The downside to a team that’s won its division the last two years and is the favorite – at least in Vegas (see below) – to represent the NFC…
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Seed money: 49ers deliver, then watch Vikings do the same
Sunday, December 30, 2012
The game had been over for 30 minutes Sunday, but no tape had been unwrapped from ankles and wrists, no eye black had been wiped from faces. Instead the…
Harbaugh on Akers: “It’s his job to make field goals.”
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Jim Harbaugh, who has publicly supported David Akers during a slump that’s lasted most of the season, wavered for the first time Sunday after the kicker missed two more…
Awesome NFC West Championship Gear
Sunday, December 30, 2012
The 49ers 2012 NFC West Championship gear is already on sale via the 49ers official store. Check it out… totally awesome stuff! Click the banner link below!
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Harbaugh on the loss of Justin Smith: “The next guy has got to step up.”
Friday, December 28, 2012
SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Friday afternoon. This is what he said.
Q: Why promote Tony Jerod-Eddie to the active roster and not a receiver?
HARBAUGH: We felt that’s where we needed the depth this weekend, this game.
Q: What do you like about him?
HARBAUGH: He’s been a big body, been strong, has a good understanding of our system and he gets an opportunity. Excited to watch him compete on Sunday.
Q: He seems to have the classic 3-4 end build – 6-5, 300 pounds. Is that where he’ll be playing, on the end and not at nose tackle?
HARBAUGH: He’s an end, yeah.
Q: Do you expect him to suit up and be in the rotations?
HARBAUGH: I do. I expect he’ll be involved in some way.
Q: Does that mean that Will Tukuafu is still dealing with his neck and back injury?
HARBAUGH: Yeah, he’s going through something right now.
Q: Can you make up for the loss of Justin Smith and if so, how?
HARBAUGH: The next guy has got to step up. We have great confidence in all our players. That’s why they’re here. Their opportunity to play and compete. Their opportunity to step up. We’re excited to give them that opportunity.
Q: Is there a chance if Justin Smith plays in the playoffs he’ll further tear that ligament in his triceps?
HARBAUGH: Yes. I think there’s a higher risk. It’s something that he’ll have to have surgically repaired at the end of the season either way.
Q: How much would a Bye week assist him and assist you guys as a whole?
HARBAUGH: We’re just concentrating on winning this game. We’ll let the chips fall where they may after that.
Q: Will you instruct the guys not be scoreboard watching on Sunday, considering the Packers are playing at the same time?
HARBAUGH: I don’t expect that anybody would. We’ve got business to take care of, and I feel like our players understand what the challenge is this weekend. It’s an NFL game. It’s a football fight. Expect anything for the Cardinals. It’s going to take us playing our best football like it does in any game. The only way you win these games is if you’re playing at your best.
Q: Would you demand that they not score the Packers-Vikings score at the stadium?
HARBAUGH: I haven’t thought of it. I think we’ll be so focused on the game. I’m speaking from playing experience, too. I can’t remember looking at scores when you’re immersed in your own game.
Q: Where do things stand with Vernon Davis being on course to play this week?
HARBAUGH: Tomorrow he’ll go through the final progression.
Q: Is there anything that makes you feel like it might be better to keep him out this week?
HARBAUGH: That’s something the doctors have full control over.
Q: What do you guys do with Brandon Jacobs after this weekend?
HARBAUGH: We’ll address that after the weekend.
Justin Smith: “It’s definitely getting better; I’ll be ready to roll”
Friday, December 28, 2012
Justin Smith said today that he’ll be “ready to roll” even if the playoffs begin next week for the 49ers. “Yeah, I’d be ready to play,” Smith said during…
49ers to promote DL Jerod-Eddie to 53-man roster
Friday, December 28, 2012
The 49ers today will promote defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie, not one of their wide receivers, from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The roster spot will open up…
Roman: “We’ve just got to execute at a higher level and finish drives better.”
Thursday, December 27, 2012
SANTA CLARA – Greg Roman spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.
Opening statement:
“Good afternoon, we’ve got a tough opponent this week, Arizona. Their defense, we have a lot of respect for, we know pretty well. You saw what they did to Detroit a couple of weeks ago. They’ve got good players, some guys we really think are among the top in the league at their position. We’re hard at work. It’s pretty clear cut, we win the game, we win the division. That’s always the number one goal we set out for. It’s the quickest way to get in the playoffs, if you look at our team goals that’s always going to be the first one. Any questions?”
After falling behind so big early, how much does that change the game plan and what you guys are trying to accomplish?
“It’s always going to change it. We tried to stay into our base game plan there for a while. It’s really game by game. The game plan changes throughout the game, no matter what happens. If you do fall behind by a large margin, at some point you’ve got to change what you’re going to do.”
Where is [RB] Frank Gore in running out of the Pistol? Is that something that he’s sort of evolving to, adjusting to, figuring out the timing and the holes and things like that?
“I think Frank understands the running game without a whole lot of words, no matter what we do. Anytime Frank’s shoulders get downhill, we think he’s the best in the business. I don’t think that’s any secret. I don’t think our opponents fail to recognize that. So, running out of the Pistol at times, allows you to get those kind of runs where the back can approach the line of scrimmage with his shoulders square to the line. Frank’s got a great feel for the running game.”
In the Pistol, he’s seven yards back, is that right?
“We vary it, a lot of times he’ll be anywhere between six and six and a half. It’ll be varied though.”
Where is he on a play where the quarterback lines up under center?
“Really anywhere, six, six and a half, seven, sometimes seven and half. We generally don’t go any deeper than that. Every once in a while you’ll see a back line up at eight, but that’s more preference.”
All five of your offensive linemen got Pro Bowl recognition either as starters or alternates. What is that like for you as a coordinator to see all of that?
“It’s a credit to the players, it’s a credit to the position coaches, [offensive line] coach [Mike] Solari and [offensive line] coach [Tim] Drevno. But, ultimately it’s a credit to the players. You always want to see your players succeed and it’s great that they’re being recognized. Those guys work hard, we put a lot on them and they come in every day with a great attitude. I think offensive line play starts with that. You’ve got to have the mindset to be a great offensive lineman. It has to happen every day, it can’t be a sometime thing.”
How helpful is it that they’ve started every single game together?
“Very helpful. Anytime you can get continuity at that position, there’s so many moving parts, communication, recognition. And when I say communication, it’s verbal, it’s also visual. There’s a lot of unsaid things that just have to be understood between them to operate at a high level. Anytime you can have continuity, that’s going to help.”
I think [G/T] Alex Boone has been flagged maybe twice this year, two or three times. Is that surprising you or pleasantly so, that a guy who’s never played that position, first time, has gone through the season with very few mistakes?
“Yeah, we definitely want to minimize and really eliminate all penalties. Anytime we can get a young guy in there, especially inside and minimize the negative production, that’s big. It’s a credit to him. We’ll always tell him two is two too many, but at the same time in the big picture it’s a pretty darn good job by Alex.”
If [TE] Vernon [Davis] is not available for Sunday, will [TE] Garrett Celek just step in his position? Or do [TE] Delanie [Walker] and Garrett split?
“I think they’ll probably split different things. Delanie is such a valuable asset as what we call the ‘Y’ tight end and also as the second tight end, the ‘F’. He can do both and does do both at times. It will definitely be a mix and match.”
He played some wide receiver as well last week, Delanie. The three receiver set?
“He was a tight end split out, however you want to define that.”
When you go to three receiver sets, is that something where he would be in that place or is that [WR] A.J. Jenkins or is that still scheme stuff?
“Anytime Delanie is on the field, we’re not in three receivers. It’s two tight ends and we just happened to create the picture of three wide receivers. But when you have a tight end like that, you can do all that, you put him in the backfield, put him at the line, split him out. You can build a lot of different formations with him and do a lot of things.”
How have you seen Garrett’s receiving skills grow over the season? Because he himself admittedly said that wasn’t one of his strengths.
“Yeah, he didn’t get a lot of action at Michigan State catching balls, I believe he caught 12 or so. The ones he did catch you could see some natural catching ability. And I’ll be honest with you, the first week he was here, he wasn’t catching that well. But he just got better and better and better and better incrementally. He’s got a good feel for it. He comes from good stock, his brother is a pretty good pass receving tight end on another team. But he just continues to get better at everything, that’s a credit to him.”
Does it make a difference when you see a guy is struggling but you know his brother is pretty good, does it sort of give you – there’s something there, it will get better?
“No, I wish I could say that. But you could see flashes of it, the consistency wasn’t there. It is nice to know though that’s one of his brother’s greatest strengths and he just never worked on it in college, really. So, he’s a bit of a blank slate.”
When you look at the film from Seattle, so many things went wrong for many different reasons, but what was the main thing you’d like to see this offense do well against Arizona? Just strictly 49ers, what’s the one thing you’d really like to see to close out the regular season doing?
“Everything really. I mean, we’ve just got to execute at a higher level and finish drives better. But really, it’s just pure execution, really at every position. There’s a lot of positives in that game on an individual basis, play-to-play, but just not enough to get done what we wanted to get done. But, we just have to operate a high level and put drives together, finish drives, and do a great job protecting the football.”
How early in the week do you decide if you’re going to take a shot the first play of the game?
“Sometimes toward the middle or end of the week. It’s different all the time.”
