First off, I have predicted that J.T. O'Sullivan will win the starting quarterback job. There are many factors that will play into it, so let me be specific:

1. The quarterback that communicates directly to Nolan and the coaches instead of through the media will be the most likely choice to be named the starting quarterback. Nolan has one pet peeve-players who communicate to him through the press.

2. Nolan wants to start strong, winning games early in the season. O'Sullivan is the most logical choice to give the 49ers the best chance to win.

3. O'Sullivan has established a great harmonious chemistry with WR Josh Morgan, who is a strong candidate to be the 3rd, even 2nd WR in the depth chart. Never mind  Alex Smith's chemistry with Arnaz Battle, we know that chemistry didn't win championships for the 49ers. It just moved them down the field.

4. O'Sullivan is on the same page with another 49er newcomer, Isaac Bruce.

Let's discuss game management. While O'Sullivan has made masterful throws, his game management is not as smooth as Smith's. Game management is important, or that will leave Nolan looking like an incompetent coach. I firmly believe that as the pre-season progresses, because O'Sullivan has been getting a lot of the reps, his game management will work itself out.

Game management is all that has been going for Smith, he rebounds on days with no interceptions to throwing for four. Smith is trying not to be a conservative quarterback, but simply the decision making that aligns with the Martz offense needs to be better. He holds on to the ball too long, which indicates indecisiveness. Remember the Martz offense provides options in each play scenario, from reading what the defense is going to do, then selecting the option the Martz offense provides. There are the hot reads to improve on.

O'Sullivan might put too much into a play, such as the O'Sullivan-Foster lateral fiasco, but the greatest thing about O'Sullivan is, he won't make the same mistake twice.

Seeing all three quarterbacks struggle at times against the Niner defense shows what a potent defense they have. If I was quarterbacking against the Niner defense, I would have to be pinpointedly deadly accurate and brilliant in decision-making to high-power the offense. That is one negative about the quarterback battle, because the Niner defense is too strong for any quarterback, and it exposes the weaknesses of all three.

Playing against a weaker defensive team will make whoever is named the starter look like a genius.

And I hope O'Sullivan is that genius.