I talked to two different 49ers in the past week about their QB situation, and the decision to go with JT O?Sullivan is well-received in the locker room. Both guys also expressed real concern over deposed starter Alex Smith. After telling me that ?Alex is only our third QB because we can?t have a fourth,? he talked about how difficult the last year has been for Smith and that he?s worried about not just Smith?s football future but his general welfare. One thing looks certain, and that is that Alex Smith is done in San Francisco.

Frank Gore is hoping for big things under new Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz. "We have a new leader, man, a new leader on the ship," Gore said of Martz. "When he stands up in the room, and you hear him talk, you know that he knows what he's talking about. Everything is going to change this year." Gore said he likes this offense even better than the one Norv Turner ran ? the one in which Gore set the 49ers' single-season record with 1,695 yards rushing.

Now as the 49ers are about to enter year four with Coach Mike Nolan and Alex Smith, the coach?s job is in jeopardy and the former quarterback of the future will begin the season as a backup, according to an Associated Press report. Nolan announced Friday that journeyman J.T. O?Sullivan will open the season as the starter. O?Sullivan, with his eighth NFL organization in seven seasons, got just $645,000 in a little-noticed signing early in the free agency period.

J.T. O'Sullivan looked good as the 49ers' quarterback on Saturday night, throwing a 59-yard touchdown pass in the team's win over the Packers, according to The Lompo Record. "I'm going out there to try to play quarterback as well as I can and let it go from there," O'Sullivan said. "Unfortunately I don't get to make the decision." O'Sullivan entered camp third on the depth chart behind Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, but is rumored to have shot up the chart in recent weeks. J.T. went 8-for-17 with 154 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

J.T. O'Sullivan is the early favorite to be named the starting quarterback for the 49ers, according to The Mercury News. However, Coach Mike Nolan refuses to reveal his plans. "Until I say differently, I'm going to keep all (the quarterbacks) alive," the coach explained. "I feel good about all three of them. J.T. is the newest product to what we've got, so I'm getting a longer look at him."

The 49ers signed linebacker Takeo Spikes on Sunday, hours after waiving former starter Brandon Moore, as reported by the Associated Press. Spikes is expected to start alongside Patrick Willis, the NFL?s reigning defensive rookie of the year, at strong inside linebacker in the team?s 3-4 defense.

Tight end Vernon Davis expects to be among the league's elite this season with the 49ers, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. "We expect big things from him," tight ends' coach Pete Hoener said. "He caught a lot of passes in our offense last year, and we weren't doing well, but he was definitely a bright spot." Davis ranked ninth in receptions (52) at his position last season and has had no qualms about comparing himself to the best tight ends in the league. "I'm going to be No. 1," he said. "That's my goal, nothing less. With this offense, I believe I can do it."

The Raiders and 49ers will practice against each other for the first time on Monday in Napa. Mike Nolan likes joint practices and he approached the Raiders this year, and they agreed, as long as there wasn't live tackling. "Not that guys back off (in regular practice), but you know what you're going to get," Nolan said. "A game isn't that way. When you go into a game, you feel guys out. There's the unexpected."