SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
Have you guys made a decision on the roster spot yet?
“Yeah, we have made a decision. Well, no it’s not a final decision.”
Will you fill it?
“We may not. We may not. That’s kind of the way we’re leaning right now. But, that could change before game time. So, yes we have made a decision. Most likely we won’t fill it before the game. But, that could change before game time.”
And that reason because whoever you would activate, or whoever you would promote wouldn’t necessarily suit up?
“Correct. Keep our options open for next week with that spot.”
Could you appreciate the challenge that QB Colin Kaepernick has in his fifth start to face this quality of an opponent on their home field? Schematically, all the stuff that he’s doing? How daunting, how big a challenge is that for Colin?
“It’s a big challenge. Big task for our entire football team. I think everybody looks at it that way. And everybody’s up for it, excited for it and ready to get out on the plane and head toward Boston.”
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told a story with reports out there today about the last time you guys had come in contact he thought it was in your office at Stanford and you were sitting there with Bill Walsh. Do you recall that conversation?
“I do. Yeah, it was actually, we were in Bill Walsh’s office and Bill Belichick had called Bill Walsh and they were talking for probably 10, or 15 or 20 minutes and I was just kind of sitting there, like I used to do. I would just sit in Coach Walsh’s office and try to pick things up. And then he handed the phone to me and said to talk to Coach Belichick. And yeah, I remember it very well. Very distinctly, him wishing us luck at Stanford and talking about how important it was for, how much he wanted to see Stanford get back on top with football. And how important he thought that was for college football, for institutions like Stanford, and the Naval Academy and the Academies to be competitive in football. Talked a little bit about his family and my family. It was a very, very good conversation.”
Will sacks by LB Aldon Smith become more important in this game because that seems to be disrupting QB Tom Brady a little bit, when teams have gotten him on his back because they haven’t had the success when teams have gotten to him a few times?
“Well, it’s a big challenge and a big task to put pressure on Tom Brady when he’s so good with every detail of his game. Everything is so refined. There are not a lot of tips you can get or clues even when he’s in the shotgun for example. When the staff was coming, he’s just refined every detail. Same with his throwing motion and his understanding of the game, protections, what a defense is trying to do. So, it’s a big task and that’s something that we would like to get done. And I think we’re up for it and like I said, our guys are excited to go play this game.”
You’ve talked about WR Michael Crabtree a few times I know. But, what has he done better to elevate his play in these last few weeks? Is he getting open better? What has changed to allow him to be more productive?
“He’s really been productive all year when you look at the offensive production. His yards after catch, he’s been doing that the entire year. He is, probably as well as anybody in the game, running with the ball after the catch, yards after catch, yards after contact, as good as anybody in the league.”
Patriots DT Vince Wilfork is having another dominant year. Can you talk about the challenges he presents in the matchup against your guards?
“Well he’s a heck of a player, 350-plus and has a great understanding of the game. I think the big thing is how well they play together as a defensive line. The synergy they’ve got there with their entire defense, great team defense. Not taking anything away from Vince, but the challenge is moving the ball against their entire defense.”
Do you expect to sit WR Mario Manningham again to get him ready, 100 percent, closer to a 100 percent, for Seattle?
“We’ll see.”
Is he questionable?
“I don’t know how they list him.”
Can you talk about what RB Frank Gore’s importance to the offense is and what it’s like to coach a guy like him?
“Yeah, Frank is vitally important to our offense. He’s one of my very favorite players to coach. You guys asked me on Monday what made Frank so durable and what makes some players more durable than the others, and I didn’t have a real good answer for you that day. I really thought about it the last couple of days, and I really think that in Frank’s case and a lot of guys’ case, the love of the game. Just how much he loves football, how much he likes practicing and playing this game. I think in his case in particular and in other guys’ too, that plays a big part in making him such a durable guy, week after week. He just loves it so much. I love coaching guys like that.”
What’s more valuable, his running or his blocking? He seems like he’s the best at picking up the blitz.
“Yeah, he has refined his game. The kind of back that can be in there every down, pass protection, catching the ball out of the backfield and running. All of the assortment of runs. He’s not a guy that just has to run inside plays or outside plays, zone plays, power plays, counters. He can do it all.”
That must make it hard to take him off the field. Do you have to worry about that, the durability, the wear and tear because of that, he’s so valuable in all facets of the game?
“Yeah it is hard to take him off the field.”
Do you think Crabtree has benefited from defenses paying more attention to TE Vernon Davis, and all are you worried at all about – Vernon’s only had three catches in the last three weeks as you probably know. Is that a concern at all?
“Whoever is open, that’s who the quarterback is instructed to get the ball to and that varies from week to week.”
