SAN FRANCISCO — Shaun Hill has gone from undrafted rookie free agent to starting quarterback in his eight-year NFL journey.

Hill's late-season success last year for the San Francisco 49ers told coach Mike Singletary plenty about his potential to start in this league, and Singletary yesterday gave Hill the nod as the Niners starting quarterback over Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft.

"I like the consistency," Singletary said of Hill. "I think he has a commanding presence about him when he gets in the huddle. I think the guys have learned to rally around him and his leadership."

The 29-year-old Hill went 5-3 over the Niners' final eight games last season and was 2-0 as a fill-in starter in 2007.

Hill went undrafted out of Maryland and began his career with Minnesota before signing with the Niners as an unrestricted free agent in June 2006.

"This was obviously the goal of mine coming into the offseason. That part was exciting," Hill said of his starting nod. "I know there is a lot of work yet to be done. I definitely can't stop and smell the roses."

Smith missed all of the 2008 season after reinjuring his surgically repaired throwing shoulder. He has shown plenty of positive signs during training camp that he's back and ready to help the team.

"It's nothing you ever like to hear," Smith said. "Hopefully nothing you ever get used to hearing. It's not fun, but at the same time, it doesn't change anything for me. My mindset can't change."

The 49ers open the season at Arizona on Sept. 13.

VIKINGS

QB FAVRE TO PLAY FIRST HALF AGAINST HOUSTON

Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress said yesterday he expects quarterback Brett Favre to play the entire first half in their next exhibition game at Houston.

Favre was signed last Tuesday, so he missed the first preseason game against Indianapolis. He played two series against Kansas City on Friday night. The 39-year-old Favre went 1 for 4 for 4 yards and did not lead the offense to a first down.

The Vikings' third preseason game is Monday night, and typically is when coaches play their starters the most. Childress says it will be important for Favre to get plenty of snaps to try to build chemistry with his offensive teammates before the regular season opens Sept. 13 at Cleveland.

CHARGERS

QB RIVERS GETS $93M, 6-YEAR EXTENSION

Quarterback Philip Rivers, 27, signed a six-year contract extension yesterday with the San Diego Chargers worth $93 million, with $38 million guaranteed.

A person familiar with the contract confirmed the numbers to The Associated Press, but requested anonymity because the team did not release any figures. The deal goes through 2015.

Rivers is coming off his best pro season, when he set a team record for touchdown passes with a league-high 34. He also led the NFL with a quarterback rating of 105.5, another team record.

After joining the Chargers in 2004 in a draft-day trade with the New York Giants for Eli Manning, Rivers became the starting quarterback in 2006. He's led the team to the playoffs in each of the past three seasons and has a career record as a starter, including playoffs, of 36-18.

EAGLES

TEAMMATES SAY QB VICK READY TO PLAY

Michael Vick's teammates say the quarterback looks ready to play when the Philadelphia Eagles host Jacksonville on Thursday.

"As a defensive guy watching, I think he's ready," safety Quintin Mikell said yesterday.

Coach Andy Reid is expected to make a decision today on whether Vick will make his Eagles debut in an exhibition home game against the Jaguars.

Vick is eligible to play the next two preseason games, but not in the regular season. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by no later than Week 6 (Oct. 18-19).

"He's ready for another chance," offensive lineman Shawn Andrews said.

ELSEWHERE

Cowboys: Punter Mat McBriar, a University of Hawai'i alum, said yesterday there is no reason to make any changes or raise the video boards in the new Cowboys Stadium because one punt in one game hit them. The 60-yard-long high-definition screens are only 90 feet above the field.

Tennessee rookie A.J. Trapasso punted a ball into the screens in the third quarter of the stadium's first NFL game Friday night, forcing a do-over once the officials realized what happened. That punt didn't count, but there were 12 other punts — six by each team — that weren't affected by the screens.

Dolphins-Chiefs trade: The Miami Dolphins traded offensive linemen Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe to the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday for an undisclosed 2010 draft choice. Ndukwe started 15 games at right guard for Miami last season after an injury to Donald Thomas. Alleman played in 15 games and made four starts last season.

Seahawks: Seattle center Chris Spencer is out at least a month and will miss at least the first two regular season games after tearing the quadriceps muscle in his left leg, Coach Jim Mora told Seattle radio station KJR yesterday. Steve Vallos and rookie second-round draft choice Max Unger, a Hawai'i Prep alum, are expected to get the first shots to replace him.

Bengals: Quarterback Carson Palmer is expected to miss Thursday's preseason game against the St. Louis Rams because of a sprained left ankle. Palmer didn't participate in the Cincinnati Bengals' practice yesterday.

Titans: Receiver Nate Washington hurt his right hamstring during practice yesterday running a long pass route. He walked off the field with a team doctor and trainer and an MRI exam was planned to determine the extent of the injury. Coach Jeff Fisher called it a mild hamstring injury.

Bills: Defensive end Aaron Schobel will miss at least a week with an injured left elbow. The team's top pass rusher did not practice yesterday. Coach Dick Jauron said the injury not considered a "long, long-term" problem.

Panthers: Starting free safety Charles Godfrey has undergone surgery for a broken right hand. Godfrey was injured in Saturday's exhibition loss to Miami. Coach John Fox yesterday wouldn't say how long Godfrey will be out.

Browns: Cleveland waived injured defensive lineman Melila Purcell, a University of Hawai'i alum. Purcell was carted off the practice field Thursday with a leg injury.

Cardinals: Second-round draft pick Cody Brown is out for the season with a dislocated left wrist. The linebacker from Connecticut, the 63rd overall pick, was injured in the Cardinals' 17-6 preseason loss to San Diego Saturday night.