"We have a short week to prepare, and I want to keep the team focused on the Bears," Nolan said in declaring he'd keep the same quarterback rotation. "The starters will most likely play the first half, with the second unit coming in during the third quarter."

Nolan still says the competition is open however. "This largely has to do with the short week," he said. "I don't want to throw anything off. I want to just keep going down that path. We seem to be making progress with our entire offense, so I want to keep that going. That is extremely important to me, so that's what we are doing."

--It was a trying week for quarterback Alex Smith, as he dealt with the death of his best friend and former roommate David Edwards. Smith missed practice Friday to speak at the memorial service, which was held at Smith's family home in the San Diego area. Smith's father, Doug, delivered the eulogy.

"He was really close with my family," Alex Smith said. "So it's been difficult for everybody."

Smith then played Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers. He completed 5 of 12 passes for 62 yards.

"I'm pleased with Alex, especially with all the distractions he's faced as of late," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said.

--Niners offensive coordinator Mike Martz called the plays Saturday night against the Packers from the sideline after a couple weeks earlier saying he felt more comfortable in the booth. Martz was upstairs for the 49ers' exhibition opener against the Oakland Raiders.

"There are so many things I have to talk to the players about, it just works out better if I'm down on the sideline," said Martz, who is installing his offense with the 49ers this summer.

--Newly signed linebacker Takeo Spikes is not content to just play second fiddle to Patrick Willis, who led the league in tackles as a rookie.

"If there is a play out there to make, I am going to go out there and make it," Spikes said. "I tell them (his teammates) to meet me at the ball. I tell all the guys, 'Meet me at the ball, all the time.'"

--Jeff Ulbrich has the most to lose with the signing of Spikes. Ulbrich had been penciled in as the starter, but now that Spikes is on the team, that role might be changing.

"(Spikes) is a great football player and a great addition to this team," Ulbrich said. "He'll push me and I'll push him. If my role changes from defense to special teams, I'll embrace that."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "If it comes and goes, it comes and goes" -- 49ers coach Mike Nolan on his original target date of the third exhibition game to name a starting quarterback for the regular-season opener.