SANTA CLARA – Wednesday in the media tent, Jim Harbaugh answered questions about the Buffalo Bills, Colin Kaepernick, Alex Boone, the rookies, Randy Moss and more. Here’s a transcript, courtesy of the 49ers.
The Bills obviously had a pretty rugged second half last week against the Patriots. What do you see from them? Obviously, they have challenging players on that side of the ball. What did you see from them last week?
“Well, a dangerous team. Statistically a very good football team. Explosive team on both sides of the ball. This will be the best defensive line that we’ve played so far this year. And solid defense, again, very aggressive. Can make things happen. Offensively, you see it from the running game. You see the explosion from the passing game. Ability to put up points, and generate those big numbers. Some turnovers have gotten in their way, but if those were eliminated they would be one of the most effective, explosive teams in the National Football League.”
You said they’re dangerous. They came off a pretty embarrassing loss. They’re coming off a pretty embarrassing loss. Are teams more dangerous when they’re coming off losses like that? They want to prove that they’re better than that?
“Could be.”
Would you rather play a team that’s coming off a win or a loss?
“Don’t really analyze it that way. That’s a good question though.”
Thank you.
“[Laughs] I was kind of hoping maybe you had an answer there.”
Growing up in a coaching family, were you sort of taught always to be weary of the opponent? Did you ever go to a game as a player, whether in high school or in college, where you know, we got this game? Or because you were always around football, all these coaches are saying, ‘hey that team is dangerous.’ Is that something you just grew up with?
“Yeah, I suppose I grew up with it. I can’t remember ever thinking a different way, or learned it along the way. But, it’s a fact.”
You’ve never gone out and said like, the coach last week but he did a couple years ago, we’re going to the Super Bowl and either we’re overly optimistic or arrogant to a point. You’ve never gone out that way, have you?
“No, I don’t remember ever saying that.”
What makes this defensive line of the Bills unique, maybe that you didn’t face against the Lions or the Vikings?
“Well, just look at the players they have. You’ll see the equivalent of [49ers DT] Justin Smith on their side [DT Kyle Williams]. Extremely athletic on the edges. And inside tackle that is maybe the most powerful, athletic tackle in the game. And he doesn’t come out ever. He’s in there on the pass rush downs as well. Big, 330 [-lb.] plus guy that can move. It’s impressive when you watch the film, the end zone shot of him lined up in there. He’s a big powerful man that can run. Just their skill and talent and the way they work, it’s very impressive.”
Bills head coach Chan Gailey said that your offensive line is the best that they’ve faced. How much is that the continuity from being in the second year in the same system, pretty much four of the five guys are back at the same spot. How much has that helped that offensive line get better this season?
“Well, a lot. I don’t know how much, but quite a bit. Cohesive group, enjoys each others’ company. Respects each others’ ability and each others’ work ethic. Experience of playing amongst each other, are all key factors.”
There was a lot of talk in the summer about G/T Alex Boone’s size. Is he too big to play guard? But does his size open up things for you to be able to do because he’s so big as a guard?
“Well, those questions haven’t really been coming up. I think he’s proven that he’s a fine, talented football player, no matter how tall he is. Question is answered there, I’d say.”
Well, I guess my question is, is there an advantage to it? That we didn’t ask the question that way.
“Yeah, could be. He’s tall, but he’s got great ability to bend and yeah, uncork, arm length. A lot of good positives there as well.”
Are you running right a little bit more than you were doing last year?
“I don’t know that.”
When you looked on film, what did you see from QB Colin Kaepernick that maybe you didn’t see during the game as it was unfolding?
“Well, he looked extremely explosive. And he seemed that way in the game, the poise and the speed. But I thought he was just very efficient in his mechanics and everything that he did out there wasn’t affected by being on a big stage.”
Are you OK with his throw to WR Randy Moss?
“Yeah, I was.”
Even with the coverage?
“Sure, yeah. I thought it was a good throw. And it ended up being about a 58-yard throw into, it wasn’t a wind storm, but we were going into the wind at that point. And his ball powered through it. It gave Randy a chance. It was the right read, too. Of the two options he had, thought that was the good decision to make that throw.”
