SANTA CLARA – Second-round pick LaMichael James, who has not played this season, spoke in the 49ers locker room Monday afternoon about his development. Here’s what he said.
Q: You haven’t played yet this season. You didn’t play much your first year at the University of Oregon, either. Have the two experiences felt similar?
JAMES: It’s the exact same thing. I went to Oregon and I had to work my way up – from the scout team, running plays each and every day and really not expecting to play (in the games). And then you get your opportunity and you have to go out and prove that you can help the team win. Right now I’m just learning. I have great players in front of me. Frank Gore – that’s one of the best running backs out there – and we have Brandon, and we have Kendall. They’re all really good. I learn a lot from those guys, just like I learned a lot from LeGarrette (Blount) at Oregon.
Q: I’m sure you have a huge fan base from college that’s impatient to see you play. Have you picked up on that from twitter?
JAMES: Oh yeah. I hear it all the time, even from the fans here. But my teammates, they keep me up, tell me to be patient and that my time is coming. That’s the only thing you can do – keep being patient and keep playing the game. I don’t know the game fully like Frank or anybody who’s been here. I’m still learning. I think that’s key for me – to learn.
Q: At one point when you were a freshman at Oregon you wanted to transfer somewhere closer to home. Is this different? Do you not have that kind of emotion? Is there more frustration?
JAMES: I’m not really frustrated. I’m competitive, so I want to be out there playing with the guys and helping the team win. I don’t look down and say, “Hey, I’m a horrible player.” I think I can play with anybody out there – I really do believe that – but at the same time I do need to learn. I think that’s big. Learn the NFL game – I think that’s a huge step for me. I need to get that down pat first before I go out there and try to make a fool of myself.
Q: You said that Frank Gore is one of the best running backs in the game. Is that something you’ve concluded these past seven weeks, or did you have that assessment already?
JAMES: No, I never really watched the NFL when I was in college or high school. I had to make that assessment when I got here. He’s not lazy. He comes out to practice and he works hard. He always finishes runs. He’s a complete pro. I just want to model myself after him, try to pick up some of the queues so one day I can be a great running back in this league.
Q: He’s got good vision as a runner. Have you been able to pick up on that? Have you learned that from him?
JAMES: I’m learning everything from him. I’m taking it all in. When I get my opportunity, I think I’ll be just fine.
Q: Are you learning the return stuff, too – punts and kickoffs?
JAMES: Oh yeah. That stuff is pretty easy. Catching punts in the wind in San Francisco is a little different, but other than that, I think I’m pretty good. I catch them here. I stay 15 minutes after practice every day with Brad Seely. I think I’ve made great strides in that department.
Q: Would you say your biggest task is just learning an NFL offense?
JAMES: Yeah, and learning how to be a pro. One guy might not be the fastest, but he’s smart and he knows where you’re going to be by your eyes. One of the linebackers told me they knew where I was going to be because I looked. They could just tell. Those are the little things I can pick up on to be a better professional.
Q: Have you been surprised by the speed of the NFL game?
JAMES: I think everybody’s fast, but I think the speed of the game wasn’t that much for me. It’s more aggressive, yeah, but as far as the speed – playing in Oregon’s offense, running around all the time – I think that helped me out with the speed of the game.
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He was horrible in that pre-season fumbling two punt returns. I see him more of a third down back.
What did you expect from a Rookie….
Instant Barry Sanders? Please.
And when he does get his chance he’ll be more than ready.
Hey let’s give him 8 years before we judge, please.
Shush.
There’s no need for that. The 49ers currently have a stable offensive system in place and competent coaches to teach it. You’re trying to compare apples to lawnmowers.
James will be a stud in 2-3 years. Gore will be gone by then I would imagine and it’ll be a 2 head monster of Hunter and James.
He will learn not to be honest with the press :)
ya he basically put it out there for everyone we play rest of the season ” hey im still not ready!!”
BW would scheme 2-3 plays for him per game and utilize him accordingly. Not know the game??!! C’mon man!!!
hof
Maybe CK needs to have the guts to come out and say it right now as well. He looks lost out there much of the time.
DSL you are such a tool. Name one play where CK has looked lost. You can’t. He averages 9.1 yards per play. Idiot.
BSillicious23456,
You are really slow. This clown thinks she came up with the word hater. What a goon you are. Ck will be replacing your idol very soon. What are you going to do? Suffer!