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“Whoever is open, that’s who the quarterback is instructed to get the ball to and that varies from week to week.”
I.e., not VD. :(
Gotta get Vernon involved this week and I suspect they will. 90 yards and a Td for Davis
We need to get more guys open if that is the rule!
I’d like to see another play deep to Moss early in the ball game. Maybe the 49ers can get a call or completion this time.
@razoreater totally agree
Would love to see that flea flicker on the first play just to send a message..Colin was spot on on that play.
I remember back in ’07 when Smith first came back from the shoulder injury, the very first play of the game they called a flea flicker to Darrell Jackson. Had Smith been healthy, it would have been a touchdown, but he underthrew it badly.
I’ve always loved the flea flicker, especially early in the game when the defense doesn’t expect it.
The 49ers need a QB who understands what it means to “throw them open”, i.e. put the ball in a place that the WR can get it but not the DB.
I’ve seen him be pinpoint on a lot of throws allowing for RAC. Throwing them open works if there’s a window to throw through.
It’s one aspect of Kaep’s game that has really stood out to me, his ability to hit guys in stride is impressive, as much credit as Alex has deserved these last two seasons he rarely seemed to put the ball where the receivers could run on to it and accelerate beyond the point of the catch.
“Whoever is open, that’s who the quarterback is instructed to get the ball to and that varies from week to week.”
That’s not going to cut it in the playoffs.
According to one clown on here the QB is suppose to throw people open. Lets see how that works this weekend.
Hey Crab,
No Cal 1 So Cal 0
Hope the boys brought their brooms with them ; )
Hammer – You talkin smack? It’s been a long day bro……..It’s Mrs Crabs birthday today…..I’ve been checking in every chance I get, I’ve had to use the mens room (with smart phone) more than usual today :). The wife has had a good birthday so far (just got home from Yardhouse, had some Green Flash IPA…yummy, I told her Sunday night will be a barn burner at our house!!
Just a little bit Crab : )
This D1 game is looking like a good one so far.
@ Jack
Yeah in the rain. That’s the Cal equivilent for “frozen tundra”! LOL
@ Crabs
Green Flash, eh? I’ll have to look for that one. Tried the Lost Coast Tangerine yet?
Crabs, Green Flash is nice, I like that one. Have you tried dog fish head? they’ve got several IPAs that are delicious, plus some other just ridiculously good craft beers.
Tuna – Green flash west coast ipa……try it bro, good stuff! Laguntas IPA (Petaluma Ca) is my favorite though.
dangle – the server at yardhouse recommended dog fish head ipa, next time fo sure! Thanks
Yeah Crabs. Lagunitas has a nice little outdoor music venue here you gotta check out. They support all sorts of good projects here in Petaluma too; great citizens, great neighbors.
Tuna – Can you believe I still try to be nice to DS and I get dissed?
DS, answer my question homey.
@ Crabs
Well I’m going to check out on you now and finish my Husch Pinot on the front porch and listen to the rain. I’m thinking of Taj Mahal’s old diddy “Light Rain”. Need my peace & quiet tonight.
House full of peeps tomorrow night to aggravate the neighborhood parking problems and raise a little ruckus.
Tuna – Anderson Valley on front porch works great!
Give me a score prediction for Sunday night please.
Tuna, I have an annoucement for tomorrow, stay tuned. I know you’re on board with the CK band wagon.
No Cal 2 So Cal 0
That D1 game showed everything that makes HS football great!
Still here, I’m a nerd. Husch ’09 almost has a French feel.
Prediction. 1st, I suck at this. 2nd I usually avoid making numeric predictions; but I guess I’ll go with the Mean/Median.
Niners give up 14.8 (? I think)
Pats score 30.+ (? +/-)
Choose the Mean/Median: Pats get 22/23? Can we match/beat? If we can hold Pats under 27 points we can (not will) win.
Squeezing it out here: 49ers 27, NE 26. Completely Homer and not overly confident about score.
Will the Niners make a good accounting of themselves? YES YES YES I do think so.
Tuna – Much respect, you don’t even know how good you are.
“Whoever is open, that’s who the quarterback is instructed to get the ball to…”
Is this a new concept?
I believe this is a new concept. In a game earlier in the year the 9ers had the ball at around the opponents 6 yard line. Moss was out wide and Crabtree was lined up inside Moss. They ran a criss cross pattern and 3 defenders went with Moss while Crabtree was standing alone in the endzone jumping up and down waiving his arms. Smith threw to the triple covered Moss and the 9ers were stopped without scoring a TD. Most people on this blog were saying that Smith had no choice, the play was only designed to go to Moss. So it sounds like Harbaugh has changed his philosophy and the QB is supposed to throw to the open receiver instead of predetermining the receiver before the snap.
