49ers' 3 QBs each get a turn running No. 1 offense today
ALL 3 TO RUN OFFENSE AGAINST RAIDERS TODAY
By Daniel Brown
Mercury News
Article Launched: 08/04/2008 01:34:01 AM PDT


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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith passes during football training camp... ( Paul Sakuma )«1»
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Today's joint practice session at the Raiders' complex in Napa marks the first chance for the 49ers to test themselves against an opponent.

The big question: Which quarterback will work with the starters?

The 49ers' answer: All of the above.

Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan will each get a turn with the No. 1 unit, Coach Mike Nolan said Sunday.

Nolan was also checking the Raiders' itinerary to make sure each of his starters would face Oakland's top defensive unit at some point during the two-a-day session.

So cements the 49ers' strict rationing in the quarterback battle. With 15 practice days remaining, Nolan plans to have each quarterback get five appearances with the first team.

• Nolan was scheduled to meet with Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin late Sunday to review the logistics of a day that will include about 150 players on different practice fields.

There will be two sessions, one at 9 a.m. and one at 7 p.m., with neither open to the public. It's not a scrimmage, and there will be no tackling, but the drills will have a competitive element.

"It gets the players' attention," Nolan said. "A guy isn't going to take a down off."

Nolan has never coordinated a joint practice as a head coach. But he said he learned their value at previous stops. He said the Washington Redskins used to hold a joint practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers and that the Denver Broncos used to team up with the Arizona


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Cardinals.
• Nobody understands the unusual nature of today's get-together better than Barry Sims, the longtime Raiders offensive lineman now in his first 49ers camp.

Two Bay Area rivals on the same practice field? It's like a play date for the Hatfields and the McCoys.

"It'll be interesting," Sims said. "There are a lot of good guys there that I have bonds with. It will be good to see them, but at the same time, hopefully we'll take care of business."

• Right guard David Baas continues to be optimistic about his return from a torn pectoral muscle. He took a significant step recently by doing light bench-press work in the weight room.

Baas laughed as he declined to say what "light" meant to him. Whatever it was, it was considerably less than the 325 pounds he was pushing up in the off-season when he suffered the chest injury.

A projected starter, Baas said he continues to do conditioning work in the pool and is keeping up his footwork and timing in individual drills. His goal is to return for the season opener Sept. 7.

• On a practice day focused mostly on the running game, Smith played with the No. 1 unit for the first time since Wednesday. He completed 5 of 10 passes during team drills. Hill, with the second-string, was 4 for 5.

• First-round draft pick Kentwan Balmer (ankle) and receiver Ashley Lelie (hamstring) returned to practice.

"I thought they looked all right," Nolan said.

Six injured players remained behind when the team left for Napa: Baas, running back Michael Robinson (knee), safety Mark Roman (hamstring), receiver Jerard Rabb (groin), defensive back Lewis Baker (thigh) and defensive lineman/linebacker Parys Haralson (shoulder).

• Receiver Isaac Bruce wore No. 80 - the 49ers number Jerry Rice made famous - for the second consecutive day. It's just Bruce's practice jersey; he'll be No. 88 during the regular season.

• Tight end Delanie Walker was limited to individual drills because of a headache.

• http://www.mercurynews.com/sportsheadlines/ci_10091325

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