Colin Kaepernick: “I was good friends with Aldon. He had just come to my golf tournament for Camp Taylor this past June.”

SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick spoke in the 49ers’ auditorium Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript.

Q: Are there things you want to see from yourself and the first-team offense during Saturday’s preseason game?

KAEPERNICK: Yeah, you always want to make sure you’re on the right track, doing the right things to get prepared for the season.

Q: Anything specific? Mechanics? I know a lot has been made about breaking the huddle and getting to the line of scrimmage. Do you want to be able to experiment with those things in a game setting?

KAEPERNICK: The biggest thing is being able to go out there, have continuity and play good offense.

ME: Colin, I know how difficult it is to lose a player of the caliber of Aldon Smith. You guys were in the same draft class. I imagine you’re close friends. Is it a personal blow to you that he’s no longer with the team?

KAEPERNICK: It’s really tragic. I wish him the best. I hope he’s doing well. I hope everything turns out alright for him and he can get back on track. The biggest thing is I know this team misses him and misses his presence here.

ME: You two are close friends, right?

KAEPERNICK: Yeah, I was good friends with Aldon. He had just come to my golf tournament for Camp Taylor this past June. He showed support and helped kids out.

Q: Can you address the internet rumors or report about you two being at each other’s throat last week?

KAEPERNICK: Well, if I was a reporter, I would go about things logically. I would realize that I have a deal with Jaguar. I’ve had it for a few years now. So I wouldn’t be driving a Mercedes. I would also realize that we didn’t have practice on Thursday, so no one was at the facility. So, along those lines, I feel like anyone that believes that, goes about reporting that just does not have the best integrity in my mind. To try to pray on athletes’ livelihoods while one is going through a tough time is embarrassing to me for people that do report that and put that out there and jumped on that bandwagon just to get internet clicks or attention to their website or reports. It really is embarrassing that people do that.

Q: Geep Chryst just said how the new play calls are so short. How has that transition been for you?

KAEPERNICK: It took a little time in the spring to get used to it, but at this point I think everybody’s comfortable with it. We’ve had a lot of time at it, and it’s something that Geep had talked to me about prior to, something I’ve done in the past, he’s done in the past. I think it helps simplify our offense.

Q: Perhaps the most famous clock-management issue with the 49ers in recent years came at the end of the Super Bowl when it looked you were going to score a touchdown and you guys were going to win the Super Bowl, and there was a timeout called. Does that ever still pop in your mind, how close you were and the what-ifs of that play?

KAEPERNICK: There always are what-ifs. I don’t life in a what-if world. I live in what-can-I-do-to-make-the-future-the-way-I-want-it-to. That’s what we’re trying to do – eliminate chaos and any mess we can to make our offense cleaner.

Q: What areas personally have you been most satisfied with during training camp? Are there any aspects of your game you think you have made significant strides?

KAEPERNICK: I think I’ve made a lot of strides in a lot of different areas. It’s really trying to put the complete package together, get comfortable with the offense, get comfortable with new weapons, get comfortable with the new language – all of those things have played a factor into what we’ve been working towards to get ready for the season.

Q: Geep was talking about how the quicker play calls are needed for an up-tempo offense. Can you describe how that came about and how receptive you were to those changes?

KAEPERNICK: They were things we had talked about prior to this year. How can we operate faster? How can we get a jump?

Q: You didn’t have Torrey Smith at the practice yesterday, but you had that pass to Jerome Simpson. Does he do a lot of the same things Smith does, and where are you as far as a rapport with Simpson?

KAEPERNICK: Yeah, he does have similar attributes to Torrey as far as his speed and ability to stretch the field. I think I have a good relationship with Jerome as far as knowing how he’s going to run, the speed he’s going to run them with and ultimately being able to get the ball into his hands.

Q: Geep said you executed everything perfectly on the pass to Simpson. Can you take us through what you saw and what you did?

KAEPERNICK: In my mind it was pretty clear cut. Saw a one-on-one matchup out there. Liked where the corner was sitting versus Jerome’s speed. Took the shot. Jerome made a great play to stretch the field, go down there and get the ball. Really wasn’t a whole lot on my part other than putting it up and letting Jerome go get it.

Q: Joe Staley said your defense is blitzing more now in camp than they did in the previous six years combined. How much is that helping you, knowing you’re going to play Arizona and some other teams that blitz a lot?

KAEPERNICK: I think it’s great work for us. To me, I think you always want practice to be harder than anything you’ll face in a game. It allows us to solve those problems in practice and get practice at where our quick answers are, how we want to adjust protections – things like that, so come game time it’s not something we’re not used to seeing.

Q: What have you seen from Quinton Patton during this camp?