Non-christo
CK in the Giant game (his biggest appearance) made a fake handoff to a make believe RB. He then stood there for a full second wondering what to do.
Tools are at least used and cherished. Garbage (you) are thrown out and forgotten.
“CK in the Giant game (his biggest appearance) made a fake handoff to a make believe RB. He then stood there for a full second wondering what to do.”
And Alex Smith threw a red zone pick last week even with Frank Gore playing air traffic controller for him. What is your point?
Let me get you a calculator with the big numbers on it. How many snaps did he have the prior two games before the Seahawk game? Lets just say a lot more than the story you are laying out.
Bay, the QB shuffle hasn’t been productive (see my posts with the numbers) but no necessarily on the backup QB. He may get his chance to start as early as 2013. TBD.
Hofer, again you are a logical, rationale fan that makes credible statements. CK, actually has been very productive for this offense and he is still learning and growing. Now do i agree with the QB shuffle! it all depends on the game and the situation!
Was Ck clue less when he was in the game! not any more or less than any of our other offensive players including Alex!!! The hand off play was a break down in the communication! Regardless that specific play did not change the outcome of the Giants game!!! the poor play calling, ie lack of utilizing our running game and three INTS and poor special teams play cost us the game!
I am positive any true 49ER fan will be praying for all forty niner QBs: Alex, CK and Scott to become hall of famers! Groupies just cheer for one player!
I am not worried about CK yet since he has not even played a full NFL game. Just like Crabtree and VD he will come around. GO NINERS
chicago
Who are you talking about? CK played 16% of the snaps in that game. Tell me what he did that was good which AS didn’t also do? How come his 16% didn’t get us any points directly? Shouldn’t he at least have contributed 16% of the points just to be equal to AS?
How about the Seattle game? The Jets/Buffalo game? Had he not been in there, would te result be different? If not, he’s yet to be the game-changer people have annointed him to be.
You can be a fan of CK, and not be in La-La Land thinking he is ready to take over. Just like I am a fan of James (2nd round pick) but don’t remotely think he is going to replace FG in 2 weeks (Alan Marks said AS should get hurt so CK takes over in 2 weeks)!
You agreed with Neal though. So rational thought escapes you.
whatever, LOL! Go Niners
23 Name is a joke
Shut up. Nobody cares what you have to say. When you die, only your fleas will mourn you.
Bye.
DSL
Did you watch the film? The running back took the wrong first step on that play. CK average yards per play 9.1… fact.
DSL?
Who is that? Haters are so stupid they can’t get names right. Even Joe Buck said it! It was obvious to everybody. It isn’t part of a play to stand there with the ball away from your body for a full second, not running, or looking downfield to pass.
But in your Madden game, I bet that works. WAKE UP! Real NFL players aren’t as stupid! All he did was waste time, risk a TO, and look like he doesn’t know what is going on.
FG knows the offense. It wasn’t FG’s mistake to step up to block the defender who would have killed CK had he not done so. Unless you hate FG too. Which makes sense in that light.
You know what DSL means…
I’m no hater, just a realist. Alex can’t beat the Giants. He’s toast.
BSEVEILICICOUS2345,
Alex Smith loves you. He wants to be with you. He wants you to understand that he’s playing the best he can, but he’s not gonna get much better. He’s limited. You are a real clown. When Smith is gone, what will you do? PLease don’t hurt yourself.
JC
AS can’t beat the Giants? You mean except when he did last year. Not only that AS came back to win that game.
You aren’t a good realist then either. Do you actually watch the games? And “hater” has nothing to do with Alex. Has to do with your inability to actually show a minimal amount of respect to someone who didn’t direct anything negative to you in the first place. Haters don’t get it though.
DSL
so now “hater” is not an Alex-related word? are you joking?
Alex can beat the Giants? you mean like he did last year when it counted? you mean like he did this year on his home turf? i want to see him succeed, and was a big backer of him last year, but even you have to admit that he regressed this year.
we know that Alex can get us into the playoffs. it’s time to see if CK can actually orchestrate some offense against quality opponents.
JC
I’ve never used the word “hater” to describe somebody who doesn’t like AS as our QB. Just so happens, people who don’t like him often say racist, sexist things and throw out the first shot on somebody. AKA You.
Until you learn to show some respect, you’re useless to me. A nothing. You have contributed nothing in this thread besides a flat out lie and namecalling. Wow! You are soooo cooolll!
