SANTA CLARA – Below is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Tuesday post-practice interview, courtesy of the 49ers.
Here are Harbaugh’s main points:
- Will Tukuafu is playing defensive tackle and full back in practice, like Isaac Sopoaga did last season.
- Vernon Davis has improved his route running and he’s having an excellent offseason.
- Rookie defensive end Cam Johnson did not attend practice due a minor procedure but he should be ready for training camp.
- NaVorro Bowman did not attend practice either, but that’s “nothing significant.”
We saw DT Will Tukuafu catch a touchdown pass today. Are you seeing nice strides from him on the offensive side of things?
“Yeah, Will’s doing a great job athletically, picking up the offense and the defense, both. And I think the best will come when he puts the pads on. I think that’s when it’ll get really exciting and fun. A 280-plus guy playing fullback is going to bode well for us.”
We’ve only seen him in an offensive uniform these last two practices. Is he also doing defense? Or is it exclusively fullback at this point?
“He’s doing offense and defense equally, so rotating practices.”
Why pick him out as a guy of all the defensive linemen? Was it athleticism that you saw that you thought he could make that transition?
“Yes, yes. And there are a few others too, but he’s doing a very nice job. And just looking at him, evaluating him, seeing what his athletic skill set is. Plus, very physical, very smart player. We felt like that’s something he would excel at.”
You did that a little bit last year with different guys. But with the roster limitations, do you really have to start thinking outside the box like that?
“I think we can win on a couple different levels. That’s one of them.”
Were there any names that really stood out to you today, or really impressed you today at today’s practice?
“There are a lot of guys that are doing very well. And a lot of guys are out here too. We were pretty much at full force today, minus one or two guys. So, it was outstanding. That attendance has been that way all offseason for us. And we’ve talked about it before, but that’s an exciting thing for us. Yeah, [TE] Vernon Davis is having an outstanding offseason, everyday just getting better at route running. Every facet of the tight end position he’s really excelling at right now. And a lot has been talked about a guy like [QB] Alex Smith not having the same coordinator and what’s that going to be like two years in a row. But that also goes true for Vernon Davis, [WR] Michael Crabtree, and many other offensive players. Defensively, yeah several guys are excelling on that side of the ball, and I think you know all those names. [CB] Perrish Cox is having a real good offseason, real good addition for us. And quite a few others, we could stand here and talk for a while about that. But, really pleased with the way our guys are working right now.”
What do you see with CB Perrish Cox?
“That he can be a two-phase player. I think he’ll contribute not only in the special teams, but he’ll have a shot in our secondary. And it’s a spot yet to be determined, in terms of where he’ll contribute as the nickel corner. But he has the ability to do both of those, but that’s been good. [CB] T [Tarell] Brown’s having a real outstanding camp. I think our whole secondary is really performing very well. We’ve had a lot of passing work, a lot of throwing work has been the emphasis. [CB Chris] Culliver has really made strides. So has [CB Tramaine] Brock. Brock is really playing fast, really playing confident. And his speed is showing more this year than we noticed last year. [S] Donte Whitner, who you just talked to, has been very solid. Also [S] C.J. Spillman is making a real, real push and playing very well. So, secondary-wise and then some of those others I mentioned stand out right now.”
When we talked to Perrish Cox last week about his conditioning, even though he’s been out for a year, he said he’s kept himself in good shape. Did you see that too? Or did he have rust that he knocked off these last couple of months?
“Well, if he did, if he had rust or conditioning issues, it sure hasn’t been noticed.”
With LB Aldon Smith last year, so much of his transition was just to be an outside linebacker. What have you seen out of him this year, this offseason so far?
“Been really good. That’s somebody else who’s really rising fast, doing a great job. He and [DT] Justin Smith are working really well together, a tandem there. The same Aldon that we saw last season, and even better.”
What does he have to do to take that next step? He’s had a great rookie year. What does he have to do to continue to develop as a player?
“Just what he’s doing. Everyday he’s working extremely hard. He’s been very attentive in all these offseason sessions. I think he’s pretty close to perfect attendance. I’d have to double check that, but not that we’re keeping track. But he’s doing a great job, he really is.”