KAEPERNICK: He’s been doing a lot of things well. The biggest thing is he’s playing fast, playing with speed, which I love to see. He’s someone that’s grown over the last few years as far as his understanding of the game, his ability to get open and ultimately just go out and make plays.

Q: What was it like for Reggie Bush to get on the field and work with pads on Sunday, and develop that short passing game?

KAEPERNICK: I’ve had quite a bit of work with Reggie before that, so we have a pretty good feel for each other as far as how he was going to run routes, his body language, things like that. It’s great to have him on the field. I think everyone saw the effects he can have on a defense, and the things he opens up for us as an offense when he’s on the field.

This article has 36 Comments

  1. KAEPERNICK: Well, if I was a reporter, I would go about things logically. I would realize that I have a deal with Jaguar. I’ve had it for a few years now. So I wouldn’t be driving a Mercedes. I would also realize that we didn’t have practice on Thursday, so no one was at the facility. So, along those lines, I feel like anyone that believes that, goes about reporting that just does not have the best integrity in my mind. To try to pray on athletes’ livelihoods while one is going through a tough time is embarrassing to me for people that do report that and put that out there and jumped on that bandwagon just to get internet clicks or attention to their website or reports. It really is embarrassing that people do that.

    When I read him word it like this, it makes me think he’s using semantics to avoid the underlying question, which was: if he really did start dating Smiths ex and if that put them at odds?

    I hate to be that guy, but it sounds like Kap is deliberately focusing on the car and day because he can honestly deny that. What he hasn’t done is deny the whole thing which leaves unanswered questions.

    1. Agreed – and whats with WAS my friend? He came to my camp in June. Yah, that’s a close friend – Haven’t you worked with him day in and day out for months through just last week?

    2. Hopefully you’re just focusing too much on that and there is nothing to the rumor Razor.

    3. I think his point was all you need to do is see the first two bits of fairly easy to obtain information were patently false, so it stands to reason the rest is highly questionable. But who knows, maybe he is seeing Aldon’s ex, maybe he isn’t. Seems odd that everyone in the building seems mystified about the rumours too though.

      1. Agreed. IMO he was also indicating his disdain for a lot of reporters. Lack of even the simplest followup to check on whether or not a story might be true.

      2. Anyone looking to blame Colin for Aldon getting in trouble with the police for the fifth time (regardless of the details), isn’t going to understand the point that Colin was making.

    4. No. I will respect his private life and I hope you will too. It does not matter who he is dating and it is none of my business until he proposes and gives an announcement. The rumor was so wrong, it is easy to assume it is totally wrong.

    5. Rocket- While that is a possibility, it also makes sense that he focused on facts that can be substantiated rather than purely denying things that need to be taken on word alone. If there was truth to the rumor about Aldon’s ex that would not be something you would bring up or even respond too in a presser. When dealing with the press you do not want to give them anything to run with. The whole Smith’s ex thing is a personal matter between Kaep and Smith and does not even bear responding too even if it were true. The things he commented on were facts that can be substantiated so it does not give them anything to run with-end of story. Any other type of response would be used to generate more press irregardless of actual fact.

      1. correction- In the second sentence it should read ” that is something you should not bring up” rather than ” that is something you would bring up” as it was written.

        Even using the word “was” in respect to his friendship, while it might not have been meant that way, is now being used to imply that their friendship is over when that might not actually be the case. People that are not good at handling the press and don’t have speech writers need to be very careful in what they say. Things can always bee misinterpreted. For most of us that is no problem, but for those that get picked apart by the media it can be. That is why less is always better.

        1. Just using my mistake that I had to correct is an example of that. We can very easily make mistakes in communications that give the exact opposite meaning of what we intend. I was able to see it in print and then correct it right away. If I had said that then it would probable have remained uncorrected and could have been used against me if someone had an agenda to do so. While the term “was” might actually mean what it says. It could also not mean that. Kaep could have just been thinking in the past tense, in respect to the examples he gave of that.

          1. I am taking it in context that Aldon is no longer with the team so he is no longer around Kaep. Kaep and Aldon are friends because friends help each other at charity events.

    6. I could be wrong of course. It just struck me that he only focused on a couple of details instead of denying the rumor outright.

      1. Rocket,

        Also pointing to there being no story: no legitimate news outlet is running with the report.

      2. Reporter:

        “Mr. Kaepernick are you still dating Aldon’s ex girl friend? Please answer yes or no.”

  2. So long as no one is breaking another players jaw, who gives a crapola about who is dating who and if they are good friends or not. The TMZification of everything is annoying.

  3. I haven’t seen any reporter ask Kaepernick the right question about this rumor: “have you and Aldon had a fight or scuffle any time this year?” And CK has yet to make a statement that answers that question.

