Breaking down every 49ers player
Here's the player-by-player rundown of the 49ers' roster from their 21-20 exhibition-game victory over the Raiders on Saturday night at
Quarterbacks
7-Nate
11-Alex Smith: Started at played first 18 snaps. . . .He hit Vernon Davis for 15-yard gain to convert a third down. . . . Threw a little high to
13-Shaun Hill: Entered at the beginning of the second quarter. . . . It looked dangerous, but he got a 7-yard pass to Morgan against tight coverage . . . Had a fourth-down pass batted down at the line of scrimmage when he tried to throw three-quarters sidearm. . . . Overthrew Michael Robinson deep down the right side. . . .completed just 3 of 7 for 20 yards. Although it was not particularly impressive, Hill remained on solid ground to win the starting job for the regular season.
14-Damon Huard: Did not play; coaches decision.
Running backs
21-Frank Gore: Started at halfback and played first six plays of the game. He carried twice for 7 yards before calling it a night.
24-Michael Robinson: Showed his versatility with a solid showing at fullback and halfback. . . . Block on SS Tyvon Branch opened hole for Coffee on 18-yard run . . . Had another block on Branch to helped Coffee gain 35 yards around left end. . . . Ran with very good vision on one cutback that netted him 7 yards. . . . he gained 97 yards on 14 carries.
29-Glen Coffee: Entered the game for the 49ers' second offensive series. He just had a nice all around game. He ran with power, and he showed a burst of speed, too, with four rushes of 16 yards or longer. He even did a nice job of picking up a blitz. . . . He was outstanding, rushing for 129 yards on 16 carries.
30-Kory Sheets: He's already corrected a mistake from his first game. Last week, he ran out of bounds in the final two minutes when the 49ers were protecting a lead. This time, he went down inbounds at the end of an 11-yard run with 1:55 remaining. . . . Finished with 51 yards and a TD on 12 rushes.
33-Thomas Clayton: Sustained torn ACL in exhibition opener and after clearing waivers is on injured reserve.
43-Bill Rentmeester: New addition; but he started second half at fullback as lead-blocker for Robinson . . . .Big block on LB Slade Norris to open hole for Robinson on third-and-1 conversion . . . Then, had crushing block on CB John Bowie for 8-yard gain.
44-Moran Norris: Started at fullback and played about a dozen snaps.
45-Zak Keasey: Broken right forearm, out 8-10 weeks; team waived him with an injury settlement,
47-Brit Miller: Entered with 4 minutes remaining in the third quarter . . . Had a very nice lead block to help spring Sheets on his TD run.
Wide receivers
9-Chris Francies: If he played, it was only on special teams.
10-Maurice Price: Saw action only on special teams.
15-Michael Crabtree: Did not play, contract impasse.
17-Dominique Zeigler: Started second half at split end . . . Did not catch any passes.
18-Micheal Spurlock: Entered as the slot receiver with the first-team offense . . . Started second half at flanker. . . . He misjudged kickoff about 5-yard deep in the end zone, letting it bounce in front of him. He covered it quickly for a touchback. . . . He did not catch a pass.
19-Mark
81-Brandon Jones: Did not play, fractured right shoulder (expected to be out through September).
82-Dobson Collins: Did not play on offense. He saw action as a gunner on punt coverage, and ran out of bounds illegally for a 5-yard penalty late in the game.
83-Arnaz
84-Josh Morgan: Started at split end . . . Targeted on five passes, but caught just one for 7 yards. He tried to snatch a high pass from Smith, but it went through his hands and was intercepted in the first quarter.
88-Isaac Bruce: Started at flanker and played first six snaps of the game. . . . Saw one pass come his way. He was open over the middle, but Smith's pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage. . . .
89-Jason Hill: Caught a 13-yard pass from
Tight ends
46-Delanie
48-Bear Pascoe: Entered late in third quarter and stuck with a nice block on DE Greyson Gunheim on a 22-yard gain by Robinson. . . . Did not have any passes thrown his way.
49-J.J. Finley: Played a lot in the second half. Really hung with his block on a defensive end on Sheets' TD run. . . . caught one pass for 8 yards.
85-Vernon
Offensive line
59-Cody Wallace: Started second half at center . . . Showed his athleticism to get downfield and into the second level on Robinson's runs. . . . moved to right guard at beginning of fourth quarter. . . . he played very well.
