Hill inching ahead of Smith
Oh, yeah, the 49ers' offense practiced today, too.
While all eyes - and ears - were concentrated on the successes of the 49ers' defense, the 49ers' offense was not having nearly as much success against the Raiders on the other field.
It was a pretty low-key morning session for the 49ers' offense. The run game looks pretty good - Glen Coffee had a nice day - but the passing game did not do much. Shaun Hill is showing signs of taking hold of the quarterback position. The offense just seems to move better with Hill at the controls.
In my opinion, Hill is starting to inch ahead in the quarterback competition. Perhaps, I'm even downplaying it. Hill might actually be taking a commanding lead based on how he seems more at ease in unfamiliar, unscripted activities - such as these practices against the Raiders.
The coaches will decide Thursday evening on the rotation and playing time for the 49ers' exhibition game Saturday against the Raiders. Alex Smith will probably get the starting call. But he might have to put together a very strong showing to remain in the race for the starting job.
Hill does a better job of getting rid of the ball quickly. Neither Hill nor Smith completed any passes of consequence down the field, but some of Smith's short tosses came after he would've already been sacked. The 49ers' practice consisted of a lot of short throws and passes that were thrown away to avoid sacks.
Coach Mike Singletary has not announced a starter for the regular season. That might not come for a while, either.
But as I've written before, even if Smith is not the starter when the season begins, the organization still expects him to get his chance at some point. Singletary is not averse to changing quarterbacks, as he showed in his first half-season as coach. So neither Hill nor Smith can afford to get too comfortable in whatever roles they open the season.
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Raiders second-year player Trevor Scott, a defensive end, had a pretty good practice against Joe Staley. On the other side, Adam Snyder looked to have a very good practice. As a whole, offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said he likes how the line is progressing.
"I think this morning they made a big step," Raye said. "I think under the conditions of them being up here for four practices against the Raiders, this is a different front for us because the guards are covered. In our training camp they've been uncovered because of the 3-4 scheme. I thought we created some movement. I thought it was excellent work for us and I think their progress has been really good."
Here are some other observations from Raye:
--I asked him if Smith is improving in the area of getting rid of the football (the 49ers have put a three-second clock on their
"Yes, he's getting better at it," Raye said. "That three-second clock was a little bit of a nuisance to them earlier, but I think they have adjusted to that and they understand that their body time clock has to speed up as well as their feet and we've emphasized and stressed the ball coming out and he as well as all the other guys have done pretty well with that."
--More about Coffee:
"He has really been exceptional for a rookie running back in terms of all of things that we've asked him to learn and the things that he does," Raye said. "I think that he's way ahead of the curve in terms of his pass protection. Its unusual for a college back because they are not asked to protect much from the I-back position. If he continues to develop the way that he has - he's a rugged player, he is mentally tough, he plays physical and rugged, and I think that he has a bright future."
--Michael Crabtree is nowhere to be found (there's still no progress on his contract). Brandon Jones is out through September with a broken shoulder. And third-year player Jason Hill has yet to assert himself.
Don't look now, but here comes Arnaz Battle.
"(He's) a steady, smart guy that can do a lot of things," Raye said of
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No question about it, I'm watching the 49ers' defense this afternoon. It should be fantastic theater after the morning session.
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Hill should be the starter! When Tom Brady stepped in for Drew Bledsoe. The Patroits stuck with Brady. That is what we need to do with Hill. He controls the offence in very effient way. Stop the debate and let Smith becoume the next Ryan Leaf, David Carr and Joey Harrington. I also want to see more from Delanie Walker he has been a better team player than Vernon.
Shaun should have been our starter back in 2007 instead of Trent Dilfer when Alex got injured.
Shaun Should have been our starter in 2008.
For Christ sakes, Shaun should be our starter in 2009.
The way our backfield is looking, and how crappy J-Mac is, the 49ers QBs are going to have TONS of opportunities to show some separation this Saturday.
-I want Alex to win, but I want the 49ers to win games, period.
And let the church say Amen...
Hi Matt,
If we rise a step above QB stats, ratings, individual plays, etc. and look at the overall offensive play, I get the sense that with Shaun Hill, the offensive machine chugs along more smoothly. There's a fluidity and a more orchestrated feel when Hill is in the huddle that's not quite there when Alex Smith is in the huddle.
Is that your perception too? Any insights on how you would compare the overall offensive renditions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Roy
I'm officially on the can't stand Crabtree wagon! To let this go this long with nothing coming out of his own mouth (not that I care anymore) show's this kid thinks more of himself than there is! He thinks he's still BIG MAN on campus!
