Yet to play a decent pass attack. Hopefully Romo & co. will play a half and give us a better glimpse.
Overall very pleased with the fat boys and our downhill runners.

It really stood out how well the younger guys played, especially Nate Davis. (granted they were playing a bad Raiders 3rd string D) Glen Coffee pretty much ran over the Raiders all day, and McKillop did a decent job as well (too bad that touchdown run was called back after the fumble/forward pass).

One thing I did notice was that the pass-rush is still not getting it done. Is that more due to our lack of blitzes being run (to avoid exposing our packages to opponents), or personnel? Any likelihood of making a move for an elite pass-rusher such as Peppers?

Hey matt,
If Crabtree does hold out until next year, do you know what the rules are about him working out and when we have his rights till? I believe I remember seeing something on one of your blogs/articles about having his rights up to a week before the draft, but there seems to be a lot of confusion on the exact details. Some say right up to the draft, some say he can work out for whoever after the nfl year is up.

Now would be a good time for Crabtree to bite the bullet and sign his contract for God's sake. If he can't play in the Dallas game, he can at least rock a windbreaker on the sideline with all the cameras on him.

Any news on Baas, Willis, Haralson, Brown, et al? Rash of foot injuries...

I said this beneath your last post as well but characterizing Davis' play as "not bad" is not giving him enough credit. Other than his first pass (which came after like 10 consecutive handoffs), he was on the money, made plays with his feet, and the ball just looks different coming off his hands. He's got a hell of an arm. He reminds me of Jeff Garcia with a cannon.

Vernon davis and nate clements had bad games. vernon im getting really tired of his drop passes. Alex hit and tackle was awesome! putting him as starter is the best choice for our teams future. Hill looked like crap last night.

Honestly has the QB play been anything but barely average at best in the first two games? Neither has stood out who played with the first unit against their first unit.

I fully understand it is preseason, but talent must show through at QB. It hasn't from my viewpoint.

I think as we get through this season we will see that Hill or Smith will take us only so far and that the Nate Davis doubters will come to realize as we here in Indiana already knew that this kid has "It". Pocket presence/Arm Strength/Leadership/Accuracy and the ability to improvise when a play breaks down. Those of you who think that he won't be ready for years as a project I believed to be wrong. So far I have not seen anything to change my mind. I think this kid has a good chance to win the job next year. Coach Singletary I believe will study the tape and make a decision before the Dallas game and it will probably come down to who is more of an unknown persona. That would be Hill. As for Mr. Crabs who cares? His season is at least half over do to his absence from camp. Any help he now can provide would be limited at best. Pass rush inability hopefully is in part do to Manusky not wanting to show a lot. Snyders' injury and that of any of our starting OL is critical due to their ability to play together thus gaining strength and cohesion as a unit. Dallas must be punished and exposed for the weak pretenders that they are.

If I recall correctly, Matt mentioned that the Niners have the rights to Crabtree right up to the draft, so he can't talk to, much less work out for, other teams. Thus, it's not really in his favor to hold out, but if he wants to, who can stop him?

OK MM! Tell Virus he's the second coming of Montana! Tell him he should be the starter right now! Tell him he was playing against the Raiders first team that was brought in just to stop Davis! Tell him the game was turned into a regular season game when Davis entered!
There Virus! Just pretend that was MM! And Davis is
#12!

Both QB's looked they have no idea. Hill looked like he was playing backyard football. Smith still has problems with touch passes. Even though a couple of his passes went off finger tips, he throws a line drive that is sometimes too hot to handle. True, the receivers should make the play, but you've got to have touch with the ball. I also think that's why his passes are tipped often.
Vernon Davis still makes me go crazy! He sure doesn't have soft hands. As a matter of fact, he looks like he has bricks for hands. He's frustrating to watch receiving, sometimes.
Send him to Jerry Rice or Brent Jones for a couple of days!

We undervalued a pass rusher. Should have paid 10th pick money on a pass rusher (Orakpo), even if he can't yet play all three downs. We just don't have the personnel to rush. There's only so much coaching can do.

I agree with Razoreater in his assessment of N.Davis. When the Niners drafted him i felt at the time that in a few years he would prove to be the steal of the 2009 draft. Davis put a college team known only as Dave Letterman' alma mater on the national map. His poor post season play may have scared off many teams but in time we will reap the benefits. The Smith/Hill debate will fade into a Golden Gate sunset when Davis becomes more familiar with the offensive scheme. Mr. Davis may take a little longer than others to learn the system, but when he does we may have our franchise Q.B. We've waited this long for Smith, i'm willing to wait a while longer on Davis.

Here we go again. Mr Singletary inherited some bad habits from Coach Nolan and is on a path to be terminated in next2 or 3 years. It was very obvious for last three years that QB Hill is faster, instinctive and most capable QB when it comes to real regular season game and he proved it again and again. Now like Mr Nolan, Singletary destroying Hill's confidence level and may end up with 7 or 8 wins this year with no play off spot. SInce the hiring of QB Smith, I have been telling people that he is a max. 14 point QB and well suited second stringer. Pull his stats even when he was healthy and you will know how truthful I am. I am sick and tired of seeing the destruction of 49ers after Eddie D is gone and sick to my stomach seeing 49ers losing every year with no play offs.

