That's Shaun Hill and Alex Smith, the Frick and Frack of the 49ers . They're everywhere together at this weekend's 49ers minicamp ? in matching black jerseys that identify them as quarterbacks. On the field, at the lunch table, in the meeting rooms. Laughing. Joking.

Good, good friends. Battling for the same thing.

"I'd be lying to you if I said this is easy," Smith said. "It's uncomfortable to compete against a good friend."

They're such good friends that Smith asked Hill to be one of his groomsmen in his February wedding. Needless to say, Steve Young never pinned on a boutonneire in honor of Joe Montana.

No, it hasn't always been this friendly among 49ers quarterbacks. To the contrary, the quarterback meeting room has often been filled with a high level of animosity.

When Bill Walsh brought in Young to be groomed as Montana's backup, the incumbent was not amused. The frosty relationship lasted for the entirety of their six year overlap. And when it was Young's turn to be replaced, the tension between he and Jeff Garcia elevated to palpable levels.

The dynamic between Hill and Smith is different from the normal incumbent-backup relationship. In 2006, Hill was brought in as a scrub who had never thrown an NFL pass, to run the scout team in practice and fill the extra quarterback locker. He was an afterthought until the great implosion of 2007, when Smith was injured, Trent Dilfer was awful and Hill became the starter.

Last season, both quarterbacks began on the outside, pushed aside in Mike Martz's obsession with J.T. O'Sullivan (the animosity returned with dour O'Sullivan in the mix). Now, the tables are turned, and Hill appears to have the inside track.

"I'm sure a part of him thinks he should have the job," Smith said.

A part of anyone watching the 49ers last season thinks Hill should have the job. He is 7-3 as a starter. Naming Hill the starter would be the commonsense approach ? the trademark of Mike Singletary's tenure. It would keep some continuity from the successful end of last season. And it would protect Smith from his legions of critics, allowing him to be ready if Hill struggled but avoiding the perception that he was given the job based on salary and draft position.

Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye who spoke to the media on Saturday for the first time since being hired - said that thecompetition could stretch through the next minicamp and into training camp.

"I'd like to see them both play Football," Raye said. "So the exhibition season will be part of that process."

Hill has been labeled with the rap of being an ugly practice player. But Raye said he's been impressed thus far. And on Saturday, Hill looked slightly sharper than Smith, who struggled with some passes. Sure it was just a rookie minicamp, but in this battle every snap counts.

"Any time you're doing Football, it's on," Smith said. "It's definitely there. We both recognize it."

The friendship is understandable. Hill, 29, and Smith, who will turn 25 next week, are both easy going, likable guys. And they spend a lot of time together, breaking down film, sitting in the same meetings. Both understand the pressures and enormity of the job.

"You're with the guy all day, every day," Hill said. "I don't think it's hard to compete with a friend. When we go out on the golf course we're competing against each other and still friends. It's no different."

Oh, but it is different. Hackers on the golf course are trying to make their names and careers on the Football field. And only one guy can be the team's starting quarterback ? 1 of only 32 such jobs in the world.

Smith and Hill both say that their friendship will survive whatever way the decision falls. They swear there won't be any of the backstabbing or freezing out that can happen.

"I think it makes it easier that we're such good friends," Hill said. "There won't be any of that bitterness that can go on."

That would be a break from 49ers tradition.

Ann Killion is a columnist for The San Jose Mercury News.