Some would say the San Francisco 49ers have a mountain to climb.

Their coach, Mike Singletary, is starting with a hill.

Singletary had a hill built at the team's Santa Clara practice facility so his players could run up and down it the way he used to run up and down hills while training when he was a player.

Back in his Bears days, the Hall of Famer used to run one steep hill near the Bears' old practice facility in Lake Forest just off the beach. And he had another he frequented in Highland Park.

Singletary runs the hill in Santa Clara, too. But he didn't have it put in for his benefit.

"A number of players have had really good success from it," Singletary said. "It's running against your weight, strengthening the ankles and knees, it works the hams and quads equally. It gives you a good idea of what you're going to get during the season."

Jerry Rice and Roger Craig were both conditioning fanatics and All-Pro players during the 49ers' glory days. Running hills was part of their training regimen.

As part of the 49ers' off-season conditioning program, players at all positions are required to do hill work under the supervision of strength and conditioning coaches. There are various exercises they are required to perform, including sprinting, running backward, running up one side and down the other, and doing intervals.

Singletary acknowledged that 49ers players have not exactly embraced the hill training the way he once did, however.

"They aren't excited about it, but that's OK," he said. "It's a tough workout. But once they do it they know there is a benefit. For the most part I think they can see how it is different from anything else they have done. So I think they can appreciate that."

Singletary started running hills in college, working out in Houston with the likes of Darrell Green, Charlie Joiner, Cliff Branch and Earl Campbell.

In Chicago, Walter Payton was famous for his hill training, but he and Singletary did not run hills together. Payton's hill was in Arlington Heights.

Singletary sometimes brought along Al Harris and Shaun Gayle for the climb.

But most of his Bears teammates were not interested in that kind of pain.

So once, many years ago, he dragged a reporter out to the hill. "You're the rabbit," he told me, giving me a small head start.

My recollection was I made it about four steps before slipping in the mud, and Singletary caught me.

And then starting and getting caught again.

And again.

I protested that he had cleats on and I did not. But that didn't wipe the smile off his face.

Here's hoping the hill training does more for the 49ers' confidence than it did for mine.

Detroit's hope: A highly touted quarterback is coming to the NFC North this fall.

And it's not Jay Cutler.

Or Brett Favre.

Matthew Stafford, the first pick of the draft, already has made an impression on the Lions in a limited amount of non-contact practices.

"He gets it," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "I like what I see, that's for sure."

Linehan said Stafford's ability to learn is "extraordinary." He also said he has never seen a quarterback with Stafford's combination of a very quick release and a very strong arm.

"He gets it out so quick, and with so much velocity," Linehan said. "And he is more accurate than I thought he was. He can put the ball in spots."

That does not necessarily mean Stafford will start on opening day, however. Because they signed Daunte Culpepper, the Lions have the luxury of playing Stafford when he is ready.

But if Stafford keeps doing things the way he has been doing them, the Lions will likely come to the conclusion that he is ready sooner rather than later.

Scout talk

Last week we looked at some offensive players who could have breakout seasons. This week we look at the other side of the ball.

Defensive ends: After holding out for 33 days in his first training camp, Derrick Harvey was operating at a big disadvantage for the Jaguars last season, and it showed. But he is a strong pass rusher who should now begin to play like the eighth pick of the draft.

Here is a sleeper who could have a breakout season: Victor Abiamiri. The Notre Dame product had the starting left end job for the Eagles nailed down last season, but he broke his wrist. If he can win it back this year, Abiamiri could surprise a lot of people.

Defensive tackles: Losing Albert Haynesworth would have been more upsetting for the Titans if they didn't have Jason Jones waiting to take his place. Jones doesn't have Haynesworth's ability, but he came on at the end of last season. In one game Haynesworth sat out against Pittsburgh, Jones had 3½ sacks. Tennessee plans on lining up Jones at all four positions on the line. Jones is adding 10-to-15 pounds in the off-season.

Last season might have been a breakout year for Adam Carriker if he hadn't had off-season shoulder surgery and an in-season ankle sprain. A healthy Carriker could wreak havoc for the Rams in new coach Steve Spagnuolo's defense.

Outside linebackers: Keith Rivers missed the last nine games of the season with a broken jaw, and he still finished second in voting for defensive rookie of the year. After losing nearly 30 pounds with his jaw wired shut, the Bengals' second-year man is back on track. He has become more dedicated about watching game tape in the off-season.

The Cowboys are trying to deal Greg Ellis to clear a spot for Anthony Spencer. Spencer, a Purdue alum, has shown considerable potential when he's had the chance, but Ellis has hogged most of the pass-rush reps. The Cowboys believe Spencer can produce double-figure sacks.

Inside linebacker: After playing only on run downs as a rookie, Curtis Lofton is becoming a four-down linebacker for the Falcons. In order to keep up on passing downs, Lofton emphasized speed and quickness in his off-season workouts and has lost a good portion of body fat.

Safeties: Tyrell Johnson was thrown into the fire as a rookie, starting the first eight games for the Vikings after coming from Arkansas State. Johnson did OK, but he should do better now that he can react more and think less. With 4.4 speed and good ball skills, Johnson is capable of big plays.

The Bucs moved Jermaine Phillips to weak-side linebacker in part to clear space at strong safety for Sabby Piscitelli. The third-year man started five of the last eight games and performed well, and should play even better in the Bucs' new defensive scheme.

Cornerbacks: It took Leodis McKelvin some time to get warmed up as a rookie for the Bills last season, but he started the final six games and made considerable progress. The jump from the competition at Troy was significant, but McKelvin no longer appears overwhelmed.

The Bengals believe 2007 first-round pick Leon Hall has the ability to be a star, and he also has the intelligence, determination and leadership skills. Last year Hall was left on an island with the opponent's best receiver more often than not, and the results were mixed. If the Bengals can deliver more pass rush and give him some support from other defensive backs, Hall should blossom.