Shaun Hill News: Pro Sports Daily

Carr's arrival in S.F. spells trouble for Hill

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March 8

Sacramento Bee

"The 49ers and quarterback David Carr agreed to terms on a two-year deal Sunday. Cue the ominous music for Shaun Hill. Carr's addition to the roster does not bode well for Hill, who began last season as the 49ers' starting quarterback but who was replaced by Alex Smith in Week 7. Carr, 30, spent the past two seasons as Eli Manning's top backup with the New York Giants and is expected to fill the same role with the 49ers. Hill, who boasts a 10-6 record as a starter for the 49ers, declined to comment when reached Sunday evening. He said he is considering his options. One of them would be to ask the 49ers for his release. There are several backup positions available around the league, but ..."

Quarterback deficiencies leave 49ers, Raiders in no man's land

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October 27

Oakland Tribune

columnist Cam Inman

"ALEX SMITH VERSION 2.0 represents the Bay Area's best quarterback hope, and that's more scary than soothing, more of a trick than a treat. No knock on Smith, who's attempting a Plunkett-arian rebirth, but the 49ers and Raiders are in quarterback trouble once again. Each franchise's fall from grace is traced to instability and ineffectiveness at quarterback. That ground remains as liquefied as ever. So they're desperately squeezing every last ounce of potential from their one-time top overall draft picks: Smith (No. 1 in 2005) with the 49ers and JaMarcus Russell (No. 1 in 2007) with the Raiders. Smith, on the rebound from rock bottom, officially reclaimed his starting job Monday. Russell ..."

49ers have more to worry about than QB

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October 27

San Jose Mercury News

columnist Mark Purdy

"Lose the quarterback fixation, OK? We all spend too much time worrying about that position with the 49ers. It's probably part of the DNA for every fan of the team. But this 49ers group has far thornier issues to address. News flash we all expected: Alex Smith is the team's new starter. That decision took about three seconds for coach Mike Singletary to make to make when he arrived at work Monday. If you watched the 49ers' game in Houston on Sunday, when Smith performed impressively out of the bullpen, then you know why Singletary made the choice. But after telling Shaun Hill that he was now a backup quarterback, guess how the coach spent a decent chunk of his morning? Sitting in on a ..."

Singletary picks Smith over Hill as 49ers' QB

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October 26

NFL.com

"Shaun Hill has lost the 49ers' starting quarterback job, coach Mike Singletary said, and Alex Smith will be under center this Sunday against the Colts. "When I met with Shaun, I told him, 'You gave us the best chance to win at that time. Done a great job at this point,'" Singletary said at his Monday news conference. "But right now, we need to go with Alex. Alex Smith gives us the best chance to win.""

Smith relieves Hill as 49ers' QB, throws TD pass

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October 25

NFL.com

"After starting QB Shaun Hill struggled again, 49ers coach Mike Singletary went to backup Alex Smith to start the second half of the game against the Texans. Hill completed 6 of 11 passes for 45 yards in the first half, but the 49ers failed to score any points in falling behind 21-0. Hill also struggled two weeks ago in a 45-10 loss to the Falcons, going 15 of 38 for 198 yards and no touchdowns with one interception. Smith, the No. 1 overall draft pick by the 49ers in 2005, hadn't played in an NFL regular-season game since 2007 because of injuries. But he looked solid on his first drive against the Texans, throwing a 29-yard touchdown pass to TE Vernon Davis."

Pretty in pink: 49ers help cause

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October 5

San Francisco Chronicle

"Four of the 49ers wore pink cleats during Sunday's game, as part of the NFL's inaugural breast-cancer-awareness month. Other players wore a variety of pink items. Quarterback Shaun Hill, receiver Jason Hill, linebacker Takeo Spikes and defensive lineman Justin Smith wore the shoes, which will be auctioned to benefit cancer-related charities. "When I saw the cleats, I was skeptical at first," Spikes said, "but then I found out that (fellow linebacker) Scott McKillop has someone in his family dealing with breast cancer." Shaun Hill said he had brief second thoughts, too, when he saw the shoes, which were pale pink and white. He had expected something in black and pink. Even though no one ..."

