He's saying all the right things and he's throwing all the right passes. I think this'll come down to the players seeing the difference between him and Hill and, if Smith is better, showing him support both consciously and unconsciously. Here's hoping his season goes smoothly for once.

Sean Hill hasn't lost a game at Candlestick and is 7-3 as a starter. He has come in and cleaned up both of the last two year's performing better than anybody before him. In a year where the 49ers are going to try and convince Santa Clara to participate in the building of a new stadium, they need to be competitive out the gate. It will take some pretty big eggs for the 49ers to hand the ball back to Alex at the beginning of the season.

Smith may be the quarterback of the future, but I doubt the future starts in the first week of 2009.

Just as a reference point for the folks who make apoligies for Hill's victories, I believe that 5 of his seven wins came in games where vegas picked the niners to lose, whereas none of the loses came in games they thought the niners would win.

nice read......

nice read......

You keep quoting 7-3.......Do you even remember what really happened in those games?.....

Matt...as usual, a very professional and balanced article. If I want ideology with black-and-white, I'll turn on Fox News...thanks.

Matt, for what it's worth, most people who actually read your blog would know that you havc no agenda and that your favorite team is the Giants(SF not NY), not the 9ers.
I can't believe that Smith has been here for 5 years already. In terms of his huddle leadership, it fits with his personality and the famous Urban Meyer "non-functional" quote. He won't really tell other people what to do until he knows and is comfortable himself. Knowing this, I am in total agreement with Matt that it is in everyone's interest to have Alex sit out until he get the offense. let him develop. Chances are he will get his chance at some point during the year due to injuries

The 49ers won.

If your point is to try to marginalize any impact Hill had in those games, I think your off base.

that is not my point ....am not tryin to make a point......

.....just asking if you recall what really happened in those games?

Hill AND Smith -they are both 49ers and as such have my support-both of these guys have had their stumbling blocks -neither one has much respect around the league and the if either one or both manages to help bring us to victory it will be the triumph of an underdog- and that will be a thing of beauty!

oneniner, here is what I remember: Hill made a lot of plays where things broke down and he had to make something out of nothing. Also, he got rid of the ball quickly and effectively, mostly with short passes. I have always hoped that Alex Smith would become a great quarterback, but I have never seen him make the quick decisions and show the creativity on busted plays that I used to see with Montana, Young and Garcia and I did see from Sean Hill last year. When things broke down with Alex at quarterback, I almost always saw him chuck the ball out of bounds. A safe play, but not a game changing one. Yes, I saw him do some good things against Seattle and Denver in 2006, but by and large, he didn't make the creative play. Will that change when he thoroughly knows the offense? I don't know. I hope so, but I have my doubts.

Well done Matt on the Q&A. Get Alex's perspective on what it means to be a leader out in the open - building on what he lost since 06.

I like this stage being set for a training camp battle we haven't seen since Montana and Young. Same talent level? Indubitably no. But same intensity level? Yes.

May the best signal caller win.

I think compared to last year's offseason, we are definitely hearing more positive things about Smith and Hill. I recall the Matts reporting the constant miscues occurring in practice and just in general a whole lot of things that make you wonder "what? this is a football team?"

But just reading the observations of the beat reporters about Singletary allows me to hold out hope of maximizing the potential of the guys we have at quarterback. While last year Nolan and Martz may not have shared their truly personal views about either guy (or O'Sullivan for that matter), I do not possess much doubt that Singletary will be able to figure out what he likes about both and then really push them to succeed. There is, in my mind, no excuses for either of them now, there is only what they can put out on the field.

On a side note, I got a bit of pleasure out of reading that Singletary in fact made practice longer, whereas Nolan would let guys go for the day. I think we get the message about putting in hard work...

Mike, that's exactly my take on the QB situation. I know that Singletary wants competition at every position, but it would be ridiculous to sideline the guy who played so well when finally given a chance the last two years.

In the last few seasons, the quarterback with the really great, accurate arm? JTO! But he wasn't a good decision maker, and was turnover prone, and that was compounded in Martz's offense. So putting most of your emphasis on arm strength and even accuracy will often lead you to pick a QB who lacks the most critical qualities: quick, smart decision making and pocket presence. That's what Shaun Hill has. Alex didn't demonstrate those two qualities, and his better arm most likely won't compensate for those deficiencies.

