San Francisco 49ers training camp update

Unfortunately for the San Francisco 49ers, their first preseason game looked like a scary continuation of the 2007-08 regular season. Facing the Raiders in Oakland to open the year, the game had all the markings of one of the team’s 11 losses from last year. The offense played inconsistent, while the defense played good enough, but not well enough to make up for the 49ers’ inept scoring attack. Three quarterbacks saw action in J.T. O’Sullivan, Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, but each played mediocre enough that neither left with an edge over the other. The defense bent as usual, but failed to break completely and kept the final score seemingly close at 18-6, but a 12-point advantage is more like a 21 or 28-point spread over a San Francisco team that can’t score a touchdown. Fortunately, the 49ers have several more practice games to go before the real hitting begins.

The 49ers Quarterback Battle

O’Sullivan started on Friday, played the entire first quarter and most of the second until Smith relieved him with 4:57 to go before the half. The free agent from Detroit was 5-for-8 for 71 yards, including two nice throws to rookie receiver Josh Morgan. But, an interception and a fumble spoiled his performance. O’Sullivan entered the quarterback battle and started over Smith and Hill due to his familiarity with offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s complicated system. As training camp progresses, O’Sullivan might lose his slim lead over Smith and Hill, as they become more comfortable in the team’s new sets.

Smith, the NFL’s top pick from 2005, didn’t fair much better, but failed throw an interception and led the second team to a field goal. He went just 5-for-9 for 51 yards. The necessity to play Smith because of where the team selected him and his accompanying large contract has worn off. Now, he’s just another quarterback in the mix for a starting position.

Hill threw an interception as well and went 10-for-20 for 83 yards. He almost completed a touchdown pass to Jason Hill, but the ball slipped through the receiver’s hands.

Needless to say, all three took a step backward in their quest to start at quarterback. Saturday against Green Bay will be another opportunity for one of the three to vault to the top of the depth chart.

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49ers Preseason Notes

Running back Frank Gore had two carries for six yards. Gore led the 49ers in yards and receptions last year, while his five touchdowns tied for first on the team. With Martz calling the plays, Gore is sure to receive plenty of balls handed and thrown his way this year. Martz is known for utilizing his running backs to the fullest. In his first year as offensive coordinator with the Rams, Marshall Faulk racked up over 2,000 all-purpose yards.

Tight end Vernon Davis expects a big year as well. The third-year player placed ninth among tight ends with 52 receptions, collected 509 yards and scored four touchdowns in his most productive year yet. The athletic Davis must contribute if the 49ers hope to improve on their dreadful offensive performance from a year ago.

On Monday, the 49ers signed two-time Pro Bowl selection, Takeo Spikes. He’ll team with Patrick Willis to form a formidable duo at the linebacker spot. Last season as a rookie, Willis led the team with 174 total tackles. To make room for Spikes, the 49ers cut Brandon Moore who topped San Francisco in tackles in 2006.

Promising outside linebacker Manny Lawson is back after suffering a season-ending knee injury just two games into last season. A first-round pick in 2006, Lawson successfully switched from defensive end at North Carolina State to outside linebacker as a rookie.

The addition of Justin Smith from Cincinnati gives the 49ers another talented defender. Smith will probably see action at defensive end and linebacker.

But, until San Francisco can find a solution at quarterback, kicker Joe Nedney again might lead the team in scoring. Nedney went 17-for-19 on field goals to score a team-high 73-points.

With the eyes of 49er management upon head coach Mike Nolan, this is his final act, his last chance to succeed or be replaced. The same can be said for Smith, but he has a job to win first.

By Jim Bucci
ProFootball-fans.com San Francisco 49ers Correspondent