49ers Blog and Q&A: SF's QB battle: Who's No. 3?

49ers Blog and Q&A

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February 11, 2008

SF's QB battle: Who's No. 3?

For months, the 49ers have been saying they�re looking for competition at every position this offseason, including quarterback. Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, of course, will be two of the combatants this spring and summer, but a third quarterback likely will be thrown into the mix, either through free agency or the draft. Who will that third passer be? Well, Trent Green was released today by the Miami Dolphins and unless he announces his retirement, his name surely will be brought up given his past achievements and his relationship with Mike Martz. He�s one of the three potential free-agent QBs I believe will draw some interest beginning Feb. 29.

1. J.T. O�Sullivan, UFA, Lions
Pros: He�s young (28) and familiar with Martz�s offense after spending 2007 under Martz in Detroit. O�Sullivan is from the area (Sacramento) and played college ball at UC Davis.
Cons: Lions could re-sign O�Sullivan in the next two weeks. His only regular-season passes in six seasons came last year when he relieved Jon Kitna in a 20-17 overtime win over Minnesota.

2. Jamie Martin, UFA, Saints
Pros: Another guy who is familiar to Martz. Martin has more experience than O�Sullivan, having started seven games for Martz�s Rams in 2002 and later in 2005.
Cons: The Saints don't have many QBs on the roster and likely will re-sign Martin for next season. He doesn�t have a strong arm and is no better than Hill. Turned 38 on Friday.

3. Trent Green, UFA
Pros: Along with Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger, Green is Martz�s most prolific prodigy. He was under Martz�s tutelage first with the Redskins and later with the Rams. He could make a great teacher for Smith and Hill.
Cons: The 49ers would be trading one 30-something quarterback who suffered a bad concussion (Trent Dilfer) for another.

-- Matt Barrows

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