And when you saw that play developing…
“There was an opportunity. We felt like there was an opportunity from watching film and it was developing as we kind of foresaw. But it wasn’t the intended result, so you move on.”
What do you need to see out of [QB] Colin [Kaepernick] this week to get him charged up for the playoffs?
“He just needs to do his job, every single play, at a high level, just like every other player. It’s that simple.”
What have you seen from the practice squad receivers? What do you like about them? They seem very different, different skill sets from those two guys.
“They’re definitely different from a physical standpoint, but they’re both, WR Chad [Hall] has great quickness, really good understanding of the game. He competes extremely well. I’d say his greatest asset is quickness. The big man [WR Ricardo Lockette], he can run, catch, just does a great job of pushing it vertical on deep routes, post routes, in routes, big body, really good catch radius, great attitude. So, they’re both doing a really good job though, really good job and improving every day.”
Up to this point, how much have they belonged to you and how much have they belonged to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio?
“Well they’re offensive players, so they’re offensive players.”
So, you do, they’re in tune with the game plan and the offense?
“Oh yeah, without question. They’re in tune with the game plan as well as certain similar defense, which is a very important part of what we do, very important.”
Fangio: “It’s too far along here to change the system because of one guy being out.”
Thursday, December 27, 2012
SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Thursday morning. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.
So the obvious thing is looking at how the defense has played in six quarters without DT Justin Smith. How big is he to just the overall defense?
“Well, he’s a great player, one of the best defensive players in the NFL. And anytime you lose one of those guys it does have an adverse effect on you. But, I don’t think the problems we’ve had, in the last game in particular, were because of Justin not being there, OK. They just outplayed us, outcoached us in that game. And we weren’t very good. We could have had five Justin Smiths maybe. That wasn’t the issue in the last game.”
What was the issue?
“We just didn’t play good. We didn’t coach good. And those guys just whipped us.”
Is there a sense that when Justin Smith’s in there they’ve got to put two guys on them. Is that overstating things?
“Yes.”
They didn’t play DT Ricky Jean Francois that much different than they would have Justin Smith?
“No. No, their run game is their run game. And they’re going to block it the same all the time.”
I saw Justin coming off the field from this morning’s walk through. Do you see improvement in him? Or are you hopeful that he will be able to play again this season?
“He told me he’s getting better each and every day. That’s really all I know. He said it’s getting better.”
As a coordinator, do you have to kind of get it in your mind that he’s not coming back and adjust if he does?
“Not really. It’s like anything. You can lose anybody early in a game. You’ve just got to go. It’s too far along here to change the system because of one guy being out. And we’ll be fine.”
If he does come back, will he be Justin Smith? Will he be able to be 100 percent even if he were to come back in these next couple of weeks?
“I don’t know that. That’s a better question for him and the medical staff. I just know he’s getting better.”
You had a nice haul yesterday as far as Pro Bowl guys. Just what are your thoughts on seeing those six guys go?
“I was happy for them, for all of them. Very well deserved in all of their parts. Just always happy for the other guy’s success, and happy for these guys in particular. They’re good players. They go about their business the right way. And they’ve been rewarded for it.”
Any coincidence that all six of those guys they play sort of in tandem? The two inside linebackers, the two guys on the right side, the two guys on the backend?
“What do you mean two guys on the right side?”
Well, LB Aldon Smith and Justin Smith, lining up together?
“I think it’s just more a coincidence than anything else. They’re good players each in their own right. And playing next to those other guys just helps the situation.”
S Donte Whitner made his first Pro Bowl though, it’s his seventh season. How has he elevated his play this year maybe that you’ve seen?
“Well, he’s just gotten better within our system. We signed him last year after camp had already started. He was on the fast track to learning what we’re doing. Did a good job with it last year. And I think he just picked up where he left off last year and feels that much more comfortable with the system and what we’re doing. And I’m happy for him. It’s his first time making it, like you said in his seventh year. He didn’t quite have the success in Buffalo that people thought he would have, but, he’s been able to find a home here and excel here.”
Going back to the Seattle game, did the defensive backs and the secondary look tired from having to face Patriots QB Tom Brady so much? And what kind of toll did that lingering effect have on their play do you think?
“I don’t know. It’s always hard to quantify something like that. I don’t know the answer to that.”
Did they look tired to you, though?
“I don’t think so. We just didn’t play good.”
What kind of year is CB Carlos Rogers having?
“He’s having a good year. He’s played a lot for us. He’s our nickel, which is a stressful position. And he’s our left corner in our base package, which is a stressful position. And I think he’s handled it well.”
When you look at Arizona, there’s still a lot at stake, the final game of the season. They’ve been in offensive flux. But, when you look at it what pops out to you? What are the biggest concerns you have facing them?
“Well, obviously [WR Larry] Fitzgerald is their biggest concern. Now they have [RB] Beanie Wells back. He’s a good running back. They’ve got a good group of receivers. They have the ability to be an explosive attack with their receivers. They got a new quarterback that’s going to start and did well last week when he came in late in the game. And probably will do a lot better this week because he’ll get the bulk of the snaps in practice. So, he’ll be more prepared and ready to roll. So, these types of games happen every year in the NFL. And we’ve got to go out and be ready to play it like it’s the first game, not the 16th game.”
Do you want to see your guys have a complete game defensively in terms of least points allowed, a lot of turnovers, just to get the momentum going into the playoffs here?
“Well, I would like that because that would just probably lead to a victory. And that’s really all I want right now is a victory. But, we always want to play good. Every play you play, you want to play at your best. And we’ve just got to play good. Whenever we line up next week against somebody in a playoff game, we’ve just got to line up and play.”
How important is momentum going into the playoffs? Or is it not?
“It can be. But, you’ve still got to go out and play. Look at Baltimore last week. They had no momentum. They had lost three in a row. Probably should have been four in a row. Down the fourth and 29 and they converted. Zero momentum and they blew out the Giants last week. And now they’ve got momentum. Momentum is great, but it’s tenuous. You can get it back real fast and you can lose it real fast. So, you’ve just got to keep playing.”
No Justin Smith? Willis picking up the slack
Thursday, December 27, 2012
How are the 49ers compensating for the loss of Justin Smith? Patrick Willis appears willing to take up any slack in leadership as Smith tries to come back from…
Source: Justin Smith has partially torn triceps
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Justin Smith has a partially torn left triceps, according to a source with knowledge of the injury. The 49ers defensive end, who was voted to his fourth straight Pro…
Steve Young: “If I was the coach, I would immediately go to the game plan from Chicago.”
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Steve Young spoke on KNBR Wednesday afternoon. This is his take on the 49ers’ blowout loss to the Seahawks and what the Niners should be doing on offense.
STEVE YOUNG: They got beat up. They got pounded. I was disappointed. Late in the year, great teams don’t allow that. Earlier in the year, I can see championship teams having struggles in September and early Octorber – just get obliterated in one game and go, “Ok, we learned our lesson there.” But in late December, a championship team getting blown up in the division, the more I talk about it the more alarmed I’m getting.
The Seahawks kind of bullied them. And the 49ers have been the bully. The 49ers, in my mind, what makes them great is they can come out in tight formations, goal line formations and push people around and dictate terms. I thought the 49ers holistically were the team most able to do that around the league. I thought this was the team that wouldn’t get bullied, and they got bullied and bloodied and they didn’t respond. They got hurt early, which you kind of figure. Go into Seattle, the noise, young quarterback – we might get hurt early. Block the field goal. OK, now we respond. But we never saw the response.
Q: How should the 49ers adjust going forward?
STEVE YOUNG: If I was the coach, I would immediately go to the game plan from Chicago. Tight formations. Bully them with the running game. Colin can get outside on boots and play actions. Cut the field in half deep-to-short. Don’t read sideline-to-sideline, especially now that we’ve lost receivers. Crabtree can be out wide. There are no three-receiver sets that I feel comfortable with, but I wish I could because I would love to put Colin in that spot.
But let’s go back. The first couple of games – Chicago, even New Orleans – it was Alex-Smith-like in a way. Tight formations. Very efficient. That has to be the mantra.
If I was the coach, that’s what I’d go to because I can see I’m not extending myself beyond my capabilities and my personnel. If you now demand that a young kid that has not played (A.J. Jenkins) and Randy Moss go play in three-wide-receiver sets just because Colin can do it and spread the field, I’m nervous about that.
But knowing Jim, he’ll put those guys in and spread the field. I would re-trench a little bit, especially for this week.
Kaepernick on A.J. Jenkins: “We want to get the ball in his hands.”
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
This is the transcript of Colin Kaepernick’s Week 17 Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
You’ve had a little bit of time to digest and look forward now to this week. Just what are your thoughts at this point?
“Have to get this win this week.”
What did you learn from that game? They always say when you lose, you learn something.
“You learn something whether you win or lose. You just have to take it, move on to the next week and try to get better.”
Some of the injuries to the receiving corp., what do you see from WR A.J. Jenkins and just his progression this year out at practice?
“He’s a good receiver. He’s someone that has a lot of speed, a lot of quickness. We want to get the ball in his hands.”
What kind of impression has WR Ricardo Lockette made on you?
“He’s another great receiver, great target, very aggressive to the ball, a lot of great speed.”
What did the tortoise get for Christmas?
