Singletary Names Shaun Hill As Starting QB

[St. Francisco]

And the winner is …. Shaun Hill.

49ers coach Mike Singletary named Hill the starting quarterback on Monday after a lengthy competition against former first overall pick Alex Smith.

Singletary informed Hill and Smith individually of his decision Sunday, and then brought in both quarterbacks again this morning for another meeting.

“I’m very excited about both of them, and that’s what I wanted both of them to understand,” Singletary said. “I brought them in together and had them understand why we made the decision and how important it is for them to continue to push each other and compete. I thanked them for how they’ve been throughout this whole process. I feel very fortunate to have both of them. They both made great strides.”

Although Singletary said following Saturday’s 21-20 preseason win over the Raiders that neither quarterback had distinguished himself in the competition, he tabbed Hill as the starter after seeing each make one preseason start. Smith started against the Raiders, completing just 3 of 9 passes for 30 yards and an interception. Hill didn’t fare much better, finishing 3-of-7 for 20 yards.

Singletary noted Hill’s consistency and leadership as factors that helped make the decision.

“One of the things I thought was important, as we got close to the regular season, I felt that right now was the best time, not only for the quarterbacks, but for the team,” Singletary said. “I felt that the timing was right to develop the timing and the synergy we need going forward.”

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/08/24/singletary-names-hill-as-49ers-starting-qb/

I think I would've been happy either way. Hill hasn't had a lot of time, but he's been a winner in his starts, can't argue with that. Hopefully he can be a competent leader.

[Fox1994]

So what to do with the boy Smith? Is it cut time next offseason?

[Woy]

I think Smith takes the job mid-season.

[f16harm]

Is there really a winner/difference here in who was going to be chosen? All things considered, they both suck, just each in their own different ways.

[Fox1994]

^That certainly makes sense, but Hill's conservative approach to the game keeps him from throwing games away, even if he doesn't win them outright on his own. He's like Trent Dilfer. Most game-managers would suck in any other capacity, but they know how to play that role perfectly.

[St. Francisco]

Is there really a winner/difference here in who was going to be chosen? All things considered, they both suck, just each in their own different ways.

Thank you for the obligatory, "It doesn't matter, they both suck" comment that has to be made every single time.

Now we can return to actual discussion.

[Hasselbeck]

Was there really any doubt? I mean seriously. There was no way in hell Hill was not going to be the starter unless he went out and literally, not figuratively, literally.. shit on himself.

Even then.. Singletary would probably still go with Hill.

[Senser81]

^That certainly makes sense, but Hill's conservative approach to the game keeps him from throwing games away, even if he doesn't win them outright on his own. He's like Trent Dilfer. Most game-managers would suck in any other capacity, but they know how to play that role perfectly.

Alex Smith had a lower INT% and got sacked fewer times in 2007 compared to Shaun Hill in 2008. So I would guess that theory that 'they both suck' is more relevant than 'Shaun Hill is the greatest game manager named Shaun since Shaun King!'.

This shouldn't be news...at all.

[Prodigal Son]

yeah, because a stat line of 2 td's, 4 int's and 17 sacks in 7 games, is equal to 13 td's and 8 int's and 23 sacks in 9 games.

You're better then that Senser.

[Tailback U]

No surprise here. Hill has only started 1 season and has a 7-3 record.

No way Smith was going to take the job. Now should the Niners start off 1-5 or something, I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith take the job. Not like he will do any better, though.

[Fox1994]

Alex Smith had a lower INT% and got sacked fewer times in 2007 compared to Shaun Hill in 2008. So I would guess that theory that 'they both suck' is more relevant than 'Shaun Hill is the greatest game manager named Shaun since Shaun King!'.

This shouldn't be news...at all.

Could'a sworn I was trying to make that point. :confused2: Oh well.

[Senser81]

Could'a sworn I was trying to make that point. :confused2: Oh well.

No, your point was that Shaun Hill was a 'game manager', whereas Alex Smith was a turnover-machine. My point was that they both suck and are both 'game managers', but Hill sucks less. Smith doesn't suck because he's turnover-prone and sack-prone...he sucks because he can't pass.

[Senser81]

yeah, because a stat line of 2 td's, 4 int's and 17 sacks in 7 games, is equal to 13 td's and 8 int's and 23 sacks in 9 games.

You're better then that Senser.

Do you know what a percentage is, as in "INT%"? They basically played about half a season, and Smith was every bit the 'game manager' as Shaun Hill. Hill was just way better. I'm definitely not saying Smith's stat line was better, I'm saying that Smith didn't have an inordinate number of mistakes (INTS and Sacks) when compared to Hill.

[Fox1994]

No, your point was that Shaun Hill was a 'game manager', whereas Alex Smith was a turnover-machine. My point was that they both suck and are both 'game managers', but Hill sucks less. Smith doesn't suck because he's turnover-prone and sack-prone...he sucks because he can't pass.

Really? Because I thought Smith's mobility and his results in college pointed to him being more of a game-changer than a game-manager. I haven't heard of many teams drafting 'game-managers' with the first overall pick.

[Prodigal Son]

Do you know what a percentage is, as in "INT%"? They basically played about half a season, and Smith was every bit the 'game manager' as Shaun Hill. Hill was just way better. I'm definitely not saying Smith's stat line was better, I'm saying that Smith didn't have an inordinate number of mistakes (INTS and Sacks) when compared to Hill.

How relevant of a stat is int%?

Is it like baseballs version of BA vs LHP with guys on 1st and 2nd who's BA is over .250 in 78 degree weather on Monday nights between the times of 8:03 p.m and 8:28 p.m.?

You basically said that there is no difference between them. The only reason why Smith was even being considered a starter is because of the ridiculous contract he's still signed to.