I agree that a player has a right to get what he can, but this kid is showing he's way over his head by letting his agent put an ugly spin on the beginning of his career with this kind of holdout! Like I say, I have backed up Crabtree in my comments for his right to get paid what he thinks he's worth. But there's also a time when a mature guy signs for the best he can get, unless it's way out of line (which all reports say it isn't), and starts playing with a chip on his shoulder and proves to the front office he is worth the money he wanted! He can also shows his teamatess he cares about the team and them!
This kid hasn't even taken an NFL lick yet! And he's not only demanding from the 49ers, but from the NFL! But all he cares about is himself! And I'm getting sick of players that don't care about anybody but themselves (hello TO!) God! The NFL has enough of these kind of guys already!! If he ever gets on the field I hope he gets his a#% kicked!
Alex Smith may be able to run faster and throw farther, but Shaun Hill is the better football player. Hill's done nothing but succeed when given the opportunity. Coach should name him the starter. As the backup, Smith should take advantage of the opportunity to improve his technique, work on getting rid of the ball, and work to improve the "touch" on his passes.
Great last line on your post Snake. That's the way I feel & have been saying since OTA's "Let the best man win" That being said I still believe the 49ers will need BOTH QB's in order for the 49ers to be successful this year. So for you "fake" 49er fans (Jared Sports Guru?..not!) who want to continue to bash Alex you guys are LOSERS! . The only point you're making by posting that BS is you really don't care if the 49ers win then. Plain & Simple.
First an editorial comment on the P.D sports page and the paper in general. You have won me over from my SF Chron. past. I find your coverage more fun and insightful and the comments more readable. I enjoy following both teams and appreciate your balanced coverage. It has been awhile since I have been excited to see the season start for either of them. I suspect that the 49ers are closer to having an impact season. I will also be happy to see the Raiders pull off some surprises. I am tired of the national press trashing us.
Love it Love it Love it
Hey Matt I haven't heard much good news from joe staley almost all the attention has gone to Adam Snyder. Is staley pulling his own weight. You said the raiders were putting pressure on the QB which is a problem. We can't expect much from Hill or Smith if they're on there backs half the game. That's how Smith got took out 2yrs ago, no blocking! Can't blame the guy for still being gun shy if there hasn't been no real improvement in the O line.
I don't understand why people have forgotten about Battle in my opinion he's earned his place in the league as a #2-3 receiver. The guy has play making ability and heart. I hope he has a breakout season and can help get us to the next level.
just to let u know, hill is faster than smith. hill was a track star in h.s. and college. hill should start because he has pocket presence, command of the offense, and great field of vision. if anyone notice, hill runs the offense much smoother than smith. i don't know why this "QB battle" is going on. and why singletary is dragging it on. he's pretty lame if he doesn't see hill is so far ahead of smith.
The ONLY advantage Smith has on Hill is arm strength = throwing the int/deep ball with more pop & accuracy. THAT'S IT.
Hill destroys Smith in all other categories. What clearly distinguishes Hill & why he should be named the starter is because he moves the team more consistently & smoothly down the field, he's instinctive & flows with the game & is ready to adlib if something unexpected or a problem arises. He's in COMMAND & he has FIRE. The guys a flat out football player. He's a gamer. He also is way ahead on his pre-snap reads & throwing to his hot route. I don't think I've EVER seen Smith audible & throw to a hot receiver. Hill has quite a few times esp last year (though they weren't audibles with Martz).
Smith's finally healthy & just getting back into the game again. But even putting that aside of getting caught back up with the game again he's such a slow learner of the Pro Style game. Reading defenses, going through the progressions, getting the ball out quickly, & ALSO JUST LETTING IT GO & PLAYING FOOTBALL WITHOUT OVERANALYZING WHAT HE'S DOING. I think Smith can get there but he's the type who's still raw & needs week to week, game to game steady development. Thing is we don't have that kind of time right now & at the end of the year he might have to do that on another team since he's had his opportunity here as FUBAR'D as his development here was carried out. I see him as a Rookie all over again because Nowin & his Staff were ABSOLUTELY CLUELESS in developing him. It's unbelievable that not until now has he ever been taught QB fundamentals. Bottom line...Hill should start. I do think Huard looked better than Smith but Smith will probably get the backup job to have him next in line to continue getting opportunities to try & shine/succeed, continue his development, & the higher ups still hoping that their investment will start to breakthrough.
