SANTA CLARA – It was offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s turn to speak at the podium in the media tent this afternoon.

Roman’s style is to give a preamble before the questions start, which is fun.

And if you were wondering, I asked the question toward the end re: halfbacks and fullbacks.

Here’s the full transcript of the interview, courtesy of the 49ers.

Opening Statement:

“Finishing up a really great week of work, I guess I shouldn’t say finishing, we’re just looking to have a great practice today. We had, I thought, one of our best practices yesterday and I’ll throw it out there to you guys.”

You guys didn’t do so well in the red-zones in the past game, is that a factor of just not having done a lot of the red-zone install, or are you just trying to keep it vanilla for the preseason?

“Probably a combination of both of them. We’ve gotten a lot of red zone work. With the offseason being what it is, I don’t think anybody is where they normally are at this time situationally. We spent a lot of time on our situations, our specific situations within the practice; red-zone is certainly one we’ve spent as much time as we possibly can in. I think all football plays come down to execution. Unfortunately, we didn’t execute with some of those plays as well as we could have and whether or not we call those plays in the regular season is anybody’s guess. We’ll wait and see on that.”

At the other end of the field, it seems that the new kickoff rule is going to back a lot of offenses up at your own goal line. Is there more of an emphasis on those plays coming off when you’re tighter on your end zone?

“The only thing I can say is a lot of times you used to ask, is this a right return or a left return? Now it’s, well the ball is going to be in the middle. It’s a little bit more predictable from that standpoint. I think if the other team has a kicker that can pin you back in the end zone, then you’re going to be at the 20. It definitely takes a lot of the guesswork out of it.”

Why not start WR Braylon Edwards in some of these games? He seems to be a starting caliber wide receiver.

“Braylon has been great. I think Braylon brings a lot to the team, brings a lot to the group. I think I’ve mentioned before, I really enjoy his presence. He’s a competitive guy that just wants to win. The more of those guys we can have, the better. Braylon, I would define as, he could be a difference maker. As he keeps improving and working into the offense, it’s just like anybody else, his role will expand.”

Do you expect that he might not be around, be available in Week One. Does that come into play where, if WR Ted Ginn is going to be starting in Week One, then it makes sense to have him starting in these games as well. Does that part of it play into the starting units?

“Well I think Ted has had an incredibly good camp, too. Whatever reps Ted gets, or whatever status Ted gets, Ted has earned it. It’s day to day, really with all of our players. We try to make each position as strong as possible. One of the affects of that is great competition. Guys that are competing and getting the job done are going to play. Luckily for us, we’ve got a really good group of core wide receivers that continue to improve, so it’s very exciting.”

I haven’t seen WR Ronald Johnson play very much in the games or get very many reps. Is he struggling through any kind of injury or is he just behind in the offense?

“Well, I think Ronald is having a good camp. Hopefully, we’ll see some more of him against the Texans. I got nothing but really good things to say about Ronald Johnson. He’s a guy that loves football and he’s pretty darn skilled. So I think you’ll see more out of Ronald this week.”

Where is C Jonathan Goodwin at, in terms of picking of the offense and getting more integrated with the first unit? Might he start?

“Jonathan is really making some good strides. He is a steady ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ type guy. He doesn’t say a whole lot, in terms of being vocal all the time, but you want to talk about a smart guy; he’s kind of like E.F. Hutton in a sense that when he talks, people listen. He does a great job with getting our offensive line organized, as does [C] Adam [Snyder]. And again, much like the receiver position, the more the merrier. Those guys are really improving and Jonathan, I’d say, is pretty much up to speed on things.”

What’s more likely, keeping four half backs or two fullbacks?

“That’s hard to say at this juncture. We’ll have to wait and see. Both positions are performing well and offer us some versatility. We’ll just have to wait and see. That’s going to be a decision that’s probably made at the 11^th hour.”

Are you close to figuring out who your best five are for the O-Line?

“I’ll go back to it’s going to be an ongoing process where we get guys playing in different combinations more to really evaluate them and I think it will continue really until the 11^th hour.”

Do you expect Jonathan or Adam to get more playing time on Saturday at center?