“Some vegetables.” [laughs]
You say you learn if you win or you lose. What do you think your biggest lesson, what have you learned the most since you’ve started a month ago?
“I don’t know what the biggest lesson would be. I think the things you take week-to-week is really going to depend on what the defense is doing and what you’re seeing out there.”
Do you think you’re a different quarterback now than you were before that Bears game?
“I think I’m the same quarterback. I’m trying to improve every week, but the only thing that’s really different is I have some experience under my belt.”
What was happening in the first half of that game with a couple of delay of game calls and a couple of timeouts? What was the reasoning behind that?
“We had a couple of problems with communication.”
In term of getting the plays in or just hearing it?
“It was just, we were having problems with some people hearing. Crowd noise was a little bit of a factor.”
What are you trying to accomplish just this week getting ready for the playoffs? What are, beside the victory, what do you want to see in terms of the offensive function?
“This week we’re trying to get a win. That’s the only thing we’re focused on right now.”
With some of the injuries, [WR] Mario [Manningham], [WR] Kyle [Williams], some of the receiving corp., what gives you confidence that you guys can overcome some of these injuries?
“We have great players that are backing them up, from A.J. to Lockette, to [WR] Chad Hall, [WR] Ted Ginn. They’re all great players, so we have a lot of depth at that position.”
What about just the prospect of developing chemistry with guys that haven’t been in games with you before but you’ve played on the practice field out there with them? Does any of that carry over?
“Yeah, it definitely does. I think that’s why we aren’t too worried about it because I’ve had a lot of experience with most of those guys.”
You mentioned Lockette, but what about Chad Hall? What has he shown you?
“He’s a great receiver. He has a great understanding of the game. He’s very quick. He knows how to get open.”
Have you had much time to throw with him since he’s been here?
“Not as much as the other receivers.”
17 49ers named starters or alternates in Pro Bowl
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
The 49ers just announced nine of their players have made the Pro Bowl. Seven players will start. They are FS Dashon Goldson, LG Mike Iupati, LB Aldon Smith, DT Justin Smith, LT Joe Staley, SS Donte Whitner and LB Patrick Willis.
LB NaVorro Bowman and RB Frank Gore will come off the bench.
Eight 49ers have also been named Pro Bowl alternates. They are RG Alex Boone, LB Ahmad Brooks, OT Anthony Davis, TE Vernon Davis, C Jonathan Goodwin, P Andy Lee, CB Carlos Rogers and C.J. Spillman.
Notice that all five offensive linemen and all four linebackers made the team or are alternates.
Also, notice that Carlos Rogers is an alternate over Tarell Brown, and Vernon Davis is an alternate over Michael Crabtree. Were Brown and Crabtree snubbed? Should they have been alternates instead of Rogers and Davis? Why or why not?
49ers injuries: Davis not fully cleared, no sign of J Smith
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Tight end Vernon Davis was on the field for the start of practice but was in a black, no-contact jersey and did not have his helmet. Davis suffered a concussion…
49ers add former draft pick Taylor, NT to practice squad
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
The 49ers said, ‘hello again,’ to an old acquaintance, signing former draft pick Curtis Taylor to the practice squad. The big-bodied safety (6-2,212-pounds) was a seventh-round draft pick by the…
Brent Jones: “This team will not win the Super Bowl unless the defense carries them.”
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Brent Jones spoke on KNBR Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said.
Q: On a 1-to-10 scale, how much of an alarm meter would you ring on Sunday night?
BRENT JONES: I think it’s a 10. The thing that scares me the most is the defense. There have been four games this year – the Vikings game, the Giants game, the Patriots game and this game where we just flat-out got dominated. Certainly, the Justin Smith injury is significant. I think the most recent defensive collapse of the last two weeks can be attributed to that, but this defense is so much better than just one guy.
The reality is when you get behind so quick so soon, you’re in such a bad position to play catch-up on the road. You almost have to throw the ball, so you kind of have a one-way go. The run game, play action – none of that’s going to count. You’re not going to see Frank Gore 22 times. It just takes your strength away.
This team will not win the Super Bowl unless the defense carries them. It’s just the way it is. It’s reality. Earlier in the season I thought they could do it. Now that I’ve seen enough games, I’m starting to question it.
Q: From the first snap, Seattle pushed the 49ers’ defense back. You don’t see that happen.
BRENT JONES: It just doesn’t happen. I was scratching my head. What are the things that are different these last six quarters? You look at Justin and what he’s done, that hurts. But it’s not everything. We’ve got too many great athletes on this defense. I don’t know if they’re not motivated, I don’t know if guys are playing individually and not in the scheme, but I do know this: There have been a couple of games where they got out-physicaled. This defense should not be physically manipulated by another team.
If you go back historically and look at the great defenses that have won championships – the Bears, the Giants teams with LT, some of our defenses with the 49ers – that just never happened. There might be a glitch or two during the season, but you never saw our team give up four touchdowns in the fourth quarter. You never saw our team give up 11-of-12 on third down.
This was a crucial game. I know the people are talking about: “Hey, we’re fine. We’re still going to win the division.” But this put us – unless the Vikings beat the Packers next week – this put us on the road. Having to play in Green Bay in September is much different than having to play in Green Bay in January. And then likely having to go through Green Bay and Atlanta. This team can do it, but boy, you just talk about making it tough for yourself.
We’ve got through some games that were just phenomenal, and then we’ve laid some eggs in other games where that just shouldn’t have been the case. We’re a Jeckyl-and-Hyde team. I’m hoping that we get hot during the playoffs. I’m sure Jim Harbaugh and his staff will have the guys mentally ready to go, but I’m a little flustered and frustrated because I can’t figure out who that was or what that was that showed up Sunday night.
Q: There was a jarring difference in red zone play between the two teams. Seattle was able to score in the red zone, and the 49ers weren’t even able to get chances to score. What do you see?
BRENT JONES: It hasn’t been one of our strong suits over the last couple of years. I think a big part of that is when things get compacted, the receivers are a little less able to use their speed and their moves. That’s where Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker really have to get involved. Delanie’s starting to come around. The reality is both those guys together can create some havoc and give you an advantage because they’re going against linebackers or strong safeties. You can run crossing routes. You can maneuver with those two together. It just feels like they haven’t been in the zone at the same time. That’s an area that we definitely need to focus on. We need to get those guys more involved inside the 20. Those are two great receiving tight ends that can manhandle a lot of linebackers in coverage. We’ve got to focus more on them instead of trying to force the ball to Crabtree, running slants and fades – everybody does that. It’s a 50-50 nowadays because defensive backs are so used to those types of plays.
Q: The red zone interception last night started as a red zone slant to Crabtree. Do the 49ers need to make scheme adjustments?
BRENT JONES: I think so. I think the mark of a great coach, and Jim certainly has this, is you’re constantly evolving during a season. You can’t stick with your same plays. I don’t if there’s any go-to play that we have in the red zone, but when you talk about our receivers against very athletic corners – that’s a tough matchup. Now, Crabtree has some physical capabilities to him, but the greatest point to emphasize is our tight ends because I think they’re just more athletic and they are able catch the ball. Certainly some scheming can help.
And the other thing is we’re playing with a young quarterback. I’m still a huge fan of Colin Kaepernick. I think the kid has been remarkable. Sunday night he was playing from behind the whole time. That’s an unbelievable assignment to be on the road and be down 21 before you blink, with all that crowd noise and all of that stuff. It just changes the game plan. Basically the run game was dead at the end of the first quarter, and that’s brutal, especially for a young quarterback. Was Colin great? No. Was he bad? No. I think he’s still Colin. He’s still going to make plays. He’s still got unbelievable upside. And he still needs his defense much like any quarterback in this league needs their defense. You can’t just go out and lay an egg right off the bat.
Q: I can tell you’re a tight end from your insights.
BRENT JONES: I’m always pumping up my guys. Fortunately, that’s the one area of the field where you have to. It’s such a huge advantage to have tight ends or backs – you saw Marshawn Lynch’s touchdown catch. That was just a classic Texas route. We used to run that play with Tommy Rathman all day long. You either cover the tight end or you cover the back, somebody’s open. Whoever’s open is who you throw it to. We need some more of those types of plays.
The Latest from Hooked On The Niners
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Are friends at HOTN offer up their latest episode:
Watch here…
Manningham done for the season, 49ers will lean on Moss
Monday, December 24, 2012
More bad news on the injury front for the 49ers. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Mario Manningham’s MRI results today showed tears in the ACL and PCL of…
Harbaugh: “We’ll reorganize. We’ll refit. We’ll regroup.”
Monday, December 24, 2012
This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
I did not attend this press conference. I was flying home from Seattle when Harbaugh was speaking.
Did you guys get away with the run game too early yesterday?
“Like we said last night, we didn’t do really enough good things. Only one thing you can do after a battle, win or lose, and that’s reorganize, refit and regroup. And that’s what we’ll do.”
Does a game like that make you consider changes, whether it’s personnel or how plays are called, or who calls plays?
“We’ll reorganize. We’ll refit. We’ll regroup.”
After looking at the film, how did DT Ricky Jean Francois play in DT Justin Smith’s spot yesterday?
“Rather than go position by position, or any one particular phase, I don’t think anybody looks back on this and feels like it was good enough.”
Did it seem as if they were testing him, though? Were they running toward that side to test out the new guy?
