"He is a good player, he is an aggressive player," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "He makes the guys around him better. That's what I saw on the few plays on the dozen plays that he played."

On one play, Smith and lineman Ray McDonald worked a stunt together. Smith got pressure on Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, but it was McDonald who recorded the sack.

PLAYER
--LB Brandon Moore was released just two seasons after leading the club in tackles. Moore has not put together a strong camp as he battled for a starting job or a roster spot. Moore opened camp in competition for the 49ers' starting strong inside linebacker position, a job currently held by Jeff Ulbrich.

--OT Damane Duckett was placed on injured reserve with a left knee injury. This is Duckett's second year after making the transition from defensive line. Duckett is scheduled to be a free agent.

-- LB Takeo Spikes visited the 49ers on Sunday for a physical and was signed. It is hoped he can start at strong inside linebacker for the first week of the season. Spikes was released by the Eagles in March. "He will work with the second group as he did today in practice," coach Mike Nolan said Monday. "In the game, I believe Greg Manusky will probably limit his calls so that the second group doesn't do a lot of the volume that we have on the defensive package standpoint. He'll probably just keep it pretty simple so that he can play. That's probably it. We'd like to get him in. We don't want to wear him out either because he hasn't been in training camp - he's been working out. There's a difference between football shape and..."

--S Marcus Hudson is trying to prove himself to earn a spot on the roster. Hudson played cornerback his first two seasons with the 49ers. Hudson is working more at safety, as the 49ers want to find out about his versatility.

--OLB Tully Banta-Cain has gotten off to a strong start in training camp, as he tries to hold onto his roster spot. Banta-Cain was a starter last season, but he's working with the second unit this summer.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK: J.T. O'Sullivan vs. Alex Smith vs. Shaun Hill for starting QB - O'Sullivan got the first start of the exhibition season but did not distinguish himself. He made some nice throws, getting the ball out on time and giving his receivers a chance to make plays. However, he also committed two ill-advised turnovers. Smith had some poor throws, but also completed passes for the 49ers' only third-down conversions of the game. Hill ran with the No. 3 offense and did not have much time to throw. He also threw a poor interception. Nobody has yet stepped up to show he can be a legitimate NFL starting quarterback.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Mark Roman vs. Dashon Goldson for starting free safety. Roman has been out since July 28 with a hamstring strain, allowing Goldson the opportunity to get a lot of action with the first team. ... Jeff Ulbrich will get pushed back into a backup role after the 49ers signed free agent Takeo Spikes. Ulbrich had held off Brandon Moore, Larry Grant and Dontarrious Thomas for the starting job alongside Patrick Willis in the 49ers' 3-4 defense. Moore was released to make roster space for Spikes. ... Moran Norris and Zak Keasey are in competition to earn roster spots at fullback. The 49ers might keep only one fullback on their roster this season.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: WR Josh Morgan - It's rare that a rookie receiver stands out in training camp, but Morgan is doing a fantastic job as a newcomer. He got the start in the exhibition opener with Bryant Johnson out with a hamstring injury. Morgan came through with four receptions for 68 yards, making several nice catches in traffic. When he was out of action in the second half, he stood on the sideline and visualized he was running routes against the Raiders' defense.

ROOKIE REPORT: DE Kentwan Balmer returned to action after missing several practices with a right ankle sprain. He played in the exhibition opener, but was pushed around a little as he allowed his pad level to get too high. ... RG Chilo Rachal worked with the No. 2 offense and played more than two quarters. He played well against the Raiders' backup units ... CB Reggie Smith got beaten in coverage down the field, but he recovered nicely to break up a couple passes. Smith is at his best playing tight, physical coverage ... WR Josh Morgan was the 49ers' best offensive player, as he caught four passes for 68 yards while getting a start at split end ... C Cody Wallace has rebounded from a rough opening of training camp to play pretty well. He more than held his own in his exhibition debut ... DE/OLB Louis Holmes, an undrafted rookie, put together a good showing. While playing a snap against the Raiders' first offense, Holmes got good pressure on Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell.

INJURY REPORT: WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring) and WR Ashley Lelie (calf) have not practiced since Aug. 4. Both sat out the 49ers' exhibition opener, and neither is expected back this week, either ... WR Jason Hill (groin) is expected to miss practice time early in the week ... G David Baas is not expected back until late in the exhibition season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pec tendon. He is on PUP ... OT Damane Duckett (knee) was placed on injured reserve after sustaining an injury in the exhibition opener ... S Mark Roman (hamstring) has been out since July 28 with a hamstring strain. He is still listed as day-to-day ... S Lewis Baker (thigh) missed most of the week with a contusion. His return is listed as day-to-day.