SANTA CLARA –

Dashon Goldon spoke to reporters after a post-practice weight-lifting session.

Here’s the complete transcript of that interview. He spoke candidly about free agency, his opportunity in New England, and his reasons for returning to the Niners.

Q: Why did you come back?
GOLDSON: I got a lot of advice but I knew all along I wanted to be here. This is home for me. This is where I want to be. Unfortunately it didn’t work out long-term but if I got an opportunity to be here I was going to take it. I had to follow my heart and that’s exactly what I did.

Q: With the signings of Williams and Whitner, what were your thoughts on that coming back?
GOLDSON: I didn’t think anything actually. I know you guys were probably following those Twitter comments. I was asked questions about that. They asked me what I thought about the moves or if the moves scared me and I really didn’t think that was the case. I just think they (the 49ers) were trying to add to the football team. They’ve got plans and they knew what they were looking for free agency-wise. That’s the thing. They moved on and got some guys in here.

Q: Were the 49ers in touch with you throughout the process?
GOLDSON: Oh definitely. I got reached out. Coach reached out to me. Trent (Baalke) reached out to me. I had a lot of contact with those guys. It was a matter of time before I got here.

Q: How difficult was free agency with the lockout in place?
GOLDSON: I think so. There were a lot of free agents out there. Probably about 400 or whatever it was. It was crazy. I’m glad I got back here and I got an opportunity to do it again next year.

Q: Was this whole process frustrating?
GOLDSON: Definitely. At the end of the day I’m a football player. I never thought I was going to see this side of the business. It is a business and I got a grasp of that a couple weeks ago.

Q: Did teams look at you as a starter in the NFL based on feedback from other teams?
GOLDSON: Every year you’ve got to prove yourself. They bring in talented guys every year. I was getting feedback from coaches that were interested. Fortunately they had their players and spent money to get that. But I had a lot of interest in me. Bill Belichick saw a lot in me and wanted me in and there was an opportunity there. But like I said, I had to follow my heart.

Q: Did the Raiders get a hold of you?
GOLDSON: They were going through my agent with all that. I didn’t talk to anyone specifically. They were going back and forth with my agent.

Q: Did you get an offer from the Patriots?
GOLDSON: I did have an offer from the Patriots.

Q: Why didn’t you sign with them?
GOLDSON: There was a lot of upside here (with the 49ers). This is home, like I said. I wanted to come back to the guys, this organization. This is an organization I look up to. A lot of guys were asking me what I was going to do. They said they wanted me back here and I knew that. It was tough. It worked out. I’m looking forward to moving on and having a good year.

Q: Did Harbaugh recruit you?
GOLDSON: Yeah. He reached out. Talked to him a couple times. Told him how much I wanted to be back.

Q: What do you think about the competition at safety?
GOLDSON: It’s a lot of good competition. That’s what you need to come out here and do. They’re not going to give it to you. You have to prove yourself week in and week out. It just raises the competition level.

Follow me on twitter @grantcohn.

SANTA CLARA –

Third-year safety Curtis Taylor, who may or may not make the team this season, spoke to a group of reporters today in Santa Clara.

Here’s the complete transcript of that interview.

Q: How difficult is it for you to practice with so many different safety partners?

TAYLOR: It’s not difficult at all. You come into the classroom, you put in the work, and you go out there and do your job.

Q: Is there an issue developing chemistry?

TAYLOR: No. You have to know both positions, so everybody’s working together helping us learn this new scheme.

Q: Which do you feel is your better position, strong or free?

TAYLOR: Both, you’ve got to know both positions, so it really doesn’t matter.

Q: How eager are you to get into a game?

TAYLOR: Very eager. It’s been a long offseason, it’s been a long vacation, so I’m really excited to get back to football.

Q: With so many safeties competing for so few roster spots, how do you separate yourself?

TAYLOR: That’s the NFL – there’s going to be a battle wherever you’re at. It really doesn’t matter what the number is. Everybody’s competing for a job, so you just put in the work.

Q: Is Special Teams key in all this?