“They had success in different areas, multiple areas. They did a good job.”
What is wrong with Justin Smith’s elbow?
“He’s got an issue that he’s working through.”
Has he undergone a procedure, or will he need to undergo a procedure?
“He has not undergone a procedure.”
Why was he upgraded from doubtful to questionable on Friday?
“Because he’s working through some things to get strength back and he hasn’t quite reached it to be able to play in the game yet. It’s a process.”
Did you feel on Friday there was a chance he could play?
“I thought it was questionable.”
Will he need surgery after the season?
“We’ll see.”
How is FB/DT Will Tukuafu? Does his injury further complicate that position?
“Yeah, he’s being evaluated.”
Do you have enough bodies on the D-line right now to go into the playoffs without him and without Justin?
“It’ll be predicated on how both of those guys are doing.”
The injury to WR Mario Manningham, just by the naked eye, looked serious. Do you expect to have him again this season?
“Yeah, he’ll be evaluated today and further tests.”
Is he having an MRI?
“I believe he is getting an MRI, yes.”
Some of the players, at least S Donte Whitner, felt that the mental focus wasn’t there. Did you see that as well?
“I’m sorry. What? Who said?”
The mental focus in some of the players he didn’t think. He said the team wasn’t mentally in tune.
“Who are you talking about?”
Donte had told us that. He said he thought in certain instances the team wasn’t mentally in tune. When you look at the film, do you see more of that than maybe scheme problems or just being outplayed?
“Like I said at the beginning, we’re going to move forward. No explanations. No excuses necessary.”
After the game, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said about your offense, “they are very deliberate. One of the slowest teams in term of that,” getting to the line of scrimmage and snapping the ball and they caught them a couple of times. Why are you guys so deliberate? And is that an issue that you see that needs to be corrected?
“Yeah, there were a few incidences when we were slow.”
Is that by design? Not necessarily, obviously the timeouts or the penalties, but do you want to take that play clock up until the last few seconds?
“No.”
What do you do to correct that?
“Fix it.”
There was another report today that some of the Seahawks players said that you were mocking them after the game at Candlestick in the parking lot, with honking and saluting the team bus. Did that incident occur? What do you remember about that?
“No. No, that did not occur. That’s a fabrication.”
Do you take a bus back to the hotel, yourself? Would you have even been in a car?
“After the game?”
Yeah.
“I can’t remember a time where I’ve left a game where the other team’s still been there, this entire season.”
Does anything, just given the amount of injuries at the end of the season this week, does anything change as far as giving more rest than you normally would during the week or anything change in that regard?
“The players are coming in today and they’ll have tomorrow off.”
But nothing unusual that you wouldn’t normally do this week, you just switched the off day?
[shakes head ‘no’]
Do you feel different about your team today than you did on Saturday, before the game yesterday?
“No, no. I feel our team’s leadership, I feel the intellect of the staff, I think the talent of the players, the work ethic of the players will pave the way.”
A lot of people questioning the spark of the team now compared to early on, what do you say to that going into the last week of the season?
“No excuses or justifications. Our team needs to bounce back.”
You said last week that the flight back from New England was a pretty quiet flight. What was the flight back like after a game like that?
“Quiet.”
Can you speak to the fact that the NFL is such a roller coaster? After last week you guys were anointed as the NFL’s best team and now it looks like there are issues. How hard is it to keep an even keel when one week you’re so high and then seemingly you’re so low the next?
“After a battle, whether it’s a win or a loss, you regroup, you refit, you reorganize.”
Third downs seemed to be a big problem yesterday, are there things that you look at changing in the third down? Are there big offensive changes that you foresee in the final weeks or going into the playoffs?
“We’ll always look at that, any area to reorganize and refit and fix if necessary.”
What is the status of TE Vernon Davis? Do you expect him to be able to play?
“We’ll see. Doctors will make that evaluation.”
How much did yesterday maybe catch you by surprise? You know your team, but as Eric Branch said you come off a big win vs. the Patriots, that was an exhausting win I know that. But how much did yesterday’s result maybe catch you off guard?
“It didn’t.”
Why not?
“Wasn’t caught off guard.”
Film review: Cupboard becoming bare at DE; rookies look solid
Monday, December 24, 2012
The 49ers, who went into the season with an embarrassment of riches along the defensive line, are now down to their final pieces. Justin Smith, of course, missed Sunday’s…
Seattle slew: Harbaugh done in by nemesis, former pupils
Sunday, December 23, 2012
SEATTLE — Worst birthday ever. Jim Harbaugh turned 49 Sunday, then watched his team stumble badly against his arch nemesis, Pete Carroll, and two of his former pupils. With…
Will Smith be back for playoffs? Harbaugh: “I don’t know for sure”
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois said last week he expected the Seahawks might run straight at him in his first game substituting for ironman Justin Smith. They obliged. On…
Staley: 49ers gunning for a first-round bye
Saturday, December 22, 2012
The argument that playoff teams without first-round byes ultimately have more success? Bah humbug. The 49ers, who already are assured of a postseason berth, are gunning for the No.…
Report: Justin Smith expected not to play against Seahawks
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Adam Schefter just tweeted Justin Smith “is not expected to play Sunday night versus Seattle due to his elbow injury.”
Smith is the 49ers’ best run-defending defensive lineman and he also sets up most of the 49ers’ pass rush. Offensive lineman pay so much attention to Justin Smith that Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks and Ray McDonald have an easier time getting to the quarterback.
Losing Justin Smith hurts the 49ers’ two biggest strengths – stopping the run and rushing the quarterback. Expect the Seahawks to open the game running Marshawn Lynch right at Justin’s Smith’s backup, Ricky Jean Francois.
How do you think the apparent loss of Justin Smith will affect Sunday night’s game?
49ers list 18 on injury report; Justin Smith’s designation is questionable
Friday, December 21, 2012
Make of this what you will: Jim Harbaugh today said that Justin Smith would be listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, and he was listed as such…
Justin Smith Watch: Defensive end missing on Friday, too
Friday, December 21, 2012
Day 3 of ‘Smith Watch’ brought nothing new. The 49ers defensive end was not on the field for the start of Friday’s practice, meaning that he will have missed…
Roman: “I think Crab matches up well against everybody. Crab is a player who’s ascending.”
Thursday, December 20, 2012
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Greg Roman’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
Opening Statement:
“Good afternoon. Everybody is working hard, everybody is focused. We know how good Seattle’s defense is. I think they are statistically the third ranked defense in the league in yards given up. But the reality of it is, they’re good at every position, safeties do a great job of covering guys really, really tight. Not afraid to load the box up. An opponent we know and the previous games we’ve had with them really have no bearing other than we’ve got some familiarity with them. Any questions?”
I know they’re playing a lot of new faces in the secondary, how are those guys holding up?
“So far so good, the past couple of weeks they haven’t been giving up a whole lot of points. But they’ve been doing a nice job.”
Anyone in particular, the rookie [Seahawks CB Jeremy] Lane, does he pretty much fit that mold of what they look for in a corner?
“I don’t think that the guys that they bring in fit the mold that [Seahawks CB Richard] Sherman and [Seahawks CB Brandon] Browner fit, they’re just such long guys. But they’re good corners, they can play any style and they play a physical style.”
How do you think WR Michael Crabtree matches up with that sort of physical press style?
“I think Crab matches up well against everybody. Crab’s a player who’s ascending. He gets better and that’s what this league is all about, it’s improvement. He’s a young player in this player in this league and he’s a guy that’s showing up big time for us, regardless of the style of coverage.”
He had that catch in the end zone between two safeties, both of them closing in on him. I mean that’s sort of a gutsy catch to stretch out like that. Has his toughness surprised you at all this year? Were you expecting the type of breaking tackles, the things he’s been doing this year?
“Oh I think he’s elevated his game. You can call it toughness, Crab’s a football player, he’s a tough guy. The beauty of it is that he doesn’t go around banging his chest, he just gets it done and that’s what we’re looking for. That was a great throw and catch in traffic. He finished the play. That was a big time play.”
As a coordinator can you take us through that touchdown, the last touchdown to Crabtree? Head coach Jim Harbaugh had mentioned after the game that that’s not necessarily how that play is designed to go, so what drew [QB Colin] Kaepernick to making that pass?
“That play’s got a lot of options on it and it’s something that they were doing on defense. It gives you a chance to hit a guy running underneath. But they decided to all-out blitz and Kap’s got some different options if they do choose to play a zero. And he chose Crabtree and whistled it out there to him and then Crabtree made him miss and scored.”
When you’re watching that play, when you see they’re coming with seven guys, are you thinking get it to Crab?
“[Yes], but also with the knowledge that the tight end could pop open and could just flash on you vs. Cover Zero. You can pop it to him, but it’s probably one of those two guys on that play.”
Kaepernick and others have said that Crabtree is never afraid in a big spot to say, “Hey, come to me, I can get open.” Is he doing more of that this season now that his confidence has grown, his ascendancy as you say?
“I think he’s always been confident. He’s never been one, at least around me that I’ve seen, that is making wide-ranging boasts and claims. He just goes about his business and is taking care of his business. He doesn’t beg for the ball, but he’ll be quick to point out when he makes a big play that you can come to me in those situations and that’s good. He’s a team guy all the way, team guy all the way.”
How beneficial has [RB] LaMichael’s [James] emergence offset the loss of [RB] Kendall Hunter?
