Look For Bay Area QB Battle In 2008 As Shaun Hill Re-Signs With 49ers

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill, who stepped in to the starting role towards the end of last season and played well, has re-upped with the 49ers on Thursday (terms of the deal were not disclosed, and aren't available yet online). Head coach Mike Nolan has stated that Hill's performance the past year had earned him the right to compete for the starting job in 2008.

Last season was trouble for the Alex Smith-49ers marriage, as injuries and innectiveness limited the 2005 1st overall pick, while the quasi-veteran Hill stepped in and shined, going 2-0 as a starter while passing for 5 touchdowns vs. 1 interception, running for 1 touchdown, and racking up an impressive passer rating of 101.3. Compared to Smith's career numbers of 19 TDs vs. 31 INTs and a bogus passer rating of 63.5, Shaun Hill is looking like the king of the hill, and his skills may translate to the starting nod in Mike Martz's dynamic offense come 2008.

Smith is in the middle of his 6-year $49.5 million rookie contract with the 49ers, and his public standoff with coach Mike Nolan over the handling of his shoulder injury hasn't won him any friends in the locker room or on the sideline. A divorce could be coming for the 49ers and Smith after 2008 if Hill performs like he did in 2007, and Smith performs like he has his entire career.