49ers | Team agrees to three-year contract with S. Hill (1 Viewer)

[Smizzy]

49ers | Team agrees to three-year contract with S. HillMon, 4 Feb 2008 20:55:57 -0800Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed with QB Shaun Hill on a three-year contract. Hill is expected to receive the paperwork Tuesday, Feb. 5. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the deal could be worth approximately $2 million per year with playing-time bonuses that could further compensate him if he wins the starting job.

Does he win the starting gig?

 

[Scooby]

49ers | Team agrees to three-year contract with S. HillMon, 4 Feb 2008 20:55:57 -0800Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed with QB Shaun Hill on a three-year contract. Hill is expected to receive the paperwork Tuesday, Feb. 5. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the deal could be worth approximately $2 million per year with playing-time bonuses that could further compensate him if he wins the starting job.

Does he win the starting gig?

I have heard he is the frontrunner right now.

 

[Sanboy]

I am from the Bay Area and the talk around here on the radio and when the local beat writers talk is that HILL is the front - runner . but that the whole organization would like SMITH to win the job ...

but unlike past years . SMITH will not get a free ride . .if he doesnt win the job .. he will be benched

 

[Bracie Smathers]

49ers | Team agrees to three-year contract with S. Hill

Mon, 4 Feb 2008 20:55:57 -0800

Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed with QB Shaun Hill on a three-year contract. Hill is expected to receive the paperwork Tuesday, Feb. 5. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the deal could be worth approximately $2 million per year with playing-time bonuses that could further compensate him if he wins the starting job.

Does he win the starting gig?

$2 million per year? That isn't chump change and its not the sort of money that a team pays to a guy who didn't play more than 10 quarters last year. But its a three year deal. That means its an evaluative kind of deal where SF can evluate BOTH Shuan Hill AND Alex Smith. Make no mistake about it, Shuan Hill is in the running and Alex Smith is on thin ice but a three year deal means no other QBs will be in the mix for at least this year so Shuan has a legitimate shot to win the Niner's starting QB gig and I like what I saw of him in limited action last year and I also really like that Mike Martz is in the mix. Shuan Hill has to be considered a QB sleeper and would rank even higher in any dynasty leagues in terms of sleeper value. More details to that story.

... Hill was the most impressive of the 49ers' quarterbacks last season as he saw the first significant action of his six-year NFL career. The 49ers won both of his starts, games against Cincinnati and Tampa Bay.

He completed 54 of 79 passes for 501 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating was 101.3.

He set an NFL record for highest completion percentage (22 of 27, .815 pct.) in a game for a player making his first pass attempt. Hill entered the Dec. 9 game against the Vikings when Trent Dilfer sustained a concussion. The previous record was owned by Sam Wyche, who completed 20 of 25 (.800) in 1968 with Cincinnati.

* * *

In addition to the $2 million salary he reportedly should get a signing bonus in the $2 million dollar range as well. Shuan Hill could very well be starting for the Niners this year and I consider him a solid sleeper.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

49ers | Team agrees to three-year contract with S. HillMon, 4 Feb 2008 20:55:57 -0800Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed with QB Shaun Hill on a three-year contract. Hill is expected to receive the paperwork Tuesday, Feb. 5. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the deal could be worth approximately $2 million per year with playing-time bonuses that could further compensate him if he wins the starting job.

Does he win the starting gig?

I have heard he is the frontrunner right now.

where?the 49'ers owners have alot more money tied up in A.Smith

 

[Andy Dufresne]

As a Vikings fan, I don't think it would be one bit funny if he turned out to be the answer for the 49ers.

The irony would be so thick, it would be crushing.

 

[Blue-Kun]

49ers | Team agrees to three-year contract with S. HillMon, 4 Feb 2008 20:55:57 -0800Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed with QB Shaun Hill on a three-year contract. Hill is expected to receive the paperwork Tuesday, Feb. 5. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the deal could be worth approximately $2 million per year with playing-time bonuses that could further compensate him if he wins the starting job.

Does he win the starting gig?

