Cards notebook: Team looking for read on 49ers QB

Finding videotape of J.T. O’Sullivan playing in the NFL, other than in the preseason, is no mean feat. O’Sullivan has made nine stops for eight teams. He actually played for two of them.

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He got in five games last year for Detroit. Playing then for offensive coordinator Mike Martz seemed to give him an advantage for the 49ers, where Martz now has the same job.

He also appeared in a kneel-down situation in Green Bay.

But with no real established starter in San Francisco, he finally got his chance. He responded by beating out Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.

Niners coach Mike Nolan sounded much like the Cardinals’ Ken Whisenhunt in describing his team’s quarterback battle, saying the position as a whole “got better because of the competition.”

O’Sullivan “did the better job on the field, both in practice and in games,” Nolan said.

Throughout his travels, “The way I approached it was that I felt that if I did things right and put everything I had into it, eventually I would get an opportunity … eventually I’d get a chance to play,” O’Sullivan said.

O’Sullivan’s background is much like that of another once-overlooked quarterback: Kurt Warner.

“You don’t want him to play great in his first week,” Warner said of O’Sullivan.

“But you’re always cheering for guys like that to do well … people under the radar or people who have been passed over.

“It’s always exciting to see guys like that finally get an opportunity.”

Linebacker Karlos Dansby described O’Sullivan as “hard to figure out … We’ve been checking out a couple preseason games to try to get a feel for him.”

Dansby figures Martz “will have him dialed up and ready to read coverages.

“We have to be prepared, sharp, and fly around and make plays, make it uncomfortable.”

Cardinals cornerback Eric Green said, “He’s a veteran guy who can move around in the pocket, get out of trouble and make a play.

“I wouldn’t say he has a big strong arm who can throw 70 yards down the field.

“But he’s very accurate. He knows his receivers. He knows the game.”

THE GREAT DEFENDER

Whisenhunt knows who he has to keep track of on the 49ers’ defense.

Linebacker Patrick Willis already is one of the game’s best even though he’s only entering his second season.

Last season, in the Cardinals’ overtime home loss to the 49ers, Willis ran down tight end Leonard Pope and wide receiver Sean Morey to help keep his team in the game.

“He made two huge plays in the game,” said Whisenhunt, who also said comparisons to the Cardinals’ Dansby are fair.

“For a young player to do those things are very impressive. I’m not excited about having to play him twice a year for years to come. But I respect the fact he’s a good young player.”

Nolan said, “He’s got the combination of skill and instincts. But on top of that, he’s got what many people do not … work ethic and great passion for the game.”

TEAM CAPTAINS NAMED

After a vote by players, Warner and guard Reggie Wells have been named the offensive team captains, while Dansby is the defensive team captain.

Morey and safety Aaron Francisco are the special-teams captains.

FINAL INJURY UPDATE

Nose tackle Alan Branch (ankle) is doubtful.

Center Al Johnson and nose tackle Gabe Watson, who are both coming back from knee surgery, are listed as doubtful; they are not expected to play. Watson seems to have the better chance of being ready next week.

IT’S CANDLESTICK

After carrying a series of corporate names that never caught on among Bay Area fans, the 49ers’ home stadium is once again known as Candlestick Park.