Who will start at quarterback?

Question

The Niners are totally undecided at who's going to be their starting quarterback. They have Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, and J.T O' Sullivan competing for the job. These three don't look like anything close to a pro bowl qb. Who will start, or are they going to settle for free agent Daunte Culpepper, or Tim Rattay?

Answer 1

I just read that O' Sullivan is really dominating the QB battle in SF.

Smith looks like a potential bust. Shaun Hill can't seem to get comfortable. I'm excited to see how O'Sullivan does in the rest of the Pre-Season.

Answer 2

they should ask steve young to come out of retirement....he's laim on espn anyway.

Answer 3

Alex Smith is going to win for one last shot to prove himself

Answer 4

Shaun Hill...hes been most outstanding for them. smith needs to be cut!!!

Answer 5

i think alex smith will end up starting...i don't think the organization can afford to appear that they are giving up on their number one pick from just a couple years ago

Answer 6

Alex Smith rarely has any good games throughout his like what 3-4 years with the 49ers. I've been a 49ers fan for a while and the quarterback situation seems hopeless. I like the way Shaun Hill plays but he had good games against teams that were under .500. J.T. Sullivan seems alright but he doesnt seem to have enough NFL experience. I'd say Shaun Hill he seems willing to take the leadership role for the 49ers. Im tired of waiting for Alex Smith to have a good year; he should've had an outstanding season but he got injured because frank gore and vernon davis are an unbeatable pair. Arnaz Battle is sufficient enough to be a big factor in the offense. Go Shaun Hilll!!!

hopefully 49ers will have at like 8 wins this season =D

Answer 7

if they all play like they did when against the raiders nobody will start. bad game for 49er fans great game 4 me go raiders

Answer 8

I agree. I can see them resigning Rattay if 1 or 2 guys go down, but I think right now it's Smith's job to lose. Their hands are basically tied, they've got 50 mil' invested in the guy.

Answer 9

smith only because they used like a top 10 pick on him and nedd him to get better and mature as a nfl starting qb

Answer 10

I think Alex Smith will be given every chance to earn the starting job based on his salary and his having been a 1st rd pick. That said, Smith has done very little to show he's capable of being an NFL starter (I thought he was a HUGE reach at #1 over all). Shaun Hill is a long time 3rd stringer who looked pretty good in limited action last season but hadn't even thrown a regular season pass prior to that. He's a trendy pick but barring a outstanding preseason Hill will probably be the #2 QB. As for O'Sullivan he's a guy who has bounced around the NFL from practice squad, to practice squad, and made the Detroit roster last year thanks to a solid NFL Euorpe season. I think the guy is probably a backup at best but he know's Martz's system and might have the strongest arm of the 3. That said I think the depth chart goes Smith, Hill, O'Sullivan, but any one of them had better be ready to play as I think they will all be on a short leash.

As for Culpepper & Rattay I doubt either will be in the running for a starting spot anywhere barring a major injury somewhere. Rattay has always had the smarts to be a good QB but his arm is a bit suspect and he's best served as a backup in a West Coast dink & dunk system (not in the timing based Martz system). Culpepper is probably the most physically gifted of any of the QB's listed above and he's downfall from 3x Pro Bowler to looking for a job his nothing short of staggering. I think his problem is the mental aspect of the game, but If I were a team like the 49ers (or Bears, Chiefs, Packers, Vikings) I'd be looking to add Culpepper at a reasonable price as my #2. He's still young enough to have upside, he has a cannon for an arm, and he's the best UFA at the QB position (unless you want to throw Aaron Brooks into the discussion too).

Answer 11

I think that Smith will get the nod for the beginning of the season as basically a final chance for redemption. But if he blows it look for Hill to take over.