61-Joe
62-Chilo Rachal: Started at right guard . . . Allowed a QB pressure to Tommy Kelly, which forced Smith to escape pocket and throw it away. . . Was much better in run blocking than pass protection . . . pulled around to left side to open hole that Coffee used to pick up 4 yards on third-and-1.
64-David Baas: Did not play (foot strain).
65-Barry Sims: Started second half at left tackle. . . . Did his job, and did not make any glaring mistakes.
66-Eric Heitmann: Started at center . .. Did a nice job of picking up DE Trevor Scott on a stunt, allowing Smith to hit Coffee for 8 yards over the middle. . . . Rode DT William Joseph out of way to open hole for Coffee's 18-yard gain . . . Took out two guys to help Coffee gain 35 . . . Got pushed back by Kelly when Coffee was stopped for 3-yard loss near the goal line.
68-Adam Snyder: Started at right tackle . . . Showed athleticism, as he got out front to lead Coffee on 16-yard gain on sweep around right side. . . . Allowed DE Greg Ellis to take the long route around him to hit Smith as he was throwing for an incomplete pass. . . Got rolled up on by Coffee late in the second quarter. He left game with sprains to knee and ankle. It does not appear serious, as he was walking without a limp after the game.
69-Tony Wragge: Started at left guard . . . Pulled and got rid of Jon Alston to help open initial hole on Coffee's 35-yard run . . . yielded some penetration on a couple plays, but generally did a nice job.
71-Marvel Smith: Entered at right tackle late in first half when Snyder was injured . . . Had some nice blocks in the run game to open things up for Robinson.
74-Joe Staley: Started at left tackle and had a solid evening.
75-Alex Boone: Entered at right tackle at beginning of fourth quarter . . . Got to the outside to block CB Jerome Boyd on Sheets' TD run.
76-Kyle Howard: Started second half at left guard and played just one series before getting removed. . . . Re-entered at left guard at start of fourth quarter.
77-Jacob Bender: Entered at left tackle at beginning of fourth quarter. . . . Anticipated snap count and was called for false start, turning third-and-4 to a third-and-9 . . . good block on LB Sam Williams for 11-yard gain.
78-Matt Spanos: Started second half at right guard . . . He did a very nice job. . . . took Desmond Bryant down with a cut block on Robinson's 22-yard gain . . . . moved to center at start of the fourth quarter.
Defensive line
60-Khalif Mitchell: Entered at nose tackle in fourth quarter . . . Had one assisted tackle.
67-Pannel Egboh: Entered at right defensive end in fourth quarter. . . .tripped up scrambling Charlie Frye for 2-yard gain.
90-Isaac Sopoaga: Started at left defensive end . . . He continued to play into the fourth quarter, as he moved to nose tackle. . . It's very interesting that a starter played that long . . . . Managed one tackle.
91-Ray McDonald: Did not play (PUP list, knee).
92-Aubrayo
93-Demetric Evans: played a lot in the second half and recorded one tackle.
94-Justin Smith: Started at right defensive end . . . Stayed at home and was not fooled by reverse . . . Had one assisted tackle.
95-Ricky Jean-Francois: Saw action in the fourth quarter with linemates Mitchell and Egboh. . . . Had to contest with a lot of double-team blocks.
96-Kentwan Balmer: Saw action at nose tackle early in the second quarter . . . This was the best I've seen him play. He was getting upfield with the pass rush, and he looked stout against the run, too. . . . Did a great job, while working against RT Erik Pears of reaching out to swat the ball as Gradkowski was throwing, leading to McKillop's interception .
Linebacker
47-Diyral Briggs: Played left end in pass-rush situations, entering late in first half. . . . Bounced off an attempted block by a wideout to stop Bush for 2-yard gain . . . Showed quickness coming off both sides. . . He made three tackles on defense and added one on special teams.
50-Justin Roland: Played on punt-return team . . . Entered at inside linebacker in the third quarter . . . recorded two tackles on defense and one on special teams.
51-Takeo Spikes: Started at strong inside linebacker . . . Stopped McFadden for just 2-yard gains on back-to-back plays in the first quarter. . . Turned away Justin Fargas at the goal line on a second-down run.
52-Patrick Willis: Did not play (ankle/Achilles strain).
