Who’s the better QB: Hill or Cassel?

So how is Shaun Hill looking to you now?

Must admit that every time I see him play, he looks just a little better.

 

Hill shows a lot of poise and understanding of the game. For years, I’m sure he’s been told to throw the ball away to avoid sacks. In Sunday’s win over the Bills, Hill took a sack when he could have easily thrown it away. In this case, it was a very smart play.

 

Hill was asked to throw on a third-and-12 situation after the Bills called their final timeout with 2:26 remaining. Hill looked down field and started to run to his right with Buffalo defender Chris Kelsay in pursuit. An incomplete pass would’ve stopped the clock prior to the two-minute warning, so Hill was sacked for an 11-yard loss.

 

It was a good play, and shows that this guy has a very good knack for the game.

 

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Last week, in answering a question, I wrote that I’ve gotten indications the 49ers probably would not be interested in Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel, if he were to become a free agent.

 

I don’t know for sure why the 49ers would not go after him, but I’m thinking the reason is because they believe Hill is better.

 

The prevailing thought is that the 49ers’ starting quarterback in 2009 is not currently on the team. Again, Hill is out to prove that he is a better option than anyone already under contract, as well as anyone the club might acquire in the offseason.

 

Hill is an understated, humble guy. Yet, he does have a lot of confidence in his abilities. He gave a hint of that last week in comments leading up to the Buffalo game.

 

“The longer I’m in this role, I do raise the bar and expect more out of myself,” Hill said. “I feel like there’s a whole lot more upside than some people think. Every week I just try to improve and hold myself to a higher standard.”

 

So who would you rather have as your quarterback: Hill or Cassel?

 

Would Hill be taking the 49ers to the playoffs if he were the quarterback from Week 1?

 

Heck, will Cassel be able to take the Patriots, a team that went 16-0 last season with Tom Brady, to the playoffs this year?

 

The Patriots are currently on the outside of the AFC playoff picture with a 7-5 record. Cassel had four turnovers in a 33-10 loss Sunday to the Steelers in Foxborough, Mass.

 

Let’s compare the numbers:

 

Cassel

Age 26: 64.6% completions on 398 attempts, 7.0-yard avg. per attempt, 13 TDs, 10 ints, 39 sacks, 85.5 passer rating. Career record as starter: 6-5.

 

Hill

Age 28, 60.4 completions on 139 attempts, 7.7-yard avg. per attempt, 8 TDs, 3 ints, 11 sacks, 94.6 passer rating. Career record as starter: 4-2.

 

Moreover, Hill is already under contract for two more seasons. It might take a lot of money to sign Cassel away from the Patriots.

 

So who would you rather have? Seems to me Hill would be the safer bet.

 

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There are a lot of rumors in the upper left-hand corner of the U.S. that Seattle assistnt head coach/defensive backs Jim Mora, who’s under contract to become the Seahawks coach next season when Mike Holmgren steps down, will instead take the University of Washington job.

 

That’s not true, Mora says.

 

After reading the rumors, I shot Mora a text message today, asking if there was any truth to it. His answer came back less than a minute later, “No!!!”

 

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The New York Bretts are coming to town, which means people will be watching. CBS will broadcast the game, and they’re sending in their No. 1 crew of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms.

 

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