He lost his shoe on the 17-yard run. Was it the plan to keep him in on that play, that play after the 17-yard run?
“No, no that wasn’t the plan. [QB] Alex [Smith] was going back in on that play.”
At least I haven’t heard you publicly talk about Freddie Soft and the stuff that you brought up last year about this time. Is it because your team maybe, you’re comfortable with your team’s mindset, you don’t have to bring it up? Or have you brought it up to them this year, too?
“Yeah, I can’t remember when it was, but there was a point, there was a day, one day we can remember that there was a sighting.”
This year?
“Yeah.”
Oh really? A Sunday?
“No. I think it was a Wednesday, three, four weeks back.”
Looking back on it, do you think the Minnesota game at all, that was a part of the Minnesota game at all?
“No. No, I don’t think it was. Looking back, we had good preparation. Thought we played hard. Thought we gave very good effort. And we just didn’t win that game.”
What day was it then?
“Three or four weeks back.”
A practice?
“Yeah, it was a Wednesday somewhere.”
When he shows up, do you have to say anything, or do people know he’s here and the veterans take over?
“(Laughing) It was a combination. And a couple other people noticed him first, yeah.”
Just on the practice field? Or is it in the meeting rooms? Or what is it?
“It was just noticed pre-practice, before we got out there, that he might be lurking.”
RB Brandon Jacobs says he’s healthy. He’s healthy and ready to go. Is it just a slam dunk that whenever he’s ready, he suits up on Sunday?
“We’ll see. We’ll assess it during the week.”
My question is because he doesn’t play special teams. You have some guys, you know, you’re one and two guys RB Frank Gore and RB Kendall Hunter’s playing so well. You already have RB Anthony Dixon who plays special teams and does a lot of things. Do you have to wiggle some things around to get him on that 46?
“There are certain numbers you have to have at each position, and as you point out, special teams etc. It’s an option. We’re a pretty fully healthy team right now. And Brandon is saying that he’s healthy and ready to go. And we’ll make a decision as we go through the week and really see what our best options are. But, they’re good options and we’ll see what fits best for us this week.”
Randy Moss has played about 20 to 26, 27 snaps a game these four weeks. Do you see him a time where he’s going to play 40, 45, 50? Or does this feel like right now that 20, 25 snaps for him?
“I don’t rule anything out. You don’t know what circumstances you’re going to be in. But, I don’t think there’s any doubt that he could do it. But yeah, it’s a good mix right now.”
Is there a little bit of saving his legs in this? A little bit of that?
“Not really. Not really. We have a lot of combinations. We have a lot of things that we could use right now. And it’s more that than anything else.”
Does he practice pretty much 100 percent of the time?
Yeah, yeah. He hasn’t missed a practice since he’s been here.”
The drills and the teamwork, everything?
“Everything, yeah.”
With the rookies coming in obviously it’s a competitive roster here and they haven’t played, the draft class. How did they go about these four weeks of not playing and just strictly observing and participating in the practice? Do you sense they’re just transitioning into a learning stage right now?
“Not slowly. Not slowly at all. Getting ready, learning, being there when they’re called upon. I felt that it’s been good. All those young guys, again, I know they want to play, and I think they’re demonstrating that on the field that they want that. Nobody’s hiding. Nobody’s trying not to be seen out there on the practice field. They’re jumping in there and they’re working extremely hard. And that’s good, that’s what you want. Just try to emphasize it, you’d rather be prepared and not be called upon than be called upon and not be prepared.”
Why was TE Garrett Celek activated against the Jets? Why that game against New York?
“He was activated for Minnesota, too.”
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The Bills will be without two starting linemen in left tackle Cordy Glenn and right guard Kraig Urbik; two quality offensive linemen. The 49ers defensive front should make an appetizer out of them. This is The Matchup.
Yep.