Will you get the two Stanford guys tomorrow?
“Tomorrow, I believe is their last final, or might be the 8th. And then school ends over there on the 13th. So, really depends when their last final is.”
Will DT Ricky Jean Francois’ role expand this year on that defensive front?
“Well, Ricky’s always had an expanded role. We view him as a starter. All the roles are yet to be completely determined, but his is solidly as a starter-like guy.”
But in which position?
“That’s the great thing about him. He can play both the end, or the nose tackle position.”
Do you plan to have the officials here next week as well?
“We do, we do. Yeah, that’s been a real help for us. Something that we started late in the season last year, and we’ll continue to do it.”
Do you meet with them every day?
“We talk every day. But yeah, we don’t need a daily meeting or anything. We go over the script, and they’re very professional. A lot of the guys that do many of the Pac 10 games, So I know them pretty well.”
When you have many people there on the field like you had today, how do you focus on what you’re looking for?
“Well, at least half of it we have to go back and look at the tape because we have many of the periods are split to maximize the reps. So, catch a lot of it on the field. Catch a lot of it when we watch the tape.”
There’s already Super Bowl discussion around your team. Have you already started talking about complacency? You’re getting a lot of love from the media, honeyed words of praise. Does it concern you?
“What our focus is on is getting better every day, first and foremost. Can we be better today than we were yesterday, be better tomorrow than we were today? And also keeping an eye on getting our best 90 players to training camp. And then the other thing, a very important thing, is our next game, which is the Green Bay Packers. And figuring out a way to win that one. So, great expectations for today’s meetings, tomorrow’s practice, and that’s where our mindset is.”
You know QB Josh Johnson from your college days in San Diego. How has he been adjusting this offseason?
“He’s done good. We really believe that all four of the quarterbacks that we have on this team are NFL quarterbacks that will play this game for a very long time. And it’s been great for us. We don’t have a rep where the quarterback doesn’t have the talent to get the ball to the receiver, or doesn’t know the offense, or is in training. That’s really been a benefit to us this offseason. And Josh is doing well. So are all of our quarterbacks. They’re all making really good progress. It should be an exciting preseason, being able to watch all those guys play.”
He has such a nice delivery, very smooth. Was it like that since you saw him at Oakland Tech? Did you have to work on that at San Diego? Or is it very natural for him?
“Very natural for him. He’s a natural thrower. A couple subtle things, and we find ourselves reminding him of those things from time to time. But he’s a natural when it comes to throwing the ball.”
LB Cam Johnson wasn’t here. Do you know what the reason is for that?
“I do.”
Can you share that?
“Yeah, he had to get a procedure done. And it’s nothing major. And kind of a clean out. So he’ll be back for training camp 100 percent, full go. We felt that it was better to do it now. And I think our doctors were right to do it. So, I think this will benefit Cam and he’ll be able to put his best foot forward come Training Camp.”
Was this something that hindered him last year at UVA?
“That we don’t know. This coach does not know that, but I think it was hindering him here early in the OTA’s and the mini camps.”
How about LB NaVorro Bowman’s absence? Is that anything that’s significant as well?
“No, nothing significant.”
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I like the thought of Cowboy taking the youngster aside and grooming him for greatness, championship conditioning and mental maturation.
With Aldon’s natural talent, if he works as hard as Justin he’ll be a monster.
It would kind of fun to see him take a turn at FB with Tukuafu and Soap. Can you imagine an Aldon Smith stiff-arm?
Lol, that would be awesome ! An aldon stiff arm !! Seriously hope JH looks into that .
How about the other A. Smith playing RB? At times, he seems like a better runner than a passer :)
Fullback positions are about making holes, holding blocks, and pass protection. I like Aldon Smith but I think the role of a fullback is just the opposite of what is expected of an OLB or pass rusher.
I love VD, Probably my fave on the 9ers, its good to hear he is getting better at every aspect of his game, However I wished he was more athletic……In this sense. I never see him put juke moves on, he seems to run stiff and invites the contact. If he had some Juke moves he would be the best in the league. By Far!
MD, not sure about juke moves, but a stiff arm or running a few over might help once in a while.