Here we go again. Mr Singletary inherited some bad habits from Coach Nolan and is on a path to be terminated in next2 or 3 years. It was very obvious for last three years that QB Hill is faster, instinctive and most capable QB when it comes to real regular season game and he proved it again and again. Now like Mr Nolan, Singletary destroying Hill's confidence level and may end up with 7 or 8 wins this year with no play off spot. SInce the hiring of QB Smith, I have been telling people that he is a max. 14 point QB and well suited second stringer. Pull his stats even when he was healthy and you will know how truthful I am. I am sick and tired of seeing the destruction of 49ers after Eddie D is gone and sick to my stomach seeing 49ers losing every year with no play offs.

Hey Matt, any chance Reggie Smith replaces Michael Lewis at safety?

huh??

this is a joke. when will one reporter get the courage to confront singletary on his inability to name a starting qb? we all know what we have with smith and hill. nothing has changed. is he expecting hill to throw for 100 yards in one quarter. is he expecting smith to hit him with a bolt of lightning? can someone ask him to be specific! what in the heck is he looking for? give hill the starting nod and go from there. is this part of singletary's vision? 3 weeks away from the start of his FIRST full season and no starting quaterback? this reminds me of the honeymoon that the "bay area" reporters gave nolan. good talker! has a vision! players love him! improvement from the last coach! he knows what he's doing! does he? someone ask! please!

At this point, I say have the QBs start pitching bricks at receivers during practice and fine them for any attempts to avoid catching said bricks. That way, they have an incentive to acquire soft hands real fast.

Last year had a lot of frustrating drops, and I don't want to see the trend being carried on this year. Hill's sometimes inconsistent, but if he can get a handle on his performance, he's pretty good, while Smith hasn't quite arrived yet, although whether it's because he's caught in traffic or because he missed his ride is something only time will tell.

I heard a week before the draft, but either way, the longer he holds out, the more leverage the niners have. He needs to sign ASAP, he's only hurting himself by holding out longer, especially if he can't work out before the draft next year, he'd drop out of the 1st if that happened and lets see how much money he makes then.

It's true that Clements looked like crap on a couple of plays, but on the TD, Russell could have autographed the ball before he found his receiver alone in the endzone. We had them in a terrible position after a couple of penalties and we played a soft defense when we should be pressuring the QB to make him throw quickly. WEhere is thyis aggressiveness and toughness we keep hearing about?

Both Hill and Smith looked horrible last game. But just give the starting job to Hill. Smith had his 4 years to prove anything and disappointed. Nate Davis looks really good for the future!

I have been watching and cheering the 9ers since my first game in 1956 between the Bears and the 9ers in SF. And I will continue to be one of their fans. But I want to be entertained. I want my football team to be entertaining , I want them to be interesting, I want them to be exciting. This present team is non of those things and I am heart broken. The great teams of the modern era, the 49ers of the 80s/90's, the Colts, the Steelers, the Patriots not only won multiple Super Bowls but they were exciting to watch. Thats what we, the fans of the 49ers must demand out of ownership. Nothing else will do.
I do not want to offend any of you on this board by my comments about this team ,but it is because I feel this deep frustration.

this game really solidify my belief that the defense will have a hard time this season. top 5, are you kidding me?
without a decent pass rush, the secondary will get burned again and again. it might be Clements one game, Roman another, getting burned in intermediate and large passes. it has been like this for 3 or 4 years.
The offense will probably do much better than anticipated. Running will make the QB position not as critical as other teams, but points will be hard to come by.

I really still am not overly concerned due to the fact its pretseason. do you want guys to look sharper, of course but im not flushin the season down the tubes in the preseason.

Still feel Hill was a bit more efficent at QB and has the "it" factor that will shine thru in the Reg season. Hill was in for 2 drives both drives he had the team mving. the second one got inside the 5. my concern is Sing is really screwing us with this Crap right now. Myabe the reason the Qbs dont look as sharp is cuz there is no consistency and ppl dont know where they stand. you have to just name a stater at this point and get on with this!!! I feel like we have had "competetion" at the QB spot for the last 4-5 years... how as that gone?

I really liked Smith. I thought he was doing a great job. He had a presence on the field. He took command. Of course I am talking about REGGIE, not Alex.

Uh, Hello -we've played two preseason games here gents and already the mob is gathering around the castle with lit fires demanding the head of the monster and it's creator ?! The starter will more than likely be indicated by the end of this game as MM predicted earlier on this blog-that should mitigate some of the uneasiness! As far as pass rush goes -yes it is a concern and yes I wish we would have addressed it the draft, however how much have we seen Haralson on the field ,and further how many of us believe we have seen the full arsenal of stunts etc which will be displayed in the regular season to address this our needs there.The first games have largely been evaluation tools-and there are several new players who are standing out-for this we should be grateful and faithful!We won these first games now let's see what happens as we play the next two games against better teams and our starters are more a factor and we actually begin game planning-in the mean time can you put out the torches (unless you are going to a luau )your making the neighbors nervous!

I just watched the replay on NFL network. I thought the dropped passes made it tough to get a good read on Smith. Who knows how far the first drive might have gone if VD catches the bullet on third down? If your name is Isaac Bruce, you need to catch anything that touches you hands, tipped ball or no. Considering Morgan's great play on the bad ball from Hill, I guess he only catches the tough ones. I liked the fire Alex showed in the blow-up of Greg Ellis, but that's what left shoulders or cut blocks are for. It was fun to watch, but not very smart. I don't think Hill showed very much, but I don't think he had much opportunity. It is pretty weak to give him credit for Coffee's running, and twenty yards of passing and a sack don't instill a lot of hope. At least the line showed that we can run with eight in the box.

I loved TKO's in-game interview comments about Willis. There is a lot of mutual respect and admiration in the center of the defense. Quick question, Matt: are 49ers chewing tobacco on the sideline? I saw TKO with a big lump in his cheek during the interview, and Coach Singletary and Nate Clements were on the screen a few minutes later with similar looking lumps. What's that about?

I noticed that too-would be very surprised to find Coach Singletary chewed tobacco-maybe it was blue green algae -he is a health enthusiast after all!ARGH!!!

Hey Matt...tell Singltary we want Nate Davis to get a shot!!! At least let him open the pre-season game at Dallas. That could be the start of something great! Can you imagin if he shows the same poise in the Dallas game, that he did in the Raider game. And with that running game....what a great opertunity for a rookie QB. I'd live with some mistakes with a rookie, for a chance to have a "franchise" QB in the future.

Jesus H. Christ people. Why the F does it matter WHEN the starting QB is announced? I don't care if they announce it tomorrow, last month or 10 minutes before kickoff week 1. You guys shouldn't care either. Is the team going to play any better if they announce it today? You think the players will be like "Whew, I'm SO relieved that Coach Sing finally announced the starter, now we can go out there and actually play hard, since all this time we've only been going at 50% since we were so lost and confused without an offical starter named at the QB position. Call up Crabtree and tell him he can sign now! Tell our defense they can start sacking the QB now! The starter was named, all is right with the world!!!" Come on guys, gimme a break.

I usually try not to pick sides during the QB debates (although it seems I'm always defending Smith against the clueless fools who haven't played a game of football in their life) but Shaun Hill desparately needs some polish. His flawed mechanics and almost reckless style of play will catch up with him at some point. Like someone else said, he looks like he's playing backyard football out there, and not in a good way. You can talk about "his" 7-3 record all you want (I thought it was a team game?) and this imaginary attribute called the "it" factor that he supposedly has, but I'm very worried about how the team will perform with him starting this year. He makes good plays every once in a while, but his play is a little too shaky and awkward out there on the field. When he's good he is good, but when he's bad he is REAL bad. At some point I think people won't be so high on him and all this pro-Hill talk will vanish. I hope I'm wrong, but I guess only time will tell.

Haven't seen the game...but, based on what the Matt's described, I can see why Singletary's struggling to pick the starter. When your #4 QB looks the best, it kind of screws with your brain. I'll be surprised if Hill's not the starter...he's showed he can win games in recent history.

On the bright side, the OL really asserted itself...not just 1st stringers, either. Gore and Coffee look like quite a tandem...at least so far. All the more reason the QB's should have an easier time throwing the ball. Shaun...Alex...time to step up, guys.

Also, I think you guys need to curb your enthusiasm on Nate Davis just a little. It's cool to get excited about him, but remember years ago when we drafted a guy named Giovanni Carmazzi? The stuff I'm hearing about Davis closely echoes the Carmazzi talk. Oh, and Jim Druckenmiller was going to be the next Montana, right? Just because we draft a young player at a skill position with potential and promise doesn't mean he will be a Hall of Famer. I can see it now, wait until Davis gets a chance one year and has a couple poor games, and all you guys will say he sucks and should be released. That seems to be how it usually goes around here.

We need to name a starter now, and right now. The more time we waste, the less continuous chemistry this team can form going into the first week of the season. -It's becoming pretty clear that practice means nothing to what this team actually does on the live playing field.

-Saying Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are different is an understatement! These wide-receivers are having to adjust to the 2 different arm velocities/pocket personalities! -So it's really no wonder our passing game has not picked up within the past 2 games!

We're not at that point within our new offensive system where you can just plug anybody in and expect results, we need to just pen Shaun Hill in now and worry about easing Smith later.

You make a good point, and that point actually makes sense in this topic. I like the fact that there are so many debates going on right now, whether it's the offensive playcalling, Crabtree's contract, Smith versus Hill, or TOP_CAT's IQ versus a piece of balsa wood. Either way I understand what you're saying, although I think your overemphasizing the impact it would have on the offense. Don't get me wrong, you might be onto something, although it really doesn't matter who is throwing the ball if our guys can't catch it. These guys are pros and it shouldn't matter if it's Dan Marino or Steve Erkel throwing the passes, the drops are inexcusable.

After watching the game again, I believe that the QB play was better than I first thought Smith had two balls that could have been caught go off receivers hands. However, both passes were high to wide open receivers. He can't continue making easy throws into tough catches. He had one tipped. He made a real nice throw to Davis on a hot-read.His passes had a lot of zip. Hill's first throw was a long pass. The receiver was covered and he threw it away. Another long pass was about 6 inches too long. Morgan made a terrific catch on a ball that looked to be knocked down. But the pass was very accurate allowing Morgan to control the ball. Six inches toward the middle and it's probably intercepted. He also had a ball tipped.Davis really impressed me for a first game as a Rookie. He had tremendous poise and seemed to command the huddle. His first completion where Finley made a great catch while tightly covered, was in the only spot were a catch could be made and with great touch. He also showed great arm strength. His future is bright.

Hahahahahaah now that's a funny point, Too Sweet, imagine if Steve Erkel WAS our QB, cause Sing already reminds me of Carl Winslow hahaahaha!

