[ut_jazz]

I never heard of this guy before...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP)—J.T. O’Sullivan will start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers when the NFL regular season begins next month.

O’Sullivan clinched the job with a strong performance during Thursday night’s 37-30 exhibition victory over Chicago, and 49ers coach Mike Nolan said it was time to make O’Sullivan’s status official after a summer of uncertainty.

“J.T. O’Sullivan will be our starting quarterback going into the season and I’m expecting him to succeed,” Nolan said Friday. “I’m very confident J.T. is at the point where he’s our best man for the job right now.”

O’Sullivan, a long shot to become the starter when training camp began at the end of July, overtook veteran holdovers Alex Smith and Shaun Hill during the past two weeks. The sixth-year player, now with his eighth NFL team, has never started a regular-season game in the league.

That is about to change.

O’Sullivan was picked to start San Francisco’s preseason opener Aug. 8 against Oakland and has been practicing and playing with the first unit since. He didn’t take any snaps in 11-on-11 team drills during the first seven days of training camp as Smith and Hill got all the work.

[Fresh27]

ew





good luck to him, its a shame alex smith never lived up to the potential and i remember maybe a few weeks ago reading an article on nfl.com how alex smith was looking sharp and confident in training. it will be interesting to see how this offence goes under Mike Martz

[event_staff_9]

good luck to him good to see him start his first game after 6 long years congratss

[sportsrule90]

I actually watched him play for the first time couple days ago against the Bears. He's not too bad, has an awesome arm. He went 7/8 for 120+ yards with a TD and played the first quarter and some of the 2nd quarter. Although he's a risky pick considering he never started a game. It's a shame that Alex Smith couldn't do anything right..he was the first overall pick couple years ago.

[ut_jazz]

Well if it doesn't work out this year for Alex he should be given a opportunity on another team.

4 different offensive coordinator's in the 4 years he's been pro, that's terrible.
i don't think any other young NFL QB has gone through that

i really was upset when Norv turner left for the chargers, he was the best OC for alex

9ers shoud have offered Turner head coaching position and got rid of Nolan

[Milan]

Looks like this is the end of the Alex Smith era...you kinda knew he'd a bust...after all he did come out of Utah :P

I remember seeing JT in an NFL Europa championship game...I thought he was great but that was NFL Europa.

[johhnywave]

Anyone is better than Alex Smith. He hasn't even showed the potential of a first overall pick which even the those considered busts usually do. It's quite sad, really.

[kobefor3ITSGOOD]

Wow they're giving up on Alex Smith already ?

[ut_jazz]

I'm really hoping Alex prove you guys wrong, he was so good in college

[2K8]

Originally Posted by ut_jazz

Well if it doesn't work out this year for Alex he should be given a opportunity on another team.

4 different offensive coordinator's in the 4 years he's been pro, that's terrible.
i don't think any other young NFL QB has gone through that

i really was upset when Norv turner left for the chargers, he was the best OC for alex

9ers shoud have offered Turner head coaching position and got rid of Nolan

i have to agree its not all alex smiths fault, the organization has done **** for him. He had a brand new offense he had to look over again and again for 4 years instead of building off one and improving his precision in passing routes. His receivers haven't helped one bit and neither has Vernon Davis, who may well be equivalently mention as a bust if alex smith is considered one. Also i wudnt be surprised if Alex smith ends up replacing O'Sullivan some time in the year