NFL linemen are no strangers to pain, but 49ers' right tackle Anthony Davis is enduring borderline disfigurement.
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Fangio: “I’ve always like Joe Flacco. I was there when he was drafted.”
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
Can you go back to just the last game real quick. Those final two pass plays in which LB Ahmad Brooks batted down a pass and LB NaVorro batted one down, can you take us through those plays and how that defense played out?
“They played out very good. It was a tough down in distance. They only needed four yards and they had two downs to get it. And still plenty of time. It wasn’t like they had to go in the end zone. But, they very easily could have. So, we played some tight coverage and rushed four guys. And they executed well. It was a big batted pass by Ahmad on the third down. It was a big play by him on the second down when he hit the quarterback. And then the other play there, too, going back to first down, it might have been the second down prior, [S] Dashon Goldson made a good tackle in the flat on the pass, which if he doesn’t make that tackle, we wouldn’t be talking about third and fourth down. But, we just played tight coverage and rushed four and it worked out.”
How about Bowman’s play?
“It was a real good play. He was in coverage on a receiver. The receiver ran a short route and good tight coverage, good legal coverage and cut the guy off and batted the ball down.”
What kind of adjustments did you make at halftime?
“Not a lot. I think sometimes that’s overplayed. We didn’t give up any points I don’t think the previous week either in the second half until that garbage touchdown at the end of the game. We called the game just a little bit different, but not a lot. Basically our guys just played better in the second half. We played better coverage, rushed a little better and just played a little better, and called it a little different, but not anything major.”
And for the most part you just stuck to the game plan?
“Pretty much, pretty much. Called it a little different.”
Did it concern you, obviously Falcons QB Matt Ryan almost putting up 300 yards in that first half and some guys have had success against your guys’ defense in the playoffs over the last few years, is there a common element why they’re strictly wanting to attack you guys through the air?
“Well, the common element is great quarterbacks, great receivers and they were just throwing and catching a little bit better than us. We were able to shut it down to some degree in the second half, not totally shut it down. I thought we played well the week before, and the Giants game last year in the postseason, we played well. And we played [Saints QB Drew] Brees and the Saints very well until the last two drives. So, it’s just playing really great quarterbacks with good weapons.”
The only time there was somebody running free was on their long touchdown. What happened on that play?
“That was a miscommunication there. We had one guy not playing what everybody else was playing. That’s something we pride ourselves on. You guys who have been around here, you don’t really see that very much with us. Guys complete passes and whatnot, but there’s usually somebody right there with him competing. We usually don’t do that.”
Do you want the game plan to be in by the time you guys go to New Orleans? And have you decided who the starters are going to be as far as that goes?
“Pretty much. I think it’s good to save something though for that week in New Orleans.”
So, is this breakdown like a normal practice? Will there be two normal practice weeks?
“Pretty much. Pretty much, but we’ll adjust it a little bit. Pretty much.”
How familiar is the Ravens offense to you still and some of the players who were there from your time you spent there with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh?
“Well, there are a few players that are still there. Obviously the quarterback and the running back, [Ravens RB Ray] Rice and [Ravens QB Joe] Flacco. But, they’ve had a change in coordinators there. A couple of the offensive line are still there from when I was there. But, I don’t think it’s a big advantage.”
What about the defense? Can you give insight to your offensive counterparts on this team about their defense?
“Well, again the defensive coordinator there right now is two guys removed from when I was there. So, probably not as much as you think.”
From a personnel standpoint, just knowing where Ravens LB Ray Lewis is going, Ravens LB Terrell Suggs, those guys?
“Not really. A lot of that’s overblown.”
Can you comment on the health of the team?
“The health of the team?”
Yes.
“Our health is fine. [DT] Justin [Smith] has got his issue that he’s dealing with fine. And otherwise we’re in good shape.”
You were I guess the defense assistant with the Philadelphia Stars and they moved to Baltimore. As I understand it, you guys weren’t really based in Baltimore. Is that right?
“Correct. We were still based in Philadelphia, just went down to Baltimore to play the games.”
OK.
“I was wondering if we could do that here. Base ourselves in Nevada and just come over here and play the games so we don’t have to pay California State taxes. Do you think that could fly?”
From my research I thought you guys played in College Park?
“We did. We did.”
OK. So you didn’t really play in Baltimore? Is that right?
“No, but we were the Baltimore Stars.”
The USFL, a lot of cool memories for a lot people of the USFL. What was your experience like?
“Oh, it was a great experience because the two years I was there we won the championship. And we had a lot of good players and a lot of good coaches. A lot of those coaches are still coaching in the NFL today. It was a lot of fun. It was a league I thought really could have made it if they had stuck to the original plan. But, some people got a little greedy. And as the old saying is pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered, and they got slaughtered. So, but I do think that league had a good place and purpose.”
How do you feel about your pass rush after this game and LB Aldon Smith hasn’t had a sack in a while?
“He hasn’t had a sack in five games and we’ve won four of them. I thought our rush was fine on Sunday. There was a couple plays, the first, third and nine or 10 that they converted. Our rush wasn’t good enough that play. There was a couple others that weren’t good enough. But, by and large our rush was fine.”
You, head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have been together for three years now. What makes that dynamic work?
“I don’t know. I don’t know that there’s any magical answer to that question. Other than I’d like to think that we’re all three good coaches. We respect each other. And we do our jobs. Our jobs are clearly defined. Jim and Greg work hard on the offense. Myself and the other defensive coaches work hard on the defense. And we’re in it together.”
You helped oversee some very good linebacking corps in the past. At Carolina, you had really good ones and everybody I think thinks back to that New Orleans group that you had. The linebackers that you have now, your starters, are they as good as either one of those or perhaps even better?
“As the guys locally here know, I’ve ducked answering that question yet. These guys have been together two years, and only one year as a fulltime starting unit because Aldon didn’t start last year. But, I do think, eventually, if they stay humble and hungry, I will have a positive answer to that question in due time.”
I’m sure individually it would be hard to compare any of those players and groups. But, as a unit are there similarities between this group and that New Orleans group, just in terms of how they play together or approach the game?
“There are similarities. We had two really good inside linebackers there in [former Saints ILB] Sam Mills and [former Saints ILB] Vaughn Johnson. They’re both very athletic, as our guys are. They’re both very tough, as our guys are. And we had two good outside linebackers in [former Saints OLB] Rickey Jackson and [former Saints OLB] Pat Swilling. And our guys are good here. But, like I said, I think the sky’s the limit with our guys. We had those starting linebackers in New Orleans for seven straight seasons together. And hopefully we can achieve that here.”
Instead of looking at the whole body of work, how about just this season? Is this season about as good as a 3-4 linebacker corps can play together?
“Well, I think these guys are capable of playing better. But, when you put it in that perspective, I think they’ve played very well together. And I think it’d be pretty hard if we compare it to the other 3-4 teams in the league to find a better unit.”
For your linebackers, is the matchup with Baltimore, they’ve dominated some games. Is the matchup with Baltimore much more physical than other teams you guys have played?
“Yes, could be. They’ve got a really good blocking fullback in [Ravens FB Vonta] Leach. And he’s dominated some linebackers around the league, inside linebackers in particular. And we’ve better be ready to take him on.”
Does Flacco look improved a lot since you last faced him on Thanksgiving, or what do you see about their passing offense?
“I’ve always liked Joe Flacco. I was there when he was drafted and his first two seasons in the league. And I remember during the first mini-camp, or the first OTA sessions we had with him as a rookie, I said to John Harbaugh, I said you’ve got your horse here to ride for 10 years at least. I really felt that he could be a really good quarterback in the NFL. And I felt that from that day and I still feel that way. He’s got a big arm. He throws the ball effortlessly. The game isn’t too big for him. He’s calm. He’s confident. And he’s capable of making all the throws.”
Do you ever pinch yourself about the linebacker crew that you have? How they feed of each other. They’re friends. They’re intense and talented. Do you ever have to remind yourself?
“Well, I’m very appreciative to have them on the team that I happen to be with. And it’s always good to have good players. I had some stretches in between that New Orleans group and this group that weren’t so good. So, it’s always good to have good players. And I really enjoy working with them. That’s the thing that I hope nobody loses in talking about them. These guys are good people. And they’re fun to be around. I enjoy coaching them. They like to be coached. They want to play good. They have pride in their performance. And they’re a good group.”
