A classical medley of NFL Films music blared through the on-field speakers Friday at the San Francisco 49ers? first minicamp practice. The soundtrack was another brainstorm from coach Mike Nolan, who figures his players must learn how to persevere through nonstop noise every Sunday.
The calming tones didn?t soothe tight end Vernon Davis, who ripped linebacker Parys Haralson?s helmet off during a fight. Yet a little music seems to be an appropriate backdrop for the start of 49ers? quarterback competition between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, who are in perfect harmony so far.
Nolan says the former No. 1 overall draft pick and the career third-stringer are on equal footing in their competition to run new coordinator Mike Martz?s offense. Smith took the first snap in the morning practice session, and Hill took charge in the afternoon for a competition that?s unlikely to end for at least three months.
?A lot has been made of this, but this is a natural part of this game,? Smith said. ?It?s a competitive sport. Shaun and I have had to compete all our lives to get to this point. I would say the abnormal thing is (when) you?re given something. ? We?re both pretty sure. We?re self-confident that we?re going to go out there and get it done.?
