Yardbarker: Shaun Hill

O’Sullivan Will Start For 49ers Against Raiders

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:38:19 -0500

Making sure yesterday's decision was not an indication of who'll begin the regular season at quarterback, head coach Mike Nolan announced that UC Davis' J.T. O'Sullivan will get the start for the 49ers in the preseason opener tomorrow evening against the Oakland Raiders. Nolan said on the team's web-site that he expects O'Sullivan will play at least through the first quarter and possibly into the second. Alex Smith will play the remainder of the half and at the start of the third quarter with Shaun Hill finishing out the game. "I'm excited about all three of them. They've done a very good job," Nolan said. "I'm not in a position to name a starter for the season. We are taking it one day at a time." Kickoff between the 49ers and Raiders on Friday from McAfee Coliseum is set for seven p.m.

O’Sullivan Will Start For 49ers Against Raiders

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:38:19 -0500

THE JERSEY DINER MORNING NEWS

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:56:38 -0500

1. FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "I have a lot of familiarity with the other two players," Nolan said of quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. "J.T. O'Sullivan has done a very good job as the other guys have, but yeah, more than anything else, I want to see him in a game situation."

Mike Nolan talking about why he is going with JT. JT is the one that Mike Martz loves and wants to be the guy. Time and reps are critical for the 49er quarterbacks. Nolan has never seen Smith or Hill in a game situation play in the Martz system. So, it is clear to me, that JT is the guy Martz feels gives him the best chance to run his offense. What does that say for the guy that was the first pick overall in the draft?

2. FROM THE NY DAILY NEWS…"The 5-11, 228-pound Derrick Ward certainly appears to have earned a part in the offense. A former seventh-round pick of the Jets (2004), Ward had career highs last season in carries (125), yards (602), touchdowns (three) and yards per carry (4.8) - despite missing half of the regular season, including four early games when he was out with an injured ankle and groin. Plus, he started in four of the five games that Jacobs missed, and in those games Ward rushed for 418yards on 84 carries. That's 104.5 yards per game and five yards per carry numbers that will be hard for the coaching staff to ignore. For now, though, all Ward can do is try to get healthy. "You know what? I don't know if I should tell you this, but two or three weeks after I had surgery I was trying to walk, trying to psyche my mind out saying, 'Oh, I could play right now,'" Ward said. "Really, I couldn't. But I knew coming into the off season workouts I would be ready to go."

With his size and speed, if he gets the reps, Ward would be a 1000 yard rusher. His durability worries me, but he can flat out play. In Denver he would be a star.

3. FROM TAMPA BAY ON LINE As Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia passed by a group of reporters on his way to practice Wednesday, one asked him if he was walking the green mile."Yeah," Garcia responded. "Dead Man Walking." Not anymore.

It might be time to get the Garcia contract fixed now. I can promise you, Steve Baker the agent for Garcia is all over Bruce Allen today for his deal. All over him. And this flirting with Favre will not play well in the Bucs quarterback meeting room.

4. DERRICK HARVEY and the Jags.

Harvey is the remaining hold out left in the first round and don't expect any resolution to this deal coming anytime soon. I have talked too many in the know and they are far apart on my issues and there does not seem to be an urge from either side to close the gap. The biggest problem lies with the huge deal Vernon Gholston's received from the Jets, that was handled by CAA, the same firm that handles Harvey. This may take a while.

5. FROM THE MIAMI HERALD "This particular pass grazed the extended hands of Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who made a nice cut toward the ball but couldn't stretch long enough to pull it in. Would it be ruled a drop? Maybe not. Could it have been caught? Depends who you're asking".

Ginn has a history of drops and he is very inconsistent with his ability to show great quickness and burst. He has long speed and will make plays down the field, but he does take a moment to get going. He is not very sure handed and he has very weak wrists. The ball never stops softly in his hands and he is always bending his wrist to make the catch. This is not a good trait for wide receivers to possess.

6. FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE If Pennington is released as expected, he will be free to sign with any team and the Bears need to at least give him something to consider. He's a veteran known more for his accuracy than his arm strength, but the combination of his intangibles and experience would make it necessary for the Bears to consider him as a third quarterback.

Pennington would be similar to what the Bears currently have on their roster. Someone that you have to manage the game around and cannot make others around him better. I am sure Pennington will want starting money once he is released. Is Pennington better then what the Bears have? Mentally yes, physically no.

7. FROM THE BUFFALO NEWS Rookie wide receiver James Hardy returned to practice Wednesday, his first since last Thursday when he injured his left hamstring. He said he is sore but hopes to play Saturday when the Bills open the preseason against the Washington Redskins.

Hardy is a big wide out with very good speed and power. He builds speed and he can take a five yard slant and make a huge play. He has soft hands and can really be a very productive player for the Bills this year, if he is healthy.

8. FROM THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION Jerious Norwood is moving from receiver, to tailback, to being used in the same backfield with Turner. Norwood's willingness to play all roles makes him even more valuable, coaches said. "He's showing the speed and explosiveness that you know that he has," Coach Mike Smith said. "He's going to be an exciting guy. When you put him in there in a rotation with Michael Turner, you've got two guys that really can cause some problems."

I love Norwood's talent and his play making ability. He does not score enough for his talent level, but that was more a product of the offense he was working in. Norwood is tough and can really be an asset to the offense if he can blend with Turner. When your bad in the OL, like the Falcons, you need a back that can make people miss and make some plays on his own.