Is there something in your time with John that you still kind of incorporate in your coaching today that you still take with you?
“From John Harbaugh?”
Yeah, because he was new. It was kind of an unusual hire. The two years that you worked with him?
“Nothing that comes to mind immediately.”
When you got this long between games, you’re trying to figure out your game plan. How do you know when you’re done? Is there a danger of over planning?
“I guess there might be, but I haven’t ever been around that yet. I think we as coaches have to keep it interesting for them and how we present the stuff. It’s very similar, a lot of times in your last preseason game, you don’t practice for that last preseason game. You take that week and start on your opener. So, you end up with two weeks to prepare for your opener. And you have it during the regular season when you have a bye somewhere. But, I don’t think so. We’re going to practice this week and we’ll have two days off, traveling, the media day, etc. And then we’ll start back up again. I think it will fit good for the players with, kind of, their body clock that Wednesday is a normal Wednesday once we get there. They’ll be in their routine.”
LB Smith not frustrated by lack of sacks
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Linebacker Aldon Smith’s streak of games without a sack has reached five, but no one around here seems too worried about the prolonged drought. “He hasn’t had a sack in five games, but we won four of them,” 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Wednesday. Smith recorded a team-record 19 ½ sacks through the 49ers [...]
Alex Smith: “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little bittersweet.”
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
SANTA CLARA – Alex Smith spoke in the locker room Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said.
Q: Is it bittersweet that the 49ers are going to the Super Bowl and you’re not the starting quarterback?
ALEX SMITH: I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little bittersweet. Yeah, I want to be out there. It’s what you work for coming into the season. That was the mindset. That was the goal for me. But at the same time, it is a team sport and these are my teammates. You go through so much together, especially these guys who have been here for a chunk of time. If you can’t be happy, there’s something wrong with you.
Q: Colin has taken everything by storm these last few weeks. Have you been impressed with him?
ALEX SMITH: Yeah. The thing I think I’ve been impressed with the most, not so much the playmaking which I knew about, I think guys around here knew about, it’s the lack of young mistakes that’s really jumped out at me. Most young guys that come in, yeah they play good at times and they show flashes, but they also seem to have those young moments, rookie moments, boneheaded things. He hasn’t done it. Period. He’s played good ball. Really played patient, played smart.
Q: Do you help with that?
ALEX SMITH: I have no idea. That’s a better question for him. He sees really well when he comes off the sidelines, especially during games. I try to relay anything I’m seeing, but he’s a smart kid. He sees thing well out there.
Q: You said he didn’t seem rattled when the team went down 17-0 nothing. Did that surprise you?
ALEX SMITH: I don’t think anybody was, especially at halftime on the offensive side of the ball. Yeah, we were down 17-0, but you’re in the middle of a game and you’re on the sidelines just trying to get something going. Getting that first score, all of a sudden it’s 17-7 and you’re back in it. And then we score again. We go in 24-14, but we had scored on our last two drives heading into halftime. I think guys felt really good with the game plan and what was going on come halftime even though we were down 10. It was just a matter of sticking with it.
Q: You didn’t do anything to lose the job. Has this shaken your confidence at all?
ALEX SMITH: Not at all. It’s the nature of sports. He got an opportunity, stepped up and made the most of it. That’s the deal. That’s how I got my start in college. It was no different. The guy in front of me got hurt. That’s how I got my first start. It’s just the nature of team sports.
Q: Before Colin got his first start, did you know he could be this good?
ALEX SMITH: Like I said, no question out there you see the playmaking ability on the practice field. For sure. You saw it in preseason. The thing I’m shocked by is the consistency. He hasn’t done the thing that a lot of quarterbacks do, which is lose the game for a team. He’s done a great job of preparing.
Q: Does he talked to you much about how he feels or if he’s nervous?
ALEX SMITH: As QBs, we’re not talking about our feelings. More so coverages and progressions, things like that. We talk football. That’s the great thing about the QB room. It’s a great group of guys, Scott as well helping out. Got a great room. It’s all ball in there. We just focus on preparing and getting ready to win.
Q: You played the Ravens last year. What does he have to worry about against that defense?
ALEX SMITH: It was a unique thing playing them on a short week and flying out there. It really seems like a blur. Don’t remember much from that game. We’ll learn from the film, for sure, saw how they played us. Things they did. Other than that, we know they’re a good defense. They have good players. It’s a matter of us going out there and executing.
Q: What are you doing to feel like you’re making a difference?
ALEX SMITH: Same thing I’ve been doing the last ten weeks. My job is to prepare and be ready to go, one. And then two, anything else I can do, whether it’s helping Colin or anyone else on the offense, on this team, in this locker room. That’s my job. I’m going to put everything I have into that. It hasn’t changed.
Q: Can you imagine not being a starter next year?
ALEX SMITH: There will be a time to talk about all of this after this game. For now, I’m just concentrating on the game.
Q: Who’s job did you take at Utah?
ALEX SMITH: Brett Elliott. Last play of the game against Texas A&M in Week 2. I started Week 3 and he never played again. He transferred.
Justin Smith on the Ravens’ offense: “The main reason they can chuck it deep is they run the ball successfully.”
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith spoke at his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said.
Q: Are you excited about the HarBowl?
JUSTIN SMITH: No, not really. I don’t even know John Harbaugh. Just from playing against him, he’s on the other sideline. But that’s for them. They’re probably focused on it, it’s an awesome deal for their family but, you know, we’re concentrating here on bringing home a championship.
Q: Is your defense as good as the Ravens’?
JUSTIN SMITH: I mean, we’re just trying to win a ring. I really don’t care about getting to this or that, what defense we’re ranked overall or anything like that. We’re just trying to go out and make sure we execute, do our job, get the job done.
Q: What difference will the extra week make for you physically?
JUSTIN SMITH: I think it does the same thing for everybody. But it’s good. Everybody’s kind of beat to hell right now. So kind of rest up an extra week, get a little time off and be ready to go next week.”
Q: Your injury, it doesn’t make that much of a difference?
JUSTIN SMITH: That thing is what it is. So it’s not gonna heal.
Q: You didn’t feel any more effective vs Falcons than you did vs Packers?
JUSTIN SMITH: No, it felt about the same. It felt all right.
Q: How good are the 49ers linebackers?
JUSTIN SMITH: I think that’s one of the main reasons we’re in the situation we’re in, getting ready to play in the Super Bowl, is you gotta have good players. And that linebacking corps is probably one of the best in the league, if not the best. So that’s one of the big reasons we’re at where we’re at right now.
Q: How important is it to get pressure on Flacco?
JUSTIN SMITH: I think the main thing is to stop the run. The main reason they can chuck it so deep is they run the ball successfully. They max it up, get you thinking run, suck in the corners and the safety, then they’re throwing over your head. And they guy they’re throwing to runs about a 4.3, 4.2 or something. I think the main thing is let those safeties set deep. Hopefully we don’t have to use them that much in the run game, and they can do their job back there and we take care of the run.
Q: Do you see a difference in their offense under Jim Caldwell?
JUSTIN SMITH: A little bit. They’ve changed up some of their tendencies. We really just looked at what they’re doing, as far as with him as the offensive coordinator, not all their game breakdowns. But yeah, it’s a little bit different.
Q: Are you guys where you would be on a normal Wednesday, with a game Sunday?
JUSTIN SMITH: Yeah, we’re pretty much staying on the same schedule that we’ve always been on, and get down there and probably just do it again. You know, get bored with the game plan, everybody kind of sitting back in the chairs a little bit. But it’ll be good as far as you know it inside and out. You think you know your opponent pretty well. They’re gonna put some wrinkles in, because you’ve had this much time. Coaches get a little bored, too. I think they start drawing some stuff up. But we’ll be ready.
Q: You’ve had playoff byes this year and last, does that help you manage Super Bowl break a little?
JUSTIN SMITH: Yeah, I think so. The opportunity as well. I think the team realizes, we got bye week, we played two games. It happened again this year: man, we gotta bring this thing home. Because, I mean, these don’t come every year, and it’s gonna be tough to keep these type of teams together as well. So we feel the pressure to get it done, and get it done now.
Q: You’ve waited a long time for this. Is it sinking in?
JUSTIN SMITH: I think that’s something you think about after the season, but right now, just getting as familiar as we can with Baltimore and what they do, and how we’re gonna try to beat ‘em.
Q: Describe Frank Gore as a football player.
