Things have gone from bad to worse for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith. Not only did he not win the starting QB job he was expected to win this preseason. But he just re-injured his surgically repaired right shoulder this week and is doubtful for tomorrow’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. That means Shaun Hill will be the back-up to starter J.T. O’Sullivan and Michael Robinson would be the emergency quarterback. It was a non-contact injury but there are no other details at this time. Head coach Mike Nolan said:

“Yesterday Alex Smith sustained a non-contact injury to his surgically repaired right shoulder. He will be consulting with his surgeon in Birmingham for treatment recommendations. At this time there are no specifics to the injury or a timetable.”

This re-injury has some people believing Alex may have thrown his last pass for the Niners. I’m not sure I would go to that extreme just yet, but his history with this shoulder isn’t good. If you’ll recall, Alex suffered a Grade 3 shoulder separation in Week 4 last season. He returned to the starting lineup four weeks later but was ineffective and placed on IR following a bad loss to the Seahawks. Dr. James Andrews repaired the shoulder in December and Alex is consulting with him again about the current injury.

Source: SacBee.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Alex Smith Injures Shoulder Again

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

J.T. O’Sullivan was named the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers today. After watching J.T. in three preseason games, especially his impressive 7-of-8 for 126 yards and a touchdown performance in a 37-30 win over the Bears last night, I have to agree. Head coach Mike Nolan said:

“J.T. O’Sullvan will be our starter going into the season. He has good command of our offense. He’s played well in all three preseason games. And now it’s time to get ready for the season.”

After starting training camp third on the depth chart behind Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, it’s been J.T.’s understanding and execution of offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s master plan that has vaulted him into this starting position. After all, he’s the only QB in camp with experience in a complex Mike Martz system (J.T. played for him in Detroit last year).

I must admit I expected more from Alex and Shaun this preseason. I wasn’t even sure J.T. would make the team. Look at the facts. He entered camp with 26 career regular season passes thrown and they were all last season in Detroit. He’s played the backup role for six different teams in eight years. And he made the trek to NFL Europa (where he played extremely well and was named the 2007 NFLE MVP). But maybe this is his perfect opportunity from which a great story is forthcoming.

Check out my interview with J.T. from his NFL Europa days.

Source: PressDemocrat.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

J.T. O’Sullivan Named Starter for 49ers

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

This offseason in San Francisco has offered a lot of hope for 49ers fans, but a big question mark remains at the quarterback position where Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan are battling for the starting spot. With OTAs and minicamps complete, it looks like Alex is finally proving why the Niners took him #1 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. Head coach Mike Nolan said:

“(I’m seeing Alex) do things that I haven’t seen him do before, in practice or in games. Alex is very athletic. He probably has the strongest arm of all the guys. He’s really intelligent. Now he’s got to go in there and put in four quarters and move the ball consistently and make plays he should make.”

Coach Nolan isn’t tipping his hand as to who his favorite quarterback is just yet, but it’s pretty clear that Alex has the early advantage. With newcomers like Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson and DeShaun Foster on-board as a supporting cast (not to mention Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and new OC Mike Martz), any of the three QBs will have a greater chance for success than ever before. Certainly, we’re not talking about the second coming of Joe Montana or Steve Young here, but Alex Smith is poised for a breakout season.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, Photo: Newscom

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Alex Smith Taking Charge in San Francisco

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Interview: J.T. O’Sullivan