Jul 28th 2008 6:00PM by Tom Mantzouranis (author feed)
Filed under: 49ers, NFC West

Forget what you hear about there being a battle at quarterback for the 49ers. Alex Smith will be under center when the season begins, and it doesn’t matter how 49ers fans feel about it.

That being said, right guard is truly a competition. There wouldn’t be if 2005 second-rounder David Baas wasn’t recovering from torn pectoral muscles. But Baas’ pectorals are, in fact, torn, and it’s doubtful (though possible) he’ll be ready for the beginning of the season.

So veteran Tony Wragge will compete with rookie Chilo Rachal for the right to start for at least the season’s first game. Rachal is the more talented of the linemen, and the 49ers invested a second round pick in him this year, but Mike Nolan has admitted that it’d be tough for a rookie to win a starting job on the line right away. Still, the 49ers briefly tried Rachal at right tackle, so they’re obviously looking at him to play sooner than later. It’s possible a strong camp wins him the job.

And depending on the performance of whoever’s been holding the fort, as well as the team in general, Baas might have to fight to get his job back. Offensive lines thrive on continuity, and if the team’s offense finds a groove (for the first time in forever), it might be tough for Nolan to make a switch.

Of course, assuming the 49ers offense will find a groove is getting far ahead of myself.