*Steve Urkel throws an interception*
Sing: GO HOME STEVE! *points to the locker room*

LOL, and I don't even wanna get into the scenario of Urkel helping Sing fix his roof, cause we've all seen that episode!!!

smith vs hill... tendency is to include the whole body of smith's work....inappropriately.....why well, u know all the reasons excuses, whatever, starting with a dismantled team to begin smith's career.

smith has not played for 1.8 years out with a broken shoulder so therefore has not had 4 years....hill has actually had the benefit of the end of two seasons by which the team had jelled best for that particular season and against less than par teams.

if hill is such a known commodity then obviously it is clear he is not in the hearts and minds of the coaching staff or he would be the chosen one already. Clearly hill has not separated himself from smith.

So what if hill has a 7-3 record. smith's most recent record is 7-5 and a couple of wins against playoff teams at the beginning of a season. Hill not so much against playoff teams and essentially garbage time of the season playing for that so elusive thing called pride.

this could go on and on and on.....point is this competition is really not so encouraging or enlightening in creating separation.

changing smith for hill to begin the second quarter of the raider's game demonstrated little clarity on singletary's part. should have left smith in to determine if he was gaining ground on that IT factor of guiding the team down the field. It appeared to me it was beginning to come out. Sure coffee got the yards to end the first quarter and got the yards to begin the second quarter. This run-run-run sequence took the QB competition off the table at that moment. Then Hill comes in... hands the ball to coffee and then throws a purpose pass semi-deep to keep the appearance of a down field threat. His other passes are reminiscent of smith's...i would just have liked to seen smith finish that drive.

If singletary knows what he has with hill and still suggests the competition is ongoing then start smith in the dallas game and see if he starts fast and let's just see if smith can start slinging.

Also those scampers to the right smith does under pressure or by design are not very well scripted. He needs to study film to understand what the connection of the pressure he feels with the reality of the postionings on the field.

oh smith has a sprained thumb and is day to day.....

nevermind....hill is the starter

In 2 preseason games, Hill led the offense to 6 points. Smith led the offense to 6 points. Huard led the offense to 8 points. Davis led the offense to 18 points. So Davis is the best QB on the team.

Statistics can fool you.

.."Alex Smith decleats Greg Ellis with a block on a reverse to Battle" - Classic

....Cmon guys isn't this obviouis A.Smith is our best chance of winning....

S.Hill - "He his no mystery" - The guy is what he his - An average QB....

Did anybody see the 4th and 2 play by Hill - If that is what we expect from our starting QB, then we don't even deserve to be in the NFL....

..bottomline A.Smith played way better than hill.....the tackle after the interception is something Hill could never do...

...I am very impressed by the play calling by Raye.....it feels really good to have an OC that understand you keep calling a play until the defense stops it...

The counter was working all night...the o-line was dominating like it was 1994...

...I dont recall ever seeing the o-line play this well in YEARS...

...Coffee is a big time player...MROB is finally getting it.....sheetz is cool...

...Huard should be released immediately..

N.Davis - hmmm - this guy should be our #2 QB (A.Smith better watch out, am bout to jump on his wagon)

A.Smith - SHOULD BE THE STARTER.

S.Hill - 3rd Backup or PRACTICE SQUAD (if he pays the team) -

the fullback - Miller (47) should be on the roster

defense - was ok....we were playing against 2 rookies WR

LB McKillop and SS Smith are both niners for life,

...Coach should wait till after the cowboys game to choose the starting QB...

Hill is going to be horrible next game....I just know those Cowgrlz would destroy him.....no confidence in Hill at all...

Hi Matt, I'm hoping one of the QB's steps up and produces but I am finally coming to the opinion they are not the long term answer, I hope I'm wrong. Watching Nate Davis set up and play fast showed me alot. Even though he's a rook and has miles to go it showed me we need someone with fast reaction time. Hill seems lumbering and how much longer do we wait on Alex? Give this kid a shot, keep him on the 53 man squad and if he doesn't work out we always have next years draft to start another PLAN.

MM - Has anyone asked Andy Lee about kicking in the new Dallas stadium this weekend? (I never thought I would ask for a punters quotes) With his pro bowl right leg I'm certain he will kick that huge TV screen a few times on Saturday and keep this controversy front and center for Jerry Jones and the NFL.

Alex Smith looked the best I have ever seen him. He looked the best he's been since he left college. His stat line was destroyed by dropped passes. He dropped back, made his reads and delivered the ball quickly and on target. Had his receivers picked him up and caught his throws, he likely would have had more opportunities to show what he can do. Hill looked oddly and awkwardly JTO-esque against the terrible Raiders. If Smith's performance against the Raiders is a demonstration of who is is right now (and going forward), then I would say the light has turned on in his head and he is now the QB we have all been waiting for. I live in Florida now, so I did not get to watch the game on Saturday, rather I watched it at 10:00PM Sunday night on NFL Network. Go back and watch the game again ... Alex Smith looked like an NFL quarterback. Hill did not. With what is starting to look like a legitimate and dangerous one-two punch in Gore and Coffee, teams will not be able to attack the quarterback too aggressively. Whoever is playing quarterback will have opportunities. Both QBs looked ordinary against the Broncos. My untrained eye noted a clear and significant difference between Hill and Smith (in Smith's favor) against the Raiders.

Can we please temper our expectations for the o-line? We've played the Raiders and Broncos, two of the worst rush defenses in the league last year.

