SAN FRANCISCO: Donte Whitner, who is quickly becoming the spokesman for the Niners defense, stood at his locker and answered questions after the game today. Here are a couple selected quotes. On WR Ted Ginn’s two return touchdowns: “He bailed us out today. But that’s what a team is. The offense bails out the defense, the defense bails out the offense and sometimes special teams bails out both. We need…

SAN FRANCISCO – Michael Crabtree caught one pass for four yards today. He also dropped a pass. He played one series in the second half before the coaching staff pulled him from the game. Afterwards, I saw him limp off the field. He spoke at his locker a few minutes later, and he informed reporters that he’d already had an x-ray for his left foot, the one he’s broken twice,…

SAN FRANCISCO — This is the live blog for the Niners first regular season game of 2011. I will update this frequently before and throughout the game. The Niners have not updated their depth chart since Monday. They still list the injured Dashon Goldson as their starting free safety. Players playing catch together: Colin Kaepernick and Kyle Williams. Scott Tolzien and Vernon Davis. Kyle Williams is inactive for today’s game….

I wrote an article for CSNBayArea.com this week on the top-10 Bay Area fantasy football players, and I’m passing it along to you. I ranked Frank Gore No.1, Michael Crabtree No. 4, and Alex Smith No.  10, and I said all three players would have the best seasons of their career. To read the article click here. What are your statistical projections for the 49ers skill players?

These are the top-3 matchups to watch on Sunday. LT Joe Staley vs. RDE Red Bryant: The 330 lb. Bryant lined up at LDE week 1 last year and completely handled Anthony Davis. You may remember Bryant beating Davis on one play, hitting Alex Smith and stripping the football. The Seahawks list Bryant at RDE this year, so that means it’s Joe Staley’s job to stop him. Can he do…

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh’s father, Jack Harbaugh, was the guest of honor at today’s 49er press conference. He sat with his legs crossed and watched his son with a smile on his face. His face was beaming with pride. His face looks different than Jim’s, though. Jim is all jaw and chin. He pulls his 49er cap down low so the bottom half of his face stands out. Jack…

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. There was a special guest of honor today at the press conference. He sat right behind me, and afterwards he answered some questions as well. I won’t reveal reveal his identity to you just yet, but Harbaugh reveals it for you at the end of this interview. How do you feel about the…

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers just sent out the last injury report of the week. Dashon Goldon did not practice this week and he will not play on Sunday against the Seahawks, but he’s the only Niner who will miss the game. The Seahawks have a more extensive injury report: RT Jarriel King is out for Sunday (ankle). LG Robert Gallery (knee) and WR Sidney Rice (shoulder) are doubtful. DE Chris…

According to a league source, Ted Ginn Jr. agreed to a pay cut of over $1 million to stay with the Niners in 2011. Ginn was supposed to earn $2,218,750 in 2011, but instead he’ll earn $1 million. On top of that, the 49ers worked out free agent wide receiver Donnie Avery yesterday, according to reports. So, even though the Niners list Ginn as a starting wide receiver, it’s not…

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Greg Roman’s interview today, courtesy of the 49ers. Notice Roman’s style – he gives a brief speech before the questions start. It’s a good style. How are you doing? “I’m doing good. It’s great to get into the game week. We are on to Seattle here, so we’re starting to get into third down, some nickel stuff today. Yesterday was more base, and…

SANTA CLARA –Michael Crabtree finally spoke to the local press today. He sat in front of his locker and answered every question with a smile. He actually seemed nervous and shy in front of all the cameras and reporters. At one point he joked about a camera light making him sweat, but the only lights in the room were the ceiling lights. First-interview butterflies are understandable, though. I’m sure he’ll…

SANTA CLARA – Dashon Goldson said at his locker this afternoon that he doesn’t expect to play this Sunday. Here’s everything he said. Q: How’s your knee? GOLDSON: I’ve had some good days and I’ve had some not so good days. It’s not where it needs to be in order to play for us in this game. I think they might hold me back. Q: So you don’t expect to…

Here are my predictions for the 2011 NFL season. I won’t project each team’s specific record, but I do project the Niners to go 9-7 and win the NFC West. NFC West: 1. San Francisco 49ers 2. St. Louis Rams 3. Arizona Cardinals 4. Seattle Seahawks Why: The Niners won six games last year with the worst coaching staff in the sport. The addition of Jim Harbaugh should be worth…

Here’s the 49ers depth chart as it stood yesterday, September 6. It’s out of date for two reasons: 1. It lists Michael Crabtree, Shawntae Spencer, and Reggie Smith as injured, but all three practiced today. 2. It lists Dashon Goldson as a starter, but he’s injured with a knee. Here’s the outdated depth chart. OFFENSE WR: Ted Ginn Jr. -OR- Braylon Edwards LT: Joe Staley, Alex Boone LG: Mike Iupati,…

Here’s the 49ers injury report for Wednesday, courtesy of the 49ers. 49ers Did not participate in practice: S Dashon Godlson (knee) Seahawks Did not participate in practice: G Robert Gallery (knee), T Jarriel King (ankle), WR Sidney Rice (shoulder) Limited in practice: LB David Hawthorne (knee)

SANTA CLARA – Did you know that last year NFL offenses targeted Donte Whitner on more touchdown passes than any other defender? According to STATS LLC., Whitner gave up 10 TDs total, plus 501 receiving yards in 2010. He also allowed 38 completions on 53 attempts. As you know, Whitner has to cover Seattle’s Pro Bowl tight end, Zach Miller, this Sunday. Can he? Will he? We’ll see soon enough….

SANTA CLARA – Here’s everything Jim Harbaugh said at his Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. I noticed on your depth chart you list three starting wide receivers. Why is that and how will you sort things out on Sunday? “We feel that [WR] Ted Ginn and [WR] Braylon Edwards are both starter caliber and we list them that way. It’s pretty self explanatory that way. Ted Ginn or…

SANTA CLARA — Michael Crabtree was in full pads running full speed during the Niners’ warm ups this afternoon. Like all the other receivers, he took turns running routes and catching passes from Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick. Sometimes he ran slants. Other times he ran outs. Other times he ran routes with double moves. Each time he ran his cuts were crisp and quick. If I were a betting…

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the complete transcript of Alex Smith’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. As you prepare for this week going against Seattle, what is the focus of the offense that’s been different before, obviously your game plan, but what’s your biggest change? “Really zeroing in now, you’ve been in camp mode prior to this and really kind of installing and running things. At this point, really…