A talkative Jim Harbaugh assessed a good chunk of his roster after practice, giving more praise than he’d given all of training camp. Here’s the complete transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. On whether he has a snap count for his starting offense for Saturday’s game: “It will be fairly similar to last week.” On whether that includes QB Colin Kaepernick playing most of the game: “We’ll see, we’ll see. I…
Stock up, stock down
SANTA CLARA – For the last open practice of the year, the 49ers scrimmaged as far away from the fans as they could. There’s a north and a south field at the Santa Clara complex, and when the fans come they sit around the south field. Usually Harbaugh makes the team practice on both fields. About every 30 minutes he blows his whistle and yells for fresh grass, so the…
Patrick Willis praises the defense
SANTA CLARA – Patrick Willis spoke for a few minutes after practice. He had big praise for two of the starting linebackers, and for a surprise backup cornerback as well. Here’s a transcript of that interview. Q: Would you say the team has worked harder this year than last year? WILLIS: I would probably say so. With Coach Harbaugh, everything we do is quick tempo. It’s his way of getting…
49ers who like it hot
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers just ran out to practice in shorts and shells. It’s 80 degrees in Santa Clara and I’m glad I’m wearing shorts as well. Some players are wearing extra clothing, though, which boggles my mind. I’m from the east bay, and my idea of perfect weather is 70 degrees with a breeze. The Santa Clara heat is almost uncomfortable for me. But for some 49ers, Santa…
49ers co-favorites to win NFC West
SANTA CLARA — Here’s something to chew on while the 49ers practice. Bodog has set their betting lines for the 2011 NFL Season, and they think the 49ers are the co-favorites to win the NFC West, tied with the St. Louis Rams at +185. The Arizona Cardinals are third at +275, and the Seattle Seahawks are fourth at +500. Bodog also gives the 49ers 45/1 odds to win the Super…
49ers revised practice schedule
The 49ers have changed their practice schedule today and there will be no player availability from noon to 1 p.m. as there usually is. All player inteviews will happen after practice today, around 5:30, so stay tuned later in the day for some major bloggage. Anything happens in between I’ll be right on it. Follow me on twitter @grantcohn.
Fangio assesses the 49ers defense
SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio was the podium speaker today after practice, and here’s what he had to say about his defense. This transcript is courtesy of the 49ers. On his assessment of DT Isaac Sopoaga: “He was rusty the first couple practices, which was to be expected from the long layoff and the injury and a new system, but he has really picked it up here the past few…
Violence in practice
SANTA CLARA – The competitive portion of practice was brief but it was also violent. The offensive lineman took turns trying to prevent defensive linemen and linebackers from sacking a ball boy who was standing behind them in the pocket. Every time the coach yelled “hut,” the players collided and their helmets crashed. It was definitely nutcracker-esque. First, the drill was one-on-one. Aldon Smith had Joe Staley’s number, beating him…
Josh McCown speaks
SANTA CLARA – Josh McCown, the 49ers newest quarterback, spoke after practice. Here’s the complete transcript of that interview. Stay tuned for my notes from practice. Q: They certainly didn’t ease you into practice today, did they? McCOWN: Yeah, I jumped right in, it was fun. Why not? It’s indicative of the whole camp, I’m sure. They’re just learning on the fly, coming out of the CBA stuff, so it’s…
49ers sign Josh McCown
SANTA CLARA — According to Matt Maiocco, the 49ers have signed 32-year old Quarterback Josh McCown. Quarterback news seemed imminent when Jim Harbaugh walked out to practice with the current third-string QB, Jeremiah Masoli. The two were discussing something, and ten feet away Trent Baalke and Alex Smith were discussing something sternly as well. Right after these discussions, someone with platinum blond hair walked out of the 49ers locker room…
Joshua Morgan on the new offense and his new name
SANTA CLARA – Joshua Morgan, not Josh Morgan, spoke this afternoon on Harbaugh’s new offense and how it impacts the wide receivers. He talked about the increase in slant routes from previous years in particular. He also told the story of why he wants to be called Joshua instead of Josh. Here’s the transcript of the interview. Enjoy. Q: Harbaugh said he wants to make the wide receiver position more…
Snyder on the O-line: “We’ll be prepared week 1 for sure.”
SANTA CLARA — Adam Snyder just spoke on behalf of the offensive line today, and he sounds confident in their ability to improve. He also feels confident in his transition to center. Here’s the complete transcript of the interview. Q: Did you come to camp expecting to play a number of different positions? SNYDER: Yeah. Right now I’m focusing on what I’m doing at center. That’s the one position I…
Readers’ choice
As it turns out, today and tomorrow will be the last practices of training camp where reporters will be allowed to watch all of practice. Next week, and for the rest of the season, we’ll only be able to watch the first 30 minutes of practice when the players stretch. Then we have to return to the media trailer. So, I want to give you as many visuals these next…
Harbaugh post-practice 8/16
Here’s the full transcript of Harbaugh post-practice press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. He spoke at length about the team’s plans for a third quarterback, the greatness of Frank Gore, the talent of Kendall hunter, and his experience as an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders. He told an Al Davis story which is particularly amusing, but I won’t spoil it for you. Enjoy. On how he will determine which…
QB competition heats up, Smith pulls ahead
SANTA CLARA – Practice ended with Colin Kaepernick leading the first team offense against the first team defense in a 2-minute drill. Kaepernick was 4-6 on the drive, but Aldon Smith sacked him on the last play, and the offense put up zero points. Over the last 90 minutes of practice, Kaepernick took 22 reps with the first team while Alex Smith took 20. This was the first time in…
Alex Boone talks
SANTA CLARA – Backup tackle Alex Boone spoke this afternoon. Boone is hands-down the most talkative offensive lineman on the team, so we asked him questions on a variety of topics. He starts by discussing his own progress, then he moves on to Justin Smith’s chop-to-bull rush, then Aldon Smith, then last Friday’s game against New Orleans. Enjoy. Q: Last time we talked to you we discussed you becoming the…
Gore hopes for contract extension soon
SANTA CLARA – Frank Gore wants a new contract from the 49ers, and “hopefully it gets done before the season,” Gore said this afternoon. Here’s what else Gore had to say: “I feel like the 22-year-old Frank Gore. I’m ready to take the load, ready to play. I feel like I can score any time I touch the ball. I can block anybody I’ve got to block.” As you may…
What to do with the 49ers’ $15.6 million in cap space
SANTA CLARA — According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the 49ers have $15.6 million in cap room right now. Here’s my question for you: What do you think Jed York and Tim Baalke will do with that money? And what do you think they should do with it? Is it ear-marked for Frank Gore’s extension? Or for a third quarterback? Should they spend some of it on another offensive lineman?…
Greg Roman post-practice Q&A
Greg Roman spoke at the podium after practice to the media. Here’s the complete transcript of that interview, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening statement: “How’s it going? Good. Just had a great practice, got a lot done today. Guys are really working hard. We are challenging them with a lot of things. We’ve got a plan, long-term plan. We are installing a lot of things on them right now and…
The quarterbacks compete
SANTA CLARA – Around 5 o’clock I was ready to tweet that Colin Kaepernick had practiced better than Alex Smith today. Kaepernick had been exceptionally accurate, and he’d just led the second team offense on an impressive drive against the second team defense, handling their blitzes with hard counts and audibles. I’d never seen him take such decisive actions at the line of scrimmage in practice before. On the other…