Everyone can get back to me after the Cowboys next week...

I'm just tired of OneNiner posting 3 or 4 consecutive posts, when he could have put all that into one post. It's not like we get post-counts here, so I'm not sure why he's doing it.

Isaac Sopoaga has been invisible on the field, even when the starters were out Sopoaga has not done anything. He is constantly being pushed back off the line and has not made many if any tackles. Is he in danger of losing his starting job?

i too am concerned about the right side of the OL.....a lot of leaking over there...and smith tends to scamper that way

can't say much about the defense yet since a main player is missing and supposedly schemes are not being played but i would expect the DT to be able to hold the line ....although i have heard that this particular philosophy is changing on the 9rs to be a position of penetration.

Thank you. It's refreshing to find someone else who gets it. Your post is 100% accurate.

I can't wait for TOP_CAT and Ender to clock out from their jobs at McDonald's, ride their bikes home to mommy's, and log onto this site and read what you've posted. I'm assuming they will suffer aneurysms from the outrage that will consume them. If not, expect some type of failed retort and a few helpings of Nate Davis man-love.

Someone please remind me why the 49ers never seriously tried to acquire Jay Cutler? The difference between Cutler and either Hill or Smith is greater than the difference between Hill and my local high school QB.

If they had Cutler and made a move for Julius Peppers (or maybe even drafted Orakpo), they'd be serious superbowl contenders.

Because the price for Cutler was too high. We're better off keeping our picks and sticking with what we have. Smith is young, still has huge upside and is making great progress. I think he's turning the corner. Hill is decent enough, Huard is dependable, and Davis is a nice project. If all four of our quarterbacks manage to stumble (which will never happen) then maybe that's when we need to think about trading tons of high picks for an overrated QB. Cutler is good and young, but let's not get carried away. He's no Peyton Manning. He's not even Carson Palmer.

Despite what you might think, the quarterback situation is not a problem right now. The biggest need we have (it seems pretty glaring, doesn't it?) is a pass rush. The addition of Peppers would have been nice, I'll give you that. I think at some point, however, it will become apparent that we desparately need an upgrade at defensive tackle. That is the biggest worry we have in my eyes.

I don't think either of those guys wanted to go to SF. And they're price tag was too high. I think Cutler cost the Bears like 3 draft picks or something like that.

I agree we need a dominant NT too. But I think you seriously under-rate Cutler. Mark my words, he'll be one of the top 5 qbs in the NFL for the next several years, and he'll make a mediocre receiving corps look good. He's got a very quick release -- total opposite of Alex Smith. There isn't enough time in the NFL for Alex's slow thought process and release. Hill is physically untalented and the rookie is raw.

If we had Cutler now, we'd be a playoff tier team now and getting better. With these qbs, who knows where we are. The time for a QB was before this season, and it was extremely fortunate one as good as Cutler became available. Apparently, Chicago has a better GM than we do.

Valid points. You may very well be right about Cutler. I just haven't seen enough from him yet that makes me think the Broncos deserved to get compensated as well as they did in that trade. I've been following Cutler since his days at Vanderbilt, and while there's no doubt he is a good player, I'm not ready to call him a superstar. I could be wrong. Only time will tell.

I guess I'm just more patient than others. Yes, I understand the team has not been competitive in many years. But we might as well give our guys a shot before deeming them unworthy of quarterbacking this team. Hill hasn't played a full season yet, and Smith finally has the pieces in place to give him a decent oppurtunity. Give our guys a chance to play together and get comfortable with an offensive system and you'll be pleasently surprised. Contunuity is tremendously overrated. I think we are fine with what we have, and I just wouldn't be able to justify trading away all those picks like the Bears did. If Hill and Smith both play horrible this year (which I'm willing to bet they won't) then I'll admit I was wrong and we can search for a better QB next year.

Ahh, misspelled words, and wrong words at that. My typing skills leave a lot to be desired. Scratch the "you'll be pleasently surprised. Contunuity is tremendously overrated."

I meant to say "pleasantly surprised. Continuity is UNDERrated." My apologies.

Just saw the game. A few quick hits.

Obviously Coffee looks like the real deal. He FITS our scheme & philosophy well. He's biggest strength is TOUGHNESS & exemplifies how Sing wants his players. I love this kids mentality, composure, maturity so early on, & that quiet swagger. Still early yet though but I like what I'm seeing. I say that because the Raiders are the WORST DEFENSE IN THE LEAGUE VS THE RUN. But there's no denying Coffee has zero hesitation hitting the hole & HARD. Something that in 2 years it took Clayton to learn & Sing was still getting on him to not dance too much this past camp. (Hope he has a fast & successful surgery/recovery.) Great job by the OL but again it's not an accurate gauge vs the lowly Raiders run D. Next week will be a better test.

I can't stress how MUCH BETTER we would be if we had a LEGIT STUD MAN MOUNTAIN NT. Watching GB & their new Dom Capers 3-4 they used 3 in the game & 2 at the same time in some series. They had NT's..Johnny Jolly / #97 / 6-3, 325 lbs, Cody Pickett / #79 / 6-2, 340 lbs, & BJ Raji / #90 / 6-2, 337 lbs. They were ABSOLUTELY CRUSHING & DESTROYING THE POCKET & WERE STOUT VS THE RUN. WE HAVE NO ONE IN THE MIDDLE THAT COMPARES TO THAT & DOMINATES THAT POSITION. In a 3-4 you have to have BIG STOUT & ATHLETIC BODIES ACROSS THE FRONT 3 & ESP AT THE POINT. When I look at our DL esp AT NT it looks small & inadequate. I think Franklin could really be a dominating DE vs more regular 1 on 1 matchups & where there's less traffic.

