San Francisco 49ers May Release QB Cody Pickett - SF Chronicle

I personally was never really excited about Cody's future as a star QB with the 49ers. Why? Poor coaching. I think it's best he get a release and hopefully a chance to catch on elsewhere. I'm not convinced the 49ers under Nolan is the best place for a QB.

Pickett's future as 49ers QB in doubt
Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Cody Pickett's 6-foot-3 inch frame, powerful arm, fleet feet and toughness have made him a prospect and fan favorite. But with Friday's signing of former Vikings QB Shaun Hill, Pickett's days as a 49ers quarterback could be numbered.

On Monday, Hill joined Pickett, starter Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer and Jesse Palmer at the 49ers' organized team activity (OTA). Although Dilfer's surgically repaired right knee won't allow him to participate in full practice until training camp opens July 27, his roster spot is assured, as is Smith's.

Palmer's fluid throwing motion and strong arm make him a front-runner for the third quarterback spot. Hill spent four seasons in Minnesota without throwing a pass in a regular-season game. The 49ers signed him to compete for the third spot.

The Hill signing might push Pickett to another position. Last year, he dabbled as a coverage man on punts and kickoffs and did well as a receiver on the scout team in practice.

"I want to play quarterback, that's what I've done my whole life," Pickett said Monday. "(But) as a third quarterback, you don't get a chance to get out there and play. ... We have Alex and Trent here now, so I want to be out on the field, I don't want to be just standing around."

Coaches have discussed moving Pickett to receiver.

"I want to be here," Pickett said. "If they want me to play receiver, I'll do it."

The 49ers wanted Pickett to play in NFL Europe this spring. When Pickett resisted, the 49ers relented. A stint in Europe would have allowed Pickett, a seventh-round pick in 2004, to work on his mechanics, which former offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy tried to refashion last year.

"It's been tough on Cody," vice president of player personnel Scot McCloughan said. "He had a lot of different coaches try to change his mechanics."

Still working on his release, Pickett looks erratic in practice. He struggled in his two starts last season, completing one pass in 13 attempts in the 47-mph gusts at Chicago's Soldier Field on Nov. 13.

So far in the OTA, Pickett mainly has played quarterback. But when training camp begins, he might be splitting time between receiver and quarterback.

"I like Cody. He's competitive, he's tough," head coach Mike Nolan said. "I think he makes us better by competing for jobs and maybe winning those jobs. I don't think (his future) will be at quarterback right now the way it stands."

Briefly: Wide receiver Arnaz Battle missed Monday's practice after having his right knee drained. A partially torn posterior cruciate ligament caused Battle to miss eight games last year. "There's no pain in it, just the swelling," he said. "Once I get that under control, I'll be good." Battle said a recent MRI exam showed the knee was stable. ... Safety Tony Parrish expects to return to practice next week. He had a spiral fracture of his left lower fibula Nov. 13 in Chicago.