53-Jeff Ulbrich: Started at weak inside linebacker. . . .Was right there to help Spikes stuff up the inside run to Fargas in a goal-line situation in the first quarter.
54-Marques Harris: Entered at left outside linebacker late in first half. . . . He shook free to get some heat on QB Jeff Garcia on play that was intercepted. . . . Batted down QB Bruce Gradkowski's pass. . . . added a tackle on special teams.
55-Ahmad Brooks: Started at left outside linebacker. . . . Showed great agility to leap over attempted cut block from RT Cornell Green and put pressure on Russell on incomplete pass attempt at the goal line . . . . Did not record a tackle.
56-Scott McKillop: Entered late in the first half and made a stop of Michael Bush on a short pass for a 1-yard loss on his first play . . . Grabbed interception on pass tipped at the line of scrimmage. . . .Then, he forced a fumble on a late punt return to wrap up the game. . . . tied for team-high honors with four tackles.
57-Mark
58-Jay
98-Parys Haralson: Did not play (foot).
99-Manny Lawson: Started at right outside linebacker . . . He was first one to touch Russell when he tripped while dropping back to pass. Lawson was not credited officially with a sack, though . . . Blanket coverage of TE Zach Miller to hold him to a 3-yard gain inside the 10-yard line. . . . He picked up a couple tackles.
Defensive backs
20-Allen Rossum: Handled return duties, but also saw significant action in the defensive backfield. He entered in second quarter as an extra defensive back. . . . He was in the right spot to catch deflection off hands of Higgins.
22-Nate Clements: Started at left cornerback . . . Got beaten badly deep by John Lee Higgins, so he just grabbed him to prevent the TD. It was a 22-yard pass-interference penalty, instead . . . Did not drop deep enough, allowing Murphy to get behind him for a 24-yard TD on a third-and-21 situation. (Update: Mike Singletary confirmed it was Clements' responsibility to drop deeper on that play.)
23-Marcus
25-Tarell Brown: Did not play (toe sprain).
26-Mark Roman: Started at strong safety in place of Michael Lewis. . . . Nice play to break up pass to Louis Murphy in the end zone . . . Also added a tackle on special teams.
28-Curtis
30-Reggie Smith: Entered game at free safety late in first half. . . . was running with Myers down the field on play that went for 36-yard gain . . . Came up quickly to stop Todd Watkins for just 2-yard gain on completion. . . . was taking Frye down on safety blitz to force incomplete pass on two-point conversion late in game. . . . He recorded two tackles, and also recovered the fumble on a punt return late in the game.
31-Dre' Bly: Started at right cornerback . . . Pretty good coverage on a pass over the middle for Darrius Heyward-Bey . . . came up in run support to stop Fargas for a 2-yard gain. . . . left the game midway through second quarter when he got the wind knocked out of him while participating in a gang tackle.
32-Michael Lewis: Did not play (concussion).
33-Eric Green: Did not play (coaches decision)
35-Jahi Word-Daniels: Got his hand on a high pass from Charlie Frye, leading to Carlos Thomas' interception in the fourth quarter. . . . had good coverage from beginning to end on failed two-point conversion pass to WR Will Franklin.
36-Shawntae Spencer: Entered game early as a nickel back. . . .Took over at right cornerback . . . No action came his way.
38-Dashon Goldson: Started at free safety . . . upended TE Tony Stewart with a low hit after a 20-yard gain in the first quarter. . . . He came up to make four tackles.
40-Carlos Thomas: Played right cornerback in the fourth quarter . . . Got down the field quickly on kickoff coverage. . . . Recorded interception of a pass tipped by Word-Daniels. . . Looked to have good coverage during his time in the game.
41-Terrail Lambert: Entered at left cornerback late in the first half . . . Recorded one tackle.
Special teams
3-Alex Romero: Handled kickoff duties in the fourth quarter . . . He kicked a 28-yard FG early in fourth quarter that pulled 49ers even at 14-14.
4-Andy Lee: Averaged 50 yards on two punts with a very strong net 39.5.
6-Joe Nedney: Had a kickoff out of bounds. . . . hooked 51-yard attempt to the right . . . He made a 21-yard FG.
86-Brian
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Hey Matt, did you also notice the interesting little physical/tedious nuances Nate Davis did with the 2nd/3rd squads?