PS Spend some time learning the game.
Good post.
He sounds VERY mature and I feel he’ll be a major contributor when his opportunity comes.
Go Giants!!!!!
Yup, yup, yup!
Crab my VCR is recording. Does anyone know where to get new tapes?? LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!
Hofe – VHS tapes on sale at Rite Aid (2 for a buck)! Lol.
GIANTS!!!!!! GET THE BUBBLY READY!
Crab. right!! I’ve got 3 DVRs rolling. Woo Hoo!!!!!!
I would get Cain out of there with such a big lead start getting him ready for the World Series.
Cain can go two more innings especially if he can get the pitches down a bit. Good times!!!!!!!!!
Atta boy Hofer. Champagne is on ice bro! 49ers in first place and Giants closing in on World Series appearance! Good times bro.
Go giants!
6 more outs! Finally someone gets the words right on God Bless America. That dude was tremendous.
I was waiting for a comment about that lol.
This guy (Lemarcus James) will be a good addition to the 9ers backfield at some point as a pass threat out of the backfield and a mis match against linebackers. If he is not traded?? That said, it is clear the 9ers do not have the load carrying running back of the future (Gore’s replacement) on their roster at this time.
Hunter might be able to do it. The 49ers strength coaches have done a good job with him – another year in the system and he might have the bulk to be a workhorse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihmFkklb6eI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Atta boy Freddie! Thanks
Crab15 says:
October 22, 2012 at 7:48 pm
6 more outs! Finally someone gets the words right on God Bless America. That dude was tremendous.
(lol) I knew you would comment on this.
BTW, that dude was the great Brian McKnight!
That’s how to get it done. Plus, he’s the only siging to wear a Giants jersey as well.
All good.
*singer
AES – Good stuff bro!
Talk is cheap. I dont see how this guy will block anyone in the NFL when pass protecting.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Goiw-818Ymc/T13ri5uYG4I/AAAAAAAAMcw/f_vgKKyrxlc/s640/champagne+on+ice.jpg
Congrats to the Giants what a remarkable playoffs it has been for them.
Under – World Series baby! Great job Giants!
http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/15/25/73/3497693/3/628×471.jpg
Harbaugh is a believer in Mr. James, and that is good enough for me.
Congrats on the giants guys
“The Giants win the pennant, the Giants win the pennant, the Giants win the pennant!”
Russ Hodges
Great job by my Gigantes. Love Marco Scutaro (MVP) arms outstretched looking up to the sky taking in the rain and soaking the moment.
Wow!!!
Marco Scutaro….. Why can’t we get guys like that?
Can’t wait to see him get on the field post Gore-era. Until then, he’s in good hands.
Congratulations Giants. I’m not a fan, but I do recognize greatness. You should be able to take Detroit in five games, six at worst.
Jay Cutler stat line tonight: 16/31, 151 yards, 1 TD and 1INT, 5 sacks.
Looks like a game managed from the gunslinger himself. Funny how that happens around the league.
Should have lost by 2 TDs but he has a defense and was playing against an even worse QB than himself. Sad but true.
Alex > Cutler/Stafford
Not in this lifetime! lol
Stafford looks like crap this year. Cutler has always been an A-hole and is teammates know it. And Romo throws picks as fast as he can throw TDs. I would not take any of them over Alex. Now Rodgers, Brees, Brady, the Mannings, that’s different. We tried with Peyton; he blinked at the Super Bowl or bust mantra here last Spring. When one of those guys or someone young and close like Dalton or RG3 comes on the market, let me know. Otherwise, it’s Alex, or wait for Kaepernick.
Jordo your hate blinds you. Grumpy Guy got it right. Rather have Alex over any of the turnover machines he mentioned.
QBs better than Alex:
Rodgers
Brady
E Manning
P Manning
Schaub
Griffin
Luck
Flacco
Ryan
Brees
Dalton
Ponder
Did I forget anyone?
QBs worse than Smith:
Vick
Wilson
Kolb/Skelton
Bradford
Romo
Stafford
Palmer
Rivers
Cutler
…
The better QBs have never been worse than Smith, but Smith has been worse than the worse QBs for most of his career. The reason those guys are worse than Smith is not a factor of their talents, but of their idiotic decision-making (see Stafford’s Game tonight). Smith makes safe decisions, but also fails to make scoring decisions.