I have heard he is the frontrunner right now.

where?the 49'ers owners have alot more money tied up in A.Smith

Local sports radio for the most part. That and the fact that the fan-base is getting real tired of the Nolan - Alex Smith extravaganza of suck.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

49ers | Team agrees to three-year contract with S. HillMon, 4 Feb 2008 20:55:57 -0800Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed with QB Shaun Hill on a three-year contract. Hill is expected to receive the paperwork Tuesday, Feb. 5. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the deal could be worth approximately $2 million per year with playing-time bonuses that could further compensate him if he wins the starting job.

Does he win the starting gig?

I have heard he is the frontrunner right now.

where?the 49'ers owners have alot more money tied up in A.Smith

Local sports radio for the most part. That and the fact that the fan-base is getting real tired of the Nolan - Alex Smith extravaganza of suck.

cheer up Mad Martz is on his way

 

[Bracie Smathers]

As a Vikings fan, I don't think it would be one bit funny if he turned out to be the answer for the 49ers.

The irony would be so thick, it would be crushing.

Have no idea of where Hill came from but he did look impressive last year with SF. Without knowing the situation behind the scenes, just based on what I saw, Hill should get a legit shot to win the starting gig. I also felt Sage Rosenfels should have gotten a legit shot to win the starting gig in Houston but that isn't going to happen. More from the SF blob. This during the season speculating on the shaky status of Alex Smith. This line stood out and was made prior to Hill getting his chance to start.

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp...5&mode=blog

... After the events of the past month, I'm not sure how Smith fits into the team's future. Nolan said Smith was medically cleared to begin light throwing on Wednesday. Look for Trent Dilfer to make his sixth start of the season on Sunday against the Vikings. Smith's return to action again this season still appears to be a long shot.

"I know he will do some light throwing on Wednesday and they will re-evaluate it at that time," Nolan said. "The doctors are looking at him all the time. It's a tough question to answer. There are doctor's appointments scheduled this week, but even last week with no appointments, they are always poking and prodding and making sure he is on track."

* * *

Look how Dilfer performed to see how Hill got his shot.http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/2007...38/1010/SPORT01

... the 49ers (3-9) fell back into their time-tested rut of incompetency, as they lost for the ninth time in 10 games.

Quarterback Trent Dilfer, starting his fifth game of the season in place of injured Alex Smith, threw four interceptions. It was his most interceptions in a game since the 1996 season opener with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Panthers cornerback Richard Marshall, a second-year player from Fresno State, picked off one of Dilfer's errant throws and returned it for a 73-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter to give Carolina a 17-0 lead...

In a different post from the live Niner/Viking thread he states the following about Alex Smith's injury status.http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp...3&mode=blog

--I haven't spoken to Alex Smith today, but HE TOLD THE TV GUYS THAT HE WILL DEFINITELY HAVE SURGERY, AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK. HE IS LIKELY TO SPEND THREE MONTHS IN REHABILITATION. I believe it was JC Pearson who said he spoke with Smith before the game, at which point Smith said a decision has been made.

If Alex Smith is in rehab for three months then I would think Hill has to be the front runner especially considering the deal he just signed. More from that same game-day blog when Dilfer got injured and Hill went into the game.

THIRD QUARTER

--This announcement in the press box: "Trent Dilfer has a head injury and he is out for the rest of the game."

--Shaun Hill is on the field. His next pass will be the first pass of his six-year NFL career. He might just lead one of the great comebacks in NFL history.

--Hill completes his first NFL attempt -- a 9-yard pass to Delanie Walker. They didn't stop the game and give him the ball. I wonder why.

--Hill completed his first four passes. He was hit as he was throwing for an incomplete pass on his next attempt as DT Kevin Williams destroyed Larry Allen to hit Hill.

--Hill throws his first NFL TD, a 5-yarder to Arnaz Battle. Hill gets the ball for his trophy case. Now it's Vikings 27, 49ers 7 with 7:06 left in the third. On that drive, he was 6 of 7 for 45 yards and a TD. His passer rating is 133.0.