49ers batter the Rams

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October 5

San Jose Mercury News

"When teammate Ray McDonald grabbed a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown, 49ers linebacker Manny Lawson said he was thrilled and energized. Oh, and a little jealous. "My celebration would have been better than his,'' Lawson said. Maybe next week. On Sunday, there were only so many celebrations to be crammed into a 35-0 victory over the St. Louis Rams. The 49ers hit for the touchdown cycle, reaching the end zone on offense, defense and special teams. It marked the first time the 49ers had pulled off that feat since doing it against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 10, 1997. More important, the 49ers' victory capped a trifecta against NFC West teams, with the 49ers registering wins over the ..."

49ers' Hill not pining for his days in Minnesota

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September 25

San Jose Mercury News

"Shaun Hill spent four years riding the bench in Minnesota. This week, he returns to the scene of the pine. The 49ers play in the Metrodome on Sunday. The key word for Hill is play. He was the Vikings' third-string quarterback in 2002-05 but threw as many NFL passes as you, dear reader. Hill's career highlight in Minnesota is easy to unearth. In the last game of his last season, the quarterback was entrusted to run out the final 1:07 on the clock. Hill took two snaps. He knelt down both times without incident. "I did good," he recalled. "I got credit for two rushes and minus-2 yards." Hill got his moment only because coach Mike Tice wanted starting quarterback Brad Johnson to get one last ..."

Former Vikings QB Shaun Hill stages a comeback with 49ers

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September 24

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Two years before outdueling prospect Alex Smith to become the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, reality was closing in fast on Shaun Hill. Jettisoned from the Vikings during coach Brad Childress' 2006 regime change, Hill had been out of football for a year and had no contingency for rescuing an unlikely career on the brink of extinction. Doubt taking hold, he figured to spend summer 2007 trolling training camp injury lists for job opportunities before the 49ers signed him to be their No. 3 quarterback behind veteran Trent Dilfer and Smith, the No. 1 overall pick of 2006. After grabbing San Francisco's lifeline, Hill persevered and grinded his way to the starter's job, ..."

Shaun Hill critiques final moments of his first start last season

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September 11

Oakland Tribune

"Shaun Hill's finest hour lasted about a minute. His biggest victory came in a defeat. It all happened last Nov. 10, when the 49ers nearly pulled off an upset of the Arizona Cardinals on "Monday Night Football." Making his first start of the season, Hill somehow kept his cool despite the crowd, the clock, the confusion and - by Mike Martz's own admission - a colossal blunder by the offensive coordinator. Fans like to point to the 29-24 defeat as a reminder that the 49ers were 1 yard away from beating a team bound for the Super Bowl. The 49ers find out Sunday if they've closed the gap: They face the Cardinals on the road in the season opener. In advance of that game, Hill met with the San ..."

Hill hits rewind to learn lessons from last year's MNF foibles

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September 11

San Jose Mercury News

"Shaun Hill's finest hour lasted about a minute. His biggest victory came in a defeat. It all happened last Nov. 10, when the 49ers nearly pulled off an upset of the Arizona Cardinals on "Monday Night Football." Making his first start of the season, Hill somehow kept his cool despite the crowd, the clock, the confusion and — by Mike Martz's own admission — a colossal blunder by the offensive coordinator. Fans like to point to the 29-24 defeat as a reminder that the 49ers were 1 yard away from beating a team bound for the Super Bowl. The 49ers find out Sunday if they've closed the gap: They face the Cardinals on the road in the season opener. In advance of that game, Hill met with the ..."

49ers QB Hill back at practice, likely for Saturday

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August 28

San Francisco Chronicle

"After letting his strained lower back "settle down," Shaun Hill returned to practice Thursday and threw in individual drills while Damon Huard ran most of the plays with the starting offense in team sessions. Hill said he expects to play in Saturday night's preseason game in Dallas "as far as I know." "It feels good today," he said. "It was nice to be able to get out there and practice. It wasn't as bad as everyone thought. I knew it wasn't all that serious. It was smarter to let things settle down than to push through at this point in the year." San Francisco's starters are expected to play the first half against the Cowboys, with some continuing on into the third quarter."