“I think it’s very important. It’s very important that anybody that’s active for the game is ready to contribute. I think we all think LaMichael can bring a different style to the game and he’s shown that in the limited amount of exposure he’s had. We just look forward to keep developing new ways to use him as part of the offense. He’s got a great demeanor about him. I thought all the weeks that he was inactive, I thought he handled himself very well, kept working hard, gave the defense a great look every day and didn’t make himself a distraction to the prime directive of winning. So, he’s done a great job. I’m excited to see him flourish.”
Can you coach yards after catch?
“Yeah, I think there’s no question you can, no question. There’s a skill to it, knowing where the defenders are before you catch the ball. Knowing the tendency of defenders, are they going to go low on me, if I turn my back is he coming up high? Is he just a one-shot, one-trick pony. I mean he’s going to hit you, and try to blow you up. Michael for example works cone drills before practice every day and I think we’ve seen that skill develop this year.”
Seems like study too though?
“Yeah, I mean we can take it to real high level, there’s no question. And that is definitely the highest level, know who you’re going against and what their tendencies are. That is the nth degree of study.”
Does Michael do that?
“We definitely try to bring up tendencies of guys. Some weeks there really isn’t a lot to go on, some weeks there are. But he works hard at it from a physical perspective. It all starts with the strength of just the will to make a play when you get an opportunity, I’m going to make something happen. I think it all starts there.”
What did you say, he works what drills before practice?
“He works cone drills with his feet. I think we’ve seen those come to life on some quick throws to him where he’s making guys miss and he’s playing tough and getting extra yards after the catch. But yeah, he works diligently at that every day.”
Is that something he started doing this year or had he done that in the past?
“Done it a little bit in the past, but this year it’s been real consistent.”
Did that come into play on that last touchdown where he kind of side stepped the defender?
“I don’t know, probably. I think he just made the guy miss and made a play. I think his mindset is, I’m going to make something happen and that’s a great mindset to have.”
We know this hasn’t been [K David] Akers’ best year. Has that affected your offensive play calling in the 20-40 yard range on the plus side of the field when you get down there?
“We’ve got total confidence in David. We’re always going to make decisions, team decisions on offense and whatever’s best for the team, however the big picture fits together that’s what we’re going to try to do to win the football game.”
Given the weather and the Patriots offense, there was some school of thought going into that game last week that you were going to play keep away and real conservative. Was kind of your mindset the Patriots might be thinking the same way, the way you opened the game with all those passes?
“I don’t want to explain how I think because then other people will know me, think along with me. They’re a good team and you just try to do what’s best. I think they’re pretty stout up front.”
Fangio on the 49ers defense: “I think we were a little tired yesterday, but today, I think we’re fine.”
Thursday, December 20, 2012
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
We ask you this from time to time, but after a game like Sunday’s where the Patriots had something like 92, 93 plays, how is your defense in terms of freshness and needing rest and things like that?
“Well, there’s no doubt they ended that game a little more tired than a normal game. We had, as you said, like 95 snaps in the game and 67 of them were in the second half. So, they were more tired than usual, particularly when you have that many passes thrown against you. Pass rush is very taxing on the big guys. But I feel like we’re back to normal now. I think we were a little tired yesterday, but today, I think we’re fine.”
Did you cut down on reps yesterday?
“We did a little bit, not so much the number than we had some reps that were at a slower tempo than usual.”
Obviously in the second half they’re in comeback mode, but I think they had 407 yards, 26 first downs, 31 points. Did they just get things going? Were you doing anything different defensively? What happened in the second half?
“No, we didn’t do anything differently, really. We played pretty much the same way the whole game, mixing things up. Basically what happened was he got hot, as you said, and we had our chances to get off the field and end some drives and we didn’t do that. And when you do that with a quarterback that’s hot, now you’re out there longer. They had, I think, 16 or 17 series in the game, which is a very unusual high amount of series in a game. It was kind of the perfect storm there in the second half. We had about eight drives during that game on offense where we had four plays or less, so they kept getting it back, and in the second half we didn’t stop them, and just kind of multiplied.”
It seemed like, obviously, it coincided with DT Justin Smith not being on the field. He was on the field for that first drive, but then he was off the field. Is it as simple as pointing to that and saying that?
“I don’t think so. Now, obviously anytime you lose a great player, it’s going to have an effect on you. You’d have your head in the sand if you didn’t admit that. But I think some of the issues we had, plays we could have stopped, didn’t have any effect of him being out there.”
We all saw him getting his elbow wrapped up on the sideline. It seemed like he was eager to get back out on the field. Was it you that held him back? Who decided not to put him back in?
“It was the medical people. I think he tried it and decided he couldn’t do it and the medical people pulled him out.”
So, is DT Ricky Jean Francois ready to step in and take over that role?
“Absolutely.”
What did you see from him in playing so much in that second half?
“He played well. He had a critical sack there late in the fourth quarter when we finally got them stopped in the last two drives they had prior to us kicking a field goal, which were critical drives, obviously, in the game. He had a big sack on third down which forced them to punt and he played well.”
What are the strengths of his game?
“Ricky’s?”
Yeah.
“He’s got good strength. He’s a good athlete for a big guy. He can play both the banging game and got a little bit of athleticism too, so he’s a well-rounded player. He’s the one guy on our front that can play all three spots and nothing will change with him in there.”
What’s been the key to the success on third downs for you guys, third-and-short specifically?
“I don’t know. I don’t have a great answer for you there. We’ve just played them well. We have good players. About all I can say.”
Is Seahawks QB Russell Wilson much different now in recent games than when you played him?
“Well, the biggest difference they’re doing since we last played them is they’ve installed the gun-read game into their offense and they’re doing it a lot. They had shown it very sparingly prior to the last game. Now they’re doing it a lot. I think they’ve done it over ten times in the last three games and that really has sparked their offense a little bit. And the quarterback’s just gotten better and better, as you’d expect a rookie quarterback to do. He’s no longer a rookie. This is his 15th pro start. So, he’s really a good quarterback. He’s very elusive, he’s fast, got good command of their offense, throws the deep stuff well and he’s been a great acquisition for them.”
Ten times total in three games?
“No.”
Ten times each game?
“[Nodding yes]
You’ve got your own quarterback that’s good at the gun-read. Obviously, he’s playing with the first team unit now. Is there a way to get any looks for your first team defense against QB Colin Kaepernick during the week?
“Not really. He’s got his hands full running our offense right now.”
What makes that kind of offense so hard to defend?
“It just becomes a numbers game. Your typical run, the quarterback hands off and it’s now their ten against your 11. Now when he’s a potential runner, it’s their 11 against your 11 and they’re not even blocking one of the guys at the point of attack, so it actually becomes 11 against ten if they do it right. So, the numbers are flipped.”
You’ve been around this league a while. We’ve seen a lot more of that this year. What has changed, the philosophy? Because they used to be afraid of getting their quarterbacks hurt. What do you think has changed?
“Well, I think part of is the NFL is a by-product of what the colleges feed us. The colleges are our minor leagues, and that’s what the colleges are feeding us now. So, when you get a quarterback that has that ability, it behooves you to maybe have that as part of your offense.”
You’ve talked about RB Marshawn Lynch before. He’s had good success the last two times you guys have played. Is there any secret to stopping him? Have you guys not tackled as well or has it just been him playing particularly well?
“Well, we haven’t tackled as well in some of those games. But, really the guy’s just a hell of a back. He’s very powerful, very shifty, gets you a little bit off-balance with his shiftiness and then he converts into his power. He’s definitely, the last two years, the toughest back we’ve gone against and our guys have a lot of respect for him. But he’s doing it against everybody. He’s got almost 1,400 yards already.”
Was that an illegal hit that S Dashon Goldson put on Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez?
“I don’t think so.”
Why not?
“He wrapped the guy up, hit him right here in the chest area. I think what’s happened, if it looks bad, the league has told the officials to err on the side of caution. So, obviously it ends up looking like the big hit and a lot of times, if they don’t see it all and it’s a bang-bang play, it’s a hard play for them to see sometimes, they’re going to err on the side of safety and throw the flag.”
How difficult does that make your job?
“Difficult.”
Or defensive backs coach Ed Donatell’s job? What do you guys teach those guys?
“We teach them what’s legal and do what’s legal. But unfortunately sometimes if you do what’s legal, but it looks like it’s not, you run the danger of getting the flag.”
With Dashon, I mean he’s so violent, plays so hard. Does it sort of work against him in that way?
“I think some of those penalties he’s gotten on those hits, he hasn’t been fined for. So, it tells you that the league’s, they view it the same way. Some of them. Now some of them he has.”
How do you know that the officials have been told to err on the side of safety? Is that what you’ve been told by the officials?
“Yes.”
Speaking of Dashon, the last time you guys played the Seahawks, he was fined for, I guess, it was taunting Marshawn Lynch. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said he was merely exhorting Justin Smith. I know it’s two months later, but what did you see on that play?
“To be honest with you, I didn’t see it at the time because once I saw the tackle happen, I’m on to the next play. So, I didn’t see it live and it really doesn’t show on the tape much.”
I don’t know if you answered this already, but are there many similarities between Lynch and RB Frank Gore, the way they run?
“A little bit. A little bit. A little bit.”
Anything specific at all?
