Over the last few years, the San Francisco 49ers probably have lots of regrets. One of them has to be the fact that they “earned” the #1overall draft slot in 2005, not the quarterback-loaded classes of ‘04 or ‘06. The result? Drafting Alex Smith, a system quarterback out of a Mountain West Conference school. Four years (and four offensive coordinators) later, Smith has been beat out for the starting job by an unknown named J.T. O’Sullivan.

Fresh off a great performance in Thursday’s pre-opener (7/8-126-1), O’Sullivan earned the job over the well-paid Smith, who delivered yet another clunker, going 6/17 for just 83 yards. According to reports, the 29-year-old  was the unanimous choice to start among head coach Mike Nolan, offensive coordinator Mike Martz,  quarterback coach Ted Tollner (SDSU!) and general manager Scot McCloughan.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never seen Alex Smith as a competent option to be the top overall selection in any draft. But in the last 10 years, I don’t think a young quarterback has ever been subjected to more coaching changes and front office chaos. How can you expect a young quarterback to develop when you’re changing his offensive coordinator every single season? The offseason should give young quarterbacks a chance to learn and hone their skills, not learn more new terminology and schemes. In the last three offseasons, Smith has been asked to absorb two of the most complex offensive systems in football: Norv Turner’s and Mike Martz’s. Good luck.

So much for Shaun Hill being the heir apparent to the starting job after a great finish to the 2007 season. This quarterback carousel should only continue into the season, as O’Sullivan will surely flop in the starter’s role. Once this happens, look for Nolan to take zero responsibility and throw his quarterbacks under the bus, just like he did with Smith.