Greg Roman held a press conference Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the 49ers offense and quarterback controversy, courtesy of the 49ers.
Can you clear up what’s going on with the quarterback situation right now?
“Well, no decision has been made. We’re hopeful that [QB] Alex [Smith] gets cleared tomorrow, physically. We’re confident in both quarterbacks to be on the field. We’re always going to make way all the information as we have it and make the best decision for the team at the time. But we have ultimate confidence in either. When you look at the Saints defense, as multiple as they are, it’s very important that we get the proper attention paid to their personnel, their schemes, everything throughout the week. Very multiple as we know, [Saints defensive coordinator] Steve Spagnuolo, who was most recently with the Rams, has a very multiple system on defense. There’s a lot of unique blitzes, different looks you see. It’s not a cookie-cutter defense by any margin.”
To clarify, Alex has not been cleared?
“Correct. We’re hopeful that he gets cleared tomorrow.”
Even if he is cleared tomorrow, you guys are taking off tomorrow for New Orleans. Does that leave enough practice time for him to play?
“That’s something that we’ve got to evaluate and make a decision on.”
Because he hasn’t been cleared, he hasn’t been practicing?
“He has been practicing. He’s not cleared for contact, but yeah he’s been practicing, looking sharp. Both quarterbacks are looking sharp. There’s maybe a couple plays today we’d like to have an extra couple reps at, but [head coach Jim Harbaugh] coach wanted to get everybody back home for Thanksgiving.”
There was a report yesterday that QB Colin Kaepernick was going to be getting first team reps in practice, is that accurate?
“Colin’s been getting pretty similar to what he got last week. He’s getting some of the reps and Alex is getting some of the reps, and that’s how it gets divvied up. It’s more play-by-play than first team reps, second team reps, really don’t know what that means. But the reps are divvied up accordingly.”
There’s another report that coach Harbaugh told Alex that Kaepernick would start, and just to clarify that, did that occur?
“No. I’ll repeat that no decision has been made.”
Who has worked with the scout team?
“Well, [QB] Scott [Tolzien] has taken most of the scout team reps. I know Alex has taken some and Kap has taken some. Everybody’s working together, a team, everybody’s working as a team.”
Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt said yesterday you guys are on pace to have more 10-yard runs than any team in NFL history. What do you attribute that to?
“It’s a lot of things. It’s players executing plays. Good players executing players, and I hate to minimalize things, but when you really cut down to it, I don’t care what play you have. And I’ll just tell you from a coaching standpoint, you might have the best play in the world and you know it is and you see the defense and you say, ‘Here we go, here we go, and this is going to be great,’ and then somebody makes a mistake or got beat physically. It’s the ultimate, ‘Dahhh,’ you know. So, I think I’ve learned, we’ve all learned as coaches over the years, no matter what you draw up, it’s the players getting it done that matters. I think our offensive line, our wide receivers have been very big key part of those extended runs down the field. I think when you look at our receivers relative to most in the league, you’ll see them working a little bit. I think they work better than anybody down the field blocking. So, tight ends, running back, [FB] Bruce Miller, who I think is just a dynamic fullback in his ability to adjust and make the appropriate block as he approaches it, which changes all the time. And our backs, [RB] Frank [Gore] leading the way, [RB] Kendall [Hunter], and we’ve got where our other backs are working real hard too. So, it’s a lot of things. It’s everything. I think it starts with coaches’ commitment to running the ball, being balanced and devoting time and effort to it in practice.”
Head coach Jim Harbaugh termed Colin’s performance vs. Chicago A++. Were you as impressed as he was?
“Yeah, I thought Colin handled the quarterback position, his duties in this offense, extremely well. Just as Alex has. I thought it was a really good performance on a lot of levels, not just what happened after the ball was snapped. Managing the huddle, getting us up to the line, getting things done as we prescribe them. The beauty of having a quarterback like Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick is what a situation to be in. Alex was what a couple of weeks ago, what was it, 18 of 19 and he’s befallen by injury and Colin steps in and performs the way he does. So, it’s a great situation to be in, but what’s happen up to this point is history. It’s all about going down to New Orleans and trying to find a way to get the win.”
When you have a young guy like that does it take more of a village to kind of help him? Maybe even pre-snap?