TAYLOR: Special Teams is key in everything. Special Teams, defense, offense, there’s competition across the board.

Q: Are you looking forward to going back to Louisiana?

TAYLOR: Yeah I’m looking forward to it. Last time I played in the Super Dome for the National Championship, so It’s going to be real fun to go back there.

Q: Has there been any talk among teammates about the new drug testing that will take place before and after games?

TAYLOR: I’ve just heard about that, but it really doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care, I don’t do drugs. It’s not big issue.

Q: How much will you be playing?

TAYLOR: I have no idea, whatever playing time I get I’m going to love it.

Q: How have you seen the talent level of the receiving group change over the last few years?

TAYLOR: It’s the NFL, everybody’s talented. Whoever they bring in here is going to bring something to the team. It’s always a challenge to go out there with those guys, so it’s a good look for us.

Q: What does Braylon Edwards look like to you early on?

TAYLOR: The first time I saw him walk out here I thought he was a tight end. It’s good having a guy with that type of size and athleticism to help with the team.

Q: How does a receiver with that kind of size make it difficult on guys like you? What does that size mean for a receiver?

TAYLOR: It means a lot, especially when you’re in man-to-man coverages. That guy can push off, he can maybe get off the ball. He may not be as fast as the smaller guys but he’s real powerful, so it’s good work to have that guy on your team.

Q: Does the offense look any less predictable to you than in previous years?

TAYLOR: They’re running some different stuff. I like it. I was with them at San Jose State, so I’ve seen some of the stuff they’re putting in as far as the packages go. I think it’s going to help us a lot.

Q: Do you and Ricky Jean-Francois give the Ohio State alumni a hard time?

TAYLOR: All the time, everyday. It’s a joy to have those guys on your team knowing that you played against them in a big game. We’re always picking on them. We’ve got to let them know who’s the boss.

Follow me on twitter @grantcohn.

SANTA CLARA –

Here’s the complete transcript of Defensive Coordinato Vic Fangio’s post-practice interview, courtesy of the 49ers.

Enjoy.

On whether Aldon Smith is a little more advanced than he thought he’d be at this point:

“He’s had his flashes and I think that’s what you’re seeing, that he is flashing his ability, which gives you the impression when you’re kind of watching the whole thing and not focusing on one that he’s doing that well, but he’s struggling right now picking up the system and being efficient where we need him to be. But, he has made progress and he’s basically where I expect him to be at this point.”

On Aldon Smith’s progress playing on two feet:

“I think he can do it, it’s just going to take time. These guys that have these transitions from college line to outside backer to 3-4, it’s a process and he’s going through that process right now. I do think he can do it and eventually will do it, but right now he’s still in the process.”

On how he sees Dashon Goldson fitting in on the field:

“I’m not really sure right now because I haven’t seen him play. I know I’m much more happy with our safety position right now than I was the last time I stood before you guys. We’ve picked up a few guys and we’ve got good competition back there, and he’ll be part of that competition.”

On what he sees out of the defensive backs that he likes:

“Well, we’ve become more athletic, more experienced, and just generally have uplifted and set the bar higher there on our talent level back there.”

On whether he has a timetable of when he might see Reggie Smith again:

“I don’t know what the timetable is on that. He just had his, whatever he had done, yesterday. I haven’t talked to Fergie and nobody’s told me so, I know it’s nothing serious, but I don’t know the timetable.”

On whether strong safety is Donte Whitner’s job to lose and what the competition is between both safety positions:

“Right now, we are looking at our safeties as they should be able to play both. So, at the end of the day we’d like to get the best two safeties in there, and having said that, one of those safeties may move up and play a lower position when we start playing five and six DB’s, and if that happens then that opens up another spot and those packages for a third safety in the game, so we’re not sure how that will all unfold right now.”

On whether Taylor May’s size has ever created any talk of moving him to linebacker:

“No.”

On why he thinks Taylor May’s is better suited at safety:

“He’s just got a safety build to him. Playing linebacker and lining up thick on a tight end or a tackle and having to do combat with 260-270 pound tight ends, and 300, 320, 340 tackles, don’t believe that fits his game right now.”