On the other hand, the offensive line was so bad during his Alex's playing years that he literally had no time to do anything except unload to whoever the primary receiver was, covered or not. So a better o-line will negate some of Shaun's advantages. And there's always the hope that as Alex's college coach said, he may not be the fastest learner but at some point the light will go on and he'll suddenly be great. I hope so.

So name Shaun Hill the starter as soon as possible. If he continues to win regular season games, wonderful. If he plays bad and loses a couple of games, put Smith in and see if he does better or worse. Simple.

Matt,
The nice thing about this competition is that both players are in the same mode. Both have something to prove and both are considered around the NFL as average at best.We know what kind of a driven player Hill is, and it seems that Smith is really focused to succeed. This is a win-win for the Niners. One (or both) are going to rise to his full potential. It's really make or break for both of them, not just Smith. I'm hoping for some quality QB play this season.

That's 100% exactly how I feel... but I'm not worried when it comes game time. Shaun will get his shot.... they both will play with the 1st team in preseason games. If Alex has turned the corner and beats Hill then fine. Good luck to him :)

My money is still on Hill... this is his final and last test he'll have to endure within the organization. JTO was raved about last year in Training camp and look how that turned out.

ONENINER - I said it once and I'll say it again... your negativity and bad attitude towards Hill only makes people root for him more. If you haven't noticed or just don't give a damn... most people here are also on Smith's side. We just feel that Hill is a gamer and Smith is known to choke when under the lights. If not and Smith proves the world wrong... then that's great for him and the team. So instead of continually trying to downplay Hill's accomplishments... why not give credit where credit is due and continue to root for your guy.

Matt, just heard you on NFL Live talking about Alex Smith having a legitimate shot to start in '09. I don't know if you saw the picture they had of you on there, but I like the almost beard you were sporting. It gives you the "I want to look nice, but I like to party" look. : )

Yes, that photo was taken a year ago during camp when things are a lot more low key. I had no idea ESPN was going to snap a photo of me that day and use that for the rest of my life. --Matt M.

Good piece Matt, my opinion has more to do with the attitude Sing is trying develop with the offense.
For all his criticisms on the offensive side, he's letting them know early and often that this is about geting it right.
Smith likely doesn't need a game program to remind him that the court of popular opinion moves quickly when meaningful Wins add up.

It's early and, Sing is getting exactly what he wants, Organized and Functional Team Activities.
No one goes through the motions and, succeeds at anything but wasting time.
I'm all for the guy that makes it click.
Sing will choose wisely.

Tommy Bahama by chance?

I think you're great and incredibly balanced Matt, and I understand the whole "Giants are my actual favorite team" bit. Just for fun though, would you care to explain the Utah Utes mug that is snapped in your Facebook photo of your cubicle area? Was someone an early Alex Smith idolizer or what?

Hi Matt, Great read with no punches pulled. I've always felt the perception of Alex, post injury, was the manipulation of Nolan. Up until the injury everybody could see a QB growing before their eyes. Was he an elite QB? Only playing time would have revealed it. The last two years have toughened the guy and we'll see what happens. I'm a niner fan and whoever can put up the W's is my choice.

Again - I am not bashing Hill

- I am looking at this objectively......

....Look at the summary of what happened below and dispute the facts.....

7 wins vs 6 teams that have combined winning % .380

Win 1 vs Bengals who are 6-12 since that game.

Win 2 vs Buccaneers, TB out gained the 49ers 434 to 213, held the ball for nearly 35 minutes and lost by 2 points. They were already playoff bound and pulled their starters early.

Win 3 vs Rams, they are 5-23 over two seasons!

Win 4 vs Bills, Buf out gained them 350 to 195 and couldn't even kick a few FG's from 20 yards out that day. They finished 3-9 after starting out 4-0 vs Oak, Sea, Jac, and StL all bad teams.

Win 5 vs Jets, Farve's arm was a noodle at that point, the Jets finished the season 1-4 including the loss to SF and even lost to Seattle who was crap.