“I think it doesn’t matter. I think everybody has to do their job and whichever quarterback’s playing that is very important. It takes a village no matter what. If nobody’s blocking properly and guys are just running free at the quarterback, hey a play or two he can make something happen, but over the course of a game that takes an effect. Not being able to run the football effectively and putting ourselves in pour down and distance situations on 3rd down, that kind of stuff. That all just falls on his shoulders at some point, whoever’s in the game.”
Getting back to no decision has been made on the starter. When you see reports that say the decision has been made does that bother you? Is that something that you have to address with both of your quarterbacks?
“That’s something that the door’s always open. We always communicate. But really do not pay much attention to what’s going on, reported, not reported, rumored, that stuff. Don’t pay much attention to it. Our focus is on the team, the team, the team and those that are interested in helping us win.”
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
with alex cleared, will the team activate tolzien as well as a precaution?
IF Alex is cleared to play, will the team activate Tolzien as a precaution?
This blog has been building up to a wiener roast, and at the critical moment some damned raccoon stole the wienies. So sad.
Kaepernick will probably start, but all the tea leaf crowing and “I told you so” bragging has been premature.
Enjoy your turkeys of the roasts of your choice.
Cheers
Would you expect anything less from the Alex lynch-mob? They’ve been waiting a long time. They’ve invested so much negativity in this argument they’re about to explode. LOL
What a couple of days! First reported that Kaepernick was taking over as starter for the remainder of the season, to Roman saying no decision has been made. I’m going to let the dust settle and see what happens before any more comments on this issue that’s beginning to look a bit contrived or hopeful by some media folks.
I even read one that week to week could be a different qb! The smart thing to do is have Smith start, he’s beat these guys, the dinks and dunks people whine about is perfect for the Saints game. We need long, time consuming drives to keep Brees watching on the sidelines.
Interestingly enough, it wasn’t the dinks and dunks that beat the Saints in the playoffs. It was the explosive plays and the stick route that Alex is very reluctant to throw. Alex came out of his shell a bit against the Saints in the playoffs and he delivered the most meaningful game of his career. Unfortunately, he has gone back into his shell ever since then.
TF passes of 73 and 28 yards the folowing week vs a better Giants’ D. Keep him in your shell!!
And when it counted most, Instead of hitting wide open receivers for big gains or TDs in the 2nd half Smith choked and took sacks.
At any rate, who ever is the 49er QB is, I’m glad it’s not Romo!
How about Sanchez???
Tebow?
Tony Romo is done…….He is so non-chalent down 28-6.
Jerry Jones…..you jive turkey!
If Jerry Jones’ son in law would clean his glasses better, maybe he could see the team is brutal.
I don’t know, ESPN was the first to break the news about Alex not being cleared to play last week to our surprise….I’d wager CK7 is the starter, and performs well enough to remain so.
Alex should use the old line from Mark Twain: “The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.”
Crabs, got a song request for the next game? I’m thinking “Loud and Proud” by Nazareth for the NO game!
Spaceborn – Good song! Add “Mean Street” (Van Halen) or “Working Man” (Rush).
Spaceborn – Better yet, lookup a song called “Hunt you down” by Saliva……This is a perfect pre-game song for Saints game. Visualize Aldon hunting down Drew Brees while listening to it. It’s probably on youtube. I’m fired up now man!!
Crabs, definately have to go with “Hunt you down!” You’re right, great one for Aldon!
Hard to watch the games so far today. The play stinks and the Cowboy’s coach must have mentored under what’s-his-name, Singletary’s OC. Boring…
Watching the Cowboys flounder and fail is never boring.
Roman said that the reps on Thursday were split. (Then again, Roman also has said that the 49ers merely “evaluated” Peyton Manning.)
49ers get attention on ESPN for the first time!!! Alex is garbage
Alex is a good QB; maybe not elit, but very serviceable. your post is garbage…
I have absolutely no interest delving into who the starting QB will be from here and beyond as it takes away the concept of team. Whoever the QB. is will have my full support. I just want to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving and say GO NINERS!
THIS turkey is stuffed!!! jive jive jive…
lmfao!!! did you see the national anthem for the jets game? with that officer or soldier (air force) looking like he’s going to town on himself!!! He was actually saluting while shaking the american flag up and down. The camera made it look like a scene from American Pie.
Alex is a good QB, having his best year and he has been hot lately. At the same time, Kaep looks like a better player to me and a more dangerous QB to the defense, so ……. I would be VERY suprised if Kaep doesn’t get the next start and be given a serious shot at the starting job. I don’t know anything about “the locker room”, never having played the game, but it seems to me that a pro coach will lose credibility and trust among his players if he doesn’t play the best player at every single position. That would seem to be the one thing every player needs to bank on as dependable.
