Jim Tomsula on the 49ers’ offense: “The biggest thing that I asked for was just fine-tune the focus.”

Here is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.

Opening comments:

“Injuries, [WR] Quinton Patton is, he’s in that protocol. So, that should be cleaned up. I think it’s today, today or tomorrow, they have through the week. But, he’s done all the walk-thrus, he’s done all that stuff, just been no contact. [T Joe] Staley, [vice president of football operations Jeff Ferguson] Ferg, we decided yesterday just to hold it again. Again, he’s done all the walk-thrus and things, so he’ll be out there today and we’re going there. And then, [LB] Ahmad [Brooks], obviously, I believe that’s public knowledge now, has had a death in the family and again we keep him in our thoughts and prayers. So, that’s it. What have you got?”

 

TE Vernon Davis, is he good to go?

“Yeah, well Vernon, he’s practiced. I think they have him, he was limited. I think the category they had him. He was out in practice the last two days.”

 

Is there any concern about Staley not being able to play?

“It never reached that point. Again, we’re going to get him moving around. I’m not going to put anybody in danger. But, I don’t think, he’s going out today and we’ll get a much better idea on things. He’s moving around and doing all that.”

 

How is LB NaVorro Bowman doing after four games? I mean he’s been in almost probably 98-percent of the plays, so how’s–?

“And you saw us last week with a couple of things, trying to take a few reps off him. You saw some of the sub groups there. So, we are, that is something that we are paying attention to and we do keep rep counts on that stuff. But, he’s doing fine. We want to stay ahead of it obviously, but looks like he’s doing fine.”

 

Yeah, I mean he does. I don’t know if we are waiting for like a “wow” moment from him with like 20 tackles or something like that, but it seems like he’s working himself back into form. Is that kind of a good way to explain it?

“I don’t know that I’d phrase it that way. He’s playing. We’re playing. But, the biggest thing that I’ve been looking at is making sure that we stay, you always want to try, in my opinion, we want to try to stay in front of that.”

 

Defensive coordinator Eric Mangini yesterday said he wouldn’t completely rule out Ahmad from playing Sunday is that–?

“That’s what I would say with that. I mean, we’re talking about a family tragedy. That family is going through an awful time right now.”

 

Getting Vernon back, what kind of shot in the arm could that be for the offense?

“I mean, obviously Vernon is a dynamic football player, but we’ll see. We get through today and we keep going. But, I have liked the other guys too. I don’t want to discredit them. I mean, obviously, Vernon is a heck-of-a football player, but the other guys have been doing a nice job and we’re excited about that whole room.”

 

You came in 2006, Vernon came in, I’m sorry you came in 2007, Vernon was here a year earlier. You’ve seen him grow and develop into not only a profession, but also as a person and an individual.

“As a person and individual.”

 

He goes up on that 10-year wall this year, the 50th person to do it in this franchise history. Everybody up there has their own kind of special story. Can you just kind of relate briefly what makes Vernon special as a 49er to go up there and get there on that 10-year wall, which not a lot of people do especially in this era?

“Yeah, I mean, it speaks volumes to what he’s done here. I mean, young and getting after it. You’ve kind of seen him in his approach to things and life. The kids started happening and all that and you start seeing him be a father, in a lot of the things he does in a humanitarian way. So, that has been, to me Vernon has always been able to run really fast, catch, block, but those things are what I’ve noticed the most.”

 

How much fuel and motivation does a Sunday night game in New York give a team like this looking to rebound?

“Yeah, well, just getting a chance to play again. You just want to get back out on the field, you know? So, I just, I think the guys are excited. It’s been a good week of practice, but we’ve had those. It’s got to translate to the game. So, we’re all anxious to get to the game field. And New York now, [New York Giants head] coach [Tom] Coughlin, we’ve got, what, two or three coaches that have worked for coach Coughlin. And we’ve got a bunch of guys that know coach Coughlin. So, you know what kind of team’s there and their approach and what they’re doing. So, obviously a talented team.”