“I think they’ll both get pretty much equal playing time this week. I’ve been very pleased with both of their approaches to things. They’ve truly gotten better every day. That’s kind of what we want to see out of everybody and those are two guys that have shown constant improvement.”

What are your impressions of RB Xavier Omon?

“Xavier has done a really good job of maximizing his opportunities. For a guy that’s not at the top of the depth chart, he’s probably got three guys ahead of him right now, opportunities must be taken advantage of. I think he’s done a really good job of knowing what to do, knowing our system and then getting out there on the field and executing it. I thought he played really well in that Raiders game. He showed some really good patience to the hole and then was able to get through the hole. Really did a nice job for us in that Raiders game.”

Is it tough to evaluate a guy like that because the numbers look good, but obviously he’s not going up against the members of the first and second string?

“I think you take that into account, but really the biggest thing for us is the day to day out here. We can tell out here. Then the game is obviously just another reference point. Day to day to day is where you really evaluate and then the game is just another day to evaluate, another opportunity to evaluate and see what we have.”

You say it’s just another day, but game speed is so different than practice speed. If you had to pick one or two areas on Saturday that you really want to learn from this offense that maybe you’re lacking or you want to see more of, what would it be, what specific areas?

“It’s everything. It’s everything. We need to get better at everything in a hurry. From the huddle to getting to the ball, our communication, our blocking, our courses in the run game, our route running, everything. We need to get better at everything. And I’m not being cliché either. We need to get better at everything. We know it, we preach it, on everything, every day. Everything is the things we need to get better at.”

Are you guys finished with your installation?

“I’d say our installation was a little different than normal with the offseason the way it was. We spread it out over time a little bit more. So, I’d say we’re just about done with it, but it’s been more of a gradual installation process than normal, just because a lot of it is stuff these guys have heard for the first time and we’ve had to take that into account. I’d say we’re just about done with it.”

Will you be game planning at all for the Texans?

“This week we play the Texans and we plan for everybody. We’re not going to; we’re still in training camp in our minds, is I guess the best way to say that. We’re still trying to improve, get better, and the Texans give us another opportunity to go out, see where we are and evaluate our offense as a whole and our individual players. So, obviously we have to be aware of what challenges they present, and the challenges they present are many. They are very physical, explosive, they play hard, they’ve got a good pressure package, they got really talented players on defense, they play a 3-4 system, but they’ve got [LB] Mario Williams that kind of adds a different dimension to that. Very impressive on defense. Their team speed is good. They’re physical like any [Texans’ defensive coordinator] Wade Phillips defense really.”

What is one asset of Vernon Davis that has impressed you the most in games and in practice?

“Well I don’t know if there’s one. I don’t know if I’ve been around an athlete that’s more explosive than him at any point of my career. Vernon is very explosive. He can go from zero to sixty when he needs to. He can rev up the engine in a hurry. Vernon is a great person, great to work with, very attentive, very much interested in the details of things, always looking for a way to get better. He’s just an all around asset to have and really thankful that he’s here and a 49er. Really looking forward to getting him the ball some here.”

WR Chris Hogan and WR Dominique Zeigler have started practicing; do you see either of them being able to play in this upcoming game?

“You know you would have to ask [head coach] Jim [Harbaugh] that one. I can’t answer that one at this time. Sorry about that.”

With the experience of being an NFL coordinator, do you feel it’s vastly different than being an NFL position coach?

“Yeah, I think, yes. To answer your question, yes it is very different. The demands are very different. The time demands, I think it’s very different, but I‘d like to think our staff works extremely well together. Every member of our offensive staff is very important and we try to maximize what we have as a staff.  I think we have a very strong offensive staff, so I lean on them a lot and in that sense I’m very fortunate.”

Are you pleased in Alex Smith’s development?

“Yeah, Alex is doing a great job. Comes in everyday, and again, not having an offseason with him, unfortunately, we’re just taking it day-by-day and everyday he gets something a little bit better and we focus a little bit on something specific every day. There’s some habits he’s developed over time that, like anybody, we’re trying to sharpen those up. He’s doing a great job with that, so very pleased with how he’s coming a long.”

