SANTA CLARA – A.J. Jenkins spoke to Bay Area reporters Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said.
Q: What did you do this offseason?
JENKINS: I worked out with Kaepernick down there in Atlanta. I was working hard, learning the playbook, gaining some weight. Me, Kaep and Lockette were real focused.
Q: How much did you weigh last year when you started OTAs?
JENKINS: Honestly, I don’t even know. I’ve just been working my butt off trying to put on some pounds, trying to get stronger so I can go across the middle and stuff like that.
Q: Do you feel a difference when you’re running around out there?
JENKINS: I do, just knowing the playbook and being more confident, working with Kaepernick, getting on the same page as him, learning from Anquan, learning from Crab – I’m a lot better than I was last year at this time.
Q: What was the biggest thing you felt you needed to work on this offseason?
JENKINS: I honestly don’t have an answer for that. Just everything, my knowledge of the game, my speed, my route running, recognizing coverages.
Q: How did your hands hold up over a whole offseason catching passes from Kaepernick?
JENKINS: Great. Kaep has a real strong arm. I just want to go out there and make the plays for him.
Q: What did you get out of your rookie season?
JENKINS: It’s very humbling. From being the top dog on the campus and coming to the league, it teaches you a lot about the game when you’re watching it from the sideline. At the end of the day, you have to take it in stride and make sure that doesn’t happen this year.
Q: Do you think of last year as a redshirt season for you?
JENKINS: I don’t know. My opportunity wasn’t good last year, so I just have to make it this year.
Q: How much do you weigh now?
JENKINS: I weigh about 196. When I weigh 200 I’ll be good to go. (The 49ers listed him at 192 pounds last season).
Q: Did you live with Kaepernick over the offseason?
JENKINS: I stayed with Ricardo and Kaep. I don’t know where Chad stayed. It was us three together in a condo in Atlanta.
Q: You stayed together for two months?
JENKINS: Yeah, two months.
Q: Is it your goal to win the No.3 receiver job?
JENKINS: Honestly, my goal is to come out here every day and work hard. My goal is to get better every day.
Q: Do your eyes light up when you see that No.3 job open?
JENKINS: I just focus on getting myself better.
Q: What have you learned from Boldin so far?
JENKINS: He’s a real good vet. He’s a real good route runner. He’s real confident in his ability. After football school, we came out here and worked extra on routes. I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s got the knowledge down.
Q: What’s it like being in your second year of OTAs?
JENKINS: Just looking at the rookies now, I see myself in their shoes. They’re running around and they don’t know which way to go. I was kind of in those shoes last year. I see how much I’ve grown. They look good, though. They’re working hard, playing fast, catching the ball.