LoL! Thanks for clarifying Houston. I guess it is a new concept.
Jack, that play was one of those where the receiver comes “open” after the QB has committed to another receiver.
Ex,
Committed to another receiver is a nicer way of saying he locked on to someone else instead of going through his progression.
I’m not saying smith has never done that, but if its the play I’m thinking about, Crabtree wasn’t “open” until after Smith was throwing. Much like the recent play for which CK was criticized for not throwing to the “open” receiver got a TD. We were both in on that thread, if you remember.
Houston,
Kinda like when Kaep didn’t throw to a WIDE WIDE, once in a season style, open Kyle Williams?? Is that a good example of how throwing to the open receiver is a “new” concept? – or was your example just an attempt to denigrate Smith for some reason, so you can’t really then use this, better, example?
Gosh Angus, I didn’t mean to ruffle your delicate feathers. It’s like your trying to defend your little sister’s honor for some perceived slight. I only mentioned Smith’s missed receiver because it was such a glaring example of a QB not throwing to the open receiver. Your example of CK missing KW is also a good example but I tend to take it easy on the guy who at the time had only taken about 20 snaps while Smith had taken ab0ut 5,000 snaps when he missed Crabtree. You can listen to exgolfer all you want but he’s completely wrong. There was never an attempt to even cover Crabtree. Smith throws the ball on Moss’s 4th step which was AFTER all 3 defenders had committed to covering Moss. Anyways, Happy Holidays.
My favorite line: “Yeah, we have made a decision. Well, no it’s not a final decision.”
Classic!
LOL!!!!! I freekin’ loved that response!! “Yeah, we have made a decision. Well … not exacly a decision. A decision was made, but not a decision corncening the decision we made.”
A guy could run for Congress with answers like that. :P
Good one elGuapo
lol How will the carries be distributed?
Among the other backs!
For a TD
So if Mayo likes to blitz/penetrate on many downs, does that open up something quick to TE/WB or an UpBack in the Diamond? Do they leave lanes open for a draw? Isn’t there an opportunity for the old Roger Craig/ Tom Rathman wheel route off of the Diamond?
As opposed to “whoever is triple covered?” I pity the souls whose job it is to go talk to Harbaugh. He should be added as a banned item in the Enhanced
Interrogation Technique manual
WHY DON’T THE NINERS SCORE POINTS?
They function a bit differently with Kaep at QB from how they get down the field with Smith, but with either guy they have a very productive offense in terms of yards gained per play.
With Smith in, they lead the league in yards per run by RB’s, rank 11th in yards per pass play and are 3rd overall.
With Kaep they lead in yards per pass play, are 14th in yards per rush by RB’s and are #2 overall.
These numbers are similar to NE’s, yet NE scores 12 points more per game and that’s without the extra plays and good field position provided by a top notch defense.
Why? I don’t get it.
Answer: Tom Brady.
That’s it in a nutshell.
I understand that Brady is why NE scores, but why don’t the Niners get more than they do?
Up until 4 weeks ago, it was because of AS. Now I think it’s a matter of CK getting some experience and the fact that they just don’t run a quick strike type of offense. Seems like the Niners staff just want to wear you down.
“WHY DON’T THE NINERS SCORE POINTS?”
They aren’t getting the turnovers like last year or scoring on special teams. Also, once Harbaugh gets up by a couple scores he gets ultra conservative.
On the flip side, the Patriots are +24, and have returned a number of turnovers for touchdowns, (thank you Mark Sanchez). Belichik also does not call off the dogs, (think Gronkowski).
How about 3rd down conversions.
Pats: 96/183 52.5%
9ers 56/155 36.1%
This allows the Pats to stay on the field run more plays and score more points.
Another good point Grimey. It’s a confluence of issues that has caused the low scoring.
Something interesting to note in CK’s 4 starts.
Against the Bears and Saints the defense had 11 sacks and 4 turnovers.
Against the Rams and Dolphins the defense had 4 sacks and 1 turnover.
Last year Akers percentage was 84.6%, this year he’s kicking 71.9%. In the Saints game his percentage was 33% and against the Rams he was 66%.
In the other Rams game he was 50%.
Look at the three games in which the QB gets heavily criticized for declining stats and you’ll see his kickers percentage was 49.6%.
And lets not forget we are no longer taking the ball away at record pace like last year…. That is why we are more reliant on nurturing a playmaker behind center now versus captain safe.
Good points, Bay. Seems like the games where all 3 phases are clicking together are few and far between which has still led to a good season. If they could get everything gelling at the same time, look out.
