The record on O'Sullivan

With so much said lately about the relationship between J.T. O'Sullivan on the one hand and Nolan and Martz on the other, I thought I'd dig around and find exactly what has been said. Here are the quotes on un-dead J.T. from the two key decision-makers.

Nolan

[P]robably the biggest impression that I got out of the quarterback position is that it is probably going to be a three-man race rather than just two. I think J.T. O'Sullivan is going to get in the thick of it. - 5/5/2008

I've been impressed with J.T. He's probably more like Shaun than he is Alex. His familiarity with the offense is better. I like his demeanor, his ability to get things done. - 5/5/2008

Question: What about the quarterback situation? We're talking about Alex Smith and [...] Hill has a decent chance of being the starter here.
Answer: Yes he does, and J.T. O'Sullivan will be able to compete for the job as well. - 5/22/2008 (audio link)

J.T. O’Sullivan has got a good arm. But as we all know, it’s about scoring points, moving the ball down the field. So however you get that done, that’s what’s most important. - 6/2/2008

I'm not going to put the quarterbacks or coaching staff in a position where there's a timetable [...]. When we feel it's been determined by their performances, we'll make that decision. - 7/21/2008

Question: So is O'Sullivan back in the starting mix?
Answer: No, he's been in it all along [...]. As I said in the spring and I'll continue to say it, it is a battle between three guys. - 7/31/2008

The determining factor was, like I said, he's probably got the better command between the three [quarterbacks] right now. He played with consistency and we moved the ball well as a unit. We scored points, we did the things that I think our really important playing that position. - 8/22/2008

Martz

[O’Sullivan] is capable of being a starter in this league. He’s not a reliever, if you will. He’s not a backup. He’ll take full advantage of [the competition]. He’s a very fierce competitor. - 3/11/2008

I was looking for a guy who could make throws under duress and hard circumstances. It was obvious to me that he was very accurate and very intelligent. - 3/13/2008

He flicks the ball and hits the guy on a dead run. He has uncanny accuracy. He sees things. He's mobile. He's tough. He's all of those things. - 5/5/2008

Whoever we go with is the quarterback we feel we have to best chance to win with, period. - 8/12/2008

If nothing else, their comments have been consistent. There was a quarterback competition, the guy who showed he could put up points and win games would win the job, JTO showed he could do that. Despite the consistency of the message, the media has been using the episode to fabricate stories about wedges between factions of the team's management and secret plans to usurp Nolan's job. Perhaps all this speculation was unnecessary. Perhaps, the coaching staff has been on the same page all along.

Note: In fairness, I have to admit I was dead wrong when I discounted JTO's chances of starting the season opener. For an amazingly inaccurate prediction, click here.