LB Patrick Willis (ankle), RB Michael Robinson (groin) and CB Tarell Brown (toe) all returned to practice on Monday after missing a good amount of camp.  Most importantly Willis is back on the field.  It is no secret that Willis is a freak on defense so to have him back on the field is a plus.

49ers Transactions:

RB Thomas Clayton was waived from the team after tearing his ACL in his right knee against the Broncos.  The team won’t be impacted by the loss of Clayton because he spent all of his time with the 49ers on the practice squad.  Clayton did show some promise during last year’s preseason games.  The 49ers signed rookie free agent FB Bill Rentmeester to take Clayton’s place on the roster.

FB Zak Keasey fractured his forearm in the same game.  He will be out for eight weeks and will most likely be placed on IR with the return of Moran Norris and Brit Miller, the other fullback on the roster, playing well in the first preseason game.  Keasey was never a fullback before he came to the 49ers and he was hurt most of last season.  I think it is time to part ways with Keasey.

I have not been able to update the site since the 49ers defeated the Broncos. Here are my thoughts on the game:

The first preseason game has come and gone with the 49ers defeating the Broncos on Friday night 17-16.  Most of my attention was on the quarterback dual between Shaun Hill and Alex Smith.  Both QB’s were adequate in the time they saw on Friday night. Here’s how they did:

Hill: In for one series. Started the game and lead an opening drive of 58 yards on 10 plays that ended with a field goal. He was 2 for 2 in passing, with Vernon Davis catching both, for 41 yards. He was sacked twice. Most importantly the offense converted on a 3^rd down to keep the drive alive.

Smith: Took over on the second offensive series and was in the game for four drives. He was 5 for 7 in passing for 33 yards with a touchdown pass to FB Brit Miller.

Nothing too spectacular from both but Hill has to be in the running to be named the starter.  Why would you have him only play in one series if you did not know what Hill brings as a quarterback or what he can do on the field?  Singletary knows what Hill can do, with Smith he is still trying to figure out what he brings to the team as a QB and what he can do on the field.  This is why I think Smith was in the game for four offensive series.

Free-agent rookie and third-string fullback Brit Miller caught two touchdown passes in the game.  It is only one game but I think he moved himself move up the depth chart passed second-string fullback Zac Keasey who gave up two sacks in the game because of poor blocking.

The 49ers secondary made Bronco fans everywhere wish for Jay Cutler as Kyle Orton threw three interceptions to CB Nate Clements, Dre’ Bly and Reggie Smith.  Not too impressive for Orton but the 49ers secondary and the D-line deserve credit for the INT’s even though it is only preseason.  I think the 49ers secondary had three picks all of the last year, ha.

Equally impressive was rookie running back Glen Coffee.  He received most of the playing time with Frank Gore sitting out and rushed for 67 yards on 14 carries. He had runs of 12 and 15 yards.

Watching Vernon Davis catch two passes for 41 yards was awesome.  He showed what he is capable of, the question is can he do it in the regular season and keep it up each game.

Next Game: Raiders @ Bill Walsh Field at Candlestick Park, Friday August 22.

Keep updated automatically through email on 49ers news at Niner Noise. Subscribe here:  http://feeds.feedburner.com/NinerNoise

Hill or Smith?

Here is the third installment of the San Francisco Chronicles series about the Santa Clara stadium deal: Santa Clara’s stadium deal: Too good to be true?

In an interview Mike Singletary said he will name the starting quarterback after the third exhibition game against the Cowboys on August 29.

“One of the things I feel very strongly about is one of those guys is going to take us where we need to go. I have two quarterbacks I feel very confident about. I don’t have one great guy. I have two good guys and somebody is going to step up and the next guy has to be ready.”

Speculation and guessing have been the name of the game when it comes to trying to figure who and when Singletary will name the starter under center.  At least now we have a timetable.  I say the sooner the better for the team.  At the very least Shaun Hill deserves to get most of the reps with the first team in training camp and in the first three preseason games.  By the end of the second preseason game against the Raiders Singletary and the 49er Faithful will have a good indication of who should be named the starter.  Unless Alex Smith is spectacular in training camp and the first three preseason games, which he has not shown at all in his career, Hill will be named the starter.  As much as I would love to see Smith come out of nowhere and become a good starting QB, that is just a pipe dream.  The 49ers will soon have to admit Smith is a bust and is best suited as a career QB back-up.

Hill or Smith?

The fact that we still have to ask this question is ridiculous.  What more does Shaun Hill has to prove to earn the starting job?  What has Alex Smith proved to still be in contention?  Hill is a confident quarterback and he has shown he can win football games.  He is 7-3 as a starter for the 49ers.  As fearful as we think Mike Singletary is, I think he is trying to be nice to Smith by saying ‘oh, sure kid you have a shot, just go out there and give it everything you got.’  Singletary was around when former head coach Mike Nolan shattered Smith’s confidence, so I could why he would be giving Smith a shot to boost that confidence up.  In the end Hill will be the starter.

How will Singletary do?

Singletary earned the head coaching job he now has which should have gone to him after the 2007 season. Instead last year we endured half a season of Nolan and J.T. Duh!Sullivan.  Singletary’s run-oriented offense he wants to install should do well with Frank Gore poised for a career year.  The players believe in him on the playing field and in the locker room.  Singletary will be tested more now that he is starting his first full season and it will be interesting to see how he responds in the pressure situations.  With his intensity and motivation the players respect and believe in it will transfer onto the playing field.  Singletary knows the 49ers are ready to contend but the first step is just trying to finish a season at least 8-8.

How will Jimmy Raye do?

After the 49ers tried hiring the second former Rams coach in two years as offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan choose the Lions over the us, a long search ensued with Jimmy Raye as the last man standing.  When he was announced as the new offensive coordinator I had no idea who he was.  He has a track record leading offenses with 11 seasons of experience with the Rams, Buccaneers, Patriots, Chiefs, Redskins and Raiders.  He has not had any spectacular seasons but he knows how to run the ball with five years of experience as a running backs coach.  The tools are there to run a successful offense and the 49ers showed last year they can be productive.  I just hope Raye stays for more than one season as coordinator.

What can we expect from Crabtree?

Number ten draft pick WR Michael Crabtree is at the end of recover from ankle surgery and will be ready for the start of training camp.  The big question is can his ankle hold up although at his age there is no reason not to expect him to be 100%.  A lot will be placed on his shoulders as expectations will be high with Scot McCloughan picking him with the 49ers first selection of the draft.  Crabtree and Shaun Hill will be a good duo with Hill’s quick release and Crabtree’s ability to break tackles after catching the short route.  I put my expectations for Crabtree at 50 receptions, 800 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Headed out of town and I will be back on Monday with new posts. Keep updated automatically through email on 49ers news at Niner Noise. Subscribe here:  http://feeds.feedburner.com/NinerNoise