JUSTIN SMITH: Stud. I mean, he does it all. Some guys, they just carry the ball, they can’t block. Some guys can just block. Or if they can do those two, they can’t catch the ball out of the backfield. He can do all three. I mean, he’s just a complete, all-around football player. I mean, that’s a guy I’d want to start my team with, is a guy like Frank.
Q: What do you think of the switch from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick now?
JUSTIN SMITH: Yeah, I mean, that’s the job that comes with being the head coach, is you got to make those decisions, and you got to live with ‘em if they’re good or if they’re bad. And he made a decision, turned out to be the right one, and helped put us in the situation we’re in, and you move on from there.
Q: Should we be concerned with only 2 sacks in the postseason?
JUSTIN SMITH: I mean, we’re winning. We’re doing what we usually do, as far as how we game-plan. You always want more pressure. We don’t blitz a whole lot. We don’t try to do all those things, and it’s been working so far.
Q: Any concern with kicking situation?
JUSTIN SMITH: No, we have faith in Dave. Dave’s the kicker, and he was one of the main reasons we got as far as we did last year. He’s done well this year, and we have all the confidence in him in the world.
Q: What does the 17-point comeback do for this team?
JUSTIN SMITH: We realize, yeah, we’re on the road against that type of team. To come back from 17 points down doesn’t happen all the time. So it’s just one more way to drive home that thought of, you know, let’s get this thing done this year. Let’s make sure we handle business, put every little extra effort you can into it, make sure you know what you’re doing this week and get it done.
Q: You and Giants could bring two titles to SF in one year. Have you thought of that?
JUSTIN SMITH: You know, I haven’t. I can only speak for myself. I haven’t. I try to take it one week at a time, and not really try to get into all that.
Q: Could your career be a success without a Super Bowl title?
JUSTIN SMITH: I mean, I’d definitely like to win one. Yeah, it’d be good. I’m really not too concerned about… You play as long as you can play, and you’re thankful for the amount you can play and all that. I’m not really looking at my career like it’s a legacy or anything. I’m just happy to play as long as I did, and an opportunity to be in the Super Bowl game and hopefully come out on top is real exciting.
(Turns to Aldon Smith)
JUSTIN SMITH: Aldon, on the other hand, may be thinking of his legacy.
TE Davis’ patience rewarded
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Tight end Vernon Davis caught five passes for 106 yards and one touchdown in helping the 49ers beat the Falcons and advance to the Super Bowl. The breakout performance validated something he learned over the course of the regular season. “It tested my patience,”Davis said of catching only five passes in the five games before [...]
Kaepernick vents to Vernon Davis at a LongHorn Steakhouse in Youngstown, Ohio
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
SANTA CLARA – Vernon Davis spoke in the locker room Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a story he told about a dinner he had with Colin Kaepernick a few months ago in Youngstown Ohio, after the loss to the Vikings.
VERNON DAVIS: Colin, he wants to be successful. He wants to be great. I remember back when we were in Youngstown, Ohio. We went to a restaurant called LongHorn. And he sat there, and he said: “I just want to play. I just want to play. I just want my opportunity.” I could see the fire in his eyes. He just wanted to prove what he could do. He wanted to let the coaches know that he was ready.
ME: Did he invite you out to dinner?
VERNON DAVIS: We got off the bus from practice and he came over to me and he was like, “Vern, are you going over to LongHorn?” And I was like, “Yeah, I’m going over.” And he was like, “I’m gonna go with you.”
ME: Could you tell he had something on his mind he wanted to talk to you about?
VERNON DAVIS: I didn’t know what he was going to talk about, but I could tell he was a little frustrated with everything that was going on.
Q: What advice did you give him?
VERNON DAVIS: I told him just have patience. You’ve gone through a lot. You have a beautiful story. You’re just destined for success. His story touches my heart. And I didn’t know his story until we sat down and he told me his story in depth, everything that went on his life. And I just knew at that moment. You will be successful, so just wait your time. It will come.
Practice report: Brooks, Celek not participating at start of light workout
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The 49ers on Wednesday conducted their first practice since they captured the NFC Championship with a 28-24 victory Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons. Outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks and backup tight end Garrett Celek were the only players not participating at the start of the scaled-back practice. Linebacker Aldon Smith (shoulder) and fullback Bruce Miller (shoulder) [...]
When Jim Harbaugh told his dad he was going to draft Kaepernick
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
In July 2011, HBO Real Sports did a feature on the Harbaugh brothers.
At the time, they did not air a clip of Jack Harbaugh talking about the moment his son, Jim, told him he was going to draft Colin Kaepernick. Here is that clip, and a transcript as well.
JACK HARBAUGH: “Jim, can you tell me? Tell me. Tomorrow you’re going to draft a quarterback. Who’s it going to be?”
And it goes dead silent. Not a word. I can just hear him breathing on the phone, I can actually hear him breathing.
He said, “Dad, will you pledge that you will not share this information with anyone? You can’t even talk about it with Jackie. Will you promise me that you will keep this totally secret?”
I said, “Jim, you have my honor, you have my word.”
And then he mentioned that Colin Kaepernick was going to be the guy that he was going to draft.
And I said, “Jim, that’s the guy.”
Fashion police fine Gore $10,500 for sagging socks
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
After showing too much leg, Frank Gore will have to show the NFL some money.
What a scoop – 49ers’ wins fueled by ice cream?
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A food-aholic love affair has broken out between the San Francisco 49ers and Handel’s ice cream company in Youngstown, Ohio. Players flocked to the ice cream stand just outside the team’s Holiday Inn hotel last September while the 49ers stayed for a week in Ohio between games against the Vikings and Jets. Now Handel’s will [...]
The first battle: Harbaugh vs. Super Bowl media
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
In a typical week, Jim Harbaugh will address the media four times: After Sunday’s game, and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Friday session is typically brief and there…
Harbaugh brothers will have joint press conference before Super Bowl
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
As you might have heard, those head coaches, Jim and John Harbaugh, are brothers (no, I’m not kidding). Of course, both Harbaughs have made it clear they want the pregame focus to center on their players, not their relationship which inspired endless tomes before last season’s holiday Har-Bowl in Baltimore.
Harbaugh does not want brother to know 49ers’ work schedule
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Jim Harbaugh won't reveal his Super Bowl practice schedule and says it's "very possible" the 49ers will unveil some new plays against the Ravens.
Great time to be a fan of the 49ers!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
It’s a great time to be a 49ers fan… not only is the team in the Super Bowl, but the result is there’s a ton of cool, new and interesting 49ers merchandise on the market as a result. I’ve highlighted …
Kaepernick, Alex Smith reportedly celebrate together at San Jose club upon NFC-title homecoming
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
With a championship comes celebrity, and the 49ers’ homecoming celebration at a San Jose club Sunday night is documented with pictures on TMZ.com Best news: Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith were among the revelers. Joe vs. Steve, this is not. Better news: No word of any criminal activity or accusations. After their playoff-opening win a [...]
Wersching on Akers: ‘The guy’s got an unbelievable leg … That stroke is not off very much’
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Ray Wersching kicked in the 49ers’ first two Super Bowl wins. Doug Brien kicked in their last. Both of them are fully behind David Akers and hope he excels in Super Bowl XLVII. Mike Cofer also is in the pro-Akers camp, stating he’s “in his court” in a recent interview on 95.7 The Game. Here [...]
Wednesday media schedule: Fangio to talk about ‘Vic’s All-Star Kitchen’
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
(Updated: schedule shifts) The 49ers will kick off their first Super Bowl practice at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday in preparation for their Feb. 3 meeting with the Baltimore Ravens in New Orleans. Idle Tuesday, the 49ers will allow the media to watch players warm up for the first 30 minutes, unless team drills begin earlier. That [...]
Crabtree rape allegation not holding up
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Crabtree rape allegation not holding up
The hotel-room sexual assault allegations against 49ers star wide receiver Michael Crabtree do not appear to be holding up under investigation. San Francisco police said Friday that they wer...
Jerry Rice backs up Tim Brown’s claim
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Hall of Fame receiver and former Raider and 49er Jerry Rice recently appeared on ESPN’s “NFL Live” to back up his former teammate’s claim that former Raiders head coach Bill Callahan played to lose Super Bowl XXXVII, when the Raiders were blown out by Tampa Bay. “For some reason — and I don’t know why [...]
