Good friends Alex Smith and Shaun Hill have pledged to remain good friends during their 49ers quarterback competition and after a winner is declared.

49ers coach Mike Nolan said he believes guard Larry Allen might consider postponing his retirement to return for his 15th NFL season, according to an Associated Press report on Monday.

Retired quarterback Trent Dilfer will join ESPN's lineup of analysts this coming season, according to ESPN.com. "Trent is a Super Bowl champion quarterback with strong, candid opinions and a tremendous insight on the game and today's players, having been in the huddle just last season," Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production said. "We look forward to having him join our team where he will appear on multiple programs and across our multimedia platforms." Dilfer, who played 14 seasons in the NFL, officially announced his retirement last week. "Football has been a wonderful part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have been blessed to play the game for so long and with so many great players and people at my side. It has provided me with incomparable experiences and memories, and for this I am so grateful. I am just as fortunate now to continue my lifelong relationship with football on another championship team, ESPN. I am looking forward to taking this next step in my career and my life," Dilfer said.

QB Trent Dilfer, who helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl championship, is calling it quits after 13 seasons in the NFL. Dilfer told the Reno Press-Gazette on Wednesday that he is retiring and is planning a formal announcement in the next few days. Appearing at a golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Dilfer said he suffered an Achilles tendon injury while on vacation this off-season, which just reinforced his decision to end his career. ?I was going to retire anyway,? Dilfer said. ?This just gives clarity to the situation.?