Ive seen him stiff arm, I just think he has NO funk in his legs. That’s it!!! Dancing with the stars. He’s gotta learn some funky legs on that show. Anyone else see what I do? He’s to stiff and never makes players miss. And Hof. I dont think I like the running over people. He still scares me with the early years fumbles. woo =-)
MD, every talented player (TE) has their main attribute and for VD it is his wheels. He’s the fastest TE in the game and he isn’t Gronk or Graham. Not a bad thing. They’ll create matchups that will utilize that speed this year. I’d hate to see him staying in to block due to weak line play (yet again).
md,
Davis is a little stiff in the hips, but he has gret feet. After making the late against NO, he made a nice move on Harper to make him miss and get them into position for “Vernon Post.”
He doesn’t have the ability to stop and start, but get him on the edge with a step and he’s gone. He should be the least of your worries heading into 2012.
**great**
md
Judge players by making big plays in big moments in big games.
What TE in the playoffs was better? The best were all on display.
Good call onVD. His play should scare the rest of the league. I’m excited about the Niners, can’t wait for the pre-season. Dude, you should have kept your tickets.
Nick…..Paying a couple of grrr for the tickets Im fine with. Paying for 3rd and 4th stringers at full price??? No Bueno. That means No Good in Spanish. lol I usually make that money back. I charge a little less for friends, and NEVER sell to others.
And Ds…….. I luuuuuv me some VD. Got two authentics with 85 on the back. But I know he can still improve and I think he does to. When fans would get down on him for the fumbles and dropped passes. I always kept it real and said he needed to improve, but being a blocker for about 60 percent of the offensive plays, didnt help him. Just a little pieve I have. Funky legs! Can you teach that? lol
…..So madniner players during preseason games are not worth your Peso Puertorriqueño……..are they not part of the team?………
I thought you were all about the TEAM b……
A game that doesnt count isnt worth my money. And? Wanna buy two? So I can personally give them to you? Or would you p*** out? LOL Onelame… Lets talk about the old days. Cmon pleeeease
……you just admitted to dividing the team based on who you feel is more important on the team………..lol……dumbasz
..:)…..that would be priceless….nothing more fun replacing you in the stadium……..that is one less pessimistic thought of our QB making a mistake…..
Just like always onelame. You believe if you post it it’s true. Keys to a social loser. And what makes you think you would make it to the stadium? Your one person I’d love to meet.
VD has heavy feet. You can tell when he tries to change direction. Plus he’s a long stride when he runs. Guys with shorter strides are usually better at chopping their steps, which helps with agilty. He’s not a “wiggle” guy. He will never have that. Witten doesn’t have that. Still doesn’t stop either from being effective TEs. He’s not a natural pass-catcher either. Which is why he jumps to catch passes he doesn’t need to, at times. But give him credit, he WORKED tireless on his hands and they aren’t nearly a issues anymore. I wish VD were a few inches taller to really be that jumpball threat in the red-zone. Other than that, I wouldnt trade him for any other TE in the league.
+1
it has been written moss is working with VD on his moves at the top of the route…where he splits off
I agree with that, MD. He’s a bit stiff, could use some funk. He tends to anticipate contact instead of working away around it.
Great player, great man, but everyone has something they can improve on. No biggie, he’s great in most ways.
Feel bad for Vernon on the brother thing. Every family seems to have one knucklehead and his brother is it.
Grant..you see your dad’s latest topic. Who do you pick as the best QB in a must win game?
Eli.
In honor of Richard Dawson…”Good answer!”
@Grant:
Don’t tell msclemons.
Grant
What is Spillman making a “push” for?
More snaps at safety.
Thanks Grant
My top secret plan is coming true. DG better get in there!
DS the DG hater ..
It’s great to hear that the secondary is playing well. Great news!
…any news on Kourtney Brown…..who took over Cam Johnson spot on the field….
Darkhorse…
“The same Aldon that we saw last season, and even better.”
OoOOOoOoo -WEEEE!!!! I hope we get to see these types of sack celebrations from Aldon Smith early and often:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC3HuyiZSWY
So if Will Tukuafu plays FB during the season is it possible that he and B.Jacobs can play together on certain packages? Wow, 280 and 270 lbs RB’ in the same backfield could present a defensive nightmare.