--Hill gets the ball into Walker's hands for a 26-yard gain. There seems to be a spark -- at least temporarily -- for this 49ers' offense. Niners have the ball at the Vikings' 49.

Then some of the reader comments per Hill's sensational debut.

Comment: ... S Hill...22 of 28 for a 181 yds...are you kidding me?! In just one half. Coming in off the bench. Nice to see that Hill performed so well. He got his chance and showed that he can play with the big boys. They say players have to take advantage of every opportunity they get. Hill took advantage of his. Don't know where it will take him, but it certainly won't hurt his cause.

I wonder if Nolan will say at his press conference that today Hill's performance was the best QB'd game in his tenure thus replacing Dilfer's and throwing him under the bus.

Comment: A lot of us have been calling for Shaun Hill to get a chance for many weeks. To me, in preseason I saw a lot of Jeff Garcia in him - fast decisions, quick release, good runner, and especially great pocket awareness. With a porous offensive line, that's exactly the sort of quarterback you want in there. While obviously Minnesota was playing deeper than they would have in a close game, they certainly brought pressure constantly, and Hill showed great presence, quick decision making, and accurate short throws. I assume that he doesn't throw the long ball well (which may or may not be true), but with the 49ers offensive line, there's ordinarily not enough time for long throws, anyway. So Shaun Hill is perfect for the 49ers at this point, and the fact that he hasn't gotten a chance to this point is another example of Nolan's stupidity. Hill really looked in command out there. I'm pretty sure he'll start next game, and if the 49ers show some offense, it's another argument against retaining Nolan.

Maybe Niner fans can comment on what they saw of Hill.

 

[Colin Dowling]

Talk radio relies on saying sensational things. Has anyone stopped to ask how HIll, who hasn't taken a snap in team activities since the end of the year is somehow ahead of Smith, who also hasn't taken part in any activities? It would be one thing if there were a mini-camp wherein Hill was getting 1st team reps and looking great. But there isn't.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Talk radio relies on saying sensational things. Has anyone stopped to ask how HIll, who hasn't taken a snap in team activities since the end of the year is somehow ahead of Smith, who also hasn't taken part in any activities? It would be one thing if there were a mini-camp wherein Hill was getting 1st team reps and looking great. But there isn't.

Combination of Smith being injured, Hill looking good, and the following 'issues of Smith/Nolan.http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp...6&mode=blog

Smith goes public with gripes about Nolan

... Quarterback Alex Smith went public with his rift with Nolan, saying the coach tried to "undermine" his reputation in the locker room. Smith and Nolan have been at odds for a while, despite Nolan's assertion last week that everything was fine.

... Smith angered Nolan when he stated to the media on Nov. 14 that his shoulder and forearm were killing him. It was two days after Smith's third consecutive poor performance after returning from a separated shoulder, which he sustained Sept. 30.

In talking to reporters later, Nolan mocked Smith's injury, saying he was sore, too, but he wasn't going to use that as an excuse. But, according to the report, Nolan also spoke about Smith to the rest of the team.

"He came out and said some things to the team," Smith told MediaNews. "It was like he was telling his side of the story of it and I didn't want to get into it. . . . That was my biggest concern when he did that: I felt it was trying to undermine me with my teammates."

Smith will have surgery on his shoulder it was announced late Monday. He said the reason surgery wasn't agreed to earlier was because "if I had surgery, it would make them look bad."

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=701130

Nolan needs to tread lightly with his QB

... he ridiculed the media for making an issue of the reported differences with his starting quarterback. (More on that later.)

But what was he thinking when he openly mocked Alex Smith on back-to-back days?

There is a major communication gap right now between the head coach and the quarterback. These guys essentially came to the 49ers at the same time. It looked as if they were going to succeed together or fail together. Now, you really have to wonder if they're together at all.

There are serious concerns among people close to Smith that his forearm was overworked in the weight room shortly after he experienced the separated shoulder. His arm went from being in a sling for several days to working with light weights to working with larger weights in a matter of days.