    Grant–Watch how the CNN anchors questioned the candidates at the first Republican debate. Don’t be sidetracked by what car Kaepernick drives or whether the team practiced on that Thursday. Address the heart of the rumor.

    Also, Seattle is said to be interested in signing Smith. Watching his pass rush against the 49ers may provide the best answer possible.

    1. Heard this also ben if he does sign with Seattle then for sure theres something to the false rumor.

      1. Hmmm, you seem to believe the wildly speculative rumors then double down with another about Seattle. FYI, the Aldon saga has not played out, and he should be expected to miss an entire season. No team in their right mind will sign him for millions, then see him implode once again.
        You must be a birther, too.

        1. Sebnynah, wont even respond to you anymore whats the point so when ever a comment from me (which is not alot) just ignore it pay it no mind thanks.

          1. OOOH, I have really gotten to you. Where is your sense of humor? If you cant stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. If you do not want me to post after you, stop spreading malicious gossip and untruths.

            1. You haven’t got to me just dont have time for trolls lol…as long u support the 9ers got no problem with you.. have a beautiful day

    2. It’s seems obvious Grant asked the question “You two are close friends, right?” in order to set Colin up.
      Now if more information comes out and maybe Colin *is* or *was* dating someone who at one point also dated Aldon Smith, Grant can now question Colin’s integrity and locker room leadership.
      Expect: “Why would the Quarterback and face of the franchise steal the girl of his “close friend,” teammate, and face of the defense? blah blah blah…”
      Because obviously once a woman dates a man she is now off limits to anyone he is affiliated with.
      That’s the adult and mature view on the situation. It’s partly Colin’s fault. Oh, and the girl too. Poor Aldon. He’s really just the victim here.
      Maybe I’m just jaded and this isn’t another petty, telegraphed jab from an amateur “reporter” but damn, Grant makes it hard to think anything but the worst about his intentions.

      1. Yeah, the notion that you can steal someone’s girl is pretty silly unless Date Rape Drug or Kidnapping is involved.
        In the words of Dr. John:
        “If I don’t do it, somebody else will.”
        Now sleeping with a teammate’s wife should give someone pause, even though the wife consents. Just don’t go there. There was a rumor of Wilson’s wife and Golden Tate; I don’t really know. Couldn’t be good.

    3. Ben- To my knowledge Kaep is not running for president. The Anchors ask questions that are relevant to the candidates policy and qualifications as president.

      Actually I believed that Kaep did deny that he and Aldon had a fight. He just quantified it in respect to their accusation. He used the varifiable fact that there was no practice on the Thursday they claimed as the date when it occurred. He did not specify a date when he first denied it. He only use the date to counter their accusation.

      Why not ask him if he is now or ever has been a member of the Communist Party. The entire question of the fights and girl friends is irrelevant to his position as QB. What it is really about is another attempt at finding fault with his character.

      Let me ask you a question Ben. Have you quite beating on women and little children. Can you state that you have never hit or committed any act that could not be construed as meeting the criteria for the legal definition of assault in this respect. Remember just placing your hand on a person meets that criteria. Don’t get down on me I am just asking your the right questions. ( sarcasm paragraph)

      1. Made another mistake. I think the term I was defining was not assault but battery. Just confused the two. Still it’s the same principle involved.

  4. Much better. Kaep, I am proud of you, and think you are learning to be the leader we all want you to be.

  5. I’m not a huge Kaep fan but I think he did a good job in this interview session.
    Generally speaking, reporters today are not held to the same standard as reporters of the past. How often have you heard the term “sources” state they were in scuffle? Prior to watergate sources weren’t valid unless they were named. And when that story was run the sources were fully vetted. Now its ridiculous, its fairly common practice to report sources indicate blah, blah blah.
    Colin was able to completely discredit the article with a few facts, regardless of weather or not they were great friends, acquaintances or didn’t get along, without simply ignoring the question or shutting down the interview. That is improvement to me.

    1. “Prior to watergate sources weren’t valid unless they were named. And when that story was run the sources were fully vetted. ” … Shoupbj

      The vetting you refer to involved getting at least two independent sources to verify the same fact or allegation. The word independent is critical.

      Today the Internet drives everything. A perfect example is the 11 of 12 footballs were 10.5 psi or more under inflated story planted by an unknown NFL source. That planted and false bit of information is now Internet Immortal.

  6. Kaep is in a no win situation. It is like when some one asks- when have you stopped beating your wife? Any answer will just stoke the flames. He should just focus on football and ditch the media.
    He still will have to give interviews. I was impressed by the calm demeanor and thoughtful responses, so I think his interview skills have improved. He should just be pleasant, honest and thorough, and expect the hostile questioning, but he needs to keep cool calm and composed.

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