49ers News Update for Thursday June 18

One of the biggest lessons of all the minicamps and OTAs, which have ended, is that49ers head coach Mike Singletary has a legitimate quarterback competition. Alex Smithis throwing the ball well and his confidence is as ironclad as it’s been since college. “Well, I think the playing field is level now,” he said of the QB competition. “I think before the offseason began, I wasn’t really sure where Alex was. You know, he’s been through a lot in four years. I think in order for he and Shaun to compete on level ground, he had to get healthy, he had to get his mind focused, I think he had to let go of some of the bitterness that happened to him, some of the bad things, and get the bad taste out of his mouth and be ready to go. I think that has happened.” Singletary did reiterate that if the season were to begin tomorrow, Shaun Hillwould be the starter.

“No doubt in my mind, none,” Singletary said when asked if the 49ers could win their division and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002. “I don’t even blink at that.”
The building of a $937 million stadium for the 49ers in Santa Clara has gained popular momentum. But City Councilman Will Kennedy has one big reason why his city should not build a new home for the National Football League team. “The main reasons I went against it are through the findings of a city consultant,” Kennedy said. “The amount we end up with in the general fund with or without the stadium was a difference of $98 million compared to $31 million. A citywide vote will take place next March to determine whether or not Santa Clara will approve the stadium.