What do you like most about his game?

“Alex can think his way through things very well and Alex is a very attention-to-detail kind of guy that really wants to get it done right. He really wants to do his job. He wants to do his job well for his teammates and think there’s a lot of value in that and I think everybody sees that. I think Alex does a lot of different things well and he’s an athletic guy, who over time, he’s had a lot of different influences in his career and we’re trying to get Alex to see things the way we see them. There’s a curve there and he’s doing a great job of really cutting down that curve. Nothing but great things to say about how he’s doing.”

Are you the main play caller?

“You know, I would say yes, but if anyone has a good suggestion, my ears are always open.”

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The portion of practice that was open to the media lasted from 1:50 to 2:08 today. We were expecting 30 minutes as the club had advertised but only got 18. Still you can do a lot in 18 minutes.

None of the starters came out to the field to stretch at that time. I watched Konrad Reuland, Tyler Beiler, and Chris Maragos stretch. I didn’t get to see Vernon Davis stretch or Frank Gore or Alex Smith.

It wouldn’t have meant much to see Gore or Davis or Smith stretch, but it would have meant more than watching three subs. But of the three, Maragos was clearly the best stretcher.

His signature moment was when he stretched his groin muscles in a 40-yard sprint, rotating his knees out wide on each stride. It was something else. So I give him the Best Stretcher of the Day Award.

Why would Harbaugh choose to show the media so little, especially the week before a mere exhibition game?

Here are some possible reasons:

• He doesn’t want the Houston Texans to know who’s available and who’s not. Who’s injured, and who isn’t.
• He temperamentally can’t stand to give out any information any time any place.

Those are my suggestions. What are yours, and what are your feelings that Harbaugh would not let the media even glimpse his starters, and apparently kept them secure in the locker room?

In other news: QB Jeremiah Masoli and K Fabrizio Scaccia got cut. Receivers Dominique Zeigler and Chris Hogan were in pads and both will presumably practice today. And the Niners signed a punter named Sam Paulescu.

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SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio gave another blunt assessment of his defense this morning in the media tent next to the practice fields in Santa Clara.

He refused once again to name Shawntae Spencer a starting cornerback, and he implied that Taylor Mays is not an NFL-caliber safety right now, listing Reggie Smith, Dashon Goldon, Donte Whitner, Madieu Williams, and C.J. Spillman as the only safeties on the roster who “can play in the NFL.”

Here’s the complete transcript of the press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.

On where there were improvements from last week’s game:

“I thought our backups came in and played better than they did previously in New Orleans last week, when we gave up a couple scores after we started making changes, and this week we didn’t do that. I thought we played solid from the start to the finish more than we did last week.”

On whether he played fewer players this week:

“No. Kind of what happened was we had those couple of long drives offensively which ate up a good bit of time in the first half. So the way it happened, prior to the last drive in the first half, our starters had gotten 13 plays, so we had to make a decision there whether to give them the last drive or not, which was about four or five minutes to go in the half. That ended up being a long drive, so the starters ended up getting 26 plays in the first half, which wasn’t the plan but they were at 13. Hopefully we could have had a three, four, or five play series and could have had another series in the first half, so because of the way our offense had the ball and where we were with our numbers and the starters, we only had 52 snaps on defense, so that made it harder to play everybody.”

On whether he has seen enough from CB Shawntae Spencer to decide if he is a starter:

“Well, we really haven’t seen him much, myself and the rest of the staff, because I think he practiced one day before he hurt his hamstring. So, the answer to your question is no, we haven’t seen enough of him. The other half of that equation is yes, he has played in the league a lot and there is a lot of tape out there to see, but like anything else, you like to see it with your own eyes within your own system to see exactly where a guy stands. We don’t have a lot of information there right now.”

On CB Tarrell Brown and CB Tramaine Brock:

“Well that will sort itself out once we get everyone healthy and playing, but we did like the way they both played. We did have a couple plays thrown out in the flat there at the corner position that should have been defended better. There were more mental errors than physical errors, but I think that all remains to be seen. Both Brock and Brown are definitely in the hunt, all the way from being starters to being in stunt packages.”