On how Frank Gore looks from a defensive perspective:

“He looks pretty damn good to me. He seems like a guy who comes out here, loves football, competes hard, he’s got great vision. He’s an elite running back.”

On what Patrick Willis needs to do to get better in reference to Jim Harbaugh’s mantra of getting better every day:

“Patrick needs to, right now, improve his blitzing ability and his pass rush, and that’s what we’re working on at this point. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with Patrick in that most cases he’s even been better than I thought he was. He’s a real pro, very good student of the game, just a tremendous person out there. I knew he was very good, he’s even better than I thought he was in most areas and we need to make him a better blitzer right now than he is.”

On what blitzing would do to Patrick’s game:

“I think it would complete his game to where not only is he a good cover linebacker and play the run well, but he’s a threat that when we rush him, either as the third or either as the fourth or fifth guy, that he’s got some real ability and he’s somebody that the offense may have to account for in that regard.”

On what Patrick has to do to improve his ability to get better as a blitzer:

“He’s got to improve his technique. He’s behind as a blitzer from a know-how standpoint and just from technique right now. He needs to really improve what happens when a back steps up to block him, how to beat that block. He’s behind right now on that, but he knows that and he’s working diligently, both on and off the field, to try and improve that.”

On what he’s seen from NaVorro Bowman in regard to blitzing:

“We had a nice session today against the backs and he showed up there and did a nice job rushing, so that’s something we need to look at as we move forward, that if that’s one of his better qualities, we will try and utilize it.”

On whether he sees Isaac Sopoaga starting this week considering he hasn’t practiced yet:

“Well, we haven’t made any final decision as to who’s playing on Friday. Obviously, he hadn’t practiced once yet, you know he’s doing a lot of work with the trainers and the medical staff and the strength coaches, so he hadn’t seen the field yet.”

On whether that’s a concern that he’s going to be at a physical position and he hasn’t practiced yet:

“Obviously it’s a concern particularly in this season the way it’s unfolded, but I think he’ll be fine here in the short term.”

On what the team will do with other positions in which there are players injured, such as cornerback with Shawntae Spencer and Tarell Brown:

“Well luckily during training camp, we’ve got a bunch of guys out here. So, what it does is create some opportunity for these young guys to show if they really have something. Those reps from those two guys now are being filtered down; it’ll give us a great opportunity to see what Chris Culliver’s got early on here, what Cory Nelms has got, what some of the other younger players moving forward, those reps filter down.”

On what two key points he has for his defense going into Friday’s game:

“The whole training camp process, which includes preseason games, is to prepare your team, and in this case you’re talking to me, so the defense, for the season. Our number one job there at this point is to evaluate the team and make sure we pick the right guys. Number two, we’ve got to prepare our guys for the season, so I’m really anxious just to go out there and see our guys play, see our DBs cover people, see our guys rush the passer, see our guys play the run, who can play zone. It’s really a good opportunity against a quality team to evaluate our guys and see where we’re at.”

On whether he foresees the starters playing around 20 snaps in this week’s game:

“We haven’t really talked about it yet, but I would assume whatever we’ve got kind of ticketed for the offense would be similar on defense. It becomes an individual thing, too, some guys might need 20, some guys might need 10, some might need 30. It may not be a whole unit type thing, it will be individualized.”

On what Tramaine Brock has shown during training camp:

“He’s shown versatility, he’s played some corner for us, he’s moved inside and played some nickel, and when you’re looking to pick your team and dress it on Sundays, you need to at least have seven, eight, or nine DBs available, and versatility is important when you get to those numbers because they’re may be packed times when we have four out there, five or six and even on occasion, seven. The more versatile those guys are, the more things you can do on defense. He right now has that in his corner.”

On whether Phillip Adams has shown similar versatility:

“Yeah, he’s been at corner, we’ve tried to keep him more at corner, we’ve been filtering him in at nickel some, not quite as much as we were earlier. We wanted to get his feet under him. He’s come off that serious injury last year that he’s still recuperating from and get his mind right. So we’ve been working him more at corner than nickel, but we haven’t forgotten him and he’s still been playing some.”