@ johnny christo. Either your high or just plain Stuip I’ll take cutler or stafford over Alex check down smith anything of the week
Cristo,
The hate is not that strong. I don’t care about cutlers attitude. Hes the same player as Smith. Stafford is head and shoulders better than Smith. The sad part is there are so many young QB’s better than Smith, who is an 8 year veteran. That is sad.
Christo,
Put those Q’s that you think are better than on this team and tell me that you think our record would be the same. the situation has to be the same to make the comparison. This Niner team is not better with Romo? This Niner team is not better with Vick? This Niner team is no better with Rivers? This team is no better even with Russel Wilson? Our offensive line is etter thsn all those teams lines. Thats the problem with Vick. He’s running for his life every game but he still has come from behind to win games in the end for his team.
Smith does not have the playmaking ability of any of these QB’s Cristo. You will see this offseason. We won’t win a super bowl this year with Smith and if JH keeps Alex, he’s not as good a coach as I thought he was. He got stuck with SMith this year when Manning’s brain went dead and he chose Denver. He will find a QB next year.
Jordo
No, none of them, not given their body of work as evidence of their proclivity to turn the ball over at the most inopportune moments. Alex is a better QB for this current Niner team than any of them would be. Now, whether Harbaugh could harness Romo/Vick/Rivers and stop them from making bone-headed decisions with the football in the 4th quarter is another questions altogether, and a fair one, but such speculation introduces too many variables to have a cogent conversation. Alex is better than all those I listed, at least a this point in their careers. I can’t explain what has happened to Rivers. The other ones don’t surprise me. Romo is just Hasselbeck with a bigger arm.
Everyone thinks Rivers is good – they are remembering the guy from two years ago. He is NOT that guy anymore. As of today, he is 31st in the league in ESPN’s total QBR. Maybe it’s all Norv Turner’s Midas Manure Touch, but Rivers is a lost soul in SD right now. He has fallen harder and farther than even Carson Palmer.
And Stafford – who has Megatron to throw to – has 5 TDs and 6 INTs this year. Stafford is suffering through an awful year. One ball comes out and he looks like last year, the next play the ball comes out of his hand and you can only wince and say, “WTF was THAT?” I seriously wonder if his arm is right. He’d trade stats with Alex in a heartbeat right now.
Allowing a late touchdown didn’t cover the spread. :(
The sooner the 49ers have the division locked up with nothing left on the line, the sooner we will see James and Jenkins get reps on the field.
I’m excited about the fact that we haven’t even touched this guy, or AJ Jenkins yet. I like what our FO did in the draft as far as looking to the future.
Moss will be gone next year but we’ll have Crabs, Jenkins, Gore, Hunter, LaMichael James, (Manningham? -not sure how long he signed for- )… I like it!
Next draft we have to focus on our defense since it’s getting old (Justin Smith) and our secondary could use some updating.
Baalke and Harbaugh are confident enough to draft for the future instead of immediate help. I don’t think we’ve seen that since Mariucci was here.
Agree that next year needs to focus on the D Line – we need a young Justin if we can get one.
Don’t forget replacing Soap and RJF if they leave in free agency.
That is why they have kep Williams around.
True, but competition at a position never hurt. Pkus Harbaugh might want somebody more versatile at the position.
Plus, not pkus. Swyped too fast I guess.
RJF is flexible and a good role player but I really think Ian Williams will be better on the nose by next year. But yeah, replacing Soap is a big deal. We need a guy like Michael Carter who can eat double teams all day to anchor this defense.
MM is here. MC is as well, but don’t be shocked if he is cut for salary reasons in order to help keep some of those defensive players. Also wouldn’t surprise me if DW left to be a starting TE elsewhere. A few renegotiations like PW may be in order as well.
“MC is as well, but don’t be shocked if he is cut for salary reasons….”
DS, Crabtree is the leading receiver again. He won’t be going anywhere until his contract is up.
Hopefully he gets an extension in the off-season or sooner. Regardless though, I’d like to see the Niners acquirw a fast, big-bodied receiver bia the draft or free agency. At least 6’3″.