Film study: Second quarter observations from the 49ers’ win
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
SECOND QUARTER -Alex Boone did it again. On a 9-yard gain up the middle, Boone was blocking and he got his leg caught up with Gore, and Gore tripped. Boone has mistakenly tackled Gore at least three times this season. -The Falcons were playing their safeties close, only 10 yards off the ball, in most [...]
Offensive film review: Falcons force Kap to be methodical
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Former 49ers head coach Mike Nolan's plan to keep the ball out of Colin Kaepernick's hands wasn't enough for the Falcons.
Film review: Brooks, Kaepernick, Davis shine; would Ault get a ring?
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
I just finished watching the replay of the NFC Championship game (Spoiler: 49ers won). Here are some observations as the team begins preparing for the Ravens. I wish Terry…
First quarter observations from the NFC title game
Monday, January 21, 2013
- The 49ers put Aldon Smith in coverage often, which is curious. That might have been the issue on the miscommunication that resulted in the 46-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones. Cornerback Tarell Brown might have thought he had to cover the flat and he let Jones go. However, Smith was covering the flat. After [...]
Harbaugh: ‘David Akers is our kicker’
Monday, January 21, 2013
Harbaugh: 'David Akers is our kicker'
Jim Harbaugh's voice did not exactly brim with confidence, but he dismissed any possibility of changing placekickers for the Super Bowl."The decision's already been made," Harbaugh said Monday...
Notes: Hall hasn’t leap-frogged Jenkins at WR, Harbaugh says
Monday, January 21, 2013
SANTA CLARA — 49ers fans watching Sunday’s NFC Championship Game may have done a double-take on Colin Kaepernick’s third-quarter pass to No. 14 — wondering who No. 14 was. That…
Harbaugh already tired talking about brothers angle
Monday, January 21, 2013
Coach Jim Harbaugh realizes everyone is hot to know what he thinks about his 49ers playing his older brother John’s Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl. And they can ask all they want in the lead up to the game Feb. 3, but Harbaugh made it clear Monday that he’s going to keep the focus [...]
Harbaugh, Gore on same page during games
Monday, January 21, 2013
Cameras caught running back Frank Gore engaged in an animated discussion with coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline after the 49ers fell behind in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons. That’s nothing out of the ordinary, Harbaugh said. At that point, the Falcons were marching up and down the field, and the 49ers offense [...]
This time, Anthony Dixon delivered on 3rd-and-1
Monday, January 21, 2013
How many 49ers fans had an unpleasant flashback and a spike in their blood pressure when San Francisco faced a 3rd-and-1 early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game and handed the ball to … Anthony Dixon?
49ers hold off Falcons, can’t hold back emotions after win
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sunday’s come from-behind-win had some players dancing wildly in the middle of the locker room and left others quietly wrestling with their emotions in front of their lockers. Jed…
Jim and John Harbaugh: The Transcripts
Monday, January 21, 2013
Oh brother, here we go again. It’s Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers against older brother John’s Baltimore Ravens in the Feb. 3 Super Bowl. To refresh your memory on all things Harbaugh, here are the transcripts from their conference calls with national media before their 2011 Thanksgiving Night game that the Ravens won: Coach [...]
Vernon Davis again a force in playoffs
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Vernon Davis again a force in playoffs
ATLANTA - Right on cue, Vernon Davis delivered in January.
For the second time in two seasons, San Francisco's tight end - quiet in the 2012 regular season - delivered in one of the season's ...
Bowman saw Falcons’ final play coming
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman knew something was off on fourth down with just 1:13 to play in the NFC Championship Game Sunday. But what?
What? Me worry? 49ers stick to plan, stick it to Falcons
Sunday, January 20, 2013
ATLANTA – Their fans may have been pulling out their hair when the 49ers fell behind by 17 points and losing bucketfuls of sweat as the Falcons drove toward…
For Gore, Super Bowl is that much sweeter
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Frank Gore's career hasn't always been rosy, but six years of adversity with the 49ers have made a Super Bowl trip that much sweeter for the star running back.
49ers on way to Super Bowl
Sunday, January 20, 2013
With a win over the Falcons in a hard fought NFC Championship game the 49ers are on their way for their 6th Super Bowl and a chance for a Sixth Lombardi Trophy. The game will be played February 3rd with …
Report: Crabtree investigated for sexual assault
Friday, January 18, 2013
According to KTVU Bay Area Channel 2, who cites an unnamed source in the San Francisco Police Department, Michael Crabtree is being investigated for an alleged sexual assault.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the alleged assault took place the morning of January 13th hours after the 49ers’ victory over the Packers, and Crabtree has not been detained or arrested.
I will keep you posted on further developments as they unfold.
Update: According to the San Jose Mercury News, Crabtree was not present when the 49ers arrived at their hotel.
More from the Mercury News: “49ers confirm Michael Crabtree made trip with them to ATL, aware of investigation into alleged sexual assault”
Harbaugh transcript: “I don’t give speeches. I give information.”
Friday, January 18, 2013
Here’s Jim Harbaugh’s final press conference of the week. Transcript courtesy of the 49ers public relations staff: JH: “I can tell by the audience that we’ve probably ploughed through all…
Ain’t that a kick: 49ers waive Cundiff
Friday, January 18, 2013
The 49ers’ kicking battle is officially over. The team this afternoon announced it had waived Billy Cundiff, who was brought in 17 days ago to compete against struggling David Akers.…
Harbaugh: Randy Moss would be welcomed back for 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Jim Harbaugh says he plans to ask Randy Moss to stick around one more year, and Moss’ teammates said they want the veteran receiver back, too. “I, for one,…
Frank Gore on the pistol read option: “I just felt like that’s not real football at first.”
Thursday, January 17, 2013
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Frank Gore’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
You haven’t worn that in a while?
“No.”
Why’d you pull it out today?
“It’s a work day. That’s about it. Just want to have a good work day.”
What’s it going to take to have a good work day on Sunday?
“We just have to play 49ers football. Do whatever it takes to win. If that’s running, throwing the ball, playing great defense, special teams, doing whatever it takes to get to that next level.”
What would you say are the big differences with your team, especially your offense, this year versus going into the Giants game at this time last year?
“It’s our second year with the same coordinator. Last year we were just happy to be in the playoffs and now we know we are supposed to be there.”
What was the process like convincing you or teaching you the read option? Sometimes for veteran guys, it’s a little different from what you’ve done before.
“I feel like I’m a football player, I’m a ball player. I can adjust to anything. I just have to be more patient to know if I’m getting the ball or not. That’s about it.”
I remember talking to Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee about it last year when he ran it with New York Jets QB Tim Tebow and he said it was very weird at first. Did you go through, was it kind of an adjustment process?
“Yeah, I had to adjust because I don’t know if I’m going to get the ball or not. So I just have to be patient and stay on my course and if I have it then I have to adjust to what I see.”
There was so much discussion about QB Colin Kaepernick’s running last week, obviously just talk about how is Atlanta going to account for him?. Does it have the potential to open up some big holes for you?
“Yeah, it should. Kaepernick did a great job last week. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast and they are going to have to look out for him. So hopefully they keep looking out for him and 21 will keep getting the ball and I just do what he did last week.”
What’s it like to have a quarterback out run you?
“Hey, last week wasn’t the first time. He did it a couple other times this year. So like I say, as long as we get the win I don’t care who has the most yards and whatever, catching, running. I just want the W.”
I know you’re a student of football, but do you remember the first time you saw the pistol offense and what you thought of it when you first saw it? Did you watch it in college games?
“Yeah, probably like Oregon.”
What’d you think of it when you first saw it?
“I didn’t like it at first, but it’s working for us. So if it gets us to the Super Bowl, I’m with it.”
It looked, after RB Kendall Hunter got hurt, like a pretty seamless transition with RB LaMichael James stepping in. Did it feel that way to you and have you been happy with how he’s played?
“Yeah, I’m happy for him. LaMichael has been doing a great job. Special teams, even when he gets a chance to run the ball or catch the ball. When I first saw him in camp, it took him some time to adjust and I’m just happy for him. He’s helping the team and like I say, he put the work in.”
Why didn’t you like the pistol at first?
“I just felt like that’s not real football at first. But like I say, it’s helping us, helping us get to where we want to go and I’m with it.”
You had your second best season in terms of rushing yards, in this your 8th NFL year. What’s the key to your durability?