 

DB Jimmie Ward played obviously quite a bit and played pretty well Sunday. Was he at a point I guess in Week 4 where health-wise he was good or, I guess what I’m asking is, how come he didn’t play as much in the first three games and he had a pretty prominent role last week?

“Yeah well, I mean, Jimmie too, again, coming through some stuff. He’s moving around really well. So, that was it. Jimmie, we’ve always, I don’t think anybody here has questioned the way Jimmie works or what we see as Jimmie’s ability and things like that. Jimmie’s a fun player to watch because he’s so, his passion just screams in the way he’s flying around on the field. And he’s still a young player. So, young players are learning. But, Jimmie’s, he’s in the coach’s hip all the time. He’s constantly, he’s just one of those guys there’s an energy about him.”

 

You were saying that you had a good week of practice. What’s the best thing you saw out of QB Colin Kaepernick this week, whether it’s on the field or in the meeting rooms, with the work he’s done?

“Just back to work, you know? Just, it’s nice to see him get back to work. The one thing coaching-wise when you have a tough game, you see it, it’s on the faces. And getting through that to let’s look at the next task and let’s get going. So, this whole week has just been full of the New York Giants.”

 

You talked a couple days ago about offensive alignments and spacing and things that needed to change. I think particular to the passing game, offensive coordinator Geep Chryst talked about making major changes for this week.

“I don’t know if I’d say major.”

 

OK, I’m sorry. He actually took it back. He said major and then said he wouldn’t say major. So, you’re on the same page.

“Yeah.”

 

But anyway, I think some people would look at that and say hey was this team not ready the first four weeks? Why are we talking about–?

“No. That’s my point. The biggest thing that I asked for was just fine-tune the focus. Let’s not, we’ve got, you go through your checklist every week. Every team in the league, that’s nothing new. But, step back and let’s just look at things in a finer way, a different way.”

 

Regarding WR Anquan Boldin, part of what makes him great is his passion. And he’s been passionate in expressing his frustration, particularly last week. He did it a lot. Is that just who he is and you don’t say anything to him? You just let him play and express himself the way he’s always done?

“He’s had a great week of practice. It’s been awesome watching them all get after it. And he is passionate. And he is a terrific football player. It’s been just, you know, he’s been focused and rolling and just like Anquan always is.”

This article has 15 Comments

    1. Cubus: Adams, Cobb and Nelson present a much different set of problems than Montgomery, James and who knows who else lined up at WR. Mangini could afford to sit back and play run all the way with scrubs at WR.

  1. Did Carlos Hyde have a good week (week 5) of work and should I start him this week, even the the Giants are one of the top Rushing Defense in the league

  2. — “But with Kap you got a guy in Geep Chryst who knows him better than anybody else,” York said. “You have a great guy in Steve Logan that’s coming in that’s going to work with him on fundamentals and to put a system that’s going to put Kap in the best position to make plays. How many quarterbacks in this league can run 90 yards for a touchdown? I can’t think of many, but you have to put Kap in position where he can make those plays and put Kap in position where we can run the ball. We can throw the ball in ways that allows him to be successful and let him be the absolute stud that he can be on the field, and that’s what you’re going to see from us next year. Defenses are not going to want to play against us because you’re not going to know where we’re going to hit you.” — York (Jan. 30, 2015)

  3. This is a weak team: soft and slow. You can replace CK with Brady and the entire O Line with the Niners Oline of 2013 and you would still have the same awful team.

    They don’t know how to win and they have a coaching staff that doesn’t know how to prepare them to win week in and week out. They have become an average team at best.

    1. Not sure I would call a group of athletes who risk serious injury on every play, weak or soft. But, yes, this team does look listless and not confident.

