All Shaun Hill does is win football games but he always seems to be a long shot to start.  Hill doesn’t have a great arm but he gets the ball where it needs to be even if it’s not too pretty.  Hill has worked his way into this opportunity with good old fashioned hard work.  Alex Smith will “compete” with Hill for the starting job this summer.  Smith has looked overwhelmed at the NFL level and missing a whole season due to injury has set him back even further.  He has the look of a first round (and pick) bust but he still has time to turn his career around.  Veteran Damon Huard will be the #3 QB for the Niners this season and he’s a capable game manager type of QB so he could succeed if forced into action by the Niners.  Rookie QB Nate Davis has the look of a practice squad player due to his intelligence.  But, on the football field in college he did look pretty good so he does have a nice little upside.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  C