On Culliver’s progress at cornerback, having little experience at that position:

“His progress has been coming good. He’s got good talent. He’s got the body and skills to be a corner in this league, he just has to learn how to play corner. You eluded to him not playing it much in college, that’s part of it, and part of it, he’s got to learn how to prepare and be a pro and be on top of his assignments which is a growing process for rookies, every one being at different levels. He’s got to pick up on his assignments.”

On if Aldon Smith reminds him of anyone he’s coached before:

“The only guy that I’ve had direct contact with that was a similar build to a degree was Ronaldo Turnbull. I don’t know if you guys remember him, he came out of West Virginia in the late ‘80s and played with New Orleans in the ‘90s. He had some long arms, little different build, but similar.”

Follow me on twitter @grantcohn.

SANTA CLARA –

The first morning practice of the Niners’ training camp started today at 9:15 a.m, but the earliness didn’t deter a slew of famous spectators from showing up.

Dashon Goldson walked out to the field around 11 a.m. wearing a San Francisco Giants hat with an orange bill. Players and coaches greeted him on the sideline with hugs.

Former Pro-Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal knelt next to me the whole practice and watched the field sternly.

But the guest of honor was former 49ers quarterback and current TV analyst Trent Dilfer, who was escorted up and down the sidelines by Trent Baalke. Baalke did most of the talking, and Dilfer did a lot of nodding.

At one point, Jim Harbaugh walked over to the two Trents on the sideline. They all had some laughs and then they started talking football. You could tell that’s what they were talking about because they moved their hands in the motion of the routes that had taken place earlier in practice.

Both Baalke and Harbaugh clearly wanted Dilfer’s opinion. Harbaugh even asked him, “Did you like that one?” referring to a play from practice. Dilfer did more nodding, and this made Harbaugh smile.

Harbaugh saw me spying so he left the symposium and went back to watching his players on the field. Baalke walked over to me and asked, “What’s up? Overhearing?”

*        *        *        *        *

The Quarterbacks continue to improve. Alex Smith finally connected on some deep balls today. One he threw 25 yards perfectly over Vernon Davis’ right shoulder, who was double covered by C.J. Spillman and Taylor Mays. On another, Smith hit Joshua Morgan in stride 30 yards down the right sideline. Smith has clearly figured out how to move the ball against the 49ers defense, for what it’s worth.

Kaepernick threw more incompletions than Smith, but still looked good. Kaepernick likes to throw the ball to Delanie Walker, since Walker is the best receiver on the second-unit. So it was easy to compare Kaepernick and Smith’s passes, because they both threw lots of seams down the middle of the field.

Here’s the difference between the two. Smith throws the seam pass with touch, and he usually throws it high so Vernon Davis can jump up and catch it, while Kaepernick splits the safeties with line drives.

It looks like Smith throws changeups while Kaepernick throws fastballs. But both QBs are accurate and effective in their own way throwing over the middle of the field.

THE GOOD

• NaVorro Bowman. Hit backup running back Seth Smith hard in the hole, and was effective blitzing the quarterback through the middle of the offensive line on others.
• Donte Whitner. Really stood out on defense. He had an interception and a pass-breakup where his helmet flew off.
• Phillip Davis. The undrafted rookie from Tulane intercepted Alex Smith when a well-thrown ball bounced off Ted Ginn’s hands.
• Alex Boone. More than held his own against Aldon Smith today. When Smith tried to cut inside, Boone pushed him to a guard and double teamed the rookie. When Smith used the speed rush around the edge, Boone handled him, putting him on the ground once.
• Konrad Reuland. Made numerous difficult catches high above his body with his hands. A lot of these catched came in traffic, they were the type of balls he’d been dropping the last few practices. When Harbaugh blew his whistle to end practice, the first thing he did was turn to Reuland and shout, “Nice work, Konrad!” Harbaugh gave the tight end a high-ten.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD

• Ted Ginn Jr. Dropped two passes, one that led to an interception.
• Aldon Smith. Didn’t get to the quarterback like he has in previous practices. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says Smith has “shown flashes” but that he’s “struggling picking up the system.”
• Taylor Mays. Played the deep free safety position with the second and third team defenses. He got beat twice, once by Vernon Davis and once by Ronald Johnson. When Johnson beat him, Mays shoved him late and Johnson fell to the ground. His teammates didn’t like this, and Reuland immediately got in Mays’ face, grabbing him by the collar. One fan yelled, “Is that all you can do, Taylor?” To Mays’ credit, he apologized twice to Johnson.

Follow me on twitter @grantcohn.

This is what Alex Smith had to say after his best practice of training camp.

The transcript is courtesy of the 49ers.

On Coach Harbaugh saying it was probably one of the best practices of camp and whether he felt so as well:

“It’s definitely the best I felt like. We’re taking the necessary steps. I think that’s what’s important; continue to get better each day, it’s obviously early, but just focusing on watching this film and getting better and being better tomorrow. I don’t think you can get too carried away with looking too far forward. Stay focused with now, stay patient, and just continue to work.”

On whether he has been concentrating on throwing those back-shoulder type throws to Braylon Edwards:

“It’s just something that’s out there. Obviously, Braylon just got here and we’re all still learning it and trying to get better. Just something, not just for him, but for everybody. It’s another tool for us and another concept to throw at people.”

On whether the team has used that type of play in the past:

“Those are things that you get taught, get coached and part of the playbook, and he made a great catch on a couple of them.”

On whether he sees a definite change in the offense from what he has been used to:

“Yeah, of course, lots of new things, which is great. It’s exciting. I think we’re embracing them as a team. I think the entire team is getting on board and that’s what we need.”

On whether he sees it as a change for the better:

“Obviously, what we were doing wasn’t working, all of us, me included. That’s the definition of insanity right? Doing the same thing and expecting different results. Embracing the change, working hard, like I said, just getting better.”

On having Coach Harbaugh so involved in the huddle:

“Not so much just offensively, but even the fact that he played my position and for all of us quarterbacks to get a chance to have him hands on, to have him demonstrate, to have him jump out there and still get in and be competitive, that’s fun. But it’s great to see it. I know for all of us it’s great to have a visual explanation sometimes, instead of it getting told to you. To get to see it happen, even from an old guy, it’s good.”

On what he gets from looking at other successful NFL teams:

“We look at a lot of film, a lot of different tape, a lot of different offenses and quarterbacks and take things from a lot of people. But just talk in general, especially about the quarterback position, how to play it from the smallest details in footwork to general decision making, things like that.”

On opening practice with long routes today as opposed to a lot of check-downs in previous practices:

“I think just taking what they were giving us. It’s funny, checking the ball down is kind of the epicenter of the west coast offense. Hitting backs quick, getting the ball into their hands and space and letting them run. Checking the ball down in the west coast offense if you’re making good decisions and getting through your reads is a good thing. I don’t think there’s an emphasis either way. We’re going through our reads, trying to make good decisions and throw the ball where it’s supposed to go, where the defense is taking us and that’s it. Day-to-day, where the ball goes, I think it’s just a determination of what they’re giving us and if we’re making good decisions.”

On how he would define west coast offense:

“I think if you go back, I might be corrected, but it’s timing in the passing game, the ball’s getting out, all of the routes are tied in the quarterback’s footwork, there’s a correlation with how the concepts are built and you’re spreading the ball around to all your targets, everybody’s touching it and you’re getting them into space and you’re letting them run. The whole idea that you can do some of that quick passing game and underneath passing game and it’s basically an extension of the run game. I think when it started out, that’s how I understand it.”