Romo’s a pretty good QB in my opinion. What Griffin is doing is unreal almost and I’m glad the Cowboys have to play him twice a year. The Cowboys’ biggest problem isn’t their QB by a long shot; it’s their loudmouth defensive coordinator. Rob Ryan is not only not a top coach, he’s even a bigger loudmouth than his brother (hey bros – if you’re gonna shoot your mouths off all the time….. uhm….do you think it might be a good thing if…YOU COULD ACTUALLY BACK IT UP!).
Tim Tebow: “The other 52 guys on the roster are even more terrible.”
boring game.
The best play in the history of the NFL.
http://cjzero.com/gifs/SanchezFaceAss.gif
Amazing.
Classic. Sanchez acts like a butt magnet
Whether we end up with Alex or CK7 I think we can all agree – thank goodness we don’t have Sanchez.
Sure, except if we had Sanchez instead of CK7, you’d be calling for Sanchez to start over Smith.
Don’t be so bitter Smither. The fans, coaches and league prefer someone other than your Precious but don’t let that dominate your views.
Rex Ryan needs to put Tebow in and give his resignation at the end of the game.
Prime – Rex AND Sanchez both are terrible. Jets D-line and linebackers are pathetic.
I saw more “chuck and duck” from Jets offense than “ground and pound.”
Jets are pathetic…
Too bad about Macho Comacho! I was a big fan back in the day! Prayers to his family!
A Puerto Rican icon. Sad day in boxing
He was a showman. Sad.
So what happened to the Macho man?
This whole thing smelled to me. Talk about jumping the shark.
Can’t trust Harbaugh, can’t trust the media. What a train wreck. At least Sundays are real.
Two sources next time, Trotter.
Adam,
Trotter does probably have 2 sources. He’s that good. He doesnt miss. e knows his job. He didn’t miss this time. You believe Roman?? You’ve gotta be kidding me. The same guy in the hoodie “evaluating” Peyton Manning? You will see tomorrow that he was right.
How do you know he has any sources at all? This has been the sloppiest bit of reporting I’ve seen in years. No answers, just regurgitating and speculating. Looks to me like the original Dilfer story was right and all the rest of this is muckraking garbage. The FOX / MSNBC effect. Say it enough times and it becomes gospel.
This JUST IN!!!!!!
http://www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_22049750/colin-kaepernick-legend-49ers-quarterback-grows
For sh*tsngiggles
Is Houston the most overrated team at the moment? They still sit at #1 in plenty of rankings but they’ve narrowly escaped losses two weeks in a row and their defense has given up nearly 800 yards in the air in that time. You don’t get to 10 & 1 by having a bad team but I hardly think they should continue to be ranked #1 with the problems they seem to have on defense. They could easily be another 15-1 team that is one and done in the tournament.
I’ve been saying this all year. The 9ers are better than the Texans. The Texans defense is barely hanging on and the offense is bailing them out every week. The offense is great. The defense is down to 3rd string LB’s due to injuries. Brady James is really past his prime and probably shouldn’t even be in the league. In yesterdays game, they had to play a LB they just picked up off the street 2 weeks ago. The best CB was hurt so they were playing a replacement who was out of the league last year. Fortunately, for the Texans they have JJ Watt who is the best d-lineman in football right now. Think of a young Justin Smith. Watt may be better than Smith. He’s really amazing. I like the Texans. They are a good team but the 9ers are much better.
The 49ers are better than the Texans today due to injuries. If the 49ers meet the Texans in the super bowl and the Texans are healthy that would be the scariest match-up. The 49ers D can turn almost any team one-dimensional but I think the Texans’ O would do ok.
The 49ers O against a healthy Texans D wouldn’t be able to keep up. It would be a repeat of the Saints game without 5 turnovers to create a buffer.
In other words, I’m rooting for the Pats to make the SB. The 49ers would kill them.
If the 49ers end up playing the Texans they will have all their injured players back. I think there are 2-3 teams that will be going to the playoffs that can beat the 49ers, based on one thing a complete team. The teams that can beat us are the Ravens, Texans and maybe the Broncos. The Texans have a better offense and Special teams then we do currently and our Defense has been suspect in alot of games this year, for instance the stinker that was the rams game. The niners offense has inproved though our defense and special teams has regressed this year.