Well, Harbaugh is a former QB so he probably dislikes defensive backs. What better way to terrify a DB than to make him tackle a guy like Soap, Tukuafu or Staley? That’s gotta hurt.
@msc
“Well, Harbaugh is a former QB so he probably dislikes defensive backs.”
Does anybody like anybody who is on the other side of the ball?
Really good point, MS. Maybe we start games with 4 or 5 runs from these guys, just to “loosen up” the safeties, then start the passing attack? Sweet!
>>Does anybody like anybody who is on the other side of the ball?
Good point. Singletary hated the entire offense.
And likely leave a mark (lol).
I was going to read this but when I saw that it was Cohen, I decided to skip it. I won’t read or click on any PD articles any more after the kid went after that 9er player in a personal attack.
#StopSquealingLikaAChild
That really makes a lot of sense. You do realize that this entire page is nothing but Cohen, so you couldn’t have thought that the article was going to be by anybody else. The very fact that you are on this website at all after what you said is grossly hypocritical but to then act like you didn’t realize that and that you accidentally stumbled upon this article is just ludicrous. You are the epitome of FAIL.
BOOYA!!! LMAO!! Hank, if you could see me right now … you’d see a handsome young man on his feet applauding your comment!! Well played young man!!!
So you come on here to comment without having read the article? My, my, that’s helpful to the ongoing conversation.
Besides, how much could you contribute if you did read the article? If you characterize unflattering (less-than-Macho) adjectives and adverbs as a personal attack, then you clearly lack enough judgement to share with others. Grant was a bit too smart-alec cute and AD took offense. Now everybody’s back to work; ‘cept you.
You would’ve wet your pants at the kind of criticism Glenn Dickey dished out in his day!
Cohen? That must be some other writer. Or singer. Leonard, perhaps?
LOL Yeah, maybe eastie takes offense to the Cohen Brothers’ comedy.
yep, oops.
Those #StopCohen hashtags will really confuse the twitterverse!
From the Examiner’s Christian Gin.
“Backup quarterbacks Scott Tolzien, Josh Johnson and Colin Kaepernick all split reps after the first team during seven on seven drills. Johnson in particular showed strong awareness and accuracy with all the reps. ”
All I’m saying is don’t sleep on Josh. He will be your starter at some point this year. When he gets that Job, he won’t relinquish it. You heard it here first.
Yea, you are really splitting the diamond here with that thought. You are definitely the first person to suggest that JJ could become our QB, well done old top.
ugh, fail. splitting the atom not diamond. oy need more coffee before I try and be a smart guy this morning.
Jordan,
Harbaugh has named Smith the starter so hopefully we don’t see Johnson start any games this year unless it comes at the end of the year after we have locked up the division and home field.
That being said, I hope that Smith starts every game this season because that would mean they are winning.
Matt Barros, Sac Bee,
” Josh Johnson, who throws the nicest ball of all the quarterbacks, hit Moss in stride on a deep pass in the end zone. Moss, however, only reached out one arm and did not come up with the catch. (He had a few, choice, four-letter words for himself after the drop).”
Josh is better suited for this office than Smith. Niner fans will soon see that. He has excellent touch and great footwork. His ability to throw the deep ball will be his biggest asset in this offense. He is quietly having an excellent showing and he is going to surprise some Niner fans this year. Just not me. I already know that this Niner QB job is his fir the taking. Stay tuned. In the words of alexfan11, “Arrows up!”
Jim Druckenmiller & Jamarcus had great arms. They threw the ball well. Jeff George too.
I’m happy with Josh on the team, and JH likes what Josh brings. So cool. If AS gets injured and Josh plays; great. If CK goes in ahead of Josh, then I’m OK with Harbaugh’s evaluation on that too.
Unlike you, Jordo, I’m not ready to annoit Josh Jonson. Can you say Nate Davis? ‘Member? Nostradamus, you’re not.
Jordan,
I appreciate your enthusiasm for JJ but why? You continue to take shots at Smith while pumping up Johnson who hasn’t won a game in the NFL, has completed 54% of his passes and thrown twice as many picks as TD’s.
