Jeez… Ever since they got this guy back in ‘05, they don’t have a clue what to do with him.

But with the struggles the Niners have been having lately this 2009 NFL football season, coach Mike Singletary is shelving Shaun Hill in favor of Alex Smith, the same guy who almost led the Niners back from a 21-0 deficit last Sunday before losing the game, 24-21, to Houston.

After posting a solid 3-1 mark, the San Francisco 49ers dropped two straight games to fall behind the Arizona Cardinals. The running game has been struggling since Frank Gore got hit with a right ankle strain and although Gore returned to the field against the Texans last Sunday, it was clear he’s still not at a hundred percent yet after only getting 13 carries for 32 yards.

The San Francisco 49ers need a jolt of energy to bring them back to the form that rocked the NFC West during the first four weeks of the season. Mike Singletary is hoping Alex Smith would be that jolt of energy his team is looking for after giving them a glimpse last Sunday at Reliant Stadium.

49ers coach Mike Singletary announced last Monday that he’s starting Alex Smith against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, the same team Smith made his debut against as a rookie for the Niners back in the 2005 season.

Surprised? Smith isn’t. After all, he’s been waiting to get this chance for nearly two years now. If he does get to start against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, that will be his first start since November 12, 2007.

”I don’t know if I’d say surprised. I don’t know if I was anticipating it, either,” Smith said Monday after getting the news from coach Mike Singletary. ”It’s the opportunity I’ve been waiting for; happy.”

As for Shaun Hill?

”As far as will Shaun Hill be back and all this other stuff, we’re not going to be a flavor of the month kind of thing where, ‘Let’s see, this guy will be this week, this guy will be next week,” Singletary said. ”I wanted to make the decision based upon who I feel gives us the best chance to win.”

Let’s see how it works out this Sunday.

Which team will win Super Bowl XLIV? SPORTSBETTING.COM has the odds.

Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1

Arizona Cardinals 25-1

New England Patriots 4-1

Dallas Cowboys 12-1

Want more odds? Visit SPORTSBETTING.COM for more NFL betting odds. Want to watch the NFL live? Get NFL tickets online now.

Alex Smith San Francisco 49ers