“Just working hard, working hard in the offseason. Listening to my coach during the week. Working out with coach Uye [head strength and conditioning coach Mark Uyeyama] in the weight room to keep my strength and that’s about it.”
Is there anything different that you’ve done towards the last few years of your career that’s really amped up that offseason workout?
“I think my coach paid attention more in the season about my reps and making sure I come in early in the morning working out every day with coach Uye.”
What strikes you about the Falcons when you look at them on film? And are their linebackers, do they play a little deeper than others?
“As a group, they have a good group of linebackers. I like the way [Atlanta Falcons LB Sean] Weatherspoon plays. He’s aggressive, fast, big. He kind of reminds me when I watch him of my boy [Carolina Panthers LB] John Beason from Carolina. Very active, makes good reads and gets to the ball. But Atlanta has a great team. If they didn’t have a great team they wouldn’t be here right now. So it’s going to be a good game Sunday.”
I know you’re on the offense and you’re a fan of your team’s defense, right? Which player on the 49ers defense would you least like to be tackled by?
“Oh man, that’s a hard question right there. I’ll go with [DT] Justin Smith.”
Because?
“He finishes tackles. When he puts you to the ground, he puts that 315 pounds on you. So I’ll say Justin Smith.”
So because you said you didn’t think the pistol was real football, what sold you? Was there a specific play or a specific game?
“No, just because coming from Miami, it was like pro-style offense. I didn’t think really big of it, but now I love it.”
Was there a run that either you were able to break because of it or Colin?
“Colin and me, it was both. When he got that big 60-yard run late in the game and we kept the same formation and I was getting it, making big runs back-to-back. It’s working.”
Coach Roman was just up here saying that you guys have had maybe discussions about being a coach one day. Do you think you’d make a good coach and why might that be an interest of yours after your playing days?
“Yeah, I think I’d be a great coach. For one, I love the game of football. I’ve been around the game all my life, since I was four. I can tell who are real football players. I got the eye for talent. That’s why I think that.”
Is that something you’d be interested in after your playing career?
“I’ll see. But like I said, I love being around football. So if [offensive coordinator] coach Roman ever get a head job and wants to hire me, I’ll be ready.”
Fangio on Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers: “They’ve been running through tackles and running people over.”
Thursday, January 17, 2013
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
Just the matchup, the two wide receivers, how do those guys rate or compare or how difficult it is to prepare for those two guys as opposed to a lot of receiver combinations you guys have faced?
“Well, they’re certainly up there as one of the best tandems in the league, if not the best. But, the whole crux of their offense is not just those two guys, it’s all 11. You talk about defending the receivers and you have to, well how does that affect [TE Tony] Gonzalez? How does that affect the running game? So, you’ve got to have a good plan and a good mix to stop this offense. It’s not just the receiver-driven offense, although they are two of the best receivers in the league. They have good weapons all over the place and obviously a really good quarterback in [QB Matt] Ryan running the show.”
How is LB Patrick Willis evolved since you’ve been here as far as covering tight ends and just that facet of his game?
“I think he’s improved. He’s proven that he can do it on a consistent basis. Some weeks are tougher than others. Obviously this week is a very tough week with Gonzalez.”
Do they tend to go, we saw the throw that pass to Gonzalez at the end of that crucial drive. Does Ryan tend to go to him in those types of situations, critical situations?
“Well, he certainly has developed a good karma with him in his years there with him. And he feels very comfortable throwing the ball to him. He’s got confidence in where Gonzalez is going to be and he likes throwing to him. So, I’m sure he does like looking to him in critical situations. But, the more tape you watch you see him throwing it to other guys, too.”
CB Chris Culliver yesterday said that he thought that WR Julio Jones was more difficult to cover because he gets in and out of his breaks better than WR Roddy White. Do you share that sentiment?
“They’re both really good. They’ve got size. They’ve got speed. They can run good routes. They catch it well and they’re both good threats running after the catch. To quibble over which one of those two is better, you’re cutting hairs one way or the other.”
As big as they are, does it change your approach in trying to hit them at the line and prevent them from getting off the line?
“Sometimes. It’s always a good idea to do that. But, again it goes back to the original question. We’ve got to stop their whole offense, not just the receivers. So, sometimes when you’re leaning towards Gonzalez, or running game, that lightens you up outside. So, you just have to mix it up and pick your spots.”
How do you evaluate how DT Justin Smith and LB Aldon Smith played together again last Saturday night?
“They played well. They did a good job for us.”
Did it seem like the Packers were playing Justin the way any team normally would have during the regular season?
“I think so.”
It’s easy to look at the numbers and see that Aldon hasn’t has a sack in four games. Why do you think that is? Why do you think that he’s had this so called drought?
“I don’t look at it as a drought. You guys were at the game last week. And the guy was throwing the ball extremely fast. How many plays in the game were there where you were saying, where’s the pass rush? It’s just they were throwing it fast. He came loose a few times and the ball’s gone. I think he’s rushing good. I think teams have respect for our rush. They throw it quick sometimes. And those guys are playing fine. It’s not always stats. Don’t look at that play-by-play after the game and make your conclusions. Watch the game.”
What have you seen from their running game?
“Well, right off the bat what jumps out at you is these running backs are running extremely hard. They’re two guys that are on the short side, they’re built low to the ground. They’ve got low center of gravity. They run hard. They use their height to their advantage. They create leverage. And they’ve been running through tackles and running people over. Their line’s doing a good job of bodying up and getting on people and these guys are making people miss. You can’t get either one of these guys down with an arm tackle.”
You mentioned those two backs that are pretty well respected. Statistically I realize what you just said about stats, but they didn’t rank very well during the regular season. Why was that?
“I don’t know. I’ve kind of focused most of my attention on their last couple of months’ body of work and I don’t see it in those games. Maybe they had a bunch of games early in the season where they didn’t run it well. But, anytime you throw the ball as much as they have and accumulate the yards that they’ve had, something’s going to suffer along the way. And I guess the running attempts suffered early in the year. But, they’re running it very well. They ran it good on a good Seattle defense last week.”
RB Michael Turner obviously is an older back. Did it seem like he had fresher legs with that week off last week?
“Yeah, maybe. You’d have to ask him for verification. But, they had the week off. They’ve been giving the ball more to [RB Jacquizz] Rodgers. So, he hadn’t had the amount of carries that he’s had in week to week. So, I’m sure he’s a little fresher.”
The fact that Ryan doesn’t run that much, I mean not at all really.
“That much is better than not at all. He does scramble.”
He does scramble a little bit. But, I think the fact that he’s mainly a pocket passer, does that help you more in your preparation?
“Well, you still have to prepare to stop the offense they’re running. The guys that scramble and create, you always have to be prepared to defend two plays. The one they called in the huddle and they’re running. And then the one that the scrambling quarterback may create on his own by getting out. So, the work’s still the same. Maybe he’s not going to scramble as much as [Seattle QB] Russell Wilson or [Packers QB] Aaron Rodgers might. But, you still have to defend their passing game.”
You talked about avoiding arm tackling. Your team does tackle well. How much of that is drafted and how much of that is coached?
“How much of that is what?”
How much of it is just drafted? That you draft guys that can, or how much can you coach?
“Both.”
OK. So, when you’re coaching it what are the points of emphasis?
“Well, we can’t create big seams. You give backs big seams and then a good back becomes a great back. A great back becomes unstoppable. So, it all starts before the tackle is even attempted. You’ve got to establish a line of scrimmage and not give them big alleys and holes to run through.”
Which is, that’s the linemen then?
“That’s everybody up front taking on their blocks correctly. Not giving these backs room to run and get into your secondary and work on the DB’s.”
Before they abandoned the run in the second half, Green Bay had some success on the ground. Were you pleased with your run defense?
“Yeah. Some of the success they had was they put [WR Randall Cobb] 18 in backfield and made him a back. And we were in some calls that were better against the pass. And we were a little light and they popped two runs on us there. But, overall the run defense was fine.”
Roman on the Falcons: “I think they’re a very good situational team on defense.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Greg Roman’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
Opening Statement:
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Good afternoon. Obviously we’re very excited to be back in the Championship Game against a great Atlanta team. They’ve won a lot of games this year, won a lot of games really the past several years, and the great thing about our guys is they’ve been dialed in, high energy, great focus. So, really looking forward to having a great practice today. Any questions?”
They seem to be a bend-but-don’t-break kind of defense. How do you break that kind of team?