-At least 3-4 times during the game Nate was correcting his line/receivers into the right direction/formation. -He even called some audibles on the offensive line from what he saw out of the defense. (This was strongly shown during Nate's successful red-zone appearance/two-point conversion.)
I'm not riding that delusional pre-season 'one-game' emotion, but this guy has some potential!
Matt you echo my concerns also about Sope being in there so long? Any concerns for his conditioning or just Sing/Manusky pushing him hard?
Something seems very odd with that decision? And to have you report 1 official tackle against Raider Scrubs in garbage time? Go figure, that just doesn't sound like a guy being looked at as a legit contributor being out there so long in Pre Season does it? Could there be a Rookie pushing him off the A-List?
Hi Matt,
What is your opinion on how practicing with the Raiders during the week affected the over all quality play of the game?
What are your feelings how coaching is managing the quarterback rotation?
I do not feel either quarterback has been allowed to develop a real flow in either game and a proper evaluation can be made.
Thanks!
So, still no sacks, huh?
I think it was a bad call to take Alex out of the game during a drive he started. Anyone else on here think Nedney needs more work? He scares me he kicks the ball out of bounds alot on kickoffs.And forget about him kicking longer than a fifty yarder. Hey Matt why doesnt Nedney practice at Candlestick or does he? This team needs Crabtree are Wr's dont scare anyone I say pay him DHB money and get it over with. What did DHB do last night? Nada!!
With Crabtree out and zero pass rush from the 1st team, it's tough for Niners to justify not addressing their self-professed #1 priority entering the off-season. Add Brian Orakpo to the pass rushers that have looked great this offseason to the others already mentioned: Everette Brown (my guy), Conner Barwin, and Clint Sintim. Also, even though he just got to camp, Aaron Maybin had a great off season and will be a force off the edge.
Fortunately for the Niners, the Panthers pick may be better than ours. Jon Beason had a serious injury last night and their starting DT is already out for the season. But I'm tired of playing for next season. We need to win now!
Hi Matt, Your analysis makes our day. I was impressed by the running attack, everyone that lined up and carried the ball made positive yardage. I thought I was watching the Green Bay sweep of the 60's. They blew the Raiders away in time of possession. The defense is playing takeaways. I read that Jon Beason is out for 4-6 weeks.
I think at this point, the majority of fans are hoping that the starter for the season is named BEFORE the Cowboys game and that guy (Hill or Smith) will play the entire 1st half along with the rest of the 1st team. Next week is the all important 3rd game of the pre-season. The GPS game, if you will, for all NFL teams as they prepare for the season. Do you all agree that a starter needs to be named this week either way?
After the way Nate Davis played I would not recommend putting him on the practice squad. Next week against Dallas will go a long way to show where we are as a NFL competitor.
Matt,
Who has the final say in who stays or goes and who gets tried out at alternate positions? It would seem to me that position coaches would have a large influence in this regard, but does the GM direct any of this action? For example, when Wallace shifts from center to guard, is that McCloughan covering his ass on a draft decision, or is that the O Line coach seeing something that's worth investigating? I would imagine that Scot is in every coach's ear...
Question: The GPS game, if you will, for all NFL teams as they prepare for the season. Do you all agree that a starter (QB) needs to be named this week either way?
My response: I agree that it's time to settle on a QB to start building some continuity on that offense. I don't have any inside information on when the QB will be named, but it would not surprise me if that decision comes in the next day or two. --Matt M.
Question: Who has the final say in who stays or goes and who gets tried out at alternate positions? For example, when Wallace shifts from center to guard, is that McCloughan or is that the O Line coach seeing something that's worth investigating?
My response: Generally, it's the GM's job to acquire the players and the coaches' jobs to decide how to use them. With Wallace, it only makes sense after spending a fourth-round pick on him. Wallace is not going to replace Heitmann any time soon. Therefore, the only way he can even suit up for a game is to be a backup at center and both guard positions. --Matt M.
The rundown on Roman didn't include the fact that on the TD pass to Murphy he failed his assignment. Clements let Murphy go, assuming he had the safety covering deep. Roman, as always, looked lost out there, and slid over very late.
Comment: The rundown on Roman didn't include the fact that on the TD pass to Murphy he failed his assignment.
My response: I'm not sure about that. Roman very well might have been trying to cover for Clements' mistake by getting over there into the corner. Instead of a two-deep zone, I think they were playing quarters. I'll ask Singletary about that today. --Matt M.
