Shaun Hill vs. Alex Smith: The Fight To Be Under Center for the 49ers

Alex Smith and Shaun Hill have been competing for the starting San Francisco 49ers quarterback position in their offseason mini camp in Santa Clara, Calif.

“We’d like the competition to continue and run its course, and let the best player survive that,” 49ers offensive coach Jimmy Raye told Yahoo! Sports.

Both players recognize the importance of this offseason minicamp, with the starting quarterback position being vacant, reserved for whichever player wins the position battle in minicamp and the preseason. 

“(The competition is) definitely there," Smith told Yahoo! Sports. "We both recognize it.”

The 49ers fifth-round draft pick, and 171st pick overall, Nate Davis of Ball state has also joined the competition, but his presence in minicamp is more of a learning experience, helping the rookie get acclimated to the fast-paced NFL.

So who will be victorious and earn the right to lead the 49ers into battle on the road against division rival and defending NFC champion Arizona, in the first game of the season?

Niners coaches and players are not talking, and the 49ers minicamp is staying relatively closed to outsiders. My feeling is that Smith had to earn to right to compete against Hill for the starting position this offseason, and unless he makes a remarkable impact on the coaching staff in minicamp, Hill will once again be the starter in 2009.

I think that most Bay Area fans would agree with me. We like the fight and tenacity we saw out of Shaun Hill late in the 2008 season, and we still feel ripped off for that No. 1 overall pick used on Smith in the 2005 draft.  I personally feel used, abused, and violated.

In the 2008 season, Hill started nine games and threw for 2,046 yards, 13 touchdowns passing, and a quarterback rating of 87.5.

In Smith's last full season as a starter, 2006, he threw for 2,980 yards, 16 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 74.8.