The San Francisco 49ers’ future at quarterback looks bright
after the team claimed rookie Scott Tolzien off of waivers Sunday.
But the new addition doesn’t stabilize the position behind starter
Alex Smith, who was roughed up in the preseason.
By Matthew Barrows – McClatchy Newspapers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers’ future at quarterback looks bright after the team claimed rookie Scott Tolzien off of waivers Sunday. But the new addition doesn’t stabilize the position behind starter Alex Smith, who was roughed up in the preseason.
Tolzien (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) was one of the most accurate passers in the country last season, and he played in a West Coast-style offense at Wisconsin. The offensive coordinator there, Paul Chryst, is the brother of 49ers quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst.
Still, Tolzien went undrafted in April, and now the 49ers enter the regular season with two rookies behind Smith. Colin Kaepernick, who received a vote of confidence Saturday from coach Jim Harbaugh, will be the No. 2 quarterback when the team hosts the Seahawks on Sunday.
The 49ers wanted to sign Tolzien as a free agent when the lockout ended in July. Tolzien, however, opted to join the Chargers. San Diego had hoped to sign Tolzien to its practice squad.
Tolzien was 16 of 23 for 226 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Thursday’s exhibition loss to the 49ers. He also ran once for 18 yards and finished with a 97.4 passer rating.
To make room for Tolzien, the 49ers released linebacker Keaton Kristick, who could be added to the eight-man practice squad today.
Tolzien’s arrival also was bad news for former Sacramento State quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who thought he had made the practice squad.
The 49ers have signed seven players to the practice squad, including ex-Stanford standouts Chase Beeler (center), Derek Hall (guard) and Konrad Reuland (tight end). The others are wide receiver Joe Hastings, cornerback Cory Nelms, running back Xavier Omon and outside linebacker Monte Simmons.