9. FROM THE WASHINGTON POST Reserve tackles Todd Wade and Stephon Heyer will each miss at least two weeks with injuries they suffered in the Washington Redskins' first preseason game Sunday, leaving the team with few veterans available at that position.

I know everyone is excited about the Skins. I have read all the Post Cards from everyone who has been through the Skins practices writing about how well Jason Campbell looks and how the Skins can make a Super Bowl run this year. But I don't see it and what I don't see is an offensive line that can handle the rigors of the NFL from a health standpoint. A line that is old in both starters and back ups. For me, it's always about the offensive line and I am not impressed with the Skins talent.

10.FROM THE CAROLINA GROWL Going to certain sides and everything, that's what we're working on right now," said Stewart, the 13th overall pick in this year's draft. "... The whole explosiveness, some of that stuff is kind of limited because of my toe."Stewart doesn't seem too worried.He just keeps reminding himself that he's only been practicing for 12 days. He had surgery in March and didn't participate in any of the team's mini camps, so it's still early. When asked if doctors have given him an idea of when he might be 100 percent, Stewart said, "I really don't know. I hope soon. I'm pretty sure it's going to be soon."He's optimistic about playing in Saturday night's preseason opener against Indianapolis, but isn't sure if he'll be cleared by the medical staff to participate. Coach John Fox said that decision hasn't been determined."I'm just kind of antsy about going out there and just playing again to my full potential," Stewart said. "It's been since November (when he first injured it) since I've been able to do that. I'm feeling kind of antsy, but patience is a virtue we all desire."

I would rest Stewart for as long as I needed to rest him this summer and limit his reps in the first game. He will need reps in game two and three and very few in game four and should be ready for the season.

Finally! QB news that's not Favre-related: O'Sullivan to start for 49ers

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:36:59 -0500

J.T. O'Sullivan has been assigned as starter for the 49ers as the team visists the Raiders this Friday. What about Alex Smith and Shaun Hill? How did O'Sullivan get a nod at starting QB? Mike Nolan said that he wanted to test out O'Sullivan, since he hasn't gotten a chance to be as familiar with him as the other two. But seriously though, is that going to help the team in any way figure out this QB mess?

Oh Sullivan

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:06:01 -0500

The 49ers named their starter for their first preseason game against the Raiders and J.T. O'Sullivan gets the starting nod. O'Sullivan will start and play up until the half of the second quarter...

Equal Footing?

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:44:24 -0500

There are only 15 practices remaining in training camp and Nolan is on record as saying that he will equally divide the remaining sessions between Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan.

Equal Footing?

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:44:24 -0500

There are only 15 practices remaining in training camp and Nolan is on record as saying that he will equally divide the remaining sessions between Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan.

O'Sullivan Back in the Mix

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:44:24 -0500

With JT O'Sullivan filling in for Shaun Hill, who resting his sore throwing arm. The two man quarterback race is now three again. That is until Mike Nolan changes his mind again.

Staley Making it Back After Missing First Five Days of Camp

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:45:51 -0500

Joe Staley is trying to make up for lost time after missing the first five days of training camp. Staley was out with cellulites, an infection The second-year left tackle, who played on the right side last season, has really become a key component of this 49ers squad. Remember, the 49ers gave up their 2008 first-round pick to the Patriots for the right to move up to the bottom part of the 2007 first round and select Staley as their second first-round choice. Whoever 49ers' signal caller will be – Alex Smith or Shaun Hill or even J.T. O'Sullivan – he will have part of his success determined by how little pressure he faces from the opposition. As the left tackle and protector of the quarterback's blind side, Staley will undoubtedly have a huge role in the success of the quarterback, and, thus, the offense.

Equal Footing?

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:03:17 -0500

There are only 15 practices remaining in training camp and Nolan is on record as saying that he will equally divide the remaining sessions between Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan.

Equal Footing?

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:03:17 -0500

There are only 15 practices remaining in training camp and Nolan is on record as saying that he will equally divide the remaining sessions between Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan.

49′ers News and Notes and Features

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:59:26 -0500

Two pretty lengthy interviews here, one of Mike Nolan, the other of Mike Martz. Both are courtesy of the 49ers official web site. The interviewer really pounds Nolan initially with J.T. O'Sullivan questions. Excuse me if I'm not excited at the prospect of Sullivan, he of the career 13-for-26, 148 yards, one touchdown, two interception stat line, starting for the 49ers. I love how the interviewer also asks about Shaun Hill's fatigued throwing shoulder three times in seven questions. Nolan is a disciplinarian to the nth degree, apparently. He doesn't budge, as he answered firmly that Hill was suffering soley from shoulder fatigue. Nolan also mentions that Joe Nedney is a leader, which seems comical considering that he's a kicker. A kicker! Sorry, but I'm not buying Nolan's emphasis that a kicker can lead. I'll stick with Pat Willis as the 49ers team leader.

49′ers News and Notes and Features

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:59:26 -0500

J.T. O'Sullivan making a big splash in campa?? too big of a splash

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:25:56 -0500

J.T. O'Sullivan got a chance to take reps with the first-team today in 49ers camp. While Shaun Hill was resting his arm, why wasn't Alex Smith asked to run the team instead? What does this mean for both Smith and Hill? Has O'Sullivan elevated his depth chart status?

Mike Martz - 49ers Becoming an Offensive Power?

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:32:42 -0500

It is unquestionable that the 1999 Rams were better than their counterparts in 1998 - they have the rings to prove it. Mike Martz then followed up that success as an offensive coordinator in Detroit, making the Lions offense better both years that he was with them. Is Mike Martz the best offensive coordinator of the recent NFL or just a beneficiary of coincidence?