“They’re very well coached. I think they’re a very good situational team on defense. I think the numbers show that, in the red zone and third down. But, they’re just a very good team, very good defense. I think they do a great job of utilizing their players. And, the first thing that jumps out is the leverage their defensive line plays with. They do a great job of using leverage to their advantage. I think they’ve got a good feel for what’s going to add up to a win and they’ve certainly got a lot of them.”
The players, and as normal, say it’s just another game. But in the Bay Area where the 49ers have five Super Bowl’s and last year got one step away, is there a feeling among the coaches, this is not just another game, it’s like a must-win because we’ve got to get over the hump?
“I don’t think there’s any hump that we feel we have to get over. I think it is a must-win game. It’s win-or-go-home and that’s it. I think everybody has a real true sense of that, but you have maintain your focus on the task at hand, every coach and player. And, getting caught up in emotions, what-ifs, what-if coulda, woulda, this, that, the other. All that tends to do is distract you from doing what you do best, and that’s play the game.”
[QB] Colin [Kaepernick] seems to do a really good job as far as the read option with the faking stuff, fake handoffs and that, and the defense doesn’t know whether the running back has the ball or not. Do you guys work on that? Are there quarterbacks that you’ve shown him over the years that have done a good job of disguising that play?
“I think it’s definitely something that’s worked on and emphasized and everybody understands how critical that is to the play. It is a key component to the play. I felt like Colin, because of his extensive use of that type of offense in college, came in here to the NFL with a real good understanding of that.”
How does the quarterback who doesn’t know whether he’s going to hand it off or not when the snap is taken and a running back who doesn’t know if he’s going to get the ball or not to keep from fumbling?
“Practice.”
What are the keys?
“The keys are, it’s like anything else, I think there’s a chemistry that is built. It’s not something that you can easily write on paper to describe. But it’s a matter of pressure. The quarterback has the ball, controls the ball, and when he pulls it, he’s yanking that thing out. There is no indecision. He is ripping that thing out with conviction, or he lays it in there gently. So, there’s definitely a stark contrast with between the two.”
Have you, whether in the offseason program or in training camp, were there a lot of times when the ball was on the ground or is that whole transition gone pretty smooth?
“That’s a very good question because just like everything else, yes, there are invariably going to be some balls on the ground as you work your way through it. It’s just something that you work through. You understand, like anything else, there’s a process involved. It’s something we worked on in the spring and training camp and really last year as well. So, we do have some time invested in it, but it still comes down to the players executing that play on the field.”
Was that an instance where [RB] LaMichael [James] was more advanced than [RB] Frank [Gore], just because of college backgrounds?
“That’s an interesting question, but Frank is such an adaptable player that it doesn’t take him long to pick something up. He’s one of the most gifted, knowledgeable and intelligent football players that I’ve been around, really at any position. He just has a feel and an understanding for the game. It’s funny, when you install something or put something new in, he can just see it. It’s pretty impressive.”
A lot of guys talk about Frank’s football I.Q. a lot. You just mentioned an example there where Frank’s smarts really showed through a lot.
“I’ll tell you what, really in everything. I think in mentoring the other players. He has a good way of explaining things from his perspective. In protection, in pass protection, he’s got a great feel for understanding a concept and understanding, because there’s a lot of different pass protections. You can’t just go in with one protection. Good defensive coordinators probably are going to violate that. So, he has a way of understanding pass protection and executing it physically as good as anybody.”
Does Frank every talk to you about being a coach one day? Has he ever talked to you about that?
“Oh yeah, without question. I always tell Frank, ‘Man, when you’re done playing, come find me or I’ll find you,’ because he is a guy that I love working with as a player and I’m sure I would love working with as a coach.”
How has he helped the coaching staff in times where you guys like feedback? How has Frank helped the coaching staff, drawing up game plans and stuff like that?
“I’ll always talk to Frank, ‘Hey, what do you like this week?’ He said, ‘Just call it, I’ll run whatever.’ It’s a little bit more than that, but we’ll definitely talk through things and communication. We’ve got great communication, all the coaches do with Frank. Frank’s the ultimate team guy.”
How much more can you rely on LaMichael now for pass blocking and maybe run blocking protection than maybe when he first started playing?
“He’s coming along nicely in all phases, just very happy with the progression LaMichael has made in his developments since he’s gotten here and he’s doing a great job. Again, he’s a football player. He loves contact. He’s a tough inside runner, good outside runner and what is
happening in games he’s graded out extremely well on.”
You were talking about Frank being adaptable. With that said, you mentioned with the read-option here, he couldn’t hit the hole quite as hard as he’s used to. Then how has he adjusted to the idea of the rest of the runs?
“It was definitely an adjustment for him, but again, he’s one that will adapt quickly. I thought he had some just incredible runs in our last game on those types of plays. It’s of no surprise to us here. But that’s something you probably need to ask him.”
Your unit’s enthusiasm level seems to be higher this year than it was last year. How much of that is touchdowns as opposed to field goals. What do you attribute that to, is it Colin’s personality?
“I don’t know. I would just say it’s a love of the game and love of having success. But, it’s really a reflection of the men themselves and how much they love the game. And they’ve come together as a team. So, I don’t know that you can titrate that down to one thing, but I just think it’s a reflection of the men on our team.”
How much stronger is your offense going into this NFC Championship Game in terms of the players you have, the schemes you’ve installed that you were at this point last year?
“That’s a hard one to quantify. Every game is different, I will say this. No matter how you look at it, you have to pay homage to the football gods every week in practice, in meetings, in your preparation, then you have to go out and perform on game day. So, Atlanta’s a great football team. We know that. It’s all about our preparation. So, how that stacks up or looks on paper is of little consequence. It’s all about the players on the field getting it done.”
After that Seattle game, a couple of your players said, just because of the crowd noise, you have some of the pre-snap stuff stuffed and had to go out the window. Do you go into a game like this knowing some of that and you can’t use just because of the potential for crowd noise?
“It’s going to be loud there and we fully anticipate that. We’ve played in loud environments such as New Orleans, just the first one off the top of my head. That Superdome can get extremely loud. So, I think our players are well equipped and we’ll always try to factor that in into the game plan.”
Do you remember the first time you saw the pistol offense and what your first impression of it was?
“I do. I do. I do remember. I was sitting at my office over at Stanford, I believe and I was watching a tape and I heard about the offense so I got a copy or somehow got it, and I wanted to see it. I loved the downhill element of it and the neutrality of it, with the back in the home position. I loved the concept, a couple different things about it and I just thought it was a great idea, but I do, I do.”
Do you remember what the game was?
“Yeah, it was Nevada tape.”
Did you ever, while watching it, think this could work in the NFL?
“I think elements of it are very basic to football, but at that time I really didn’t think about that.”
Just to clarify, the neutrality of it means like the versatility?
“The back is in the neutral position, meaning he’s not offset here, coming across the formation. He’s directly behind the quarterback, so it’s easier to go this way, go that way, throw a pass, throw a play action. It’s not as predicable.”
With the success here and Chip Kelly coming into Philly [Philadelphia Eagles head coach], and of course that’s a different type but saying, ‘This is the future of the NFL.’ We’ve always said quarterbacks can’t run, all of a sudden you’ve got running quarterbacks.
“That remains to be seen. That remains to be seen. Chip’s a fine football coach and I’m sure he’ll do great, but can’t predict that, just focused on Atlanta this week and the task at hand. Our focus is on getting our guys that NFC Championship, Frank Gore, [WR] Randy Moss, [TE] Vernon Davis, [T] Joe Staley, [head coach] Jim Harbaugh, that’s where our focus lies on watching those guys hoist up that trophy. There’ a lot of work that goes into that and everybody’s dialed in. Energy levels are high, looking forward to having a great practice.”
Harbaugh on Gore: “Body feels great, his mind feels good, great attitude.”
Thursday, January 17, 2013
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
Have you had any interesting guests come in and talk to the team this week?
“No.”
Sometimes you do.
“Yeah, sometimes.”
But not this time?
“[ESPN Sportscaster] Chris Berman was here yesterday, he said a few words to the team.”
How do you feel about preparation to this point, compared to where it was a week ago?
“Yeah, it’s been good.”
DT Justin Smith said yesterday that he felt like after last year’s game there was, maybe not a celebration, but the whole energy was different than now. After the game this week, the Packers win, there wasn’t the celebration, it was moving on, very business-like. Have you sensed that too?