“They’re both shifty in the hole, which is hard. And then when it comes time to run with power, they both have some power. So, they get you a little off balance with their shiftiness and then, bam, they’re in to their power. So, they’re not just a one-way runner.”
Steve Young on Kaepernick: “He’s played five games. How much do you trust him? I kind of trust him!”
Thursday, December 20, 2012
This is what Steve Young said about Colin Kaepernick Wednesday afternoon on KNBR.
Q: What did like about Colin Kaepernick’s performance against the Patriots?
YOUNG: I think more than anything, handling it. Everyone has a sense of how hard it is to play NFL quarterback and play really good NFL quarterback. It takes all of you, and you get challenged week-to-week in ways you never thought possible. We put another big barrier in front of Colin and said: “Now you have to go to New England. They’re hot. You’ve seen their home record. Now we’re going to have it drizzling – there’s nothing worse than playing in drizzling rain at 32 degrees. So we’re going to put that on you. And then now you’re going to go against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Go take care of that.”
Granted, as we said when Colin took the job, Jim was making a calculated risk that the rest of the team could rise up and protect him, and they have done that in spades. This whole team has rallied in a way that makes sure things were covered. But Colin has done things on his own, so no matter how you feel the transition went, he seems like a guy who can handle the moment. That’s a lot of the battle. He’s played five games. How much do you trust him? I kind of trust him!
Here’s a guy who’s hardly played, and they’re going into Seattle – I was in Seattle earlier this year. There is no more difficult place to play than playing this defense in Seattle. It’s going to be brutal. I have a feeling they’re not going to ask him to do too much, and what they ask him to do he’ll do, and he’ll find little ways to do more, to do the extra, to do something that you didn’t expect, to go win the football game. That’s when quarterbacking gets really good from a coach’s standpoint: What I ask him to do, he’ll do, and then there’s something that’s inexplicable, something that I couldn’t coach, something that I couldn’t draw up, and it’s positive. And it wins the game. Whether it’s a 50-yard run or different throws or some big scramble – those are the kinds of things that makes coaching and winning games a lot easier.
Despite the fact that it was hard for me to deal with the transition and how it went, I’ve got to say that Colin – you couldn’t ask for more at this point.
Q: Are you still seeing the same number of rookie mistakes? A lot of fumbles Sunday night. Are we still looking at a guy with big upside, big downside? Or are you seeing him starting to level off?
YOUNG: I don’t see the big downside. They had eight fumbles in the game and they recovered seven of them. When that happens, things are bouncing your way. That’s a big deal. The things that Colin is not doing, I think you can quickly fix. The things that he’s doing – the upside – is starting to get enlarged and grow and take root.
And again, it doesn’t take long for him to go into Seattle and throw three picks and fall down and get a strip sack and we all go, what the heck is that? But you’ve got to figure there’s some of that coming. Even if that comes, I still feel like what he’s done – going into New Orleans, going into New England, these are not small feats – they’re real. It’s happening.
I’ve thought to myself, you can peck away at Russell Wilson, you can peck away at Andrew Luck, but at a certain point you’ve got to just step back and say, hey, it’s good. And if he takes expect back, which we kind of expect, I just hope it’s not in a playoff game and it doesn’t cost them a chance to go all the way. What Jim has done in my mind is take the ultimate gamble. He had a pretty sure thing with Alex. And I know this team should be in the Super Bowl, really should be. But what risk am I taking by putting this kid in now if I don’t win the Super Bowl. Because people will say Alex would have done that. That’s why it’s a huge gamble. But in my mind, so far, so good.
Akers re-tweets death threat, quits Twitter
Thursday, December 20, 2012
For the second time this month, a member of the 49ers has discovered that having a direct link to fans via social media has its drawbacks. Kicker David Akers, who…
Holiday Shopping
Thursday, December 20, 2012
49ers fans as you gear up for the holidays, make your gift giving easy, and do it online from the …
Ho ho ho-liday humor from Harbaugh and Carroll
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
That Jim Harbaugh. He’s such a card. Asked Wednesday if, after facing Pete Carroll for so many years, there were any “hallmarks” of a Carroll-coached team, Harbaugh attempted a bit…
Justin Smith an observer as 49ers practice begins
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
****Update**** Justin Smith and Clark Haggans missed Wednesday’s practice. Full participation reports below. Jim Harbaugh hinted Tuesday that Justin Smith likely would take part in practice this week. But as…
Kaepernick on beating the Patriots: “It really isn’t going to mean too much if we don’t come out and win this week.”
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick just spoke in the 49ers locker room. Here’s what he said.
Q: You were the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. What was your reaction?
KAEPERNICK: Excited about it.
Q: Why?
KAEPERNICK: It was a great accolade for the team. There are a lot of great players on this team who put in the effort for that award to come.
Q: In the team bus after the game, did you think you were worth of the award?
KAEPERNICK: I was just happy we got the win.
Q: What did Tom Brady say to after the win?
KAEPERNICK: Just good job.
Q: What were your thoughts and emotions about beating a guy like that in his own home?
KAEPERNICK: I was just excited about it. He’s someone that I always looked up to. He’s someone that I always watched. To get a win over someone like that, great accomplishment.
Q: Vernon Davis said you guys have been spending some time trying to get on the same page. What kind of work have you guys done after practice to build chemistry?
KAEPERNICK: Just extra throws.
Q: After a win like that, what kind of statement you and where this team is and what you can accomplish going forward?
KAEPERNICK: It really isn’t going to mean too much if we don’t come out and win this week.
Q: What kind of challenges will this game present to you?
KAEPERNICK: The Seahawks are a hot team right now. Their defense is playing great. Their offense is putting up points. We have to be ready.
Q: What do you think of that hostile environment?
KAEPERNICK: We expect it to be loud.
Q: How do you prepare for such a loud stadium?
KAEPERNICK: We’re going to prepare like we do for all of our away games.
Q: Do you feel like you and Vernon are making progress, and why?
KAEPERNICK: Yeah, we’re making progress because we’re getting those throws after practice.
Q: It’s your third primetime start. Is there something special you embrace under the lights?
KAEPERNICK: We’re just going out and trying to get a win.
Q: So, no?
KAEPERNICK: I guess.
Q: Have you been able to watch Russell Wilson and appreciate what he’s done this year?
KAEPERNICK: Yeah, I see a little bit of what he’s done. Everything I’ve seen of him, he’s been doing great things out there.
Q: Does he seem like a guy who’s going to be your adversary for the next decade or so?
KAEPERNICK: He’ll be my adversary Sunday night. That’s what we’re worried about.
Q: Are the Seahawks cornerbacks still very physical even without Brandon Browner?
KAEPERNICK: Yes.
Q: How do you go about beating that?
KAEPERNICK: Our receivers will have to be physical – be physical in their routes, be physical in their blocking.
Q: Do you have to press the issue? Do you have to give your receivers a chance to make plays?
KAEPERNICK: Our receivers have been making plays. That’s something I expect them to go out and do on Sunday too.
Q: What was your reaction to the music video that came out a few days ago with the five-year-old girl?
KAEPERNICK: I thought it was a good video. Big ups to her.
Q: What do you like about Michael Crabtree as a receiver.
KAEPERNICK: He catches the ball and makes plays after he catches it.
Q: Have you guys had chemistry since the beginning, or is it something that’s developed over time?
KAEPERNICK: Crab’s the type of receiver if you throw it close to him, he’s going to catch it.
Q: Vernon was saying you want to get bigger and he keeps telling you not to change, he doesn’t want your arm to get too much stronger. Is that a running joke between you two?
KAEPERNICK: Yeah.
Q: Will you elaborate a little bit on the back-and-forth there?
KAEPERNICK: It’s just a joke we’ve had since the offseason. He knows I have a strong arm.
Q: How much bigger do you want to get?
KAEPERNICK: It really isn’t about getting bigger. It was just a joke we had.
Q: Have you had a moment to yourself to reflect and enjoy the fact that so much has happened for you in so little time?
KAEPERNICK: Now is not the time to reflect. Right now we need to work. We need to keep getting wins.
Q: Both Harbaugh and Delanie have talked about how Crabtree is not afraid to say, “I’m open, look for me.” Do you like that in a receiver?
KAEPERNICK: I love that in a receiver. You want somebody who wants the ball.
Q: What would you ask you if you were standing in our spot?
KAEPERNICK: The same questions every week like you guys do.
Film review: Pistol effective vs. Pats, Crabtree and McDonald stand out
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The 49ers dialed their pistol or “Q” formation 17 times Sunday against the Patriots, using it extensively on their opening drive that resulted in a touchdown. In the formation,…
Four TDs earn Kaepernick player-of-the-week honor
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Colin Kaepernick, who out-dueled Tom Brady in Brady’s own building Sunday, was named the NFC Player of the Week this morning. Making just his fifth-ever start, Kaepernick was 14-25…
Kaepernick on the four fumbled snaps: “Don’t ask Goody about it, it was my fault.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
SANTA CLARA – In the middle of the 49ers’ locker room Tuesday afternoon, Jonathan Goodwin answered questions about the four fumbled snaps Sunday night in New England. After a few questions, Colin Kaepernick walked over and defended Goodwin. Here’s the transcript.
Q: Is there anything you can attribute the center exchange problems to?
