J.T. O'Sullivan to start Saturday: What means more than "the writing is on the wall?"

by Fooch on Aug 14, 2008 11:58 AM PDT in News Comment 13 comments

Coach Mike Nolan made the QB rotation official for this Saturday against Green Bay. It'll be the Battle for California as former UC-Davis great J.T. O'Sullivan squares off against former Cal Bear Aaron Rodgers. The rotation is the same as last week with Alex Smith relieving O'Sullivan and Shaun Hill relieving Smith.

It's only the second game of the preseason, but clearly the pecking order has been established. I mentioned previously how I just wanted somebody to be the #1 guy, and it seems like we're getting that.

Considering the amount of money Alex Smith is owed in 2009 and 2010 ($9.625M and $15.05M), if O'Sullivan becomes the starter this season and lasts as the starter, I'd imagine Alex Smith would get cut next offseason. Not a stunning proclamation, but definitely hits pretty deep considering he was a #1 overall pick and the guy Nolan was going to build around. Of course, if the season goes south, well Nolan won't be around either. And it makes me annoyed that I bought the Alex Smith jersey. Great call there.

In another starting note, it looks like Josh Morgan will be starting opposite Isaac Bruce on Saturday. Hopefully O'Sullivan and Morgan can continue the rapport they seemed to establish last game. It sounds like Bruce won't get a lot of playing time so Jason Hill will get starter quality minutes.

Arnaz Battle, Bryant Johnson and Ashley Lelie will apparently all be in street clothes on Saturday. Battle's hamstring was feeling ok but he felt it "grab" in practice on Tuesday. So definitely better safe than sorry. As for Lelie, well, if he's not cut before the start of the regular season I'd be somewhat surprised. He brings the vertical threat, but you really can't bring it on the sideline. He'd need to get healthy for the last 2 games and really wow people to secure a roster spot.

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About Smith...

Smith is flying down to SD on Friday to attend his best friend’s funeral. His best friend committed suicide early this week. They have been friends since middle school and roomed together up until last year. He died earlier this week and Smith, understandably, has been very down and has been feeling off. A quote that I found very sad is that Smith talked to his friend less than 12 hours before he committed suicide, and he said his friend was all gung-ho about coming to this weeks pre-season game. I don’t know if Smith will be there for sure on Sat. but I wouldn’t bet on it.

by StrictlyFootball on Aug 14, 2008 12:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

good point

I forgot about that and you definitely have to feel bad for him. Barrows was saying the family requested the service be held in the Smith’s backyard because of how tight the families were.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/014584.html

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by Fooch on Aug 14, 2008 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is a sad story, condolences to Alex and his family and the friends and family of his friend…

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Aug 14, 2008 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, okay. I was about write an angry tirade.

Wait, why is Hill not starting then? I’m sick of O’Sullivan.

Plus, his jersey won’t look at cool as Smith’s.

by Rishi on Aug 14, 2008 12:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think...

… the team wants to give O’Sullivan another good look with the 1’s. The team kind of already knows what they have in Smith and Hill, but O’Sullivan is more of the wild card. While it’s possible that O’Sullivan will be the #1 QB after this week, I wouldn’t be surprised if Hill or Smith get the start next week, either.

by sfgfan on Aug 14, 2008 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should have went with the P Willie jersey like me….no regrets yet!!

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Aug 14, 2008 12:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Or...

… You could always try to “carefully” remove the name patch that is sewn on there and hope someone else eventually takes over #11 and makes the jersey look good.

by sfgfan on Aug 14, 2008 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should have gone with a Lincecum jersey

STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 14, 2008 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I too, am the owner of an Alex Smith jersey, though that one was a birthday present in ’05. I bought a Gore for myself in ’06. And want to buy a Willis soon, but its on the list with an Ellis and a Jahvid Best.

http://mymindgrapes.wordpress.com

by 408 on Aug 14, 2008 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can't miss with the oldies...

I got the trifecta of Montana, Rice and Lott all three throwback and official jerseys. I got them $75 each from Korea on Ebay. Some of the best money I ever spent.

by StrictlyFootball on Aug 14, 2008 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

montana jersey

I have a Montana throwback that an air force buddy of mine picked up while he was in Korea.

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by Fooch on Aug 14, 2008 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

this game

will probably be as competitive as a UC Davis. vs. Cal game anyway.

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN

by zenbitz on Aug 14, 2008 4:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don’t regret that Smith jersey purchase yet. Plenty of time for O’Fumble I mean O’Interception I mean O’lateral I mean O’Sucksrealbad to continue sucking real bad, which he probably will. May not be preseason, may not be week one, but mark my words at some point Smith will be in and prove his worth. He needs time to learn the offense, and remember Isaac Bruce said it would take all of preseason for the whole team to learn the system, not just one guy.

by Indiana Jim on Aug 15, 2008 3:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs