SANTA CLARA — This is what Anquan Boldin said to reporters Tuesday afternoon.
Q: What’s it like being on the 49ers?
BOLDIN: It’s cool. I’m out here getting work, picking up the system, players and coaches. It’s kind of like being a rookie all over again.
Q: How comfortable are you already in this offense?
BOLDIN: I’m comfortable. It’s my 11th-year in the league, so I’ve played in a number of different systems. I think the only thing is getting the verbiage down. I’ve ran a lot of the plays that are ran here, but they were called something different. For me, it’s just translating.
Q: You had a big-armed QB in Baltimore and you have a big-armed QB here in Kaepernick. What’s the comparison between Flacco and Kaepernick?
BOLDIN: I really don’t compare quarterbacks. I will say Kap is a special talent. He can make any throw on the field, which is a plus for us. He’s also a guy who can get outside the pocket, and if the play breaks down he can make plays with his legs and buy more time for the receivers. That’s definitely a plus.
Q: Randy Moss dislocated a finger last season trying to catch one of Kaepernick’s passes. Has that happened to you?
BOLDIN: I’ve played with some QBs with pretty strong arms. I don’t think there will be an adjustment.
Q: It seems like all of the QBs were throwing it to you a lot today. Is that how’s it been?
BOLDIN: I guess I’m looked at as being able to step in right now and make plays, and that’s what I want to bring. I want Kap to be comfortable; I want the other quarterbacks to be comfortable enough where even if it doesn’t look like I’m open, they’ll give me a chance to make the play. Today was one of those days where they were finding me. They did a good job of going through the reads. It was just one of those days where it happened to be me. I know it’s not always like that. Another day it might be another receiver.
Q: How would you evaluate the receiving corps without Crabtree?
BOLDIN: Competitive guys. I see a bunch of guys who want a make a mark, want to put their name out there. Coach said there’s an open competition on the other side, which I think is one of the better things that he could have done. It really forces guys to come out and work hard every day. You can’t come out here and have a good day and slack up. It makes strive for perfection. It makes guys do things they probably wouldn’t ordinarily do, like get in the film room extra, get with the coaches, get with the veterans and try to work on different parts of your game. Since football school, guys will pull me to the side and ask me about different things, different releases, and just running routes and things like that. They’re putting in extra time, and you see how hungry they are and how they want to get better.
Q: You’re out there running routes against Patrick Willis. Were you having any flashbacks to the Super Bowl?
BOLDIN: I have a long history with the 49ers. Obviously, playing in Arizona for seven years. In Baltimore, out of the three years I was there, we played them twice.
Q: Have you talked with Michael Crabtree since his injury? What’s his mood?
BOLDIN: Yeah, I talked to him… the day it actually happened I got a call from Johnnie Morton the receiving coach and he told me what happened. I got on the phone right away with Crab, because I’ve been through injuries and I know how it is. I’ve fractured my face, tore my ACL, and I know how it gets. It can be a pretty lonely time. At times you think people forget about you; you feel unwanted at times just because you’re not around the guys or a lot of people don’t call any more. For me, he’s a guy I definitely want to continue to reach out to, he’s a guy that I think… he’s definitely going to help us down the road. So I pray for him, my prayers that he gets healthy quick and that he stays strong mentally. Like I said, going through an injury can be a trying time especially when you’re out for a length of time like that. So I’ll continue to talk to him, to try to encourage him and keep his spirits uplifted.
Q: Do you have an indication of what his timetable might be?
BOLDIN: Naw, naw. Just trying to get better at this point. I’ve never had an Achilles injury; I’ve only seen or played with one guy that’s been through an injury like that, last year with Suggs, so I guess the first couple months or whatever, you’re just trying to let it heal. There’s not much that you can do.
Q: What’s the overall mindset of the WR group with Crabtree out?
BOLDIN: I don’t think it changes. As a receiving corps, our job is the same. We have to make plays. The passing game goes through us, so if we don’t make plays outside we won’t be successful as an offense. So it’s definitely on us to get better as a receiving corps entirely.
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