Hill and Pennington have something in common

By Matt Miaocco, The Press Democrat

MIAMI — Quarterback Shaun Hill has not done much wrong in his seven NFL starts. Over the past two seasons, Hill’s record as a starting quarterback with the 49ers is 5-2. The 49ers’ record during that period when Hill was not starting is 5-17. His 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions, to go along with a 97.3 passer rating, is further proof Hill is playing well. But there is one negative — perhaps the only negative — that continues to be associated with Hill. Let’s face it, the man does not possess the strongest arm in the NFL. When the 49ers play the Miami Dolphins this morning, it will match two quarterbacks who have heard the same critique over and over and over.

“It’s perception versus reality,” Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington said. “The reality of it is I don’t think a coach is going to put any quarterback on the field that can’t make the throws necessary to allow the offense to be successful, including the down-the-field throws. “In this league, you have to be able to throw the ball down the field. How hard it is, is meaningless. I think timing, accuracy, understanding when to take a shot, when not to take a shot, and being able to move your football team — that’s more important.” Pennington was run out of the New York Jets organization during training camp in favor of Brett Favre. Pennington went to a team that compiled a league-worst 1-15 record last season, and the Dolphins are now 8-5 and in a tie for first place in the AFC East.

Pennington is the fifth-leading passer in the league with a rating of 93.7. He has thrown 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He is doing a great job taking care of the football. Pennington has been sacked 22 times and has fumbled twice. He has not lost a fumble this season. Compare that with J.T. O’Sullivan, who began the season as the 49ers’ starting quarterback. In 7½ games, O’Sullivan threw 11 interceptions and lost six of 11 fumbles, not including another fumble that resulted in a safety. So did the Jets gain anything when they discarded Pennington for Favre? The big-armed Favre has an 88.2 rating with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
“I’ve said time and time again that more games are lost in this league than are actually won based upon the turnover ratio and things like that,” Pennington said. Not surprisingly, Hill has long-admired Pennington’s style.

J.T. O’Sullivan won the 49ers’ starting job in training camp, as Hill’s strength is not his ability to get the ball down the field — a favored element in offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s scheme.
But after O’Sullivan’s turnovers continued to pile up, interim coach Mike Singletary made the call to Hill, who brings stability and good decision-making to the field. “He’s always been one of my favorite guys to watch,” Hill said of Pennington. “He’s always been kind of underappreciated and underestimated, and the guy just goes in and wins. “I just like his demeanor out there. Obviously, the guys play for him. He’s not the flashiest guy, that’s for sure. But he gets the job done and he gets it done really well. No matter what, it just seems like his teams are winning.”

So far, the same can be said of Hill.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------