When I asked Nolan about the concerns that Smith might have been doing too much too soon, Nolan laughed it off - blamed the media for trying to put a different spin on the news - and then added.

"But I'm sure he (Smith) might tell you something next week," Nolan said.

Again, that tells me that Nolan has not been communicating with his quarterback.

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp...1&mode=blog

... the rift, anyone whose eyes were open could tell these two men were at odds. Yet, publicly Nolan kept saying things were fine. Now, we know definitively that things were/are not fine. In essence, Smith told us something we already knew.

* * *

... This one stands on its own because of the individuals involved. It's the head coach and the quarterback. The head coach selected the quarterback as the No. 1 pick in the draft. When they both came to the organization in 2005, it seemed apparent that they were going to succeed together or fail together.

There has not been a whole lot of success so far in the Nolan-Smith pairing.

It's not uncommon for coaches and quarterbacks to have strained relations. Joe Montana and Bill Walsh weren't always on the best of terms. Heck, Bill Parcells and every quarterback he coached had problems.

But rarely have things gotten this personal, with details being divulged about the inner-workings of the team.

... Smith is highly intelligent, no question. But he is not the greatest communicator. He's a bit on the quiet side, and sometimes he might not express himself exactly how he intends. But this is the third instance in which Smith's words have apparently been misinterpreted.

Blogger's comments/evaluation of Smith's play after three years.

* *

I was asked a question whether I believe Smith is a good quarterback. Here was my answer:

Let's say the top 10 NFL QBs are great, the next 10 are average and everyone after that is poor. Right now, you'd get 100-percent agreement that Smith is in the final group.

However, I expected him to move into that second group this season.

... I know a lot of people who have never been convinced Smith will be worth a darn. Those people may turn out to be correct, but I'm not ready to shut the book on him, yet. I'm not sure there are many QBs in the league at this stage of his development who could've been successful in the situations he has experienced through 2 1/2 seasons with the 49ers.

* * *

Those comments were made prior to Shaun Hill going in and performing well. Right now Smith is injured and is at odds with his head coach. Add that Shaun Hill went in and performed well and just got a three year contract worth millions. I liked the kid just in terms of performance but adding it all together it looks like he is the favorite to start in SF next year. Smith would have heal his body and the fractured relationship with Nolan.

In trying to track down info on Hill all I kept running into was the rift between Smith and Nolan so take that FWIW but when a HC and a QB are at odds the HC wins if the QB hasn't ranked higher than the 22nd best QB in the league and his salary is that of the first pick in the draft and his unknown backup plays well and suddenly gets a three year contract.

 

[pettifogger]

I give Norv Turner or Scott McClouhan credit for finding Hill available and putting him in as a third string option.

And I give Hill credit for playing well when the opportunity arose.

But, I would be wary about expecting too much from a guy who was judged a backup by a variety of coaches on two teams over six years. Maybe he's one of those players who plays better than he looks in practice.

Last year for example, the 49ers offensive line was completely overwhelmed by the Seahawks' defense in the two games Smith started, and he took a beating in those two games, the second one ended his season. If Hill were to go into a game against them next years and distribute the ball quickly, turning the tables, I'd be convinced.

One issue is that Smith played a lot better in 2006 under Turner, with a lot of roll outs and option plays. In 2007 they tried to make him more of a pocket passer and it was not a good mix.

I have a gut feeling that Hill's style of play more closely fits with Martz' approach.

 

[djb916420]

Read in a couple local newspapers that it would be an open competition between the two (hill/smith) heading into camp.

FWIW

 

[B Maverick]

I think Smith gets the first shot being injured last year, their 1st rd pick and the one with the big contract. Hill looked good to me so I think he will get a shot but the ownership has to want smith to win with all they invested.

With that though, its going to come down to which one can pick up Martz offense first.

FF wise, I made a move to get Hill just in case in my dynasty league as a #3 qb in a start 2. He could be a sleeper.

 

[coolnerd]

2 million a year is not unusual for back-ups in today's NFL. I think Carr, Bollier, Harrington, and rosenfels all signed for that amount if not more with thier recent contracts.

