J.T. O'Sullivan and Alex Smith were trotted out in front of the media this morning in separate group interview sessions.

Now, I'll paraphrase what both men said:

O'Sullivan: I'm not thinking about anything other than practice today and getting ready to play in Thursday's game. After all, it's my job to be ready when called upon. I prepare the same way and I approach it the same way whether I'm starting or not. There's no satisfaction to be gained from starting the third preseason game. This is another opportunity to play and get better.

Smith: I'm not thinking about anything other than practice today and getting ready to play in Thursday's game. I'm not sure what's going to happen or what the thought process has been as far as the quarterback situation. I'm just trying to be as well-prepared as possible.

There you have it . . . that's your 49ers' QB update for the day.

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Practice today runs from 1:45 to 3:45 p.m., following a 30-minute special-teams session.

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Onto more questions from the gallery . . .

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Question: To avoid doing some real work, I spent a few minutes looking at your June 26th early predictions on the roster. It gives some really good glimpses into the surprises so far. You rated several players as "Chances are good" that have been pleasant surprises: QB J.T. O'Sullivan (ya think?!?) WR Josh Morgan OL Tony Wragge DL Ray McDonald All look like locks now. All of the players you described as "locks" still look that way, and most that you described as "A lot of work to do" still look that way. What do you think will be the toughest decisions to make on the final cut down day?

Instant 49ers: I agree that O'Sullivan, Morgan, Wragge and McDonald are locks. I'd bump Alex Smith down from a lock to "Chances are good." As far as roster spots, I think there are at least three either/or scenarios: Tully Banta-Cain/Roderick Green; Keith Lewis/Marcus Hudson; and Zak Keasey/Moran Norris. Ashley Lelie might not make it at WR, leaving the 49ers with five wideouts, so they could be looking to pick up another roster spot elsewhere.

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Question: What happened to Maurice Hicks?

Instant 49ers: Five months ago he signed a three-year, $4.5 million deal with the Vikings. Through two exhibition games, he has carried 16 times for 44 yards and caught three passes for 20 yards.

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Question: I'm curious to your relationship with Nolan (as in the media as a whole) . . . to what benefit would you surmise in his treating particularly you, the media, as idiots right now?

Instant 49ers: For brevity, I edited your question in which you pointed to Nolan continuing to say it's a three-way QB competition. First, I have no problem with Nolan. I don't know what he thinks of me, but I'd hope he respects the job I do - and I believe he does. He has been more open and forthright on the record during his first three seasons than any coach I've covered. (He also has a personal policy of not speaking off the record, it should be noted.) The handling of the QB competition has been awkward at times, but - for what it's worth -- he's not telling the QBs anything different than he's telling the media. So, when I frame it in that fashion, if you believe he's treating the media as idiots that means you must also believe he's treating his QBs as idiots. All the media can do is ask questions. We've asked plenty of questions about his apparent reversals from previous statements. On this blog and in my newspaper articles, I try to give proper context and background to his comments. The reader is smart enough to form his or her own opinions.

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Question: Is Franklin demanding the double-teams necessary to make the 3-4 work? Are McDonald and Sopoaga showing enough to consistently rush the passer? Do you think the constant 3-4 to 4-3 shifts will make our pass/run defense better or will they be confusing and make our defense disorganized?

Instant 49ers: It remains to be seen on Franklin. I'm not completely sold on him as that kind of block-eating nose tackle. McDonald has looked great this camp. He has a chance to become a consistent pass-rush threat. I've always considered him a speed guy, but he used a bull rush last week to get to the quarterback. Sopoaga has not stood out during camp.

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Question: How is it that the Vikings get away squeaky clean with their tampering allegations when it seems like there is more evidence of tampering in their case than there was with the 49ers and Briggs?

Instant 49ers: I have no idea what kind of evidence was presented to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, but I can only assume the paper trail was a lot friendlier to the Vikings than to the 49ers.

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Question: Lewis Baker? Are we going to see him at all and are his chances of at least making the practice squad gone?

Instant 49ers: He's still nursing a rather nasty thigh contusion, which he sustained in practice on July 28. I don't know if he'll any action this exhibition season, but I expect him to find his way onto the practice squad.

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Question: What is the likelihood of JTO starting due to Nolan's interference?

Instant 49ers: Nolan hired Mike Martz to trouble-shoot that offense. Whomever Martz believes is best-suited to run his offense has to be the player that Nolan tabs as the starter.

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Question: Is Mike Nolan's job on the line if the 49ers have another sub season and if so, why did York retain Mr. Nolan on January 1st?

Instant 49ers: Yes, I'm of the opinion that Nolan either gets a contract extension at the end of the season or he's fired.

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Question: Can Alex Smith can opt out of his contract after 2008-2009 season? And say either he does or we cut him, do you think we draft another quarterback such as matthew stafford or another quarterback?

Instant 49ers: No, the 49ers - and the 49ers alone - will determine Smith's future with the club. Regardless what else happens this season, yes, I believe the 49ers will be in the market for a quarterback next season. That might come in the draft free agency and/or they could draft a youngster.

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Question: We already have an idea how DeShaun Foster runs. We know how Gore runs. Shouldn't the coaches put Clayton put there on Thursday with the first team to see how he does with the first team offensive line?

Instant 49ers: It might happen, but the first priority is to play the guys with the first team who have earned their way onto the field with the first team.

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