What happened to Aaron Curry? Did Seattle ruin him? When this guy was being drafted he drew comparisons to Willis and now he’s all but out of the league in less then 5 seasons. I know he’s had some injury issues but he was getting benched in Seattle before he got hurt from what I remember.
Yeah, he was a huge bust from day one. I think he want, like 5th overall or something crazy.
4th
Maybe Harbaugh didnot tell Roman that CK will start.
Colin Kaepernicks success shows something to me, not that Colin Kaepernick is elite, that George Roman is. Showing that type of success shows that our offensive coaching staff is truly an elite staff, they planned perfectly for the bears last week. I would be willing to say that had Kaepernick been in on the NY Giants game the entire game we would have lost that game as well, not because Kaepernick isnt great but because the offensive game plan wasn’t. Is Alex Smith elite no he isn’t hes safe and secure hes the homey girl with freckles glasses and a squint that will take good care of you cook for you but will never make other men jealous of what you have. Colin Kaepernick is the knockout that will run wild probably have an affair and every time you enter a room with her all the other guys will be jealous of what you have. I hesitate to say that what we have in Colin Kaepernick is Cam Newton, given a full season yes he may be dynamic in the passing game but he will still show many growing pains. Monday what we saw was a great bears defense that did not prepare at all for a 49ers passing attack. That was a great team that did not put forward the best plan just like the 49ers didnt against the giants. I am not suggesting that Alex Smith is the better QB however once Alex Smith is healthy he should take over the position again regardless how Colin Kaepernick performs in the next game. Then next season Colin Kaepernick should recieve the starting job with an entire off season to prepare effectively for the job. I do not think we will go to the super bowl with Colin Kaepernick as QB this year. As a matter of fact I do not think the niners will get to the NFC championship game this year, also I think it will be our defense that will let us down this year not our offense. As a whole I feel like we are a less polished team on defense and ST then we were last year however our offense has performed exponentially better.
Who’s George Roman genius?
LOL yeah that pretty much discredits whatever I was saying, Greg Roman*.. You agree with me anyways though, even if you say you don’t you do.
Greg’s Father ?
Slurpee – a tale of 2 QBs
G-Ro drew up a game plan and then CK executed it and Vernon and KW and Crabs were ecstatic, I mean just OVER the moon about it.
G-Ro drew up a game plan and then Alex checked down on 90% of his reads, Vernon never caught a ball, KW couldn’t contort his body enough the snag an errant pass, and Crabs shrugged because he never caught a ball in stride.
See the difference?
49ers Drank*
I actually agree with your analogy of the reliable ugly girl. It’s kind of funny.
The 49ers are going to the SUPER BOWL with Kaep THIS YEAR. That’s the only reason why Harbaugh would even consider making a switch at this juncture. So either get on the Kaep train or get off
Harbaugh is a stand up dude. He is trying to have Alex leave out with a little dignity. But c’mon, Alex is nothing if not smart. He knows he doesn’t stand a snowball chance in hell at starting
According to D Whitner all the players are under the impression K Kaepernick is the new starter…Im also taking a risk Im in first place in my fantasy league but been using A Luck all year..He just got benched for Kaepernick vs Saints…Lets go Niners!
Good call, i didn’t see your post before writing mine. Its a no brainer that CK was starting given the circumstances. Lets see how things shake out after that.
Do you have a link or reference for Whitner’s comments? No offense intended but there’s been so much loose talk this week that its hard to sort through the noise to figure out what really might be going on. Little unsubstantiated tidbits get picked up, amplified & repeated, and then “Let the rampant speculation begin!”. LOL
The media professionals have been pretty unprofessional in my view. To just attribute a story as you pass it along is a bit insufficient.
It gives the gossiper “cover” if the story is false, but its still just rumor mongering. Some media types are in it for the ‘scoop’. Others for the attention (hits). Others perhaps are fitting ‘evidence’ (?!?) to fit their predisposed opinions.
As to blog commenters like me (and you?), well we’re hopelessly locked into our opinions, so we know to take each others’ opinions with a wary eye, but we seem to be like moths to the flame on certain issues.
NFL Network reported that Donte Whitner confirmed CK’s start on Sunday.
@ Nick
OK, thanks. But does that mean “he’s the new starter” or does it mean he’s starting against NO? Pretty big difference between those two.
Witner’s the new head coach?