Also IMO Manusky needs to step up on being more AGGRESSIVE. For whatever reason he's been for the most part a Conservative DC. We don't have the talent straight up to rush only 4 (& 5 even at times) to go mano y mano & get pressure on the QB. We need to MANUFACTURE PRESSURE with creative blitzing packages. I think he should study LeBeau, Rex Ryan, & watch some past Jimmy Johnson film & incorporate some of their schemes or run his variance of them. It's obvious that we need some pass rushers to emerge. The best one I've seen on a few plays so far out of the OLB's is Brooks. Manny just needs to keep working.

Nate Davis looks promising. I really like having him on the backburner. I don't think he will last on the PS. Great game by my man Reggie Smith & Scott McKillop. This McKillop knows where to find the ball as advertised. Like Jon in SoCal said he should add more muscle. For right now I envision Josh Morgan as more of a SOLID LEGIT #2 receiver. Hopefully Crabtree can sign soon & contribute a little something. Yeah there are 1st RD WR busts but they're 1st rounders for a reason...it's because they had serious talent in college. It's rare for Marques Colston's to come along. Hopefully Crabtree could emerge as the #1. Not saying Morgan can't but at this time I see him more as a legitimate #2 & could really jump up his production with a #1 drawing the main focus away from him & him going consistently vs #2 corners. He could be similar to our great John Taylor of ole who was the ultimate #2 WR compliment.

Matt...I liked Jay Moore when he was drafted and he has had some bad luck but he just doesn't seem like a contributor. Is he a long shot to make the team?

I agree with your assessment...

..i bet you were wondering what if we had the choice of Raji and Crab wo would mcGm had picked....

..you r right about Nate Davis - I liked him in college but always wondered about his weight and movement in the nfl....looks like he moves pretty well especially with all the blitzes he faced and throws the ball better than any other QB on the roster..

....I am suprised you didnt talk about the other qbs

On the bright side. We have a legitimate first class running game. It will solve a lot of problems with our QB play and defense. Ball Control. Own the ball and ou can win. Clearly that is Coach's strategy.

Coffee is a great compliment to Gore. If Hill or Smith just can manage the game and we don' turn it over we will be better.

....am not suprised alot of Hill groupies are not commenting today......

...cuz it was obvious A.Smith is the better QB - S.Hill is weak, he has limitations on what he can do....

DE Greg Ellis: "The 49ers kept running the same play where they were pulling some of the offensive linemen around. . . . It wasn't like they were able to run any play and get yards on us, that one play we just didn't handle well. Then they did what anybody should do, they kept repeating it, one side to another, and they kept having success with it."

running that sweep over and over - makes me feel very comfortable with Raye's offense - he will do what makes sense - "keep running it until they stop it" -

Lol "groupies?" I need to introduce you to someone, say hello to Black Kettle.

Don't have a clue what you're comments mean! If you mean that Smith is a hell of a tackler after his interceptions, I agree totally! Man he can run 'em down!
As far as a blocker I'm impressed also! But throwing the ball over the defensive line and completing passes? PEEE YOU!!!

Dude! When the U. of Florida begins to play, then you'll see what a REAL NFL QB looks like, only he's playing in College ball for the Gators! His name is Teebow!
I lived down there for a while in Ocala but the Love Bugs were too much for me!! And my car!

....i guess u not too happy with hill's play - you seem a lil quiet on the QB play...

...you and your fellow groupies have been criticizing the toughness in A.Smith...

...the least you can do is not gloss over those two plays as if Hill could have made them - but to give credit were it is due...

...first of all it is preseason and for our QB to play that physical - says alot

second the TD saving tackle was all instincts - most QB's would have let that go especially in preseason...

....One thing consistent about A.Smith is - he gets better the more games he plays - too bad we cant say the same for Hill....

You hit the nail on the head! The way the man lovers of Davis come to their conlusions on the greatness of a 4th string QB, Gradkowski must be the second coming of the Snake Stabler the way he played in the game!

Oh no my friend, comments aren't necessary.

"Singletary's view of the QB play was unchanged. 'It was nothing great.'" You could look at that to say A.Smith, while his efforts have been valiant, has done nothing to separate himself in the competition.

I.e., S.Hill remains the starting QB for your, 2009 San Francisco 49ers.

I can't lie though, that hit he put on Ellis, man I freakin' lost it. He smacked him good.

Hill had no excuse for his HORRIBLE play on saturday...

He played last yr....(7-3)
..he played the 1st preseason .
...he played the raiders twice before saturday
...he came into the game when the offense was already warm up for a scoring drive

...how much more does he need to prove he his a starter?....bottomline HE HIS WHAT HE HIS - NO MYSTERY - ....He looks like a BACK UP QB, PLAYS LIKE A BACKUP QB = HE HIS A BACKUP QB

You lose... Hill is starter... now go away

I was there and watched the game twice yesterday... Smith threw the ball over their heads both times. Way to get your receivers killed.

Hill - STARTER - Now go away... you smell up this board

....lol...its obvious you not too happy today...