Win 6 vs Rams, 5-23 I repeat 5-23 the past two seasons and they still needed to come back at the end to win this game!

Win 7 vs Redskins, another bad team that finished 1-5, 2-6 over the last 8 games of the season.

Hill's 3 losses:

Loss 1 vs Cardinals, he turned the ball over twice late in that game, got it back both times on penalties and within a couple of plays he turned it over again both times! Those turnovers gave the Cardinals the ball inside the 49ers 20 both times and gave the Cardinals 10 points. He cost the 49ers that game and NO ONE talks about that. Instead they want to blame it on Martz, if it wasn't for Hill's turnovers the end of the game would have never been an issue!

Loss 2 vs Dallas, not even a close game. The 49ers had no chance to win this game, it was 32 to 9 at the start of the 4th. They got a couple of TD's in the 4th, but that was pretty much garbage time at that point.

Loss vs Miami, they scored 9 points, Gore was out where was Hill when the team needed someone to step up? Oh yeah the TD that Roman gave up in the 1st quarter was the excuse for this one. Right!

Or you can turn on NBC or MSNBC for opinion with no facts - aka total fabrication so the govt will give GE preference and contracts.

Matt, this was a good read but I always go back to what Johnny Unitas always said, "Talk is cheap". Leadership begins with production on the field. If guys trust a QB to make plays, especially in crunch time, then said QB can exert leadership in other ways. It seems as if Alex has that in mind when he talks about being accountable and earning respect. I'm pulling for the kid but just don't see it happening for him. Hopefully, he'll prove me wrong and become a good qb.

Question: would you care to explain the Utah Utes mug that is snapped in your Facebook photo of your cubicle area? Was someone an early Alex Smith idolizer or what?

My response: Great vision. The mug belongs to the reporter in the cublicle to my left. It's the property of Greg Beacham, AP reporter and Utah grad. --Matt M.

Question: Tommy Bahama by chance?

My response: Indeed. --Matt M.

Alex Smith has always practiced better than Shaun Hill. Hill has never out-practiced anyone. He's a gamer. Smith throwing well in a non-game and non-rush situation looks good??? How is this a relevation?

Hill has good game instincts. Smith's instincts take over in a game also ....but it is his flight response, not fight. Give him pressure and he gallups off to the sideline. What has changed?? Not a d_mn thing.

Alex Smith has always practiced better than Shaun Hill. Hill has never out-practiced anyone. He's a gamer. Smith throwing well in a non-game and non-rush situation looks good??? How is this a relevation?

Hill has good game instincts. Smith's instincts take over in a game also ....but it is his flight response, not fight. Give him pressure and he gallups off to the sideline. What has changed?? Not a d_mn thing.

I am a Smith Fan, and I remain hopeful he turns around his career. I respect the way Hill played for us and the Ws he helped us earn.

In the NFL a win is a win, ESPECIALLY if you are the Niners post 2003.

I thought for sure Hill would start and Alex would watch from the sidelines. All this talk worries me, I didnt want to see a QB controversy.

Do we have a QB controversy in the making?

Oneniner.

I am trying to help you out here. To keep you from looking foolish.

Personally I don't care who you support for the starting QB position but your rationale against Hill is nonsensical.

VERY briefly, let's look at Kurt Warner last year. In the regular season he won Nine games. Only TWO (Miami & Dallas) were against winning teams.

ONLY TWO!

Miami: When Warner beat Miami they were 1-16 (factoring in the previous season). ONE & SIXTEEN!

Dallas: They lost their starting QB and Punter that game, and the Cardinals still had to go to overtime to win the game.

Warner and the Cardinals ONLY beat the NFC West in 2008 (6-0) and the Redskins (along with Miami & Dallas). They lost to playoff caliber teams like Carolina, the Giants, the Eagles, the Vikings and the Patriots.

The simple fact is this. Almost all NFL games are difficult to win. The 2008 Detroit Lions were the worst team in the history of the NFL. Yet, they were rarely blown out.

The 2008 Minnesota Vikings went to the playoffs. They beat the Lions twice by a combined score of six points.
They won each game by an average of three points.

In the NFL, a win is a win. Period.

When you make a list like you do you really look foolish.