On what Coach Harbaugh meant when he said installation of the offense and fine-tuning was still taking place this week:

“Well yeah, obviously we’re still installing, still going, this is camp. But in the back of your head you’re ticking down, you know you’ve got a game on Friday, it’s four days away, it’s going to be three days away tomorrow. You’ve got both going on, but the big picture here, we’re installing, we’re going, we’re trying to get better. I understand that that game is there on Friday and we’re going to go out and compete. We’re not looking ahead right now, really just focused on each day.”

On whether Coach Harbaugh’s visual explanations on the field are usually pertaining to footwork:

“I mean anything, you’re talking about eyes, the fundamentals of playing quarterback. Sometimes it is feet, but a lot of things.”

On how well Coach Harbaugh can throw the ball:

“He throws it pretty good, for an old guy. Yeah, he throws it good.”

On how footwork needs to be adjusted playing from the shotgun in the West Coast offense:

“It’s just an extension anytime you’re in the gun. Those all just adapt whether it’s a seven-stop drop, a five-stop drop, whether it’s three steps, those all get adjusted from the gun.”

On whether he wants to play more in the upcoming preseason opener at the New Orleans Saints than he might normally play in a preseason game:

“To be totally honest, I’m not thinking about it, I have no idea. I honestly haven’t thought about it. I was pretty focused on today and trying to get better and change some things and then look at the film and then move on to tomorrow. I’m going to be honest with you, not really thinking about the Saints at all.”

On whether there is a sense of urgency in camp because you had said before the team is behind the eight ball:

“Absolutely. I feel like there’s a sense of urgency. I feel like we’re getting the most out of each day. Guys are working hard on the field and in the meeting room in their books, picking up things. We’re continuing to install and guys continue to soak it all up.”

On whether Coach Harbaugh’s presentation in coaching is very intense or is it cerebral:

“It depends I guess on his demeanor at the moment. Sometimes, we’re in a meeting room and we’re walking through things and talking through things and he’s very laid back. Sometimes we’re on the field and he’s getting fired up. So, I mean, just like all of us, it just depends on how we’re all feeling.”

On whether the addition of Braylon Edwards to the offense makes this the most talented offense he has ever played on:

“We’ve got a lot of great weapons. It’s tough to compare every single year that I’ve been here. I’m not going to try to do that. We’ve got a lot of weapons. I think it’s a special opportunity for us. We’ve got a lot of ability and we need to take advantage of it.”

Follow me on twitter @grantcohn.

SANTA CLARA –

I participated in a group interview with third-year backup tackle Alex Boone.

He starts with praise for Aldon Smith, and then he talks about his own role on the team this year.

I included almost the entire 10-minute interview because Boone had some great lines. He’s a funny guy.

Enjoy.

Q: What’s it like to go against Aldon Smith in practice?

BOONE: What’s it like to go against a future Pro Bowler soon? I think he’s great. Great player, tough. We kind of got into it a little bit yesterday, but we have some things we’ve got to work out, but he’s fast, he’s quick, he can bull you. He’s got all the things that you look for in a defensive end. He’s great to practice against because he really does help you sit back and be square. If you give him an inch he’ll talk a mile from you. That’s the kind of guy he is and I love practicing against him. He brings a fierceness to the game. He’s ferocious, he’s a violent player, and he’s going to be good.

Q: You seem to do a pretty good job handling him though. Is it your length?

BOONE: I think one of the things is a lot of guys want to go fast against him. They see him speeding up the field and they want to get back fast then all of a sudden you’re out of bounds. One of the things you have to do against a guy like that is you have to go slow. Take him on slow, he’s just like anybody else. Put your hands on him, and once you get your hands on him you’ve got to be violent about it. That and my good looks have helped me out.

Q: You and Aldon got into it yesterday?

BOONE: We got into it a little bit, my hands might have been too high. But like I said, we’re not playing hop scotch out here. It’s a violent game the last time I checked, so I’ve got to make a conscious effort to keep my hands lower and out of his face, but both our helmets came off, words were said, and that was it. My rule is I don’t fight my teammates. Other team, I’ll fight anybody.

Q: Did you have to talk to him about it and clear the air?