On whether the quartet of LBs is similar to what he had in New Orleans several years back:

“I can’t compare them to that group because that group was special in itself, but they’re progressing well. Obviously, Patrick Willis is very established in what he’s done in the league and we expect him to continue that play and even improve on it. But everybody else that you’re seeing out there is unproven. NaVorro has never been a starter, Parys has been a sometime starter and Brooks really hasn’t ever been a full time starter, so to go to that extreme already is probably not warranted, but we’re happy with the way they’re playing as individuals and as a unit, but that’s the extent of it right now.”

On DT Demarcus Dobbs’ status as an undrafted rookie:

“I’d say he’s still in the middle group, but he’s had a good camp, made some good plays in the games and has played very well here since he got with us when training camp started. I wouldn’t go that far yet, but he’s definitely somebody that we noticed and he’s had a good camp. He’s got a chance to make this team.”

On whether he has simplified his playbook because of the shorter time for players to pick it up:

“I don’t know if simplified is the right word, maybe inserted at a slower pace than what we normally would have. So this week in particular, a lot of teams are into game planning for the third preseason game or looking at early opponents; we’re still viewing it as we’re still in training camp for another week defensively and still have some packages and calls we’d like to put in. We’re going to work on that this week. So, it’s slowed the process down, but not simplified.

On whether he’s had to add any training sessions or pop quizzes in regards to the shortened amount of preparation time:

“No, I mean it had been hard for us to do anything more than what we did here the first – I guess it’s been three weeks or whatever. These guys are basically here for 15 hours a day straight from the start of training camp until last week, so it had been hard for us to do anything more than what we did.”

On what he envisions S Reggie Smith’s role being when he is back:

“He’s definitely in the mix there for us at the safety position. We feel good with Whitner, him, Goldson, Williams, and Spillman. We feel like we’ve got five safeties there that can play in the NFL. Some of them have great special teams value over the others, so if we have to keep four, that will be a hard decision. If we keep five, I think they will all be different pieces that we will use during the season.”

On whether he keeps the same 49ers terminology as last year:

“No.”

On whether he saw specific things they have made progress on from week one’s game against the Saints:

“No, not really. One thing, the Saints were a little better team than the Raiders are at this time, so I think that factors into it. But I think we played well last week against the Saints too, particularly the first quarter and a half or so. So I’ve been pleased with the way we’ve performed early on.”

On how he envisions the tie breaker working out between safety or linebacker positions for scrimmage or special teams:

“Well, each case in those scenarios that you’re painting there are different. Our third inside backer and our third outside backer are critical to the defense. Maybe the special teams value weighs in more when you are picking the fourth inside backer or the fourth outside backer, if you keep four at each spot. You may not keep four at each spot. I think in certain positions the special teams weight is in more than at other positions, as far as the numbers.”

On what the 49ers are doing in response to the violence at the stadium and in regards to the next game coming up:

“No, I don’t know. You know, I coach defense. Those questions need to be addressed to management, ownership.”

On whether he is afraid of any future violence:

“No. But again, I’m probably the least person qualified to answer any of those questions.”

On whether he is still in the evaluation stage regarding the defense:

“I think we’re still in the evaluation stage. Part of that reason is because we’ve had guys in and out of the lineup. [CB] Carlos Rogers didn’t practice much last week and didn’t play in the game. Shawntae Spencer’s been out. Goldson just got here after missing maybe the first 10 or 12 days, whatever it was. Madieu Williams is feeling his way around. We got him after camp started. You have some rookies that are feeling their way in to being in the NFL without any off season. Their maturation is a process going on, so I don’t think we’ve gotten to that point yet, but it’s an ongoing process.”

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Rather than give you my impressions of last night’s preseason game against the Raiders, the game that will forever be remembered as the game with the double shooting, here are my top-5 impressions of the 2011 49ers. Call this taking stock.