Kurt Warner and the Cardinals almost won the SB last season. Yet you could make a similar list like that for them:

Beat the woeful Rams twice (who fired their HC).
Beat the Mike Nolan (who was fired) led 49ers.
Beat the Mike Singletary led 49ers only because of a botched play at the end of the game by SF.
Beat the SeaHawks twice, who had a million injuries that year and one of their worst seasons.
Beat Buffalo mainly because the Bills lost Trent Edwards in the first quarter.
Miami & Dallas were explained above.

See how that works?

BTW: I am NOT comparing Hill to Warner as QB's.
I am merely saying that when you use your criteria you look kind of foolish. Why? Because you could discredit a QB as great as Warner in that same type of manner.

"I had no idea ESPN was going to snap a photo of me that day and use that for the rest of my life."

It's a credit to how much you've blown up fame-wise in the media; MM has to fight the paparazzi now!

OK I'm a technical idiot and double posted.

Furthermore I comitted a large faux pas in that I didn't read MM's article in detail and am reacting too much from reading others (that cover the Niners). It really bugs me that so many are gushing over his improvement like we now have the second coming of Montana ( A. Smith) after looking good in shorts with no rush.

Matt is spot on and Singletary loves tough guys and Smith doesn't qualify.

Matt, you're such a Damon Huard hater! ;)

Great article. I've always liked the way you take a level headed look at players in position battles. There's never any favoritism, just good ol' fashioned analysis. Today's media could use a lot more of that. Keep up the good work!

Simple question, if you take all that information you posted, and replace the name "Shaun Hill" with "Alex Smith," (same exact stats mind you) would you still have the same objectivity?

Geo, I hope I'm not putting words in Oneniner's mouth, but I think the point is not that there is NO value to Hill's record, but that there is no WOW value to it, either. No ANOINTED ONE value. His performances, even in victory, were not exactly overwhelming. Nothing compared to the type of overwhelming performances Warner has delivered. And I doubt anyone projects that Hill will ever produce that kind of success, or even be capable of it. That may be good enough for this year, but it's no answer to a future that has any SB aspirations in it.

My point, as I said, was this. I'm not comparing Hill and Warner as QB's. At all.

All I'm saying is that if one uses that kind of criteria (victories against teams with winning records, the quality of teams that you did beat, the better quality of teams that you lost to) then you could even make a case AGAINST Kurt Warner in 2008.

I am not saying anthing in support of Hill with my comment. Or comparing him to Warner. or even trying to discredit Warner (who's a GREAT QB).

I'm simply stating that to dissect each of Hill's wins as a starter (the way that oneniiner did) is kind of foolish to me.

You could do almost the same with Warner to discredit his season last year if someone wanted to.

You are doing a poor job of looking like loof...

Who said anything about warner....

..I repeat again..nobody is hating on Hill......Hill is my QB too not just my fav...

..just look at my game day facts when hill was QB and tell me what is wrong about what i posted...

...keep the focus on Hill actual game day actions...

You could also say Hill had no "wow" talent around him, with no "wow" offensive schemes in '07 and '08. Yet, Hill was still able to make lemonade where others weren't.

Thank you....thats all i am sayin

Hill, playing w fractured line, a tepid running game and a senior citizen as first receiver, had better QB rating than Cutler.
Smith may outgrow him, but Hill is clear choice for now.

ryan leaf and jim druckenmiller had great arms, better than Alex, better than Montana. So what? The ability to read defenses, make the right decisions, and be the confident leader that inspires are the intangibles that make a great QB. Having a gun to go along is a bonus like P. Manning and even he only has one SB ring. It is a team sport and since Hill has been QB we have a winning record. That's all that really matters...scoreboard baby. From the sound of Alex's comments it doesn't appear that he has that ultimate confidence yet which is understandable as he's not produced anything consistently. I hope he gets it but for now Hill's the man. More clipboard time for Alex will be good for him.

My 5 cents worth on Hill vs. Smith

I liked the interview with Smith, he´s not a show boat. As he said some people think leadership is jumping on top of someone due to a mistake. He´s using a simple formula Accountability leads to Respect. Respect leads to Leadership.

