Singletary has faith in Hill

HOUSTON — When 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill last played, two full weeks ago, he had the worst statistical game of his career.

Coach Mike Singletary said Hill knows he must play better. And Singletary guaranteed Hill will play better.

Or else?

There was no “or else,” but Singletary is not a man known for his patience.

Singletary wants to see results in a hurry. And that is why rookie receiver Michael Crabtree — on just his 24th day as a signed 49ers employee — will see significant action today when the 49ers return from their bye week to face the Houston Texans.

Crabtree is expected to supplant Josh Morgan as the team’s split end — a move designed to improve the offense and benefit Hill. Also, running back Frank Gore returns to the lineup after rushing the ball just once in the past three games due to a bum right ankle.

The 49ers enter today tied with the Arizona Cardinals atop the NFC West standings with a 3-2 record. But there is certainly plenty of room for improvement. The 49ers rank 29th in the NFL in total yards. Their passing game is No. 28 in yards produced, and the 49ers do not have more than 200 yards net passing in a game this season.

Moreover, an offense that figured to control the ball ranks ahead of only the Raiders in first downs per game.

“Obviously, it mainly comes down to third downs,” Hill said. “We need to convert on third downs better. I need to find more completions out there throughout the game and get more big plays, but I think that the main area is third down.”

Hill — and the entire 49ers team — is coming off a forgettable performance prior to the bye week. The Atlanta Falcons thrashed the 49ers, 45-10, handing San Francisco its worst home defeat in 42 years.

Hill, hurried throughout the game because of breakdowns in pass protection, completed just 15 of 38 passes for 198 yards and one interception.

“He knows he’s going to have to do a better job, and he will,” Singletary said. “I just think that this week, there should be some things starting to come together offensively in terms of continuity and communication and those things.”

The 49ers shuffled the offense during the bye week. In addition to Crabtree and Gore, the 49ers made subtle changes on the offensive line.

Veteran Tony Pashos, signed after the Jacksonville Jaguars released him during the final round of cuts before the start of the regular season, will take over the full-time duties at right tackle. Adam Snyder, who started the first five games at right tackle, will move inside to assist right guard Chilo Rachal. Snyder and Rachal are expected to split the playing time.

Singletary did not suggest he is contemplating any change at quarterback. Hill won the quarterback competition against Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, based on his play at the end of last season, offseason workouts, training camp and exhibition games.

“I wanted to go with the guy that gave us the best chance to win,” Singletary said. “I felt that Shaun Hill was that guy. Who knows what happens in a season, but the coaches and myself, we believe in Shaun. We believe in his ability to move this team and help us win football games. We’ll just continue to go with that.”

As the backup, Smith has gotten precious little work with the 49ers’ offense since the start of the regular season. But he looks as if he is throwing the ball well during the repetitions he receives running the opposition’s offense.

“Alex looks fine,” Singletary said. “You can bring guys in here off the street and practice and they’ll look fine. It’s just a matter of continuing to get better, refining those little things. But, Alex is getting better. He is getting better.”

Hill’s biggest challenge today is integrating a new pass target into the offense. Crabtree, the 10th pick in the draft, has made a quick transition from working out on his own to becoming a player whom the club expects to make an immediate contribution.

“I don’t think there will be a fall off,” 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said. “I could get surprised, but I don’t think there will be a drop off. He is a natural football player, playing wide receiver. He has an uncanny knack to conceptualize the picture quicker than most young guys.”

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democrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco via email at matt.maiocco@press