• The skill position players are the best the Niners have had since the 1994 Super Bowl team. I’ll list them for you in order of “goodness”: Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Braylon Edwards, Michael Crabtree, Delanie Walker, Kendall Hunter, Kyle Williams, Joshua Morgan, Bruce Miller, Konrad Reuland, Xavier Omon, and Anthony Dixon. That’s at least 8 good skill players, maybe 12 depending on how the young ones play. Still, this unit is especially good because none of their skill sets overlap. Each player adds something unique and dangerous. Greg Roman should be able to create dozens of effective 5-man combinations out of this group.
• The defensive line looks just as good if not better than last year’s line despite the loss of Aubrayo Franklin. With both Franklin and Sopoaga on the line, the 49ers had two nose tackles who tied up blockers but didn’t get into the backfield. It was a line built to stop the run. Now the line is more balanced, with one NT and a truer LDE in Ray McDonald, who made some nice tackles in the backfield last night. And then there’s Justin Smith, who is still one of the best players at his position in the NFL.
• The linebackers are definitely better than last year. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio brings blitzes from all four of the starters, and all six of the top linebackers got into the backfield last night. I’m talking about Ahmad Brooks, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Parys Haralson, Aldon Smith, and Larry Grant. This group is the heart of the defense and the best unit on the team, defense of offense.
• The secondary should be better as well, but we don’t know for sure yet, because most of the “starters” – Reggie Smith, Carlos Rogers, and Shawntae Spencer – haven’t played much. Donte Whitner is a clear and significant upgrade at strong safety, however.
• As good as those other areas are, the 49ers will not win the division or make the playoffs if the offensive line and the quarterbacks struggle. The Niners improved their O-line and QB play from week 1 to week 2 of the preseason. They will have to continue to make that type of improvement each week to seriously challenge the Rams and Cardinals for the NFC West.

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SAN FRANCISCO –

The star of the night was Kendall Hunter, and he spoke to a group of reporters after the game in the locker room. Hunter was the most talkative I’ve ever seen him, and for good reason.

Here’s the transcript of that interview.

Enjoy.

Q: What has been your biggest adjustment from college to the NFL?

HUNTER: My biggest adjustment is everything. There’s new terminology and a new team and new coaches. You’ve just got to adjust and learn everybody and get used to everybody.

Q: What did it feel like on the 53-yard touchdown run?

HUNTER: It felt good, but none of that would have been possible if it weren’t for my O-line. I’ve got to thank the O-line for holding everybody up and letting get a seam to run through.

Q: When you upended that safety, did that feel good too?

HUNTER: Oh yeah. You can’t play unless you can make the blitz pickup and be able to block.

Q: Is that something that’s big with the coaches?

HUNTER: That’s the biggest thing. Ever since I started playing college football, the biggest thing is biggest up blitzes, and the blitzes up here you’ve got to study and keep studying until I get better.

Q: What does running backs coach Tom Rathman like better, a blitz pickup like that or a 53-yard run?

HUNTER: The blitz pickup – that’s his biggest thing. If you can’t block and you don’t know your assignments, hey, tough luck.

Q: Your ability to see a hole and hit it, how much quicker do you have to be in the NFL than in college?

HUNTER: You can’t tap your feet too much. In the NFL, if there’s a hole right there and you don’t hit it, you’re not going to get through there.

Q: When you picked up that blitz and you came off the field did anyone talk to you about that?

HUNTER: Yeah they told me they liked it, me flipping somebody.

Q: Do you feel you have to battle the perception that you’d struggle against the blitz because of your size?

HUNTER: Yeah, in a way, but in another way I’ve got an advantage because I’m low to the ground, I’m short. As soon as I get on him I’ll be alright.

Q: What do you think of the running back group you’re a part of. Gore, Dixon, Omon – that’s a pretty talented group.

HUNTER: It’s a blessing that I got drafted here, and be able to learn from guys like [Gore], he’s one of the greatest in the game, one of the best. It’s good to learn from him. He’s showing me the ropes.

Q: Do you feel like you’re starting to adjust to the NFL?

HUNTER: You’ve got to work hard every day – night and day. During practice, anytime. You can’t take a day off up here. You’ve got to keep working hard and show the coaches you can help out in any kind of way that you can.

Q: A 100-yard rushing game in your second preseason game. What does that do for your confidence?

HUNTER: It’s good to get that, but the game is over with. We’ve got to go to work Monday.

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