I don´t think Hill is the best QB out of the two, but he will start on Week 1. Right now he has the OL, he has the RBs, he has the Receivers and he has the Defense. All he needs to do is avoid the stupid mistakes, if he does he will be our starter for the whole season and Alex will have to wait for an injury to get his shot.

Now on a change of topic.

What can you tell us about Glen Coffee and Nate Davis?

What is the running game looking like so far?

Can you see Rathman´s tough running style in our running game?

CBS reported a new contract for Brian Jennings, but I´ve seen nothing on the blog. Can you confirm this and any other contract extensions?

Have you seen the picture of Coach Sing and Jed on the Niners web page. Doesn´t Jed look more and more like Eddy B as the days go by?

Thanks for keeping us posted.

My response: Remember, these on non-contact practices. So it's kind of difficult to tell how the run game is looking (other than the fact that none of their RBs has been tackled yet). Coffee looks like a hard runner. Davis gets one 11-on-11 snap a day. As for Brian Jennings, here is what I've written about him:

http://twitter.com/MattMaiocco/status/2057610289

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090606/SPORTS/906069963/1014/SPORTS04?Title=49ers-long-snapper-gets-extension

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/06/willis-expects-49ers-defense-to-be-no-worse-than-no-10.html

--Matt M.

Based on his performance last year, Hill has to be the starter in week 1. In my opinion the big mistake was Nolan thrusting Alex in the starter's role as a rookie. Maybe one out of ten rookie QB's has the wherwithal to start in this league immediately, and Smith coming from a spread offense was less prepared then most. Nolan did him no favors by throwing him to the wolves as a rookie. Add the revolving door offensive coordinators to the mix and Alex was guaranteed to fail.

Matt: A question on a different topic.

Do you have any indication from the 49er front office as to how many season tickets they have sold for the upconig season. Supposedly all games were sell-outs last year, but those of us who were at the stick saw the vast expanses of empty seats with our own eyes. Obviously, the 49ers bought out the unsold seats in order to keep the streak of televised home games alive. Do you think the same thing will happen this year, or will York allow home games to be blacked-out.

The "non-signing of Vick" says more about who Singletary is rather than who the 49ers are not.
The competition for the 49ers starting QB job is healthy and good for everyone. I have no doubt if the named starter falters in the first couple of games he will be replaced. This race hasn't even really started yet.

The only thing I look at re: Alex Smith is this: 2-1 in the three games he played while healthy two years ago. And a strong second half of his second year as -- what? -- a 21-year-old QB at that point? THAT is what we know about Alex Smith (and he did it with less talent than the team has now). The games he played while hurt are meaningless. So if you're going to compare Hill and Smith, compare Hill and Smith -- not the #11 who tried to gut out several games in year #3, or who clearly wasn't physically right last pre-season. One last point: I don't care about 9-7 records. I want rings. And I love Shaun Hill -- a guttier performer you will not find. But he will never win you a Super Bowl. Smith still has the potential to get you there. Perhaps neither will be the long term answer, but Smith deserves a chance while 1) healthy; 2) surrounded by some offensive talent finally; and 3) with an O coordinator not name Hoss all in the same season.

Hmmm, that poll would seem to indicate that (although a small sample, for now) A. Smith might not recieve as much public scrutiny if not instantly successful as the Wk 1 starter. Interesting...

Comment: Hmmm, that poll would seem to indicate that (although a small sample, for now) A. Smith might not recieve as much public scrutiny if not instantly successful as the Wk 1 starter. Interesting...

My response: I was thinking the same thing. But I also wonder if the postive reports of Smith's performance in minicamp might have influenced this vote a bit. --Matt M.

Lets see how he reacts when they actually put on pads and there is actually a pass rush that is allowed to touch him. We KNOW that Hill thrives in those REAL game situations and that Alex has always wilted big time in those circumstances.
If Alex has changed,as far as his weak almost nonexistent leadership goes or if he has improved his poor QB play on the field,we will be able to see the huge difference in the preseason games. If he is still just a good talker and still just a college QB,pretending to be a legit NF QB,we will know.
Good luck to alex and to All the players on the roster. I hope the very best for them all ! But hope doesn't score touchdowns,so, until Alex proves differently , and proves he is MUCH improved in all areas of his play and leadership etc ,I believe it is an easy decision to make Hill the starter.