 

[buster c]

Maryland fan here. Hill led the Terps to the Orange Bowl 5 years ago and I thought then that he was an NFL caliber QB. I predict that he will do well, eventually beating out that stiff, A. Smith

 

[toxicbees]

It'll probably be an open competition, but I think Alex gets the first shot. As good as Hill looked he never topped 200 yards in the three games he played, I'm not going to crown him just yet. Nolan has also said on a couple occasions that he likes what he saw out of Drew Olsen in practice. There may also be a chance a late round QB gets drafted.

Alex Smith is going to get his shot, and if he does well he'll keep the job. Before his injury, his record was 9-10 in 2006 and the start of 2007. He has the arm for a Martz offense.

 

[CalBear]

It's backup money, on a team where the management refuses to admit their own bad decisions. Smith will start.

 

[Warhogs]

My speculation is that this will be a pretty open competition. Organizations in the end will put the guy that will help them win on the field first. If that was not the case then Brady Quinn would have been given his shot instead of Derek Andersen. I'm sure the Browns did not want to have to be asked why spend a future first on Quinn if Andersen is so good but Andersen earned his shot anyway.

 

[CalBear]

My speculation is that this will be a pretty open competition. Organizations in the end will put the guy that will help them win on the field first. If that was not the case then Brady Quinn would have been given his shot instead of Derek Andersen. I'm sure the Browns did not want to have to be asked why spend a future first on Quinn if Andersen is so good but Andersen earned his shot anyway.

Good organizations make decisions that will help them win. Bad organizations make bad decisions for various different reasons. Here in the Bay Area we have two different examples of classic bad organizations; the Raiders, a perfect example of the problems of micro-management, and the Niners, a perfect example of the problems of clueless and self-serving ownership.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Read in a couple local newspapers that it would be an open competition between the two (hill/smith) heading into camp.

FWIW

Update. ESPN picked up and is dispersing the AP story that Hill is definitely in the running to start next year with the Niners.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?i...ce=NFLHeadlines

Niners re-sign Hill to compete for starting job with Smith

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) _ Quarterback Shaun Hill re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, affirming his plan to compete with Alex Smith for the starting job next fall.

... coach Mike Nolan said Hill had earned the right to compete with Smith, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005 who has struggled along with his teammates in his three NFL seasons.

Smith and Nolan had a prolonged public disagreement last season over the 49ers' handling of Smith's shoulder injury, which eventually forced him out for the season after a poor comeback attempt.

Hill's style also might fit better into the system favored by new offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Dilfer, who struggled in most of his appearances during Smith's absence, isn't expected to return to San Francisco next season despite his stated desire to keep playing.

If Dilfer is out then their will be an addition at QB but the pickings are slim in the FA market so they may go the route of taking a flyer later in the draft but I doubt they could handle media scrutiny of using a high pick on a QB with Smith still on the roster. I think the three year deal signed by Hill means an open competition between Smith/Hill and that Hill looked better and doesn't have the animosity with Nolan and then he does seem to fit much better in a Mike Martz system. Add in if the Niners take a shot with a low drafted flyer its highly doubtful anyone like that would be ready to compete for the starting job so I would not be suprised at all to see Shaun Hill starting next year in San Francisco.

 

[Riffraff]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...;feed=rss.49ers

QB Smith contract secured through 2010.

 

[BaBastage]

My speculation is that this will be a pretty open competition. Organizations in the end will put the guy that will help them win on the field first. If that was not the case then Brady Quinn would have been given his shot instead of Derek Andersen. I'm sure the Browns did not want to have to be asked why spend a future first on Quinn if Andersen is so good but Andersen earned his shot anyway.

Good organizations make decisions that will help them win. Bad organizations make bad decisions for various different reasons. Here in the Bay Area we have two different examples of classic bad organizations; the Raiders, a perfect example of the problems of micro-management, and the Niners, a perfect example of the problems of clueless and self-serving ownership.

You nailed it.