Fan Pulse: 49ers fans vote O’Sullivan for starting QB

By Neal Coolong  |   Thursday, August 14, 2008  |  Comments( 11 )

San Francisco 49ers
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If selecting a starting quarterback were a democratic process, it would seem the 49ers' J.T. O'Sullivan would have an overwhelming edge over incumbent Alex Smith for the hottest QB battle in the NFL.

According to the 49ers Web Zone Fan Forum, O'Sullivan has a 2-to-1 advantage (69 percent to 31 percent) to start against Green Bay in the team's second preseason game Aug. 16.

One poster, speaking in regards to San Francisco's preseason-opening loss at Oakland, figures it's O'Sullivan's job to lose, not that of the former No. 1 overall pick.

"JTO played well minus that int. he outplayed smith against the STARTERS with 3 good passes to (Josh) Morgan. Smith still underthrew his recievers against 2nd string pressure."

It doesn't get easier for Smith, who, according to Matt Burrows of the Sacramento Bee, is experiencing a personal tragedy.

Perhaps that is part of the reason 49ers head coach Mike Nolan is playing his cards close to the vest in regards to who his starter will be. The third leg of the three-horse race is Shaun Hill, and Nolan mentioned how O'Sullivan seems to have the edge right now because the coach has seen much more of Hill and Smith.

A poster thinks Smith needs to show more as the backup Saturday if he wants to gain the starting job. More, as in, he needs to lead the offense to the end zone, something he didn't accomplish against Oakland.

"If it really is a competition, then Smith or Hill should start. IMO, Alex should get the start. If I was scoring the QB play, I'd say it is Alex 1, JT 0, Hill 0. Who will win round 2??? If Smith gets stuck with the 2nd team again, he has to score some points."

These battles never seem to be determined over the course of the preseason. Last season, the main QB battle was between Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson in Cleveland. Frye apparently won the starting job, but he was yanked after one quarter against Pittsburgh in Week 1 and replaced by Anderson. Cleveland traded Frye to Seattle later that week, and Anderson became one of the AFC's best passers. Not to suggest the loser(s) of this battle will be instantly jettisoned out of town, but to echo many on 49ers Web Zone, it just doesn't seem Smith will be the starter in the Bay.

"It should be Smith, but i know its not going to be"
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one...
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