GOODWIN: We really haven’t had any problems, so there’s nothing in particular.
Q: Does the weather affect it?
GOODWIN: Yes, I definitely think it makes it tough. You have a slick ball and things like that. I know they were saying there is some video of it, so we’ll look at it. Being that I hadn’t had any issues with it in good weather, I’m not overly concerned about it. It’s something that, of course, I hate that it happened and I’m glad that we recovered.
Q: Will you spend more time on that this week?
GOODWIN: I haven’t checked the forecast, but if rain is in the picture, it’s definitely something that we need to work on.
Q: Did you work on it during the sideline to iron it out?
GOODWIN: He took a couple from me on the sideline, but late in the game it was something that we tried different and we didn’t have any problems towards the latter part of the game.
Q: Was the ball slicker?
GOODWIN: It did feel slicker, but each time it happened, I definitely felt the ball almost slide out and go through his hands. It was something that me and him talked about. The fact that the latter part of the game we tried something different and didn’t have any problems and we hadn’t had any problems in regular weather, I don’t think it’s something to be concerned about.
Q: Did the glove make a difference?
GOODWIN: I think so. Regardless of the circumstance, we don’t want the ball on the ground.
Q: Have you wet balls during practice before?
GOODWIN: Haven’t here. We’ve had some rain here lately, but other places I have.
KAEPERNICK (walking by): Don’t ask Goody about it, it was my fault.
Goodwin: 50-50, husband and wife. Of course, he’s the wife.
Vernon Davis has to re-take chemistry
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The 11-85 connection was established several years ago as a tried and trusted coordidor. The 7-85 connection? It’s still under construction, said tight end Vernon Davis, who said he’s…
Vernon Davis: “I wouldn’t call it the Greg Roman Empire. I’m sorry, Greg.”
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
SANTA CLARA — Vernon Davis spoke in the locker room Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about how much the 49ers have improved over the last few years.
Q: Do you ever stop and think about how far this team has come in two years with Jim Harbaugh?
VERNON DAVIS: We started from zero and just kept building. We brought guys in like Michael Crabtree. In the beginning it was Frank Gore, me, Delanie. We all came in and started to put this thing together, and then the other guys came and we kept adding. We built something pretty unique. We built an empire. And that’s what it’s about. In order to win championship games, you have to have a championship team and that’s what we have around here.
Q: Do you call it the Greg Roman Empire?
VERNON DAVIS: I wouldn’t call it the Greg Roman Empire. He’s the one who calls the shots, but we’re the one out there calling the plays. So I can’t just give it all to Greg Roman. I’m sorry, Greg.
Harbaugh says the 49ers did not play prevent defense in second half vs. Patriots
Monday, December 17, 2012
This is a transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
I was not in Santa Clara to attend this press conference. I was on a plane back from Boston.
How was that flight?
“I was sitting on the plane, now they’ve got the little TV that shows you the track of where the plane is over the United States and I figured out that they couldn’t have sent us any further and kept us in the United States. It’s as far as we could have gone. But good flight, happy flight. Guys were tired, they went right to sleep pretty much. A lot of plays, defense was out there 96 plays and 60 some in the second half. So they got some rest on the way back.”
On your way back, are you able to start breaking down film and doing stuff?
“Yup, yup.”
Do you have it all pretty much done by the time you land?
“Yeah. Watched the entire game, offense, defense and special teams and work on Seattle. It’s a pretty impressive thing. I’ve never been associated with a team like this, where the coaching staff is – it’s like a work-station in the back part of the plane. The computers are on, nobody is watching movies and not a lot of sleeping going on. Really impressed with our guys the way they do that. And the players too, they had laptops and were watching the game in groups and then eventually fell off to sleep.”
So when you’re watching the film and the Patriots scored 28 points, were you worried?
“Well, when you really look at it, for the two and half quarters of football – whatever word you want to use, but it was pretty darn good defensively for us. And then the last five minutes of the game, the last two stops, two fourth quarter stops, very impressive by our defense. During the span where they were moving the football and scoring the points, we had our chances. We had our chances to get off the field, a couple plays in particular where we should have gotten off the field. It’s a very good offense and they were making plays as well.”
How much of the plane work last night – you say you guys were watching, was most of it looking back at this game or was some of it looking ahead to Seattle, maybe watching Seattle’s game in some way, if you had access to that?
“Right, right, both. We had access to all of Seattle’s games except for yesterday’s game, as far as the computer was concerned.”
What changed during that time when New England was scoring? What did your defense stop doing that it had done so well?
“I think everybody’s first thing is that somehow if the other team moves the ball when they hadn’t been moving the ball, that you were in some kind of prevent mode. Seems to be what you hear from the subject matter experts. That wasn’t the case. We were playing football and they were and they were making plays and we had our chances. Like I said, like I described it.”
You mentioned the number of snaps, that looked like a pretty draining game to play last night. Because of that, will you cut back on some things this week physically to prepare for this next game that’s pretty important, given what you guys went through last night?
“Yeah, I think it’s something to take a look at and probably implement. And I think it affected us during the game, especially the amount of plays and the tempo which they were running their offense at. It was tough playing in that stretch for our defense but very proud of the character of the team. I know we talk about that a lot, but to come back and get those two stops at the end really makes you feel good. Going into the game it was obvious both teams desperately wanted to win the game. Felt like both teams wanted to prove they were the better team. And you looked at the hitting that went on through the entire course of the game, especially early, but it was that way in the second half as well. Both teams really, really wanted to show that they were the better team. It was a great game, it was an exciting game, very competitive.”
Do you have a sense of DT Justin Smith and how long he might be out?
“Yeah, but it’s really going to be how he is today, tomorrow, Wednesday, before we know anything.”
Has he already gone through the MRI process?
“Yes.”
So it’s not like a LB Parys Haralson thing where he’s knocked out long-term?
“No, seems to be two different things.”
How much has LB Aldon Smith benefitted from playing behind Justin?
“How much has he benefitted? A lot. I don’t know exactly how much, but I know it’s quite a bit and you judge that by the evidence that is there by the play of Aldon. Then, also the evidence of how much Aldon gives credit to Justin. But I think just even more so, you can see the respect that Aldon has for Justin and the way he listens to Justin, the way he just learns from him. So I would say a lot.”
Given Justin’s nature, character, how would you stop him from playing on Sunday? Could you stop him?
“I know exactly what you’re saying. There’s no truer football player than Justin Smith. He’s just a football player.”
How much do you think their run kind of coincided with Justin going out of the game? Do you think that had an impact on your defense, just not being able to have one of your big time leaders out there?
“Yes, somewhat. I thought the guys that came in, stepped in and did some really good things. [DT] Ricky Jean [Francois] did a nice job. I thought our guys stepped up. Really, the chances we had to get off the field, really didn’t come from that position. We made some errors elsewhere. So yeah, it had an effect.”
How much do you talk to your quarterback during the game and did you talk to QB Colin Kaepernick at all after the game was tied up? Did you go to him then?
“For any wise, inspirational words?”
Yeah, something coachable, coach speak.
“There’s some talk but not much from me personally. I’ve always just let quarterbacks play their game and do less talking to them during the game unless there is something to say to him.”
What could you tell him as a coach and former quarterback, what could you tell him about the snapping problems to minimize that happening again? What should he learn about that?
“Well, it’s always the two people involved there, there’s a center and a quarterback. You look at how each is taking that snap and delivering the snap and you get it fixed. It’s really working with the center and the quarterback.”
The fact that Seattle has QB Russell Wilson, you could argue a dual-threat type of guy, much the way Colin is, are they mirror images of each other? And how does that affect preparation for this week?
“I think they’re two very good quarterbacks, they’re different quarterbacks. They’re not mirror images. Not too many quarterbacks I think that I could say are mirror images, even in the entire league. So anyway, the preparation for Seattle and their offense is a separate thing from our offense.”
I guess I would only ask that because I would think some teams who have maybe more of a drop back in the pocket and stand still and throw type of quarterback might have a more difficult time, may not have seen the type of looks that he’s going to give you in practice. But since you guys have Colin, he does those things. I’m just wondering if that makes it – if you’ve seen probably more of what Russell Wilson does on a daily basis in practice?
“Possible.”
A couple of your guys said that was like a playoff game last night. And then going to Seattle in another primetime game, a chance to clinch the division. Is it good to be playing these games right at the end of the regular season right now? You hope your kind of peaking with these big games at the end.
“I think that could be a positive. Like I said, I think the thing that the players were feeling and probably anybody that was watching it was feeling was that there two teams that – two very good teams, two hard hitting teams, two teams that have a lot of pride in how they play, really came out to see who’s better. And wanted to be better and wanted to win that game and it showed. This game will be the same, I really believe that. We need to prepare.”
Do you expect to fill the final spot on the 53-man roster this week?
“Yes.”
Have you already done it?
“No. Haven’t done it yet.”
Is there a timeframe on when you think you will do it?
“Yeah, we anticipate that we will do that by this week.”
How much more have you seen Colin become patient and comfortable with himself? It seems like he’s being able to check down more and he’s just starting to feel more comfortable. Have you seen an enormous change? How much of a change from start one to start five?
“I wouldn’t say enormous. I think he was poised, he had a great understanding of the offense from the very first time he went out and took a snap this season and then from the time he took his first start until now. Definitely the game experience, the playing play after play, exposes you to different situations. That’s good for you, it’s going to lead to improvement. I wouldn’t call it dramatic improvement. I think he’s been at a pretty high level.”
