J.T. O'Sullivan Named Starting Quarterback

[playmaker7]

The 49ers have named J.T. O'Sullivan as their starting quarterback for the regular-season opener, coach Mike Nolan told reporters Friday.

The long-anticipated announcement comes as no surprise after O'Sullivan's impressive performance Thursday night against the Chicago Bears in the 49ers' third exhibition game. O'Sullivan had been working with the first-team offense since Aug. 6, moving past former starter and 2005 No. 1 overall draft choice Alex Smith on the depth chart.

O'Sullivan, 29, has never started a regular-season NFL game. Smith, 24, was the starter until a shoulder injury limited him to seven games in 2007.

The 49ers signed O'Sullivan in March after naming Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator. Martz and O'Sullivan were together with the Detroit Lions last season. O'Sullivan's familiarity with Martz's offense gave him an edge in a competition that began with Smith and veteran Shaun Hill as the primary competitors.

O'Sullivan has completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 351 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in three exhibition starts this summer. His passer rating is 91.8. Smith, working mostly with the second-team offense, has completed 42.1 percent of his passes with one touchdown, no interceptions and a 67.4 rating.

Smith enters the season as the No. 2 quarterback, with Hill in the No. 3 role.

San Francisco opens the regular season Sept. 7 vs. the Arizona Cardinals.

Mike Sando covers the NFL for ESPN.com

Meh, I guess its for the better. I say let Smith learn from watching and let him learn the offense from the bench without letting him get ate up out there.

 

[RipCity32]

Smith an official bust now? lawlz

 

[playmaker7]

*not going over this again*

Go in the CT and you'll figure out why

 

[RipCity32]

What does the CT say?

 

[.GR]

All it says is Excuses, Excuses, Excuses.

 

[RipCity32]

All it says is Excuses, Excuses, Excuses.

Silly Greg, tricks are for kids!

 

[Pugz]

Smith IS NOT a bust... YET, he still has the rest of this season to prove himself, and some will see this as him being a bust, or even if he doesn't prove himself for 2 more years people will call him a bust. But he isn't he WILL prove himself once he gets a steady offense to learn and master. He will be a good pro and will help any team he's on. JUST WATCH

 

[playmaker7]

Edited with actual article

I think he can get the nod against the Cards

 

[A.E]

You guys have to remember that Alex Smith was drafted very young...a sophomore coming out of Utah. Alex Smith has also played under a different Offensive Coordinator in each and every one of his NFL seasons.

 

[playmaker7]

You guys have to remember that Alex Smith was drafted very young...a sophomore coming out of Utah. Alex Smith has also played under a different Offensive Coordinator in each and every one of his NFL seasons.

Someone is speaking like they actually have knowledge of the situation

Maybe he would be better if he actually got to work with an offense for more than 1 year have you guys ever thought about that?

 

[A.E]

Someone is speaking like they actually have knowledge of the situation

Maybe he would be better if he actually got to work with an offense for more than 1 year have you guys ever thought about that?

Yea...typically playing in the same system with the same guy in charge for longer than 1 season leads to better results from your personnel.

Sad part for Alex is that should the Niners stay in the cellar of the NFC West this year...he will see yet another change in regime.