...lol...Glad most people with brains watched the game and saw a different opinion...

I'm in perfectly fine mood thank you very much =)

Obviously your incapable to see reason. Smith HAD to come out and show something. He had 3 chances and led the team to ZERO points. GAME OVER.

You have the brain of a Starfish

"Said a smiling Ellis: "He laid something on me. It sends a good message (to the 49ers) when the quarterback does something like that.""

...."“I thought I was going to get hit, so I wanted to go up and snatch the ball with my hands,” Morgan said. “I should've just secured the catch.”"

Its looking more and more like the Ravens, run the ball, run the ball, dont throw the ball, dont score any points? I know its preseason and you dont want to show too much, but how do you evaluate the QB position without throwing the ball. Matt, do you think through practice that they can evaluate the position because in games, neither QB has been given the opportunity to throw the ball down the field or even make a play. Smith looked good but those two passes thrown against the Raiders were not his fault and now everyone is saying he didnt do enough? I dont get that, what do you think?

I think we'll be ok once we get into a groove. Smith did ok but he needed to be better then ok. The argument that those 2 passes should have been caught is a technicality. In the end he didn't lead the offense to any scoring drives. He has to show that he can set a groove and lead them down the field... that's all the coaches wanted to see. The hit on Ellis was fun to watch but that means nothing about playing QB. Last year Hill had his helmet ripped off and still fought for 2 more yards to get a 1st down on MNF. The Good... we have 2 Tough QB's. The bad is no one lead the team to a TD scoring drive (Davis doesn't count... he looked good but it was 4th string. If Davis played with the One's his head would be spinning right now) Hill lead them behind Coffee to the goal line and should have hit Spurlock for the easy TD instead of forcing it to Davis.

So in the end... Hill is the starter going into the 3rd game and Smith is the backup (or maybe Huard)

And just to make it clear... I'm neither Pro-Smith nor Anti-Smith... same goes for Hill. I want either to succeed for the teams sake. But right now... Hill gets the nod. Smith hasn't done enough to leap frog Hill for the job.

Here are a couple really good points. First of all, we know we have two pretty good running backs. The preseason is all about settling the roster for the regular season. The other team is probably not going to be sending exotic blitzes, and even if they were, these guys have regular season starts under their belts, they should be able to perform against vanilla blitz packages. They should be given more opportunities to throw the ball in various situations in order to facilitate the evaluation process. Rushing for 275 yards is great and all, but the quarterbacks are still the biggest question mark facing this team. Second of all, Smith outplayed Hill. From my perspective, he outplayed Hill by a significant margin. The stat line does not reflect that he did, but had he played the entire game, delivering the ball quickly and on target LIKE HE DID in his short amount of playing time would have resulted in a solid statistical performance. I am rooting for the player who gives the team the best chance to win ballgames to win the starting job. The national media is completely and totally ignorant of this team and clearly couldn't care less anyway. I am not watching practices, so I couldn't tell you who is "winning" but after two games, Alex Smith is winning the eyeball test. He hung onto the ball too long and looked iffy against the Broncos, but that was the first preseason game. He made decisions and delivered the ball quicker than I have ever seen him do in a Niner uniform against the Raiders. Hill was reasonably sharp in Game 1. He looked like JTO in Game 2. As a fan, I am entitled to my own opinion and analysis ... and right now I am pulling for Alex Smith.

Shssh..F..p...

...You have been bashing A.Smith from the first day you got on this blog...calling him a bust

..now you see something that makes you think twice

its funny how comments starts changing to -" i want us to succeed with either QB" - from - A.Smith is a bust - cut him..

..LOl.....you guys are trully whinners

Amen brother. Can we stop all this groupies crap and remember that we are...49er fans? I have definitely thought all along that Hill deserves to start. So, watching Smith in the first half, guess what? I was rooting for Smith. Why? Because I am a 49er fan, doofus (that's directed at oneniner)

Truth is, both looked sucky on Saturday. In fact, I have been unimpressed with our passing attack in both games. We will be run oriented, but we better figure out some better stuff in the passing, be it Hill OR Smith, or get used to stacked lines and 3 and out.

And despite the scrubs, I still thought Davis looked good. Is nice to see a pass on the run zipped to the target (as opposed to the target's feet, or the next time zone).

Someone explain to me why does Hill not have to show too much to win the starting job and Smith has to be exceptional and be brilliant to over take Hiil. I think the evaluation process has to include who has more big game potential, who has the organization invested more in, and who is the best leader. Hill was good last year, not great, average at best, why is he the favorite. He did not in my mind win any games last year single handedly with his rocket arm and nimble feet. Just pick a starter so I can jump on his bandwagon but outside of stats and going with the eyeball test, I go with Smith.

Well, first of all I would take exception to including the criteria of who the organization has invested more in. That shouldn't matter. I say that because organizations make mistakes. Not all players, even high priced ones, work out. The good teams make fewer of these mistakes to begin with, but also cut their loses sooner too.

To be honest, I am tired of the whole QB rehash. The consensus on Hill supporters is that he has the intangibles to lead a team to victory that outweigh Smith's attributes, and that he deserves to get the first crack. Better accuracy, pocket presence, decision making, but not a strong arm.

the good news is that in a week, the decision will be made, and then the season starts and we all root for whoever that is, right?

.....I think someone mention already why Hill is even getting any votes...

the only reason the guy was playing last yr was because he was the only QB available - after JTO....