Is it particularly good when he gets these kind of tests, I mean, the Bears defense on Monday night, at New Orleans with the crowd and then at New England? It seems like he’s gotten thrown into the fire right off the bat.
“Yeah, sure, all kinds of scenarios – backed up, coming off your own half-yard line. He’s seen those situations and every time our offense has been backed up inside the 10-yard line, we’ve moved it out for at least one first down. Red zone situations, come back after a turnover, come back after an interception, come back after having success with a quick scoring drive, a long scoring drive. He’s been in a lot of situations – two minute before the half, two minute at the end of the game. All those things are, he’s experienced in only four starts.”
I heard your analogy last night about the train station, which was good. First of all, what was the name of the train station if you remember?
“Yeah, the Deerfield Station.”
Deerfield Station, okay, and was there a moment like last night when you’re–
“At the corner of Deerfield and Chestnut.”
Thank you. Try to be accurate.
“But also, just every day here. A train will go by, probably, who knows? I don’t even know how many times it goes by a day while we’re out there on the practice field in a two-hour span. But, maybe it doesn’t and you don’t even notice it. Maybe you notice it once. I look up and watch our guys and nobody even looks, nobody even knows it goes by. They’re focused on what they’re doing.”
Was there a moment last night in the game, other than the plays everybody will remember from that game, where you were standing on the sideline, you looked out and were like, ‘Yeah, these guys are doing this.’ Was there a specific play you remember that maybe we didn’t see, obvious, that just showed-
“Oh, handling the pressure and handling their business?”
Yeah, was there a play or two that maybe-?
“No, I wouldn’t say a play or two. It’s just, when it’s all over and you think back during the game and just, that hit me that there’s never a time with our team that you see the evidence that it’s getting to them or that they’re pointing fingers at one another. And, that’s so easy to do. I mean, accountability for a lot of people is just naming names. His fault, his fault, his fault. Why didn’t you do this or why didn’t you do that? Or offense, defense, why can’t you get them stopped? Why can’t you score? Why’d you turn the ball over? I never see that with our team. So, the pressure to perform is great in this league at this level. And, I credit that to, I think we have excellent players that are, they’re kind of in their prime of their career. They’re at the experienced height but they’re young. And they’ve been in those situations. They’re young,experienced and kind of right in their prime.”
You had mentioned last night that that last play on the blitz, the touchdown to WR Michael Crabtree wasn’t designed to go there. So, is that even an option? Is that something that he’s been schooled on. If it’s a seven man rush, go to Crabtree? Or, did he just make that play on his feet?
“He’s got that option. It’s a quick answer option. He had off-coverage. We were calling that more to get [TE] Vernon [Davis] on the shallow crossing route. But he’s got that option to take.”
I have a question. I know we’ve asked several times on K David Akers this season. What’s your feeling on him right now?
“The same as, these specialists, sometimes they only get four or five opportunities a game. You’ve got to make the play. We’ve got to see him do it. We’ve got to see him make those plays.”
Will he still get chances? Is he still part of this team?
“Oh yeah, yeah.”
I know you brought a couple kickers in a few weeks ago, but no thought on giving a change or anything like that?
“No, not at this time.”
What do you think of the new San Jose State coach, he was your replacement?
“I apologize. I don’t know who the new San Jose State coach is.
University of San Diego coach Caragher.
“Oh, Ron Caragher. Fantastic. That is great. When did that happen?”
About 20 minutes ago.
“20 minutes ago.
2:15
“Oh, wonderful, wonderful. Wonderful guy and coach. Bellarmine graduate. Gotten to know Ron really well.
How’d you get to know him?
“He replaced me at USD.
I know that, but I mean, you didn’t cross paths there. He came in after you left right?
“Yeah, but I would stop back down there when I was in San Diego. Talked on the phone many times. Just through my players that were still there at USD. Like I said, when I would be recruiting in San Diego, I’d always stop by the trailer and see if anybody was there. Ron’s been up here recruiting in the Bay Area when I was over at Stanford. We’d run into each other, yeah. Great guy. Great guy. Great family. His son, my son will be disappointed, he’s friends with Ron’s son. They go to the same high school. So, that’s great. Great hire by San Jose State.”
What are they getting as a football coach?
“Good coach. Winning coach. He’s done a real nice job with that program.”
Harbaugh: Smith’s injury doesn’t appear long-term
Monday, December 17, 2012
SANTA CLARA — 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said today the status of defensive tackle Justin Smith likely won’t be known until later in the week, but he doesn’t think Smith’s…
Amidst lots of good, there’s plenty to worry about
Monday, December 17, 2012
49ers fans, I am plenty happy about the win last night, and if you want to read my thoughts from a bit more of an optimistic perspective, I encourage you to check out the Blitz article (for paid subscribers) for …
Poise under pressure: Harbaugh likes Kaepernick’s bounce-back ability
Sunday, December 16, 2012
FOXBORO, Mass. – Minutes after Sunday’s game, Colin Kaepernick was asked about his touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree. “Which one?” the quarterback asked earnestly. Indeed, Kaepernick threw two scores…
Cold reign: 49ers defense holds on even without mainstay Justin Smith
Sunday, December 16, 2012
FOXBORO, Mass. – With just under three minutes remaining Sunday, the league’s No. 1 scoring offense needed a touchdown against the No. 1 scoring defense. The defense won. Without…
Vernon Davis says he’s the 49ers’ primary receiver in practice, “but when we get to the game, it just doesn’t work out.”
Friday, December 14, 2012
SANTA CLARA – I spoke to Vernon Davis at his locker on Friday. Here’s what he said about his level of involvement in the 49ers offense.
ME: What do you think of the Diamond formation? The offense used it 17 times last week, and it doesn’t feature a tight end. You lined up at wide receiver and fullback.
VERNON DAVIS: It’s fine. I’m pretty much a supporter of anything the coaches put in. I can’t complain about anything. I just go with the flow and play hard, play fast.
ME: Do you feel like this will be the game where you reemerge as a featured receiver in the passing game?
VERNON DAVIS: It all depends on how they play me. We can’t just turn on the film and watch how they play tight ends, because they play me differently. That’s one thing that’s kind of been a setback for me, because they don’t play me the same as they play other guys. They take a lot of my routes away, especially my deep routes. But in that case, I expect Crabtree and Moss and the other guys to get open.
ME: Why do you think defenses play you differently than other tight ends? Aaron Hernandez is also highly acclaimed, and he gets about 10 targets a game.
VERNON DAVIS: They play me differently than the rest of the tight ends for some reason.
Q: Do you think your game against the Saints in the playoffs last year has something to do with it?
VERNON DAVIS: That probably did it. And then the first five games of the season I was taking off up the sideline, so they probably looked at film and said, “We’ve got to stop this guy.” But I didn’t expect them to do it consistently. Normally they’ll do it, and then the next week, couple of weeks, I’ll get open. It’s not like the coaches aren’t putting things in for me. They’re putting plays in for me every week, but it just doesn’t work out. The defenses are taking me away.
ME: That’s John Morton putting in plays for you?
VERNON DAVIS: Greg Roman, John Morton – they work together. They put in plays for me all the time. If you come to practice, you’ll see. You’d say, “Vernon’s their primary guy.” But when we get to the game, it just doesn’t work out.
49ers Have A Big Challenge Ahead Of Them In Week 15 by SBRForum.com
Friday, December 14, 2012
The only constant for the San Francisco 49ers this season has been the fact that they can win
games. They have been shaking things up on the offensive side of the ball, most notably with
the benching of QB Alex …
Steve Young explains how to get Vernon Davis involved in the 49ers passing attack
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Steve Young spoke on KNBR Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the 49ers’ use of Vernon Davis.
Q: Should the 49ers do a better job getting Vernon Davis open and part of the game plan?
YOUNG: I haven’t seen the explosiveness, and he’s an explosive player, so if part of this switch to Colin is to be more explosive then let’s get [Davis] out on the short motion. If [Davis] is your No.1 explosive player in the pass game, and he certainly qualifies, then he can’t line up in the tight formations and let it rip.
Whenever we wanted to get Brent Jones going, we’d just bring him out short motion, move him around to the slot, Y-motion, just make sure that he didn’t get caught up in the wash every time. Get him out on the perimeter and make it happen.
Roman on Vernon Davis: “I’d say that they’re paying a lot of attention to him at times.”
Thursday, December 13, 2012
SANTA CLARA — This is what Greg Roman said about Vernon Davis Thursday in the media tent.
Q: What are the common elements defenses are doing to take away TE Vernon Davis? Three catches the last three games total, so what’s going on?
ROMAN: I’m not going to get into the X’s and O’s of things, but every team’s different, every situation’s different. I’d say that they’re paying a lot of attention to him at times. On Kap’s 50-yard run a couple of weeks ago, there was 10 guys. Vernon ran that way and there was 10 guys on that side of the field. So, I think that kind of paints a picture.
Q: Was that an exaggeration?
ROMAN: No exaggeration. Frank cut the last guy.
Son of a gun: Roman learned pistol formation from the master
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The 49ers gradually have been working the Pistol formation into their offense in recent weeks, but it’s not a new concept to their coaches Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said…
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