Interesting now that Harbaugh has said it was a good call for Kaep to make that throw to Moss what the Smithers will say. As I recall you kept saying what a horrible decision tht was. The way I saw it- you take a chance on the long ball and if it gets picked you hope it becomes the equivalent of a punt. You have to take chances out there and it was good to see a pretty decent long ball from Kaep.
I also thought that it was a good shot. I said it at the time, and I would still say it was a good shot even if Harbaugh would have disagreed with the throw.
I’m sure Harbaugh knows that taking a deep shot at the likes of a Randy Moss always gives you a fighting chance. You have to treat each play individually and in accordance to the players involved.
AS likely doesn’t make that pass for whatever reason. CK makes that pass because,
#1. He has the arm strength.
#2. He can afford to be risky because he has nothing to lose as a backup.
An INT in that situation is not devestating. An incomplete in that situation is only a wasted down and again, not harmful in the overall scheme.
I would not mind one bit to see AS take a similar shot in the situation. I know he has the arm strength but I’m not sure that he has Harbaugh’ full trust to take a risk because Harbaugh creates such a controlled environment.
After hearing Harbaugh’ endorsement of CK7′ shot to RM, perhaps AS will feel more confident to take similar shots.
Time will tell.
It was a terrible decision. Harbaugh’s statement is nothing more than not throwing him under the bus in a media presser.
And you won’t see Smith take that shot because it’s a bad play, and it’s the wrong play, into triple coverage (and it was underthrown). To argue otherwise is to throw your credibility away just to be stubborn.
I don’t have any problems with taking deep shots to Moss, actually I want them to do it more too (and I think they will as the season progresses)…but you wait until he’s in single coverage.
Angus,
even though Harbaugh backed it, it was a bad attempt. However, it was a message play. Harbaugh had CK force that pass IMO because so far AS has refused to even try.
What do you think?
So if Alex is choosing the less conservative plays, and not throwing it to the supposed open receievers, dont you think they would have benched Alex by now?
It was not a terrible decision. Moss has half a step on both of them. If it wasn’t under thrown it is a TD, and this place is really blowing up. You can see it on the TV broadcast replay from behind the QB and it is also clear on the coaches tape.
The only other option on the play was MC about 15 yards out on a crossing route, and he is covered well by the safety that originally lined up on the left side. The 3rd DB who comes in late is actually the CB who lined up over MC dropping back.
I get that there is not much to discuss between games, but when were talking hindsight about incompletions, that’s bush.
FDM,
We’ll be talking about Reggie Bush later in the season when the Dolphins come in ; )
FDM
This blog spent several hundred posts about an incompletion during the pre-season. Going by that standard, we’ve got a long way to go.
If for one, think the discussion has worn itself out if it means anything to you.
Jack the Dolphins are a pretty good team. They are struggling but I have watched alot of their games and they are building something down there.
They are building FDM. They are actually one of the best run defenses in the league so far. They run the ball well, and if Tannehill continues to improve they will be tough.
FDM,
Harbaugh rolled the dice this year and last. No experienced backup. CK is getting close. I think JH knows that he needs to get him some experience instead of just throwing him out there to see if he’ll sink or swim.
I also think that they are willing to live with the limitations in Smith’s game until CK is ready. I also think that they wanted to see if Smith could grow in the areas in which he is deficient.
Agree or disagree doesn’t matter to me. I no longer listen to what Harbaugh says, I look at his actions. The vertical pass to WR has been non existent from Smith, so he brought in CK to chuck one to Moss. The scoring in the redzone has been putrid with Smith at QB, so he brought in CK in the redzone. Speaks volumes no matter what anyone thinks.
Fitzpatrick has to go to Alex-QB-camp and learn to be more careful with the ball. He pretty much singlehandedly gave away the 1st game with his idiotic decisions. 3 or 4 ints in the first half that led to an insurmountable Jets (Jets! Jets???) lead.
I really like Tannehill. The thing with the Doplhins is that they keep rebuilding and letting key guys go. It does not help that they keep changing coaches.
Im a big believer that somtimes you have to build an NFL team like a college program. You need to clean house, bring in people you can work with, recruit players to your system, and build it up year after year.