Injured back could keep Hill sidelined Saturday

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August 27

San Jose Mercury News

"Days after being anointed the 49ers starting quarterback, Shaun Hill suffered a back injury that could keep him on the sideline this weekend. Hill tried to practice Wednesday, but a lower-back strain proved to be worse than expected. Hill threw just one pass — nearly intercepted by Manny Lawson — before calling it a wrap. With Hill and Alex Smith (sprained thumb) on the shelf, rookie Nate Davis and veteran Damon Huard shared quarterback duties for the remainder of the double-day practice. Those two might be the only quarterbacks healthy enough to face the Cowboys in Saturday's exhibition. Could Davis or Huard start in Dallas? "I don't know," coach Mike Singletary said. "I'm assuming (Hill) ..."

49ers QB Hill leaves practice with injury

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August 27

Sacramento Bee

"Two days after the 49ers settled on Shaun Hill as their starting quarterback, Hill was on the sideline with a sore back while his understudies ran practice. Coach Mike Singletary said Hill strained his lower back during Tuesday's practice by pushing himself too hard. Hill went through the early stages of Wednesday's session without a hitch. But after one throw in the team portion of the practice, he was finished for the day. Though Hill gave a thumbs-up signal while jogging into the locker room and said he'd "definitely" play Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys, Singletary said he wasn't so sure. "It'll be day-to-day," Singletary said. The 49ers are already without Alex Smith, who watched ..."

Hill's top priority for 49ers? Hand off to Gore

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August 26

San Jose Mercury News

"A day after Shaun Hill wrapped up the starting spot, offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye reminded everyone what the 49ers quarterback job is all about. The QB is the sidekick. Frank Gore is the leading man. "This deal is 21," Raye said Tuesday, referring to the running back by his uniform number. "The lead dog in this race was never going to be the quarterback." Gore is the first 49ers running back to rush for at least 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. He has 3,833 rushing yards during that time, trailing only LaDainian Tomlinson's 4,399 for the San Diego Chargers. Gore's 4.72 yards per carry since 2006 is the highest of any running back with at least 700 carries. So, welcome to the ..."

Singletary names Shaun Hill his regular season starter

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August 25

San Jose Mercury News

"Shaun Hill has been named the 49ers' opening-day starting quarterback ahead of 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith, coach Mike Singletary announced before Monday afternoon's practice. "I like (Hill's) consistency, he has a commanding presence about him when he gets in the huddle, guys have learned to rally around him, and his leadership," Singletary said. "Alex Smith continues to do that, has made great strides. I'm very excited about what he brings and what he's had to work through to get this point. "So Shaun right now really offers a lot of leadership and I'm excited about that." So ends the latest chapter of quarterback quandaries with the 49ers, who went 5-3 over the second half ..."

Hill named 49ers starting QB

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August 25

Contra Costa Times

columnist Cam Inman

"Shaun Hill has been named the 49ers' opening-day starting quarterback ahead of 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith, coach Mike Singletary announced before Monday afternoon's practice. "I like (Hill's) consistency, he has a commanding presence about him when he gets in the huddle, guys have learned to rally around him, and his leadership," Singletary said. "Alex Smith continues to do that, has made great strides. I'm very excited about what he brings and what he's had to work through to get this point. "So Shaun right now really offers a lot of leadership and I'm excited about that." So ends the latest chapter of quarterback quandries with the 49ers, who went 5-3 over the second half ..."

