The 49ers will decide between Shaun Hill and Alex Smith at quarterback after seeing each in preseason action. Early this offseason, Hill looked great in practice. However, recently Smith has come around and Hill has begun to struggle. The San Francisco Chronicle has also reported that the decision will likely be left to offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye.

49ers coach Mike Singletary believes that his team can win the NFC West in 2009. "No doubt in my mind, none," Singletary said. "I don't even blink at that." San Francisco hasn't even made the playoffs since 2002.

Frank Gore is a big fan of Jimmy Raye's offense. "With (Mike) Martz, we were more finesse, throw the ball deep, get outside," Gore said. "This is more running with my shoulders squared up, a lot of power, a lot of downhill plays." He's delighted to be reunited with his old running mate, fullback Moran Norris, who spent two years with the 49ers before moving to the Lions last year. "I love it," Gore said. "As a team, we're trying to be physical, and that's what he is."

The 49ers aren't interested in the services of Michael Vick. San Francisco isn't settled at quarterback, but general manager Scot McCloughan said the club won't pursue Vick. "Well, I think what happens there, and I totally respect it, is people understand who [coach] Mike Singletary is and understand that he has no problem giving guys second chances," McCloughan said on SIRIUS NFL Radio. "Coach and I have sat down. We sat down and talked last week. We had an off-week of OTAs and we discussed about Michael Vick and we're not going to go that route. We will not do it."

49ers coach Mike Singletary says that quarterback Alex Smith will start for the team if he's their choice. The San Jose Mercury News asked Singletary if the team would start Shaun Hill, while allowing Smith to ease back in as a reserve. "I want for us to be totally honest," Singletary said. "If Alex is our guy, he's going to start. I don't care about the pressure and all that goes with that. "And if it's Shaun, then so be it. We know what we've got. Let's go. I'm good either way."

San Francisco rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree ran sprints with the team's trainers on Sunday. The sprints marked the first time that Crabtree has run really hard since having foot surgery in March. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee wrote that Crabtree ran roughly a dozen sprints of about 40 yards on the field.

49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is in no hurry to begin talking about a contract extension with the team. Willis is content to stick with the year-to-year approach, despite the multi-year extension fellow 2007 first-rounder Joe Staley signed this week. "I don't let my mind go that far down the road," Willis said Saturday. Willis added that, to his knowledge, San Francisco hasn't approached his agent about extending his contract. "I love California," he said. "I love the fans. The weather, you can't beat. It's unbelievable. I would love to spend a long while here. "But at the end of the day, all I can do is take it one year at a time and see what happens."

The 49ers have signed long-snapper Greg Jennings to a five-year contract extension, according to Matt Maiocco. Maiocco, who writes for The Press Democrat, broke the news on his Twitter account. Jennings was entering the final year of his contract.

49ers head coach Mike Singletary is excited by news that the team might have a new stadium in the next five years. "My main focus is always out here," Singletary said Friday of the what occurs on the football field. "Jed (York) and I continue to talk. We need to communicate across the board and make sure we are on the same page. The stadium news is very exciting. ... It would be great to have a new stadium to play in. The fans deserve it. The players deserve it. We will deserve it."

The San Francisco 49ers signed tackle Joe Staley to a six-year contract extension through 2017, the team announced Thursday. Staley will receive $42 million for the six additional years and the new money could grow to $45 million depending on how he plays, a source told ESPN.com. Staley is expected to receive $18 million in guarantees. NFL teams rarely give new deals to players after the first two seasons of their rookie contract. "Joe Staley is the type of player we want to continue to add to this football team," general manager Scot McCloughan said. "He's a tough, versatile, no-nonsense type of guy who wants to do whatever it takes to help his team win football games. Joe is a consummate team player and has been completely unselfish in the way he has approached his role on this team. We know what he means to the success of the 49ers and getting this extension done puts us in a very nice position for the future."