You did the same thing with Troy Smith and Nate Davis. I just can’t wrap my mind around why you support QB’s who have never done anything while ripping the guy who QB’d a team that won 14 games.
I’m really interested in your reasoning behind this viewpoint.
@rocket:
Assuming the facts are as you wrote them (jordan also pumped up T. Smith and Nate Davis over Alex Smith), the answer is obvious:
23jordan hates white people … or at a minimum white quarterbacks.
….lol….Jordan Welcher the White QB hater….!!!
More evidence – his screen name is Jordan23, and NOT Kukoc7 or Perdue32!!! What *do* you have against white people, jordo?
@ Claude
Wasn’t Jordo calling for the FO to sign Donovan as a FA? Hmmmmmm, coincidence? lol
Just putting up the info and asking questions. That’s what I do.
Two Words:
Emotional Investment
*offense. This darn iPad is killing me!
You need to turn off ‘auto correct’
Sorry to be completely off topic or sport for that matter but I remember a spontaneous discussion pop up here about a week or so ago regarding the best players in the NBA. I know i will be accused of being a homer but I’m ecstatic and need to gloat somewhere.
Rajon Rondo is the best pure point guard in the league
There are only a few “pure” that is pass first pg in the league and he is the gold standard. Nash is old and couldn’t guard his grandmother, CP3 is a beast no argument from me here so is D Rose. but Rondo can dominate a game without taking a single shot, I can watch that kid pass the ball all day long.
Westbrook is waayyyyy overrated and is more of a 2 guard anyways.
F the heat
@Bos
“Sorry to be completely off topic ”
You mean how a blog about Vernon, Tukafu, Cox is now discussing QB’s?
: – )
Let’s see how Rondo does against Westbrook and Sefolosha first. The Heat have no one who can guard him.
…the celtics are not even going to win the series…..
The league has no one who can guard him. except for maybe Avery Bradley
Ummmm Nooo. As soon as a team doubles him like OKC is doing to parker, he will fade. He’s good, but not even close to the best. The “best” dont take plays off. Boston doesnt see the finals. The Heat get beat down by those youngsters in OKC. THUNDERSTRUCK………..OH AND BOSTON SUCKS!!!!!!! WHEEEW GOOOO LAKERS!!!! FO LIFE
Lakers are sooooo 3 yrs ago. u better hope they swindle d will or it will be more of kobe and the lama vs the world. bynum is arguably the best center in the league but kobe wont let him be the man. I like OKC and it should be a hell of a matchup.
I stand by my “Westbrook is overrated” coment. whether we see the finals or not its been a great season to watch.
I know im in enemy territory but LAKERS SUCK
CELTICS BANNER 18
@BOS49er
5 Points:
> You’re a 49er fan, then your my bro, but check your geography amigo.
>49ers are NorCal
>In NorCal, basketball season is over when the Playoffs begin (Warriors/Kings)
>Most of us NorCals are NOT Lakers Fans
>How can you forget the Warriors? You owe us for several Championships! J.B.Carroll for Parrish/McHale………..it still hurts.
Its great to see our coach upbeat and happy with his team. I see the defense getting better which is hard to imagine. Aldon and Justin are going to be feared by all QBs. If the offense adjust to them I see McDonald having a great year. Having Tuf as a fullback, all I can say is ouch! Having Jacobs and Tuf coming at you, thats 550 lbs on the move. Talking about wam, bam, thankyou mam, could be awsome. As far as OTAs and performance eh kind of like the combine, want to see them in pads. VD could have a year to remember, wont have to be worried about being double covered on every passing play. Sounds like Jenkins is a little slow coming out of the box, still early, I think he is going to be just fine though.
Tuna
I appologise for Parrish /McHale if it makes u feel better they are still by far the ugliest player duo to do damage.
Cant forget the warriors (one of the best fanbases in all of b ball. also played one of the most fun series in memory when BD and the gang knocked off Dirk a few years back) or the Kings (who I hope stay in sacto and who i loved watching even as stern robbed them of a trip to the finals)
Didnt want to rub salt in the wounds.
I figured since there are a lot of people from Cali on this blog many would pull for LA.