Matt, Excellent breakdown of the game. I liked what I saw from Nate Davis. He certainly has some moxie. And I liked what I saw from the stable of RBs. Are you of the opinion that Rentmeester has a chance to somehow stick around?
Question: Hey Matt why doesnt Nedney practice at Candlestick or does he?
My response: Nedney and Andy Lee certainly do not go up to Candlestick in the preseason. In the past, the team's kickers and long-snapper have gone up to Candlestick to check things out on the Friday before home games. Honestly, I don't know if they still do that. --Matt M.
I have to say I was very disappointed in both QB's. Neither one of them looked like "starting QB" material although Alex had 2 balls that should have been caught one for an interception. I was expecting more from both of them in the 2nd Pre-season game. On the positive side the O-line looked stout! opening holes left & right for Coffee & M Rob. Defensively Balmer looked very good in run defense & pass rushing but again as a whole no sacks? I have to say at this point there's reason to be concern with 2 MAJOR aspects the 49ers face. The QB position & the frickin' pass rush or lack of. Not good in my opinion.
Hey Matt I agree with that, it looked like Clements stopped for a second thinking that Roman was supposed to be coming over which in a cover 2 the there is no man coverage its all zone and Roman failed in his coverage.
Yes I agree with both points and Matt's summary of Nate Davis' play. Sans the hyperbole ,I'd say the kid has a formidable learning curve to surmount but by all accounts seems up to the task. Mr Coffee is the real deal it would seem and that is a beautiful thing !I'm very happy to see Diyral play well -he was a player I included on my mock draft early on.If Connor Barwin is mentioned again I'm gonna snivel -should been our 2nd rounder as I've mentioned here numerous times! While I'm at it let's pick up Franz Joseph off waivers for god's sake -the kid is a steal in the waiting! Now gentlemen, we go to Dallas and things get more delineated -let's bring our 1946 throwbacks with the leather helmets and stomp some rump!
Q: Which of the 3 Niner QBs who played in the Raiders game looked the best?
A: Nate Davis, hands down, don't argue that and if you want to, shut up! Yes, he played against the scrubs of the Raiders, but they were blitzing the kid like crazy and he avoided most of it. He moves well, appears to throw well on the run, has a great arm and throws with touch. Maybe more than anything else, he looked the part; he had command presence that I haven't seen in a Niner QB for a long time. Hey, maybe we don't need a QB in next year's draft afterall. One game doesn't prove anything, of course, but I would like to see more of this kid, and I'm betting we all will.
Survey says: Hill starts the season. Alex, well I'm still pulling for him, but you know what? It's time to really think about moving on. Go Nate, go Nate, go Nate.
Matt,
Thanks for covering the Niners so well. You're the only writer who noted that Snyder's injuries may not be so bad as he was seen walking after the game without any apparent ill effects. The RT position will be huge for the team, and Snyder has been playing well. His loss would have been huge and yet none of the other writers or TV types seemed to be concerned about it.
NinerJeff
If you look at the play, it is at least obvious that Nate THOUGHT Roman was supposed to take the deep corner, because he points back at Roman before taking the short zone. Unknown whether Nate was right. I tend to give more benefit of the doubt to Clements than Roman.
On the face of it, Smith wasn't great. However, he did what I think he needs to do. He played smart. He got the ball out quickly. He got the ball out accurately for the most part. He sensed the rush and got rid of the ball rather than taking a sack. He didn't throw any interceptions. He managed the game, and dropsies are on the receivers, not him.
Hill, on the other hand, struggled mightily. His short throws were weak and descending when they reached their target, he didn't throw the long ones well, and the one to Morgan was in the hands of the DB before Morgan pulled it away.
The Dallas game will be interesting, to say the least. The good thing is we seem to have a solid running attack with which we can ease in whoever our starter is. We don't need great chemistry between the QB and receivers yet, if our running game dominates like that. But that will only go so far.
Hate to blow your comment! But even though Davis did do very well when he played, it was front yard football by that time! C'mon guy! Be astute in your comments! Don't give us a diatribe about the young rookie like he's playing with and against the first teams for God's sake!
We need to have a decision NOW on who the starter is to open the season! We have all been talking about what a great receiver corps we have, but because of the QB shuffle, it's hard to tell anything about the receivers right now! Decision on QB NOW!
