"There's no reason for us to back ourselves into a corner or paint a picture that we are this or that," Raye said.

The 49ers three-day minicamp, which concludes today, is the latest chance for Raye to evaluate his new personnel and determine what the team can do best. Maybe it's run. Maybe it's pass. Maybe it's a balance of both.

Whatever it is, Raye isn't ready to make a ruling.

"What we are doing is installing both run and pass equally,'' Raye said. "What we'd like to have is have the best mixture of run and pass and be able to stretch the defense."

What about all that smash-mouth stuff? Physical with an 'F'? It still applies, Raye said. The way he sees it, you need to be physical in the passing game, too at least if you're going to pass-protect well enough to keep your quarterback upright.

And which quarterback will the line be protecting? Raye, like coach Mike Singletary a day earlier, declined to put a timetable on deciding between Shaun Hill or Alex Smith as his starter.

He said both players are still in the process of learning "the verbiage and nomenclature" of his system, and that the real competition begins later.

"Last I checked, we don't play until September 13th," Raye said. "So I'm fine with that going into the off-season and the final mini-camp, and really all the way into training camp."

A first?

For those who keep track of these kinds of things: fifth-round pick Nate Davis could be considered the first African-American quarterback since the 49ers franchise was born in 1946 (a year before Jackie Robinson's debut).

But it depends on the interpretation of history. According to team historian Donn Sinn, the 49ers' first black quarterback was technically Freddie Solomon, who filled in behind center during the second half on Dec. 17, 1978. Solomon, usually a wide receiver, was 5 for 10 for 85 yards that season.

Sinn also noted that during the players strike of 1987, replacement quarterback Mark Stevens was a former Utah standout who happened to be an African-American. Stevens is credited with two games with the 49ers , completing 2 of 4 passes for 52 yards.

Davis, then, would be the first African-American to be listed on the 49ers' roster as a quarterback during a non-strike season.

It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue and Davis, for one, has no interest in the milestone.

"It's not something I follow at all," Davis said with a smile Saturday. "All that matters is whether you can get the job done. It shouldn't matter what color you are."

2 noses better than 1

Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said that along with Aubrayo Franklin, two other players will spend time at nose tackle: Kentwan Balmer and Isaac Sopoaga. Sopoaga is listed as the starter at left end, but Manusky said, "You always need two noses and that's a tough position to play, so we're going to be flipping them in and out."

Manusky added he is "expecting big things from Kentwan" now that the first-round pick has had a year's experience in the NFL. He reasoned defensive linemen often struggle as rookies and said Balmer is "right on track to become a fine Football player in this league."

Extra points

Another rookie from last season, Reggie Smith, is being moved from cornerback to safety. Manusky said the team thinks he has the potential to become a playmaker once he gets comfortable at the position. ... Ahmad Brooks, previously an inside linebacker, is also switching positions. He is now a weak outside linebacker, backing up Parys Haralson. ... The 49ers' work resumes with organized team activities May 18-21, June 1-2, June 8-11 and June 15-16.

Daniel Brown, MediaNews staff