Forgive my eastcoast ignorance
GO 49ERS
Thanks, Man. There are a bunch of Laker fans among 49er Faithful, just not so many up here; lol. Yeah, Parrish/McHale reminds me of the now-broken Curse of The Bambino.
I was back your way last September and spotted a guy in a P.Willy jersey in a brew pub in Glouscester, but he was visiting from Cal like me. He kept giving me updates from his phone on the Dallas game until our wives moved the two tables together and we shared a couple of pitchers.
Beat da Heat!
Apparently Vernon Davis expects to win the Super Bowl and he isn’t afraid to let the media know. Pete Prisco apparently disagrees.
“…Pete Prisco was calmly stating that the Niners had no chance, I figured I’d get his take on Vernon’s comments.
“Vernon Davis is out of his mind,” Prisco said. “Did he forget who’s throwing him the football?”
OUCH!
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/19279751/vernon-davis-thinks-49ers-should-be-the-super-bowl-favorites
And who the f is Pete Prisco?
“Interestingly, half of the time that the CBSSports.com NFL crew spent down in Fort Lauderdale over the past few days centered around the Niners and whether or not they can win a Super Bowl with Alex Smith under center. (The other half was talking about Tim Tebow, of course.)”
>>The other half was talking about Tim Tebow.
That gives you an indication of the level of sophistication eminating from the CBSSports.com NFL crew .
God bless Pete Prisco. It’s not often that a team coming off of a 13-3 season with no significant personnel losses can stake a claim as an underdog, but Pete is doing his best to help. Harbaugh will be happy with the news.
Agree. Nothing like the phrase “No chance” to linger in your memory and stick in your craw.
PS: I’m not precisely sure what part of human anatomy that the ‘craw’ is; but I’ve definitely had things get stuck there. Any extra motivators for the boyz is fine with me.
Beautiful, now we need more guys like Prisco to come out and say the same thing and we are golden. C’mon National media members, tell us all how the Niners are going to take a serious fall because of their lousy QB and the tough schedule. I’m looking forward to watching the egg deposited squarely on their faces for the second year in row.
Here is how well Prisco did predicting the 2011 season:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/15542295/season-predictions-special-season-for-julio-falcons
Highlights:
Atlanta, St. Louis, and Dallas as division winners
Philly as a wild card
San Diego, Miami and Oakland in the playoffs
Atlanta over Dallas in NFC Championship
Atlanta as Super Bowl champ
Tony Sparano as coach of the year
Philip Rivers as MVP
St. Louis as “Team on the Rise.” “The makeup of this team is impressive.”
Excellent, claude. LOL. The guy’s a real evaluator of talent and a nostradamus to boot.
I stopped reading at STL
FFFFFFFF This clown. Like I said to the Pats fan……NOBODY talks about our QB except our fans. And I meant that $hit! ;-/
More of “Today’s athletes aren’t what they used to be”: Vernon Davis likes to interior design. Hue Jackson went to beauty parlors,Coco Crisp likes to cut hair,and I had one more for the list..darn, forgot who it was..
I’ll give you one for the list. Rosie Greer – he liked to… get this… do needlepoint.
Maybe today’s athletes *are* what they used to be.
I knew that. Merlin Olsen had some kind of gentle hobby too. Can’t remember what it was.
Crabtree likes to design clothes.
Carlos Santana? he designs woman shoes. Make of that what you will…but men do like to see woman in sexy shoes. But designing them …
Super Stan you GENIUS you! You are the most interesting commentor on this board.
Thanks Jack..dullness is my enemy. I STAND for interest!
darn,meant to post STANd.
Hey Super Stan, you better make room for Hammer in the news breaking department. Yesterday I mentioned that the Seahawks lost 2 OTA days for being physical and opined that it was due to the scuffle in practice last week.
Guess what? Bingo for the Jackster! ; )
“I knew that. Merlin Olsen had some kind of gentle hobby too.”
It was called Little House on the Prairie. :P
Off topic/New topic:
It seems like everyone is accepting uncritically the assertion that the 49ers face a more difficult schedule in 2012 than they did in 2011. I’m not sure that the assertion is valid.
