Kaepernick says the 49ers “have to win” this week

SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick spoke in the 49ers’ locker room Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said.

Q: What stands out to you about the Rams’ defense?

KAEPERNICK: They’re a good defense. They play hard.

Q: How about their defensive front? Greg Roman said they’re probably the best defensive front you guys have seen so far.

KAEPERNICK: Yeah, they’re very good up front. They do a lot of things well.

Q: What makes that unit unique?

KAEPERNICK: They have good players. All very talented.

Q: You’ve had such success since you first became a starter here. You’ve had criticism the past week or so. How have you handled criticism?

KAEPERNICK: I’m working. It’s not something I listen to.

Q: But you did favorite all of those tweets from people who were maybe critical of you. Why did you do that?

KAEPERNICK: It’s something that I do for me.

Q: Does it fuel you?

KAEPERNICK: It helps me.

Q: In what way?

KAEPERNICK: It just helps me.

Q: Is it motivation?

KAEPERNICK: I guess you could say that?

Q: When you look at this offense, you hear the word “precision” a lot. Where is the precision off? Is it timing? Is it execution?

KAEPERNICK: I don’t think you can pinpoint one thing. I think we just have to get better as a unit.

Q: Do you get more vocal at times like these?

KAEPERNICK: I think everybody knows that we have to get better. We’re 1-2 for a reason.

Q: Are you going to call out some of your receivers and linemen privately?

KAEPERNICK: I’m not going to call out anybody. I’m going to look at myself before I look at anyone else.

Q: Is it fair to say there is hesitation on your part right now?

KAEPERNICK: I don’t think it’s hesitation or quick decision making. We’re just not executing.

Q: When you watch film, what specific adjustments or changes do you think you need to make?

KAEPERNICK: It really depends on the play. There are different plays you have to do different things better.

Q: Frank ran well in the first half but he didn’t run much in the second half. Was that because of the coaches or because of adjustments the Colts made?

KAEPERNICK: Whether Frank gets touches or not, it will be based on the plays that are called.

ME: It seems you’ve been leaving the pocket quicker than you did last season. Is that something you’ve noticed on film and something you want to improve?

KAEPERNICK: No.

Q: How much of a distraction has the Aldon Smith situation been?

KAEPERNICK: It hasn’t been. We’ve been focused on the Rams.

Q: How does it make you feel when you lose a guy like Aldon?

KAEPERNICK: He’s a great player. He’s a great asset to this team. We support him 100 percent with what he’s doing. We hope to have him back soon.

Q: What’s the message in the locker room this week?

KAEPERNICK: We have to win.

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