I know that some people aren't able to understand more complex situations.

Let me help you out here.

I fully understand that you never brought up Kurt Warner.

I did.

Why?

Because Ron Jaworski knows as much if not more about QB play in the NFL than anyone. Shortyly after Warner visted SF as a FA, Jaws said that Kurt Warner has played the QB position as well as anyone in the NFL in the past two seasons.

I brought up Kurt Warner for this SIMPLE reason. You made this LONG post, going almost game-by-game, to discredit Shaun Hill.

My point (try to follow along here) is that someone (like myself) could do almost the same thing and discredit a GREAT QB like Kurt Warner, in much the same fashion (not beating winning teams, beating inferior opponents, etc).

Moral of the story. If using YOUR type of 'facts and figures' can discredit even a GREAT QB like Warner, then they must not be worth much.

Get it?

What's wrong with what you posted about Hill is that I can (and did) post an almost similar thing about Warner.

So what? Unless you're going to tell me that Warner isn't a great QB, then what you posted about Hill means NOTHING!

And the WOW value is reserved for Nate Davis !!! He is the ONLY guy on the roster now who has it all and has the POTENTIAL to be a WOW kind of guy.
Alex has totally lacked ANY wow factor and the only real hope is that he somehow improves into the steady catagory one day .And Hill produces the wow factor quite a bit but only because of his field presense and his ability to make something out of broken plays etc. He is not THE wow kind of guy physically ,like davis is.
So,if we are hoping for someone already on our roster to be THE Franchise guy for the next 10 years and hoping for a WOW factor QB in our future,there is only one hope now on the roster,Nate "the great" Davis. And he is all potential at this early stage. But if you are looking foir hope,it is with Davis and probably not with Smith,unless a zebra can change his stripes. We will see.

please explain how he has wilted in big game situations? when he was healthy he won us the first game of 07 against the cards, won the denver game and won the seatle games so how has he wilted? he's been injured!!!

He played rather poorly in those games you mention.Go back and watch them and you will see we won in spite of Alex and certainly not because he played well,he didn't.
And I didn't mean to say Alex wilted in BIG game situations,he wilts in every game situation (so far). He has never played up to NFL standards for even more than a few plays in a row,and that cannot be denied by anyone who actually watched him play as a Niner(at least not an honest viewer ,if you disagree then go back and watch him in every game he has ever played as I have done from time to time,to hope I would see something different in my second and third viewing etc). I hope Alex can change but the change needs to be so drastic for him to come up to NFL mediocre standards that I just don't believe it will happen (until I see it,which I hope I do !!!) . Hill is more than hope,you can take his play to the bank! Maybe the check you cash is not huge but it is consistent and good enough to live well. If you are looking to cash a bigger check and looking to live large,then Nate Davis may be able to write that check every week for you,but Alex has not been able to even throw change in the pot yet.(even when 100% healthy).

Here is an interview of our present starting QB from Camp today...
http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/cohn/2009/06/shaun-hill-speaks.html

(MM note: I inserted the in-house transcript.)

I guess we need to agree to disagree on this subject UNTIL Alex shows he has changed. If he can be better than he ever showed before then we will both be in agreement that the change is good for OUR team !

Or maybe the poll is a bit skewed. I think it lets you vote more than once. I don't think people are respecting the blog-poll honor system.

...maybe the poll is accurate.......most fans who believe A.Smith should start are not learning anything new....

...u could say they dont hav the time to argue over it since there isnt much to debate....

LOL, I wasn't gon' say no names oneniner, buuut...

You know what they say, those first to cry innocent admit guilt in the same breath. Fess up bruh, you voted like 121 times.

Hahaha... Took the words right out of my mouth!
Oneniner: "I swear to god this poll is accurate..."
Everybody else: "Yeah right!"
LOL.

THE ALEX SMITH CHECKLIST

Let's see here....

1) No Mike Nolan - CHECK
2) New Attitude - CHECK
3) Fully healthy - CHECK
4) Familiar system - CHECK
5) Throwing the ball better than ever - CHECK

What remains?

