49ers cut veteran Huard, slot rookie Davis as No. 3 quarterback

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers heaped praise on quarterback Nate Davis on Tuesday morning and backed it up with action in the late afternoon. The team released 12-year veteran Damon Huard, making Davis, a fifth-round draft pick out of Ball State, the No. 3 quarterback entering the regular season. Though Huard had been solid, he was eclipsed by Davis, who has jumped out in the last two exhibition games. "He has a calm demeanor about him," offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said of Davis early in the day. "He has an ability to go fast and not hurry, and if a guy is open, he can hit him." The 49ers acquired Huard in the offseason to be a steady hand if the team ever had to turn to its third passer, something the 49ers have been forced to do the last two seasons. Huard, 36, started three games last season for Kansas City and completed 62 percent of his passes. "He was a professional in every sense," coach Mike Singletary said of Huard in a news ...