We are going to pistol whip the Patriots. I watched patrick peterson beat the Pats last night. He actually ran the wildcat very effectively. We need to give it to LMJ often. Kap has to keep it 5 times. VD has to exploit these slow ass linebackers. Moss scres a TD. We make Brady cry like a bitch. We win by 11. 27-16 Niners
If the Pistol formation becomes our most used offensive formation V.Davis is not going to finish his career as a niner
Special announcement: “Club Kap” membership special offer!
For a limited time only, the requirements for joining Club Kap have been removed. All Kaepernick skeptics are now free to join without penalty or ridicule.
As Club Kap press spokesman, I would like to thank Club Kap President (23Jordan) along with V.P. (bayareafanatic) for making this special offer possible.
Club Kap does not discriminate or pass judgment on anyone who wants to join. We are a public non-profit organization who is committed to supporting our beloved 49ers and their talented young quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.
This is a one time, very limited offer. The Club Kap membership offer is set to expire 24 hours after conclusion of Niners/Patriots game.
If you are on the fence or still in the closet about wanting to join, no need to worry. You may watch entire Niner/Pats game and then you have 24 hours to make your decision.
If you choose to join Club Kap within the required time frame, you will be proudly welcomed with open arms.
If not…….You’re on your own.
Thank you.
+99
Crab
Great idea. Cap will unite this crowd tomorrow night.
Kap
Thanks for the offer, but if it’s okay, I’m going to stay with Club Niner. Here we support all the players on the Niners no matter what, from Kaepernick to Crabtree to the Smith brothers. We do not discriminate any player unless they don’t buy into the team concept and/or try to divide the locker room. We also support whoever is behind the center on offense. And above all else, WE LOVE THE SAN FRANCISCO FORTY-NINERS!
MidWest – As I stated earlier Club Kap is committed to supporting their beloved 49ers and the starting qb……..Not just 49ers minus starting qb.
Club Kap is Club Niner and Club Niner is Club Kap.
C15
How do you know your loyalty to CK isn’t hiding the evidence thus far that he doesn’t improve our chances of winning games? You are in America I assume. Evidence is how things are determined.
CK was drafted by the Niners. Just as AS was. So far that is the only thing that CK has going for him.
And asking for evidence that he’s the better QB in fact is what you as a Niner fan do. You think about the team. Not that you like CK. If that is your requirement, I can do the same with AS and it cancels out without a clear cut better player. Not getting anywhere with that route.
CK must prove himself. As of yet he hasn’t. He’s very lucky the schedule is what it is because the next two weeks will in large part determine if loyalty towards CK is really about what is best for the team, or about you just liking CK.
At the end, fans support what is best for the team. And that requires evidence.
PS I along with many others have said the next 2 weeks is a big deal. Why can’t you just wait?
Count me in Crab.
What happened to Hofer? Haven’t seen anything from him since Sunday.
Jack – Another tree must have fell at Hofers house. :)
“Kap is the man!” -Vernon Davis http://www.bayareasportsguy.com/colin-kaepernick-alex-smith-statistical-comparison-sf-49ers-qb-controversy/
DS – I’m just having a little fun in here don’t take it so seriously.
DS….Do you think we can get to Brady? How many sacks (if any) and by who?
Cool Crab. Just one question: who’s in charge of the refreshments?
MidWest- Barleyfreak will be beverage coordinator and Brotha Tuna will be in charge of food.
Crab
You motherf*ckers really get together with each other in, like, um, real life? That’s actually not such a bad thing. Who’s in charge of the grill?
Razoreater
Buds or buds?
+1
I will man the grill and provide the buds, but thats all.
http://ninerchatter.blogspot.com/2012/12/5-burning-questions-and-week-15.html
Hey Jack
Nice, but …
WTF is Reggie Cobb?
C’mon, Man!!!
Jack
Good work. There’s one typo, however. You meant Patriots instead of Giants with the score prediction: Final Score 49ers 23 Giants 20.
Oops, thanks Nick. Guess I was a few weeks ahead of myself there ; )
Jack – Good work, I forgot the Giants won in Foxborough last year.
I like the new avatar too.
Another good blog Jack. I think another burning question is how will Rogers do in covering Welker and then Hernandez. He is one of the wildcards going into this game.
MidWest,
I touched on that with #2, but yes it could definitely stand on its own.
Grant,
Did anyone ask why Harbaugh decided against practicing in Youngstown this week, and arriving in New England early? I understand it’s a night game, but wondering why they wouldn’t want to get acclimated for a couple days prior to game day, this being a big game and all. Perhaps it being around the holidays drove the decision to stay home?