters and play well in one or the final quarter - is unacceptable for a niner QB.....
...i don't care if it results in a win, ...its not just how we win in ninerland...
...you can't win playoff games like that...
@oneniner
That's such an unbelievably stupid comment I can only assume you're making it to generate some kind of reaction.
Which stupid comment of oneniner's are you referring to?
There's a lot to choose from there.
I echo your thoughts completely "oneniner." The bar has been set very high at the Q.B. position and mediocrity is not acceptable. We thought life (as niner fan) was over at the thought of losing Joe Montana, but Steve Young stepped up to lead the niner empire to glory. The bar is set, who will be the next Q.B. to revive and lead the empire?
Hey Matt, Thanks for the good coverage as always. I was hoping you could give us an update on how Kory Sheets has looked so far in OTA's. I know he's an UFA, but I feel like he could be a great change of pace from the Gore/Coffee combo. How has he looked compared to Clayton thus far? Thanks again.
I don't know what's so mediocre about a career QB rating of 90. That kind of an effor w/ a non-Joe/Steve era cast of characters speaks differently to me. Eh well...is it September yet???
Anyone who played football past high school is taught that EACH PLAY is the way the game is played! Each play is the factor that a team must understand and play for! For example: When the score is 21-0, you don't go in the corner and pout and tell each other "let's quit because we're 21 points behind."
No you tell each other that ONLY 3 plays separate our team from theirs. That's why the saying is "one play at a time!"
You can play an entire game and have it come don to one play!
ANY 49er fan who really has followed the 49ers has seen Montana play 3/4 of the game lousy and in the final 5 to 10 minutes lead comebacks! This happened over and over again and that's what separates the boys from the men! The real winners from the regular guy who takes snaps!
Now! READ what Geo is trying to tell you. It's real simple. Just don't make comments back that have no correlation to what Geo has written.
I feel very confident that Manny and Parys can get after it,but if one goes down we have nothing remotely comparable in the rotation.We definitely need pass-rush depth,whether Ellis or another proven player.
Ellis, even at his age, can give provide something we lack: a genuine pass rush without relying on the blitz.
But I'm not sure he can be a good fit. He's a chronic moaner, borderline paranoid, wants to play every down, wants financial security &, given his seniority, will almost certainly impair Lawson's development & playing time.
To be fair to him, he's lived through at DAL a bunch of potential high-round replacements (Ekuban, Canty &, until now, Ware & Spencer) a serious Achilles injury & a reluctant positional change; was able to rally the troops in spots (made team captain) yet always delivering the sacks. And, yes, I think he can easily supplant Manny at starter, if we want a stopgap.
Manusky will have to really sound out Wade Phillips about Ellis's viability alternatively as a pass-rush spec, & how to best manage that scenario.
Stamp, that is a good point...would Joe & Steve have a 100+ QB rating being surrounded by the talent the Niners have had the last few years? Look at the players they had around them compared to what we have had. Maybe a 90 QB rating is pretty damn good. Give Hill some credit where due all you Smithites. 49er HOF QB's won about 2 out of 3 games. Hey that is approximately the same % as Hill. Not saying he's a HOF QB but the scoreboard doesn't lie.
Matt, I'm a little puzzled about how the Niners are going to work Evans into the Dline rotation. It sounded like he was signed to play LDE along with Balmer and that Soap would move back to NT. Yet we see Soap still at LDE and Evans mostly backing up Smith at RDE. Can you shed any light on this?
Football is a team effort, each person fits into a scheme. Each compliments or takes away. Who knows what Montana or Young would have done without a good offensive line and receivers?
It is why I believe too many get into the Hall of Fame. As for pure ability Jim Brown was perhaps the greatest football player ever. Lott is a Hall of Famer and would have been on any team. That is the real test to me. Same goes for Otto Graham.
I still never got my answer. Who is the other QB duo like Montana & Young, that were back to back QBs on the same team, that went into the Hall of Fame?
Waterfield and Van Brocklin.
Yup, I recall TB S.Young and SF S.Young being 2 totally different players. I wonder why that was? Oh yeah, SF was a much much better TEAM.
Marco: I don't know if you'll ever get that answer anytime soon.
You're a fool...
you don't care if it leads to a win eh? At least it is a win...
Hill has lead the Niners to more last minute wins then Smith with a fraction of the starts. All your OneSided arguments are pointless and carry no weight.
If you're referring to Hill's win over St. Louis. Then let's bring up Smith's horrible MNF game that opened the season 2 years ago against the cards why don't we. Dude couldn't lead the Offense to hardly a 1st down for 3 1/2 Quarters of play. His best play wasn't even a pass on the last scoring drive.... it was a scramble.
I think it's time to change out your A.Smith onesie pajamas bro
As I posted on the other Matt's blog I don't understand the questioning of "Why he likes what he sees in Alex?" what's Hill suppose to say on that question? "Gee ya I wish Alex wasn't throwing as well" I mean the beat writers DO know Football IS a team sport right where you need all 53 players including back-ups to succeed right? It's as if the writers want to stir up some crap in this QB competition. I would expect that kind of questioning from a 6th grader on a field trip to the 49er facility. It's ridiculous!
I think I figured it out. It's not oneniner's manlove for Alex, the affection he has is deeper than that. I think oneniner is Alex's mom. Nothing else makes any sense.
SC Rick replied to comment from BennyBlanco | June 10, 2009 1:14 PM | Reply I think I figured it out. It's not oneniner's manlove for Alex, the affection he has is deeper than that. I think oneniner is Alex's mom. Nothing else makes any sense.
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That is EXACTLY what I said over a month ago !!!