Coach Mike Singletary said Shaun Hill's play in the second half of last season will be taken into account during the evaluation process against Alex Smith this offseason.

"I factor in everything," Singletary said.

Hill took repetitions with the first team and is considered the leader, based on his performance in 2008, Singletary said. Hill has a 7-3 career record as a starter, including 5-0 at Candlestick Park.

"It's just a matter of us as coaches getting it right and making sure that we pick the right one at the right time," Singletary said.

Smith took part in his first practices since sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury in September. Singletary said he liked what he saw. He took a hefty cut in pay recently to return to the 49ers.

"He and Shaun are doing a good job," Singletary said. "It's going to be real interesting as we continue day-by-day to just see the progression of the quarterback position as well as all of the other guys continuing to make strides."

Both quarterbacks said they are happy with situation. They are good friends, and they are competing. The winner of the competition can count on the backup to have his full support, both men said.

Hill is pleased that he is in a system that he believes will accentuate his skills better than last year's offense.

"I feel more comfortable in Jimmy Raye's system than I did in Mike Martz's system," Hill said. Martz was fired as offensive coordinator after the season. Nearly a month later, Raye was hired to replace him.

Smith declined to state a preference when asked if the new system is a better fit. After all, Smith did not suit up for a regular-season game last season because a shoulder injury ended his season early for a second straight year.

"I only got to go through the offseason and training camp with coach Martz and I don't really feel I was in it long enough to really answer that," Smith said.