Yes, the 49ers face more high-powered offenses in 2012, but what about the defenses? In 2011, the 49ers played against 6 of the top 10 defenses (Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Seattle, Cleveland). In addition, Arizona’s defense was much better in the second half of the season (when the 49ers the Cardinals twice) than its final ranking would indicate. What defensive powerhouses do the 49ers play play in 2012? NY Jets, Seattle, and probably Arizona.
Also, in 2011, the 49ers had to play against the AFC North, which placed three teams in the playoffs. This year, they get the AFC East. Does anyone think the AFC East is going to put 3 teams in the playoffs in 2012?
I also am not convinced that the 2012 NFC North is much better, on the whole, than the 2011 NFC East, but I suspect it is better.
claude
Don’t include me with “everybody”. The Niners in the first half of the season played against/beat Cinci/Phily/Tampa. All had or were expected to have winning records at the time.
Tampa was the darling of 2010. They had shut us out at home in 2009, and everybody talked how good they are in the week leading up to the Niner game. They had a winning record at that point.
The Niners 2nd half of the season was dominated by playoff teams (Balt/Pitt) and our division. Our division stank to start the season. By the time we played them, they were tough and good. All tough games.
Point is the Niners faced a lot of teams who had winning records at the time we played them, or were playing well at that time.
Besides the Browns, we didn’t have an easy gimme game all year long. And we went out east a lot and finished there 4-1.
I din’t recall a tougher schedule resulting in 13-3 in Niner history.
That’s a very interesting question/topic Claude. I think the perception is more due to the types of offenses they will face in 2012 than the defenses. The general perception is that they will need to score more to keep up with the high powered offenses.
Many of those top defensive teams they faced last year struggled on offense. Not many would confuse any of the offenses in the AFC North for the Packers, Patriots, or Saints. It will most likely be much more difficult to hold those 3 to an average of 10.6 points.
I expect to see a lot of games similar to the Detroit and NO games, meaning there will be some breakdowns from the defense, with the key factor being their ability to keep those to a minimum and set the tempo offensively.
I agree Claude. In fact my opinion on the NFC North, I see 1 playoff team coming out, and they dont rhyme with Smackers… Philly wins the east, Chi wins the North, Atl wins the South, WE win the West. Wild card teams??? Dal, Car…….. Bank on it.
“It seems like everyone is accepting uncritically the assertion that the 49ers face a more difficult schedule in 2012 than they did in 2011.”
Good point. Worth discussing.
@Adam
I happen to think that is not true. Looking at last years schedule, practically every team we faced were either above or at 0.500 when we played them (Tampa), or were on a hot steak (Cards/Seattle). So, their play at the time we played each team was pretty much their best.
I doubt we will face such a tough situaton this coming year. And we faced a lot of good D’s last year to account for the average offense. This year, we play a lot of good offenses, which if we are “elite” on D, means our best unit vs. their best unit. And a deserving Super Bowl team should win those games more often than not.
Anybody. Anywhere. Any time. They will all fall down to this Niners team.
Funny,that when my nieces were little girls,I would ask them “Who you gonna call?!”..they would shout back the loudest their little bodys could do.”GHOSTBUSTERS!”
And now Jim Harbaugh has full grown men doing the same thing.
On the BASG blog he told me that the Giants and Warriors also ban tweets. Why?
Stan
After the past month, do you really need an answer?
Off topic here … but it looks like we’re gonna lose Brandon Jacobs:
http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/msn/a_six_year_old_fan_sent_brandon_jacobs_336_to_re_sign_with_giants/10955717
@ El Guapo
Baalke will NEVER pay that much! LOL!
Nice blog, I found lots of information on your site.
I going to add your blog to my favorite sites.
Anybody notice that the JH-PM blog stopped at
666 posts?
@DS:
That’s because Alex Smith is the anti-Christ.
Not the QB who I was thinking of, but that was still pretty good claude
:- )
Only a person without a life would. Just sayin.
You mean yourself. With your soccer post? Pathetic. That is what that was md. You’d best call yourself out a lot if you are trying to call me out for anything.
And, Jack posts here all day long, every day. Get with the program. He even posts to those who told him to take a hike.