San Francisco 49ers name Shaun Hill starting QB

October 27, 2008 @ 23:45:33

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have named quarterback Shaun Hill the team's new starter. Hill replaces quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan behind center for the 49ers.

Hill replaced O'Sullivan in the second half of the team's Week 8 game after O'Sullivan threw yet another interception; this one was returned 75 yards for a touchdown. What started as a promising season for the journeyman quarterback has quickly turned sour.

O'Sullivan threw for 705 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception over his first three games, although he did fumble the ball three times, losing two of them. For the season, he has eight touchdown passes and 1,678 yards passing. However, turnovers have been the biggest problem for him. He has thrown 10 interceptions in his last five games while fumbling eight times (four lost).

By installing Hill as the starter, the team will be banking that Hill can function ably in offensive coordinator Mike Martz's complicated offense. He looked good in limited time last week, completing 15 of 23 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown. For his career, he has attempted just 102 passes, completing 69 for 674 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.

From a fantasy perspective, owners should only look at Hill if they are lacking a backup who isn't going anywhere, or if they have the room for a third quarterback with decent upside. Martz's offense has produced some solid fantasy contributors, and Hill could be the next in line, if he can master the offense. Luckily, the 49ers are on a bye this week, which should give the team plenty of time to prepare Hill for his Week 10 start against the Arizona Cardinals.

Owners can dump O'Sullivan, even though Singletary hasn't promised that Hill will remain the starter after their Week 10 game. With the inexperienced Hill the only guy ahead of him, he could easily find himself back in the spotlight. However, since he hasn't proven that he's capable of contributing on a consistent basis, there's little reason to think that there will be a stampede to reacquire him should he reassume his starting role.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

Fantasy football players in the news (05/25)
I am not afraid of Hakeem Nicks' foot injury (05/24)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/23)
Fantasy Football: Philadelphia Eagles D will fly again (05/22)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/22)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/21)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/18)
Ryan Mathews could be the No. 1 fantasy football back this year (05/17)
Possible Injured Reserve rule change would impact fantasy football (05/17)