Jack
VD is the threat that worries teams. Only you and a few others think otherwise. Leading WR in the stat you want to look at doesn’t make him the leading passing weapon for the Niners. The last two weeks VD hasn’t been as active in the passing game and it has shown in the passing numbers. When VD gets heavily involved again, the passing stats will go up. Regardless of RM/MC/MM. VD is the guy people fear more than any other. And by seasons end, I wouldn’t bet on MC being the #1 WR in your stat. MM looks to be coming into his own the past month where MC has slid some.
And MC doens’t seem to want to be here as much as other WR’s do. He may want out earlier as well you know.
MM was surely missed against Seattle. I believe he could have helped the passing offense while taking some of the heat off of VD.
DS,
The passing numbers have gone down because they haves played good defenses. They will go back up when they play another weak defense.
I agree on Davis being a weapon that teams have to worry about. Look what happened on Sunday. He opened up the underneath area for others to make plays.
As for your get rid of Crabtree agenda, sorry but it won’t happen when he is the most productive WR on the team. Notice I said WR, and not receiver ; )
hof
I would have liked seeing MM on the field for another reason as well. He practiced against the Giant DB’s. Who are big and tough DB’s. Much like the ones in Seattle. I wonder if his many reps against DB’s of similar style would have helped him a little more in the Seattle game. We’ll have to find out in Seattle, where we will need MM/MC/VD/etc. at the top of their game to win. Last year it took that great throw/catch by AS/MC to win that game. They are better now.
Jack
Unless MC completely blows it, I’m not really grading him too much in the regular season. I’ll begin grading him in the playoffs. I can care less if MM, VD or MC end up as the leading WR in the regular season. Playoffs, I want them all to show up.
And sorry, I’m not buying your play on words. I along with a lot of others here write WR’s meaning RB/TE/OL/DL (on this team, yes the OL and DL count) and of course WR’s. It’s just simpler writing WR’s instead.
Pick’em Rankings Week #7
Crab15 70
Angus 69
*Coffee 67
DRogue 66
49erGirl 66
ninermd 66
pirate 65
rocket 64
hjt396 61
Nick 58
Jack 58
elGuapo 57
MidWest 50
Chris 38
Group Avg: 61
* Weekly High Score
I’m slowly making my move towards the top. I should be there in 2015. LOL
Sorry Coffee, I completely spaced out the last couple of weeks.
No need to be sorry ;) is all good .
@ Clem
In my case details get forgotten often when a family member is working through something. Like I spaced out my water bill cuz my wife usually did the bills and now I’m covering that stuff while she works through.
I’ll get better, like she will! : >) Cheers, bro.
brotha
May want to see if there is some sort of auto-pay for each bill. Most do.
Thanks DS. I’ve got it all online, all I gotta do is remember to push the buttons! Its ok, even this old dog can learn.
msc,
I forget to make the Thursday night game pick pretty much every week. It’s cost me at least 4 wins.
Meanwhile Rocket, I cost myself wins by making picks. :-P
Grant – Niner playoff tickets for the winner right? :-)
C15 is still uncatchable like Usain Bolt and I’m not taking PED’s like Lance Armstrong.
Thanks for the update Coffee.
58 aint bad for missing an entire week :)
How did a post about LaMichael James interview turn into anything that has to do with Alex/CK?
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f257/4evrnyt/images.jpg
lol, good one C4C
One set of Cardinals put down, one more to go this week.
Here’s an excellent article by Chase Stuart evaluating Luck and Griffin’s performances so far this week. Straightforward use of QB rating and completion percentage is not necessarily a useful exercise.
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/luck-vs-griffin-a-statistical-comparison/
Interesting article. I want to see that stat used over a period of time to get a feel for how well it evaluates QBs, but the numbers there are interesting. Alex is at 11th in the NFL, which corresponds to roughly my feeling about him. The real shock is how far and how fast Phillip Rivers is flaming out. A lot of people would have him in the conversation for being in the top ten, based on his career before last year – but he is just not that guy anymore. He’s actually fallen harder than Carson Palmer. This ESPN TQBR has him at 31 overall. Is it Rivers, or Norv Turner’s Inverse Midas Touch (everything turns to you-know-what…)?
Good stuff – Chase Stuart always brings an interesting angle to the story.
It was also cool to see a Greg Cook mention – the greatest QB to only play one season. Older Bengals players – and Bill Walsh – swear he would have been the best ever if his shoulder hadn’t been destroyed.
Love LMJ’s attitude. He could sulk and whine about not being active but he’s playing the good soldier. This kid is explosive and will be a real nice weapon for this team in the future.