SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The 49ers face the San Diego Chargers Thursday night at 7 p.m. on CBS 5 in the final NFL pre-season game. John Madden said the 49ers should be playing many of their projected starters.

“Throwing six passes doesn’t get you ready for an NFL season,” Madden told the KCBS morning crew, noting quarterback Alex Smith’s play in last week’s pre-season game. “I don’t know that anyone on the 49ers (other than running back Frank Gore) is ready to go.”

Traditionally, starters are rested in the last exhibition game.

“The last pre-season game for a lot of these teams should be different from years past,” Madden said, because of reduced practice time due to the NFL labor dispute.

Should the major league baseball season be shortened to increase fan interest, as suggested by Sports Illustrated columnist Frank Deford?

John Madden said you can follow the money to find the answer.

“What does he say about the owners’ income and the players’ income? Would they cut that by a proportionate share?,” Madden asked. “When you give up games, you give up revenue.” (8:05)

(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)

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