BOONE: No. It’s football. What’s out on the field is out on the field. If you bring that into the locker room, we’ve got more problems. I said, “Hey, look, my bad. I didn’t mean to put my hands in your face, I’ll try not to do it again.” And we’ll leave it at that.”

Q: You have to feel pretty good now that this team wants to give you a more extensive role.

BOONE: I do. I think it feels great to be out here getting some reps in. I feel like it’s a different atmosphere this year too. There’s a lot more confidence in this team, and the offensive line especially. Bringing Mike Solari back was a great thing for us. Being out there with him is really starting to help me out.

Q: Do you feel like the third tackle job is yours to lose?

BOONE: I do. That’s one thing that Coach Solari and I have talked about. He straight up said, look, this is how it is. Barry (Sims) is not going to be here this year. So either you man up, or go somewhere else. I’m trying to take that in stride and do what I can with it.

Q: You’ve never been in a position where if one guy goes down you need to step in. Does that change your mindset?

BOONE: Absolutely, you’ve got to be ready. Last year I was ready to go. Coach told me all I needed was an opportunity. This year, this is the opportunity. Now I need to take advantage of it.

Q: How are you fit right now?

BOONE: I feel great. I weigh 300 (lbs.) or under. I’m trying to stay as lean as I can while still being powerful. I feel like the NFL is trending towards a leaner offensive line. Guys that can play longer and move faster. The old school, bigger, bulkier guys are drifting out. You feel so much better too when you’re lean.

Q: Was that part of your exit interviews with the team. Did they say you guys needed to drop some weight?

BOONE: Listen here fatties, you need to lose some weight (laughs). No, like I said I started a revolution. No, I think the one thing that we talked about as an O-Line is we need to be ready to go. We need to be healthy. It’s hard to be healthy because you’re getting banged up every day, but if you eat proper foods and you’re taking care of your body it recovers so much faster. So I think guys really noticed that and took full advantage of it.

Q: What kind of commitment or change is lifestyle did that take from you?

BOONE: I was drinking and swinging and doing all sorts of bad things. But I think Singletary was a good thing for me because he gave me the low down on it and he was very tough on me. But other than that, I had to change a lot of things. I’m happy with the changes I’ve made and the steps I’ve taken the direction I’m going and I hope it continues.

Follow me on twitter @grantcohn.

SANTA CLARA –

Before I get to the good and not-so-good of the day, here’s a funny scene from the 49ers first practice in front of fans.

During 11-on-11’s, Alex Smith threw one pass at Ted Ginn’s feet on a five-yard out. The fans didn’t boo, but they gave a collective “oooooo,” and the stands got uncomfortably quiet.

Suddenly, a lady in the front row lost it. She yelled right at Smith, “You’ve got to look-off your receivers!” Fans giggled nervously.

THE GOOD

• Larry Grant. The former Ohio St. Buckeye may have had the best practice of anyone on the team today. He picked off Alex Smith once and laid a heavy hit on Kendall Hunter. He started the day as the second-string Ted linebacker, but he ended up with the first team next to Patrick Willis. On one play, Alex Smith rolled out to his right and wanted to throw to Braylon Edwards, who was running a deep crossing route, but Grant had him covered perfectly, running stride for stride with the former Pro-Bowl receiver. Smith had to throw the ball away.
• Ian Williams. He stood out at nose tackle. He moved whoever played in front of him, whether it was Adam Snyder or Chase Beeler.
• Chris Hogan. He made the catch of the day. After Mays broke up Smith’s pass in the end zone, Harbaugh brought the second-team offense onto the field to do a two-minute drill of their own. On the first play Kaepernick threw a 50-yard Hail Mary to Hogan and he caught it over C.J. Spillman. Hogan appeared to tweak his ankle on the play, but he made the catch anyway.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD

• Adam Snyder. He got pushed around and he had some bad snaps with the first-team offense. As soon as Goodwin feels comfortable he should take over as the starting center.
• Konrad Reuland. He dropped four passes by my count, but he rallied at the end of practice and made some difficult catches on passes thrown behind him.

Follow me on twitter @grantcohn.