“Like I said, the preparation has been good. I’m not going to dissect or attempt to dissect the attitude of every single guy. We’ll do what we always do and speak for myself. Pack a toothbrush and a great attitude and get ready to play a football game.”
You always want your guys to get better. How have they improved since the last time you entered this game, the NFC Championship Game? What really stands out in your mind and where they’ve made their improvement over the last year?
“Well again, to list that whole list or to try to pick out one bullet point, don’t really have that right now.”
Your dad said he has given you and your brother great advice which was get ahead and stay ahead. Was that said to you through the years or is that a new one?
“No, he’s said that one often, going back several years. He breaks it down Barney style. Great advice.”
He doesn’t really elaborate on that, as far as how you get ahead. You can interpret it as you will, is that right?
“Yeah.”
When you did first start really taking a look at Atlanta?
“In earnest, after they won the game.”
So, how much time before? Just easy plans or before they beat Seattle at all?
“Yeah, there were computer breakdowns on all the possible teams that we could play if we could advance. That’s a standard element of our preparation.”
Was it a priority for you guys to kind of keep an eye towards the playoffs as far as your usage of RB Frank Gore?
“No, every week we were going into it as that game being the most important game. I wouldn’t say there was an eye toward the playoffs on that specifically, with Frank.”
How important is it for you, as you look at the whole season, to have him playing his best football and have him healthy and fresh at this time of the season?
“Well it’s very exciting to hear. I know Frank has mentioned that a few times this week, a few times last week, that he feels great. Body feels great, his mind feels good, great attitude. It’s a real positive for us.”
Have you been happy with RB LaMichael James’ performance in the offense and special teams since RB Kendall Hunter went down?
“Yeah, we’re all happy with the way LaMichael has stepped in and has really given us a boost. It’s been good.”
As far as running the read-option, how much does it fall on the running backs to really sell the fake, that he’s got the ball? Does LaMichael do a particularly good job at that?
“Yeah, I would say he does and all of our backs do. That’s a fundamental part of the play.”
Have you ever been fooled from your vantage point as to who has the ball on a particular play?
“Yeah, momentarily.”
Your team tackles really well. What makes a good tackler? What are the elements of making a good tackler? A good football player who tackles?
“The list of all those things again. I’d say the one that stands out. That’s probably an easier one to answer. Number one is contact courage. Seeing how fast they can get from point A to point B and go hit somebody.”
LaMichael put a pretty big block on Packers LB Clay Matthews in the Green Bay game. I know that was something his rookie he’s been working on. Can you trust him more now in those pass-blocking situations or run-blocking situations maybe than when he first started playing regularly?
“Yes. There’s real good evidence there that LaMichael has good technique, contact courage as a blocker. He has proven that.”
A lot of players talk about Frank’s football IQ being a little different than most running backs. In your experience with him, what stands out in that regard with Frank?
“It’s top shelf. Not to categorize it, but I know I’ve learned a lot from Frank as well as the other running backs on our team. He sees it, he sees the big picture, he sees the whole picture. He sees it slowed down and he’s got a very quick mind. He’s able to make quick minded decisions.”
With all of the coaching vacancies just about full now, do you have mixed feelings that some of your assistants didn’t get one of those jobs? Obviously, you’re going to be happy that they’re going to be coming back. What’s your thought on them not filling any of those vacancies?
“You know how I feel. Any team would be lucky to have them as head coaches. That time will come. Very confident of that.”
Do you have any stories from your playing career in Atlanta, remember games you’ve played in Atlanta? Any stories?
“No.”
Did creating a gameplan for the Falcons take any more or less time than maybe other teams for the fact that you haven’t faced then in your time here?
“As far as the amount of time in the day, you’re using every minute that you can until you’re just exhausted and have to just go to sleep. That’s pretty much every week. They haven’t created more hours in the day.”
You might be more familiar with Seattle?
“Yeah, there’s definitely that element there.”
Did you sleep in the office this week?
“A little bit.”
49ers notes: Falcons defense feels it’s well-prepared for Kap attack
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson said he and his teammates are confident they can stop Colin Kaepernick this weekend despite struggling against other mobile quarterbacks earlier this season. Seattle’s Russell…
Jags raid Seahawks’, not 49ers’, staff for their head coach
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Will the 49ers go into Year 3 of the Jim Harbaugh era with their original coaching staff mostly in place? That possibility grew stronger this morning when the Jaguars…
Kaepernick: “I watched Vince Young, Michael Vick, McNabb, the old clips of Cunningham.”
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Colin Kaepernick’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
[Head coach Jim] Harbaugh mentioned last week that you were really picking up the game plan, a savant-like game he said. Did you feel like it was like another level for you, that the mental part was really picking up?
“I think it’s just something you have to do in this playoff situation. You get one shot so you have to be on top of everything.”
How exciting of a day is it when you get to see that game plan for the first time and see what [offensive coordinator] Greg Roman and the offensive staff has put together?
“It’s always exciting. They’re always coming up with something new, something different, something that’s going to help this offense.”
Did last week surprise you at all, the way that the plan was presented?
“I wouldn’t say it surprised me. It was a little bit different than what we normally do, but it was something we are all comfortable with.”
What are your thoughts going into the Georgia Dome?
“As far as?”
Just the atmosphere, I know it’s a really loud environment, the Falcons have won 33 of their last 40 there.
“Crowd noise is something you’re always going to have to deal with on the road. It’s something we prepare for.”
Atlanta, this week, they had been saying a lot of stuff about how they need to hit you, that’s how they need to stop it, what you do. How have you been able to so far avoid those type of hits, and now that there’s that target, how do you plan on avoiding those hits?
“Run where they’re not. You want to run away from where the defensive players are. When they get close, get down.”
How did you find out that you’re on the cover of Sports Illustrated?
“My agent called me the night before.”
For a lot of you guys, that’s a four-year dream. Is that a big deal to you?
“It was something I didn’t expect. It kind of surprised me, but it’s a great honor.”
What do you think about Harbaugh’s floating face?
“[Laughing] That’s a coach Harbaugh game face.”
You’ve had four passes intercepted this season where each time you’ve responded with a touchdown drive. What do you attribute that to? What goes through your head in those situations the next time you get the ball?
“That we have to score. I think that’s our whole offense’s mentality. We have to bounce back from a turnover.”
You talked about how you looked up to Brett Favre when you were a kid. Did you pay attention to more mobile quarterbacks that he was? Did you look at Steve Young much? Did you fashion yourself after him at all or were you too young then?
“Not at that point in my career. When I got into high school, college, I watched Vince Young, Michael Vick a lot, [Donovan] McNabb, watched the old clips of [Randall] Cunningham. They were all quarterbacks that were mobile and could make plays.”
When you were in college, did people want to view you as either a thrower or a runner? Did people view you as just a running quarterback, the other day you said that you didn’t want to be categorized?
“I feel like pretty much my whole life I’ve been categorized as a runner.”
It’s been a crazy road for you, you weren’t the starter, you’re the starter, now you’re on the cover of Sports Illustrated and people are wanting a piece of you. How have you handled that and is it a lot compared to what you expected?
“I don’t. I send everything to my agent and I go about my business as normal.”
You don’t react to it at all? People have to be shouting your name?
“I go home. I watch my film. I watch anything on TV but sports, and I go to bed and come back and do it the same way the next day.”
You and [WR] Michael [Crabtree] have had so many connections together, more than any other receiver on this team combined, it seems a combination the Falcons are going to try to stop. What has Michael continually do that allows him to keep getting open even though everybody knows who you’re going to?
“He’s winning. That what it comes down to. You’re going to get open as a receiver or you’re not, and he’s been getting open.”
What’s his specialty that allows him to be that open? What do you see from him in practice that we don’t get to see?
“You really can’t point one thing out. He’s a complete receiver. He knows what he’s doing out there. He knows how to work his routes.”
When you were coming out of college, there were a lot of questions about how you would adjust to the pro offense after running the pistol in college. Do you find it interesting at all now that the pistol is becoming so prevalent in the NFL?
“I don’t know if you can say it’s funny or what, but it’s another asset to our offense to help us move the ball.”
What did you think about the taunting penalty against Green Bay the other night?
“I didn’t think it was a penalty, but it was an emotional play.”
