Smith pushing Hill in 49ers' quarterback competition

<p>SANTA CLARA — With eight days before the 49ers’ first exhibition game, it is premature to declare a leader in the team’s quarterback competition.</p><p>But one thing is apparent after just five days of work: Alex Smith is practicing well enough to give Shaun Hill a formidable challenge.</p><p>Smith is healthy and throwing the ball impressively on intermediate and deeper pass routes. Hill’s forte is pinpoint passes on the underneath throws.</p><p>Hill has excelled in the regular season with a 7-3 record as a starter and a 90.5 passer rating, while Smith has an 11-19 record and a 63.5 career rating. But Smith is not making it easy on Hill to hold onto the starting job.</p><p>Coach Mike Singletary has certainly noticed a difference in Smith, 25, from his first four NFL training camps.</p><p>“I think he’s maturing,” Singletary said. “I just think that’s the best word I could use. He’s maturing as a quarterback.”</p><p>Hill, 29, has a swagger that many believe Smith is lacking in his game. But Smith’s posture is improving, along with his passing.</p><p>“I think body language,” Singletary said. “I think command of the huddle.”</p><p>Singletary said he notices Smith taking charge. He said when his teammates do something wrong, he is not afraid to correct them on the spot instead of looking to a coach to handle it.</p><p>“I think that’s just a maturation factor,” Singletary said.</p><h3>INJURY REPORT</h3> <p>Linebacker Takeo Spikes opined on his Twitter page that if there were a film made about 49ers training camp, it would be entitled, “The Junction Boys 2.” It’s a reference to the demanding training camp legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, then with Texas A&M, held in a barren outpost during a 1954 heat wave.</p><p>When asked if he has given any thought to lightening up on the workload because of a number of injuries, Singletary answered, ““Not one bit. Not one bit.”</p><p>In reality, there does not seem to be a greater number of injuries than in the past. Guard David Baas (foot) and running back Michael Robinson (groin) are expected to miss the most action. Both will miss at least a week of practice, and are expected to be re-evaluated next week.</p><p>Linebackers Patrick Willis (ankle) and Jay Moore (finger), fullback Moran Norris (hamstring) and guard Chilo Rachal (migraine) did not practice Wednesday. Cornerback Dre’ Bly left practice after being cleated in the lower leg. He is expected to be fine. Linebacker Parys Haralson returned to practice after sustaining a hip flexor strain on the first day of training camp. </p><p>The 49ers were on the practice field approximately 3½ hours Wednesday morning. The club worked solely on special teams in the afternoon.</p><h3>JEAN-FRANCOIS ACTIVE</h3> <p>The 49ers have activated rookie defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois from the non-football injury list. Jean-Francois, a seventh-round pick from LSU, was diagnosed with a staph infection after reporting to training camp last Tuesday. Jean-Francois contracted the illness in his hometown of Miami, the 49ers said. Jean-Francois is expected to practice today for the first time this summer.</p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at http://blog.press</p><p>democrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco via e-mail at matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.</p>