I think the Niners have got that down now and the Dolphins need to do the same. In fact, it looks like our entire division now is following that method and our division games will all be tough, all six of them. Go Rams tonight?
Bay, your thinking too much! The choice in personnel and what they plan to do is up to them. Speculation makes us all look foolish.
Kap is the future, or he is being showcased for a potential trade. No one knows but I like how this team plays, how its winning and the philosophy overall. I know you dont but the winning is what makes it fun.
FDM,
I enjoy the winning. I’ve also coached and laid out details as to where I want my program to be at different stages in the season. Like a business plan.
I am sure that while we can enjoy the fact that we are winning now, that it will all mean nothing if we don’t get the passing game fixed and we end up losing in the first or second round of the playoffs because of it.
That’s where my mind is.
As much as I dislike the Rams that is how I am leaning FDM. The Cards schedule is soft on paper until they play the 9ers on Monday Night. Need some help to slow them down.
Bay,
I completely agree with you that Kaepernick is the future. We need to just be patient and let it play out. When Coach feels he is ready he will make the move.
Same thing with Jenkins and James. They knew the roster was stacked but had a few older players at key positions. Get them, develop them, and when Moss retires after this year you already have his replacement. When Gore’s contract comes up next year, you have his replacement.
It is easy to see the big picture future of the organization, but some either have difficulty seeing the forest through the trees or don’t want to accept it.
For now enjoy the wins, and hope for a Championship. It’s All Right Now!
Bay, the point you keep missing is that the RZ issues are partly on the OC. He runs on 1st and 2nd down and they don’t gain yards. When CK came into the game, FG was having a terrible 1st qtr. A 6 yd run by CK can be construed as failure in the running game at that point. If BJacobs is healthy, I don’t think FG or CK runs the ball. They’ll call BJacs number there and CK was the filler. Like I said earlier in the week, 1 bad pass doesn’t equate into CK taking over the reigns any time soon.
Ok Hofer,
that’s your redzone explanation. What is your explanation for CK to be brought in to chuck it deep to Moss?
I appreciate the fact that you coach and as you know I coach for a living. As coaches your always working towards improving your strengths and eliminating those weakenesses.
I am sure Roman has got a good handle on where the offense is going. He really is a great coach and the entire 49ers staff is exceptional.
As for what presents itself down the road, in the NFL you can’t look too far ahead. The passing game is definatley a work in progress and its not all on Smith shoulders for it to get better. The oline seems to have improved, the receievers are improving and Smith is taking shots and hitting them and also missing them. It really is a fine line but for what they have been asked to do (game plan), they are getting it done. 3-1 at this stage of the season is good.
To me, the fundamental of winning in the playoffs revolves around running the football and playing good defense. They have that. I am pretty sure by week 13, the passing game will be where it needs to be. If not, we dont deserve to win a playoff game and I think these coaches will have it clicking by then.
Bay, it was a shot play. They were using CK in the run option correct? They didn’t want the defense keying on a CK run every time he was in so he threw one deep. Worse case it’s an INT which is no worse than a punt down there.
There’s always hope for the hyperbole based agenda spewers. CK is the future until he’s not.We’re not talking about replacing BFavre here. Those with an agenda keep saying you can throw any QB out and win with this ST and D. If that’s the case, why wait?
AS had two good games and one sub par against the Vikes. If he connects on two of the open sideline plays against the Jets, he has a great game. He has the year to see where this goes. There are no absolutes either way.
Bay says “What is your explanation for CK to be brought in to chuck it deep to Moss?
Maybe an opportunity to catch the Jets off guard since they probably thought it was going to be a run? But as we have seen, every team brackets Moss deep whenever he is on the field. He still commands that respect. I think your reading too much into it.
The QB controversy your looking for will happen when Smith comes in and starts turning the ball over and costing us games. TO’s are a no no/yank em in Harbaugh’s world. Why do you think Smith is so cautious?
Tony Romo is done in Dallas. I say we trade him for 2 Alex Smiths, straight up! Lol