"I had a loose fragment from the disc that they went in and took out," Smith said. "They didn't touch anything structurally or whatever. Supposedly it's the most minor procedure you can have done on your back. So I noticed an instant improvement right away, even the same day when I was laying in the hospital."

When asked if he believes he can remain healthy and in the 49ers' start

ing lineup at right tackle, Smith expressed no concerns.

"I don't have any doubts about that at all," he said. "You know football is a contact sport and anybody playing, that is there job to stay healthy and to me it's almost a blessing in disguise that I've been through these situations before because I know how to handle it better now."

--Mike Singletary oversaw the construction of a hill on the north end of the 49ers' practice field that required 2,500 tons of dirt. He said there just seems to be something different about players who trained on hills.

"I used to train on a hill in Houston," Singletary said, "with Charlie Joyner, Darrell Green, Earl Campbell, Cliff Branch, a number of athletes worked out on that hill every summer. I was very fortunate to be part of that group. It was a tough workout. All of those guys that worked out on that hill had long careers.

"And today they are all doing just fine. They walk fine, they get around fine. Their health is good. They had great careers. To me, the hill has a mystery about it. It's tough to really get the work you get on the hill that you get anywhere else because of the endurance, the stamina, what it does for your hamstrings, your quads, it's tough to find anywhere else."

--New team president Jed York is already being compared to his uncle, former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, for his desire to give the players the best amenities.

The 49ers recently began a multi-million-dollar project to improve the team's weight room, meeting rooms and locker room at the club's practice facility in Santa Clara, Calif. The plan calls for 9,000 square footage to be added, including a new players' lounge and kitchen.

"Jed is focused on improving the players' environment," said Keena Turner, the team's vice president of football affairs.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Anything can happen on draft day, we're still evaluating and looking for the best athlete available. The quarterback position, we're very thankful to have Shaun Hill and Alex Smith competing for the No. 1 spot" -- 49ers coach Mike Singletary on the possibility the 49ers could select a quarterback in the draft.