Singletary is laboring over his QB decision

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August 24

San Jose Mercury News

"After three mini-camps, four organized team activities, three weeks of training camp and two exhibition games, the 49ers' quarterback competition remains unsettled. Coach Mike Singletary said Sunday that he has yet to decide on Shaun Hill or Alex Smith after reviewing film of the 49ers' 21-20 victory over the Raiders a night earlier. Against the Raiders, Smith started and went 3 for 9 for 30 yards — a stat line hurt by a drop that turned into an interception. He probably needed a big night to wrest the job away from Hill, the presumed favorite. But Hill didn't do much either, going 3 for 7 for 20 yards. Singletary's evaluation of his two passers? "Nothing great,'' the coach said. ..."

It's Hill by a nose in the 49ers' QB derby

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August 15

Contra Costa Times

columnist Cam Inman

"ROUND ONE OF the 49ers' in-game quarterback competition goes to "... Shaun Hill, their nonchalant starter who barely had time to impress (or tank) in Friday night's two-pass cameo against the Denver Broncos. He didn't, however, create much separation from Alex Smith, and vice versa, in the 49ers' 17-16 win. That duo did look dynamic compared with new Denver Broncos starter Kyle Orton, who had three passes intercepted in the first 25 minutes and surely made the AFC West-rival Raiders drool. Hill played only the first series, so we'll be reading far too much into his 10-snap tour of duty. But whenever there's this kind of smoke (see: 49ers quarterback controversy), every aspect of that fire ..."

It's all uphill for Smith after interception

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August 11

Contra Costa Times

"Disgusted by a fumble at practice, 49ers coach Mike Singletary warned his players that the next player to turn the ball over would be banished from the field. Happy trails, Alex Smith. The quarterback threw a hard-luck interception just minutes after Singletary laid down the law Monday. That sent Smith trekking up to the top of Singletary's hill - the one nicknamed Mt. Pain. Smith had a scenic view as fellow quarterbacks Shaun Hill, Damon Huard and Nate Davis got the action over the next 30 minutes or so. Considering that Smith's throw wasn't that bad, the punishment didn't fit the crime. Singletary knew as much and he smiled and greeted Smith with a hearty handshake once the sentence had ..."

Decision on starting quarterback might come down to exhibitions

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August 11

Sacramento Bee

"During a 49ers practice last week, Vernon Davis blew by the safety covering him and raised his hand to signal he was open. The pass sailed in from 35 yards away, hit Davis in full stride, and the tight end ran another 30 yards or so into the end zone to the raucous delight of 1,000 fans watching that day. The guy who threw the ball was pretty elated, too, raising his arms to the heavens as if it were a January playoff game, not an afternoon in August. After all, Shaun Hill is supposed to be lousy when it comes to deep passes. Meanwhile, the scouting report on Alex Smith is he holds onto the ball too long and has no feel for the short passing game. Yet on the same day Hill connected on the ..."

Hill Still the Guy

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June 22

San Francisco Chronicle

"Back from vacation and we're obviously behind, nevertheless here's a look back on the offseason practives. Nothing is supposed to happen in OTA's, but this year, the 49ers off-season practices were significant. Particularly that one in May when wide receiver Dominique Zeigler tangled with veteran cornerback Walt Harris. The resulting torn anterior cruciate knee ligament for Harris will likely end his season maybe even his career (he turns 35 on Aug. 10th). It forced the 49ers to sign a Dre Bly, a cocky, gambling type of player who might be just what the 49ers need at right cornerback. It sets up possibly a more intriguing battle for the starter's role come training camp between Bly and ..."

Hill vs. Smith: Niners' QB competition heats up

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June 11

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Scott Ostler

"During a lull in the action at the 49ers' practice Tuesday, somebody tossed a football to Shaun Hill. The ball skidded off his fingers and fell to the grass. Will this flub count against Hill in his ongoing competition with Alex (The New Alex) Smith for the starting quarterback job? Is that moment of nonchalance by Hill good or bad, intangibles-wise? Where does Mike Singletary stand on nonchalance? Is this what they mean when they say Hill is not a good practice player? And the big question: Do we really have to endure 93 more days of suspense, assuming Singletary ponders his QB decision until the day before the season opener? This longtime observer, after watching Tuesday's practice like ..."