      Some players though are not helping, veterans such as Boldin, VD, Staley could lead but they are either MIA, or pouting when not dropping balls or doing their own matador act

      Even the superbly coached 80s Niners needed Ronnie to deliver a sharp kick on their collective posterior from time-to-time.

  4. there is no CB there is no O Line there is no WR’s oh I’m sorry I should say there is no creativity in the Coaching Staff…..this team is not only weak, soft and slow but it has shown no heart…….CK has to go. and next year get Jared Goff at least he will have an excuse……. been a Rookie just saying….

    1. Instead of speculating on a future draft pick, I think it is smarter to concentrate on this season, and how to help the Niners win games.
      This whole suck for the number one pick mantra just turns my stomach.

  5. Packers kept Kaep in the pocket and kept him contained.Giants are talking the same thing. Can the Niner coaches devise plays that allow Kaep to roll out so he can use his mobility to avoid 6 more sacks?
    Niner ST coach threw Hayne under the bus, but I would counter by saying the ST coach failed miserably to adequately prepare Hayne for various contingencies. The poor coaching did not utilize all of Hayne’s skillsets and lack of coaching did not prepare him adequately. I am disgusted that they do not let Hayne return KOs. The ST coach must not want to win, but is more focused on trying to seem like he is right.
    Can Geep figure out a way to counter the stacked box? I have proposed lining up 4 receiver sets to spread them out, but all I saw were bunched sets. Giants are doing poorly in pass defense, so Kaep should try bubble screens and slant passes. He should also always have a RB as a safe swing pass outlet target instead of keeping the RB in tight to pass block. Hayne would be a good candidate to receive a quick pass so he can get the ball in space.
    Niners can win this game, but they should realize that Dahl has spilled his guts on all the Niner systems and tendencies, so they should throw out the playbook and turn Kaep loose. The whole idea of Geep making calls and relaying them down to the field is frustrating because the Niners should take a page out of the Bill Walsh playbook and script the first 15 plays. They should have a first down play, a second and long play, a second and short explosion play down field, and a third down bomb if it is third and long. Kaep should be able to run the hurry up with quick snaps like Rogers does so he can keep them from substituting or catch them with 12 men for a free play.
    Since Kaep is regressing with his new passing technique, I would counsel him to revert back to throwing his fastballs, because they are harder to intercept.
    GO NINERS !!!!!!

    1. I just want the Niners to win it all. They need to become more energized and focused. They need to stop shooting themselves in the foot. They need to play smarter and less predictable. They need to utilize all their talents. I want to see the Sundance Kaep.

      1. The vast majority of people who post, or read posts here want the same thing. I’ve wanted the same thing for sixty years and what I wanted happened five times. I’ve never used the “all” qualifier though. Actually, I’ve enjoyed a lot of the other fifty five years and feel lucky to have had so much fun following the 49ers.

        God doesn’t grant wishes, and Notre Dame isn’t God’s football team. We do not have a way to make what we want come true. We can only control what we choose to want. I want to understand existence, but I would enjoy a time watching the new “Montana” play with an outstanding 49er organization. Of course, I’m down on the current 49er organization.

        1. P. S.;

          I wouldn’t recognize the “new Montana” before the fact if he knocked on my door. In 1984 Dan Marino was the country’s “new Montana”. How did that work out for all I want is winning it all?

          1. I have been fortunate to have been a Niner season ticket holder since 78, until I lost them in the last recession. I have seen those 2-14 teams before the glory years, but I have always enjoyed watching them, and know that rebuilding takes losing first to get those high draft picks. What I can’t understand is posters who want the Niners to lose just to be able to draft a college QB who has no guarantee of success. I want the Niners to win every game they can, and if they can make the playoffs, they could go all the way and win it all.
            I do not think you can find a new ND QB like Montana, but Kaep is one of a new breed of QB who can run and pass. Granted, the passing department needs major improvement, but if they switch up the O line, maybe he will have a decent chance to pass. Posters seem to forget that Kaep did play in a SB and was one pass from repeating.

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