Michael Crabtree is a man of few words, at least in the media he is, so tell us something about him that he wouldn’t say about himself.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen his interviews, so I don’t know what he has and hasn’t said.
Well tell us, what is there to know about your favorite receiver, just on and off the field, that makes him tick?
“He’s a workhorse. He just wants to win.”
What has been your favorite Kaepernicking image so far that you’ve seen?
“I saw a girl Kaepernicking while she was riding a horse.”
How old was she, or younger or older?
“I think it was teenage.”
You’ve had a trio of headstrong quarterback dating back to Roger Theder, [former Nevada head coach] Chris Ault and now Jim Harbaugh. Talk about how they’ve helped form your mental toughness.
“I think that’s something they’ve kind of engrained in me throughout my career. I’ve always had great quarterback coaches coaching me and I think that’s really helped me get to where I’m at now.”
Can you share what’s on your playlist this week? Your teammates say you’re always wearing your headphones.
“It depends on the day. I’ve got over 6,000 songs on my iPod, so it just depends on what mood I’m in.”
Delanie Walker: “We’ve got G-Ro and they’ve got Mike Nolan. It’s going to be a battle.”
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
SANTA CLARA – Delanie Walker spoke at his locker Wednesday afternoon. This is what he said.
Q: Is it going to be important to establish you and Vernon in the passing game against the Falcons?
WALKER: Most definitely. Crab’s been doing that, so I’m pretty sure they’re going to have to stop Crab. And that’s going to give everybody opportunities to make plays.
Q: You guys do a lot of shifting and motion. After the Seattle game, some guys said you had to dial that back because of the crowd noise. When you go into a dome game like this, do you feel like you won’t be able to do all that stuff?
WALKER: We’ll see what we can do. If it’s pretty loud, we’ll change it, but we’re going to go in there with our game plan and see if it works. If we put points on that board, we’ll quiet them down.
Q: Atlanta’s secondary ranks near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed. What still makes them dangerous?
WALKER: That D-line is pretty good. They get after it. But they all play physical. We’ve just got to make plays, break tackles and try to score.
Q: Do you think Mike Nolan has an advantage because he’s coached you guys and he knows you?
WALKER: If he knows us, then he knows that we’re going to play hard because we did that for him. I’m pretty sure he’s over there telling them guys, “They’re going to fight.” They’re going to have to do different things because he knows we’ve got playmakers over here. He is a defensive-scheme type of guy. He’s going to give us different stuff and we’re going to have to figure out how to get open and make plays.
Q: Have you seen on third downs, do they still have a lot of motion on their defense?
WALKER: They do a lot of stuff. We’ve just got to pick it up and do what we’re supposed to do. Hopefully we can make plays.
Q: Can you see some similarities in the Falcons defense and the defense you had here under Nolan?
WALKER: Oh yeah. Most definitely. It’s the same defense. We’ll see what we can do. We’ve got G-Ro and they’ve got Mike Nolan. It’s going to be a battle.
Q: Is the read option a passing fad or the new direction of the NFL?
WALKER: I think will evolve into the read option pretty soon. Everybody that’s been doing that has the best offense so far. It’s been the most explosive in this league.
Q: Is it a fun offense to run?
WALKER: It’s fun. It gives you advantages and it opens up big plays down the field when you have a quarterback who can run or hand it off or throw the deep pass. It gives you multiple options.
Q: Can you blitz it?
WALKER: You can blitz it, but we can always change it to either side. You never know which side we’re going to run to. That’s the hard part about it.
Justin Smith on the Falcons: “They have two really good running backs and they run the ball exceptionally hard.”
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript of his press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
How did you come out of the game? How did you feel Sunday?
“I think it felt pretty good for the most part, just getting use to it and playing with it. It should be even better this week after going through it, knowing how it felt, what to expect from it. So it should be a lot better this week.”
Was there a concern that playing a game, that it would tear a little bit further through the course of a game?
“It’s like anything, if it’s half torn or whatever, it can tear the rest of the way. So not really concerned about it, I’m just going to go out there, do the best I can and see what happens.”
Has that brace become your friend or do you hate it?
“It’s a love-hate relationship right now, but it’s one of those things and it’s doing its job. It felt pretty strong and like I said, doing anything the second time is better than the first time. So it should definitely be a lot better, a lot more comfortable and everything.”
Is the bone chip bothering you too that’s loose in the elbow? Is that another aspect of it?
“I really don’t want to get into how it feels or this or that.”
How’d the brace come out of the game?
“It came out pretty good.”
Were there any dents in it or is it just that strong?
“No, I really didn’t inspect it too much, but it was still there.”
Is it the same brace that other guys have worn, like Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt and Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis?
“I’m not sure if it’s the exact same or close to them or what.”
Did you go through a process of figuring out which brace was best or is that just a one shot deal?
“They just slapped it on there. They got the measurements and slapped it on there. I figured they would put me in the best one they possibly could and it did its job.”
When you watched the film did you see the same guy that you’re accustomed to seeing on film?
“I think for the most part. I think there’s still a comfort level of getting use to it and just mentally going out there, coming out of the game knowing the way it feels and felt during the game. I’ll be a lot more comfortable playing with it this week.”
You’ve talked about windows of opportunity before to us, is that a theme that you’ve struck with the players these last few weeks, this week?
“Yeah, I think, definitely. I think everybody feels it. The majority of the guys that are in that locker room were here last year and felt the disappointment. We were so excited after winning the Saints game. I didn’t feel the same, ‘oh we did it,’ this and that after the Packers game and we beat a heck of a team in the Packers. I feel like the whole team kind of got a sense of there’s more to this thing then just getting to this game. As a whole team top to bottom, coaching staff, we’re better prepared to handle it and know what’s in front of us.”
Just you personally, your emotions, are they different from last year going into this game?
“Yeah, mine especially, just because you know how you feel after last year beating the Saints. I was like, ‘oh man we got a chance, we are one or two games away.’ This one is like, alright we took care of business, find out who we play, ends up being Atlanta. Let’s go down there, take care of business and try to get to the big one and win that one. But it definitely had a different feel in the locker room, this one as opposed to last year.”
Justin, you’ve faced some elite quarterbacks already this year and haven’t seen QB Matt Ryan, who’s had his best year statistically. But what makes him unique when you see him on film?
“Just everything that the elite ones do. Looking off the receivers, knowing where to go with the ball, back shoulder throws, checks when he needs to get into a check. Just all the things that all those guys do, he fits right in with that group, the elite ones and he’s playing awesome football right now.”
They didn’t run the ball as consistently as I’m sure they would have liked, but how big of a threat is their running game for you guys?
“I think they are going to come out and surprise people that aren’t scouting them and stuff like that. They are going to try to stay balanced. They have two really good running backs and they run the ball exceptionally hard. We watched a whole tape on them this morning about their second and third efforts, the way they run the football, their different styles and they’re good backs. We are going to have to make sure we stop them so we can try to make them a little bit more one dimensional.”
What’s LB Aldon Smith’s demeanor been like since he hasn’t been able to get to the quarterback necessarily? What was it like against the Packers? Was he getting frustrated and how’s he coping with the playoffs?
“He’s handled himself the same way week-in, week-out. He prepares really hard, gets his workouts in and trains really hard. He’s demanding a lot of extra attention. If you don’t study the tape, this and that or whatever, there’s a lot of attention over there and rightly so. The guy’s a beast over there and he’s going to get a lot of attention and they’re not going to let you just go one-on-one.”
I’ve never had a torn triceps so I don’t know, but can you still do some of your upper body weight stuff with that or try to build up other elements to try to make up for it?
“You rehab as much as you can. Let it scar down, this and that. You try to lift as much as you can and go from there.”
So many years with the Bengals obviously you weren’t going to the playoffs, but did you watch the playoffs during that time or kind of right when the season ended you were going? What did you do to jump start your routine?
“I didn’t really have a routine, but I’d usually catch the games. It’s what you do so you’re involved in it and want to see who’s going to win it. But it’s definitely a good feeling to be in the process and get an opportunity to play in those games.”
Do you have any thought or explanation for the season long win-win-loss, win-win- loss, win-win-tie, win-win-loss that you guys have gone through?
“No, me personally I’ve never really thought of that, no.”
There’s no rhyme or reason, it’s just the way it’s kind of gone?
“I guess that’s a pattern, but we’re not worried about that. This is a game, it’s a big one. It’s win or go home and I think our team is prepared for those type of games.”
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