6) Pocket Presence - Playing behind this offensive line will be like playing behind a brick wall. Do you remember Jonas Jennings and Larry Allen guarding his blind side? Hill didn't have to play with that, because both of them were out with injury. The whole "deer in headlights" thing is a misnomer, and a complete red herring. I laugh (and fart) in your general direction. Your mother was a hampster, yada yada yada.

The doubters have lined up the checklist. So far, he's checking them right off one at a time.

I really think you must own stock in Davis. EVERYTIME you bring this guy up when there is discussion of the 49er QB situation! If you notice, no one writng on the team has even mentioned the guys name. I think there is a reason for that. The guy is still learning to take an NFL snap right now! And that's about where he is in his NFL career and ability.
So how come you bring him up constantly when there is absolutely NO WAY to tell if this guy will even make waterboy in the NFL. Please cool it until the guy earns a jersey with his name on the back and it's red and gold!

LOL, seriously. TOP_CAT has an obvious hard-on for Davis.

I don't care who starts, because I know we'll be fine with either Smith or Hill. I love Hill, but lets be honest, he isn't the long-term answer and will never be an elite QB. Smith has had that potential all along, and finally will have a decent chance to prove himself. Haters will be haters, but any football fan with a lick of common knowledge is well aware he has what it takes to be really good, it's just a matter of time and the right pieces falling into place (time to develop, decent talent around him, and a head coach who isn't mentally retarded). Even if he doesn't start this year (which I think he will at some point) I would be very satisfied with Hill being our guy. You really can't go wrong with either one. I'm really looking forward to this season!

I'm with "Houston" and Johnny Unitas: Talk is cheap.

I think it's twice as cheap in the off-season.

I want what I've always wanted for the team since I started attending games as a preteen at Kezar: I want to win.

Personally, I think it's Shaun Hill and I think he's a great underdog success story.

But, if it's Alex Smith, I'm down for that too.

Monty Python in a football blog comments section? Ahahaha...well done!

I simply look at the facts and am one that realizes that Davis has the most raw talent on our roster,by far.
He peovides the most hope at that position for our future franchise QB. Without the hope in Davis we will need to use one of those 1st round picks or maybe both of them to move up next year and grab that future franchise guy.
But as of right now,Davis has by far the best arm on the team as well as the quickest release (even faster than Hill and 100 times faster than Smith), He has all the intangebles,leadership etc etc . He is great in POTENTIAL. Of course he is raw and just starting out,so was favre and Joe and every great qB,at one time. I have always said that he will need at least a year and a half to become ready to start. (if he ever does get ready,never any guarantees,BUT at least now we have hope that there is that potential on the roster that we don't have with Hill or Smith,although Hill is pretty darn good but just doesn't have that great potential for such a high ceiling as Davis does).

And this little tidbit from another papers reporter...
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Nate Davis got a couple of repetitions today. His best pass was an over-the-middle dart to Vernon Davis. Is Davis-to-Davis something we'll be hearing in the future? You have to wonder ..."
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Not only do we have to wonder,but we have to hope ,since he is the only prospect we have on the roster for our future Franchise guy.

Lets hope Alex continues to improve but we must also remember that these practices are nothing like real games at all and EVERYTHING changes for the QB when he is under pressure and everything is on the line. We know that Hill thrives on game pressure.

Now Davis is Farve? Oh man!! I'm beginning to think you are Davis' mother! And who says he's "our future Franchise guy?" Maybe you are his agent?
I'll make a deal. You just keep on commenting on the "Franchise guy" and I'll comment with the rest of the fans about this year and the battle between Smith and Hill!

Matt,

I am disappointed in you. During your interview with Ralph B. you did not push back at all when he questioned Mike S. approach. Ralph is such a negative jerk and you as a 49er supporter should not let him get away with that crap - as well as his negative attitude about Peragh (sp - sorry) .....

Can't anyone stand up to Ralph except our coach? I hope when the 49ers have a winning season this year that they will stuff one of the footballs in his ear!

Jack

Comment: Matt, I am disappointed in you. During your interview with Ralph B. you did not push back at all when he questioned Mike S. approach.

My response: I think the points Ralph made about Singletary's approach are legitimate. I have the same questions about whether that approach can work over a period of time. --Matt M.