SAN FRANCISCO — Shaun Hill is going to start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers' season opener at Arizona on Sept. 13, beating out Alex Smith.
Coach Mike Singletary made the announcement before Monday afternoon's practice at the team's Santa Clara headquarters. Singletary had been hesitant to say who was leading the competition and each QB earned one exhibition start.
The 29-year-old Hill went 5-3 over the Niners' final eight games last season and was 2-0 as a fill-in starter in 2007. He has shown he can lead the team and, ultimately, win. Hill's success down the stretch helped Singletary get the interim tag removed from his title heading into 2009.
Smith missed all of last season after reinjuring his surgically repaired throwing shoulder.
CHARGERS: Quarterback Philip Rivers has signed a six-year contract extension through 2015 with the San Diego Chargers. Rivers comes off his best pro season, when he set a team record for touchdown passes with a league-high 34.
DOLPHINS: Defensive backs SeanSmith and JasonAllen are practicing again after being scratched from Saturday's exhibition game against Carolina with flu-like symptoms.
SEAHAWKS: The Seahawks are mum on talk they are on "Edge." For now, anyway. A team spokesman said the team would not comment Monday about the subject of Edgerrin James, amid reports the free agent and league's active leading rusher with 12,121 yards has signed with Seattle.