He didn't do anything last yr to deserve a starting QB.....

...A.Smith has gone thru our pains he knows what losing was like playing with scrubs......

...A.Smith was there when we had scrubs as WR,OL etc....and he made something out of nothing ..

...this cowboy game is going to say it all....

I see one qb growing in confidence and the other QB just plain vanila - no growth at all

.... .

last week A.Smith made a bad throw on a screen play to coffee - Reaction from MM - "Let a potential big play slip away when his jump-pass to Glen Coffee to beat a blitz was errant."

this week S.Hill the supposedly better QB who had a spectacular 7-3 record last yr... - Reaction from MM - "Had a fourth-down pass batted down at the line of scrimmage when he tried to throw three-quarters sidearm"

If your Starting QB is 3/4s sidearming a throw on 4TH DOWN and 2 - Isnt that what you will call a ridiculous throw?....

...ask your self - what is really going on here?

throwing three-quarters sidearm? - Who does that?

....And you expect us to believe this guy who has been in the league this long and cant complete a simple 2 yard pass IN SHOTGUN deserves to be starting .....

NO! It's better to be like Smith and get your pass blocked at the line of scrimage when the receiver is wide open! Smith must average having his passes blocked at least 3 times a game! Then he goes off the field laughing about it!
YEA! Real starter!! You're Smith's WORST enemy!!

No! It's looking more like the New York Giants. And that's not bad. Their offense has made Manning what he is. Run to set up the pass works if you scare the other team to death with different kinds of running backs that make the LB'S move up and make the DL look first at run fakes.
Then it's easier to get receivers loose down the field. That's where Eli excels! And that's where our QB's have to excel. too!

What oneniner is, is what the Catholic Church calls "Invincible Ignorance!" After ALL the arguments of philosophy and reason are not accepted, that's what you call oneniner!

Take a nice, long slow deep breath there buddy. It's all gonna be fine. If your man Smith is truly better, I promise you, he'll find himself on the field eventually. Don't get yourself all worked up into a lather.

Hill #1, Huard #2, and Smith/Davis 3&4. Nothing has changed. Smith is still the same as he was, the mostly inaccurate, wild throwing QB who needs 8 seconds to make a decision. We know what he is. And Hill, although maybe not a pro-bowl QB, is a very serviceable QB who has proven he can function in the system and win games with timely plays, accurate throws and grittiness. Not hall-of-fame worthy, but certainly better than what Smith has shown in the last 4 years. And nothing Smith did Saturday night changed my mind, not even a throw he finally made that wasnt 7 feet over a WR's head.

I'll say it again, Hill is the best QB on our roster. Period. I'm not even sure how it can be viewed any other way to be honest.

Oneniner....

Just go away. You make no sense, your opinions are jaded, you are a broken record and you refuse to accept reality.

Smith isn't ready... period. I swear it's only a metter of time before TMZ reports a stalker outside Smiths house running around with a Hill VooDoo doll screaming.... I LOVE YOU ALEX... I LOVE YOU ALEX!!!

Oneniner....

Just go away. You make no sense, your opinions are jaded, you are a broken record and you refuse to accept reality.

Smith isn't ready... period. I swear it's only a matter of time before TMZ reports a stalker outside Smiths house running around with a Hill VooDoo doll screaming.... I LOVE YOU ALEX... I LOVE YOU ALEX!!!

Lets see now,what do we KNOW...Sing has said Hill is the starter and must be beat out to lose the job. Smith has looked worse than Hill in practice and in both games. (although Hill did not have a good game either,he wasn't as pathetic as Smith).
And as I have been telling you all for a long ,long time,Davis is the most talented QB on the roster by far,but raw. Hill will do just fine until Davis is ready.

And we also KNOW that Hill played with a broken finger on his throwing hand and had a QB rating during those games of near 100 ! Alex has a boo boo on his thumb (that he got because he threw one of his trademark horribly high and innacurate passes for an int and had to tackle the guy before he made it a pick 6,nice tackle by the way and nice block earlier in the game,maybe Alex should be moved to linebacker ,lol).
What we don't need is another Alexcuse (his thumb hurts). Hill didn't whine and went out and played GREAT ,with a broken finger on his throwing hand. I am pretty sure Alex has too much class to whine and make Alexcuses,but his delusional fans simply will not see reason and keep making up all the phoney excuses,and this will probably be another on we will hear.
We have heard that he had poor OC's and a bad O line and bad WR's etc etc,but Hill played with aLL those same surrounding cast and thrived.
No more Alexcuses people,face reality,Smith is just not a very good QB. (make him a LBer,lol,at least we know he can block and tackle,lol)

"Hill played with aLL those same surrounding cast and thrived" - stay of the drugs...

trust me Barley - i am the last person on da planet that would get worked up into a lather....

....its not like the world is gonna come to an end if A.Smith does not start,...

one thing A.Smith has goin for him is - McGm and Jed york prefers him over any other QB on the team....

...so even if Hill starts he has a very very short lease

"one thing A.Smith has goin for him is - McGm and Jed york prefers him over any other QB on the team...."

Really??? Where is your proof??? Oh wait... what is that? You don't have any... hahaha

Oneniner = Ray Finkle ;) LACES OUT!!!

BREAKING NEWS!!!

BREAKING NEWS: Shaun Hill named 49ers starting QB for season opener Sept. 13 vs. Cardinals, coach Mike Singletary announces.