I did not know Hill was a track star. It actually suprises me a bit since his footwork at QB is HORRENDOUS! You can't argue with his results though. For some reason I always think of the line from the Dirty Dozen when Donald Sutherland is posing as a General reviewing some troops and he says, "they're pretty, but can they fight." Smith is pretty but he can't fight. Hill is ugly, unshaven, no bath in weeks, but.... he can fight.
Hill, Huard, Smith; that is the way I see them ranked. I hope Singletary names the season starter after the next game, so the offense can start to connect better.
The best thing about S.Hill is that he's "100% steroid free."
Niner front office -- get on the phone with Denver to see what kind of contract they would offer Cashtree, then make that offer to him. If he agrees and signs, then turn around and trade him and A. Smith to Denver for Brandon Marshall. Niner QB's - Hill, Huard, Davis. Niner WR's - Marshall, Morgan, Bruce, Battle, Jones. Looks good to me!
"Inches ahead" LOL !!!
Hill has been light years ahead of Smith from the beginning and I think any unbiased observer will admit that.
The real battle is between Smith and Huard. Huard showed he is superior to Smith and Smith SHOULD need to vastly improve to challenge Huard for the backup role. But we all know that (although I love Jed and McGloughan and think they are doing GREAT) ,they really want that #1 overall pick and all those millions of dollars to not have been totally wasted,so Smith has been given a huge head start over Huard to be handed the backup job,deserved or not.
Hopefully smith will get much better (although there are not yet many signs that it is actually happeneing,yet),and he will improve enough to stay around as a long term backup to Hill/Davis. Huard is MUCH better now but won't be around for long,while Smith is much younger and could possibly remain for a long time ,if he ever earns it..
We don't need many years of mediocrity. Hill has so much more poise and confidence and moves naturally. He looks like a MAN playing quarterback. Alex is still uncertain and way too slow in his decision making. He looks like a BIG KID trying to learn something that is just out of his realm of understanding. I really like the kid and he has great physical talent. It just isn't there between the ears. Big difference between books and football. Huard should be #2. Trade Alex for whatever we can get for him.
Santa Rosa: ( I was born there ! Great little City !)... Crabtree will be a huge part of the Niners and should be one of the main play makers for the next decade. Stop looking at the short term and look at the big picture. YOU will be cheering him before too long and you won't even think about the fact that his agent gave him poor advice and he was a hold out.
Besides,the trade deadline for draft picks is passed.(not that the Niners were silly enough to ever consider trading the #1 talent in the entire draft ,after they were so lucky to get Crabs,because Al Davis is senile.
Terry: I think the fact that Crabs has NOT spoken at all and stayed totally out of the media ,shows class,not a big head. His Cousin showed no class but his agent came right out and denied what the Cousin said,so no harm done,except in the shameless media and in the minds of those who listen to the hysteria of the media about most issues.
Crabs will eventually sign and hopefully all his TD catches will make his holdout a distant memory.
He may need to fire his agent in a week or two IF his agent doesn't come to his senses. Remember that his agent is depending on telling all prospective clients in next years draft that he performed a miracle for Crabtree. Right now the agent looks like a loser. The Niners would be wise to come up with something in the contract that would let Parker save face,so he can CLAIM he got a great deal for his client.
Whatever happens ,in the long run Crabs will be a great addition to the team and we all will probably be very happy to have him,even those who are disgusted with his agent,like you (and me).
This is my first post. Love this blog and the 9ers.
Hill/Smith: Alex had his shot; if he was a super star he would‘ve bounced back from surgery and played a game that came natural to him. Ever since he was drafted he always seemed uneasy at the pocket at the NFL level. It was not really his fault and the 9ers got the raw end of the deal. Let’s be honest Smith is NOT a #1 pick. The 9ers were just felt they had to pull the trigger. Smart kid, good size and arm. But young and from a gimmick offense. He needed to be groomed on the bench like Romo. I can’t wait around with folded arms waiting for him to develop as the rest of the NFL grows. Hill can manage the team and make most of the throws. Figure out what gaps you have at the end of the season. There are three QBs coming out next year. I’m more interested in the prospect of Davis then Smith. I want to see reps from that kid. Sing should stick to his word about naming a starter after game three. Hill can get more reps in practice... not a problem.
Anyway, Hill should start, and pending any disaster he should not be replaced until the bye week. Those first 5 games are going to be tough and will challenge Hill and the 9ers. We’ll see where this team is after the bye week. Very exciting stuff. An 8-8 season will be a success with our weak pass rush/DL, subpar OL and QB situation. GO 9ers!