Most intriguing battles are for backup spots

The preseason has been an interesting time for the 49ers over the past few years. Every year there are major position battles going on for starting jobs — Alex Smith vs. Tim Rattay and Frank Gore vs. Kevan Barlow (a short battle) come to mind.

But for perhaps the first time in coach Mike Nolan's tenure, the most intriguing position battles this season are for backup spots.

Sure, there are still some starting positions to be hashed out, but the two biggest battles for starting jobs are one-on-one affairs that feature first-round picks who are bound to start eventually, if not right away (Kwame Harris vs. Joe Staley at right tackle and Patrick Willis vs. Derek Smith at inside linebacker).

In a sign of the team's increasing depth, though, the best battles to watch are for reserve jobs. Thanks to Frank Gore's injury, the three running backs (sorry, Arkee Whitlock) fighting for two backup spots will have center stage in Monday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos. Michael Robinson (pictured) and Maurice Hicks will get the bulk of the work and will battle for the No. 2 spot behind Gore, but rookie Thomas Clayton could challenge Hicks for a roster spot with a good preseason.

Darrell Jackson and Arnaz Battle seem to have the starting wide receiver spots locked down, but No. 3 is up for grabs. Ashley Lelie would seem to be the favorite since he's the only one of the group with any kind of track record in the NFL. But Brandon Williams and Taylor Jacobs have both been impressive in camp and will challenge for that role, as will rookie Jason Hill if he can flash some of his big-play ability.

Another injury, this to starting nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, will give Isaac Sopoaga and rookie Joe Cohen more of a chance to show their stuff and determine who should be Franklin's backup. If there's a darkhorse in this race, maybe it's a beefed-up Marques Douglas, though I haven't heard this from any actual media sources.

The third tight end spot could be hotly contested, as well, thanks to free-agent acquisition Zach Hilton, who could give blocking specialist Billy Bajema a run for his money. The third quarterback spot will be decided between Shaun Hill and Luke Getsy, but I have a hard time convincing myself that either of these two showdowns will be all that interesting.

Still, the position battles for backup spots at running back and wide receiver alone should make these preseason games worth watching in their entirety. Or at least for the entire first half.