Nice job. Thanks.
Comment: it looked like Clements stopped for a second thinking that Roman was supposed to be coming over which in a cover 2 the there is no man coverage its all zone and Roman failed in his coverage.
My response: If it was Cover 2, that's just a bad defensive call, expecting a safety to be able to cover half the end zone with a strong-armed QB like Russell. It was third-and-21, so there was no reason for the 49ers to fear the underneath pass. Either it was Clements' fault or it was Manusky's fault. --Matt M.
terry,
How can the 49ers make a decision on the starting QB when both Smith & Hill were unimpressive? To me they both need ALOT of work in the next game. If I were Sing I would have both QB's play the entire game against the Cowboys because clearly they need alot of playing time. Is it just me or should all 49ers fans be concerned about the QB play?
I don't believe you can ever tell much about a team in pre-season. What you can see is raw talent in rookies or in improving players. Coffee is a real find in the 3rd round.
In the radio pre-game show it was mention that Kentwan Balmer was moving out to play defensive end as the Niners had figured out he isn't suited for Defensive tackle or NG. Franklin has showed real improvement mainly because he is now playing a gap step where his quickness over strength is apparent.
No doubt we are an improving run team, but that has been a strength for the last two years. The real issue is pass protection. We won't know until the regular season.
I honestly can't judge where we are at. The game appeared to be an equal match-up between two lately losing teams. The Raiders looked better in passing and we looked great on running.
Unfortunately I still don't see a great pass rush talent on the field. Defensive scheme might solve it mechanically but we need talent unless Lawson improves along with Parys Haralson getting back.
Matt,
How long until Clements makes the Ronnie Lott moved to free safety because the coaching staff has to be getting tired of watching him get beat deep on a routine basis?
Scott McKillop has looked very good IMO these first two games, hes all over the place making plays. If he continues to play at the same level the next two games is there any reason he wont make the team?
Seems like you're giving Nate Davis short shrift. For as much of a project as people have made him seem, he made plays with his feet and the ball just looks different coming out of his hands. He throws a very, very pretty ball, and made some very nice throws after that first one, which I should remind you came after he handed off the ball like 10 times in a row.
Point well taken. But my premise is based on the idea that in our situation, either Hill or Smith will play better knowing he will be the man. The psyche of a QB is important. A rough example was talked about in this weeks preseason game the Patriots played. The announcers noticed clearly that Brady was not ready yet to throw the ball with his front leg(the one injured last year)extended completely causing him to throw the ball high over the top of wide open receivers. Brady's psyche isn't confident yet to do what he needs to do because he doesn't feel his leg is yet 100%.
When either Smith or Hill finally know he's the starter he can be more at ease studying, practicing and concentrating on each opponent 100%. Instead the first thing that comes to mind, despite what each say about their contest to start, and their friendship, is competition for the QB spot instead of where it belongs, getting ready for the opponent.
Neither looked ready for the game yesterday. Why is that? I say it's because neither know where they stand.
But again, point well taken guy.
I was pulling for Alex Smith because he is younger, has a better arm, and is more athletic than Hill, but the sad truth is that neither is the QB of the future. Football at the NFL level is "prove it or else". Both have had a great opportunity to be a starting NFL QB, and neither has shown the ability to TAKE the job and go. I say, start Hill, groom Nate Davis and see if he continues to show the talent and command he did last night, and DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO TRADE UP AND GET THE BEST QB IN NEXT YEAR'S DRAFT.
Nate looked really good. Sure he was playing with the 2nd and 3rd string, but he looked much better than them. The thing that stood out to me with Davis was he knew what to do with the ball. In the stands when Smith or Hill are playing i find myself yelling "Throw the ball away!" Davis looked down field, tried to extend the play, and if there was nothing there he just got rid of it. I hope he gets some good work in against Dallas and gets even more reps in the 4th game against San Diego. If he continues to perform like the way he did last night i dont think there is any way he wont make the roster.
Yo Terry, switch to decaf or learn to read. I acknowledged that Davis was playing against the Raider scrubs; I acknowledged that it was only one game; I predicted that Hill starts the season with Smith in the obvious back-up role. I don't think that there's any real question about who should start at QB this season for the Niners, it's Hill. Do I think that either Hill or Smith are the long term answer at that position? No, do you?!