This is about Jim Harbaugh’s football pedigree, how he became who he is. Specifically, it’s about his father Jack, a legendary football coach who instilled Harbaugh-tude into his kids Jim and John, both groomed to be coaches. To pursue this theme I phoned former NFL and college coach Fred von Appen. Fred coached 49ers special teams under Bill Walsh from 1983-88 and was Walsh’s defensive coordinator at Stanford from 1992-94,…
How important is Frank Gore?
According to reports, Frank Gore ended his holdout and showed up at 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara this morning. How important is his return? He’s 28 years old, he’s got mileage, and he’s coming off a hip fracture. Those are the down sides to Gore. On the other hand, he’s the best player on Jim Harbaugh’s offense. Vernon Davis may be younger and bigger and faster, but Gore is more…
Harbaugh on pace of practice and improvement of team
Here’s the full transcript for Jim Harbaugh’s post-practice group interview provided by the 49ers. Some of the salient points he makes regard the fast pace of practice, the reason players wear their uniforms in practice, and how the team has improved in these three days. For some reason he failed to reveal in the group interview that Frank Gore will end his holdout and will appear in Santa Clara on…
David Akers on the Harbaughs
SANTA CLARA – David Akers spoke to the media after practice today. Akers played under Jim’s brother John for nine seasons in Philadelphia when John was a special teams coach. The 49ers’ new kicker had glowing praise for the Harbaughs. Specifically, Akers explained why he signed here and why he believes Jim can turn the 49ers into a winning franchise once again. Enjoy. Q: Why not be patient and see…
Day 3: Practice assessment
SANTA CLARA – Practice is over for the day and I will post two interviews shortly, but first here are the good things and the not-so-good things I saw on the field. THE GOOD Colin Kaepernick. By my count he was 15-23 with one interception and one fumbled snap in 11-on-11 scrimmages. He connected with Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker repeatedly on crossing routes and deep outs. Kaepernick makes throwing…
Practice patterns
SANTA CLARA – The third practice of training camp started nearly an hour ago. Now that I’ve seen three, I’d like to share some trends I’ve noticed. The big activity to begin practice is special teams, and Ted Ginn has returned most of the kickoffs so far. Coach Jim Tomsula works with the defensive line in the back-left corner of the property, not technically on a playing field, just beyond…
Aldon Smith, Adam Snyder, and Scott McKillop talk
SANTA CLARA – Aldon Smith, Adam Snyder, and Scott McKillop just spoke to the media, and here are selected quotes from those interviews. Practice starts at 2:30 and the players will wear pads for the first time this training camp. Jim Harbaugh will speak to the media after. If you have a question you’d like me to ask him, feel free to leave it in the comment section or send…
The 49ers are ‘plane’ talkers
SANTA CLARA – Players will be available for interviews at noon, so I’ll have some transcripts up around lunch time today. Before I go, here’s a taste of what it’s like to conduct an interview here at the 49ers practice facility. It is about five miles away from San Jose International Airport, so every time we’re interviewing someone there’s a twenty-second period when a plane flies overhead and we can’t…
Is Harbaugh hard-hearted?
I want to take you back to a scene from practice yesterday. Second-year tight end Nate Byham landed wrong on his left knee and he was writhing in pain on the ground. Two trainers ran over to him immediately, and Vernon Davis ran over too. Jim Harbaugh did not run over. He blew his whistle and ordered the team to run to the other end of the field to complete…
Why Plaxico rejected 49ers
In Matt Maiocco’s latest article he argues there are two main reasons the 49ers can’t sign an impact wide receiver like Plaxico Burress: No recent winning tradition. No proven quarterback. I agree with Matt, but here’s my question for you. Which reason plays a bigger factor in the 49ers striking out with Burress? I’m saying the second one, the one about the quarterback is the main reason. A good quarterback…
Jim Harbaugh, QB coach
My dad wrote a short blog today from training camp and I’m linking to it here. In it he describes how Jim Harbaugh coaches the quarterbacks, meaning mostly Colin Kaepernick. I gave a little description yesterday, but I thought you’d like to read my dad’s take on Harbaugh. He also raises this question: Is it possible for Harbaugh to be too quarterback-oriented? Something to think about.
Baalke on free agency and positive thinking
SANTA CLARA – New general manager Trent Baalke spoke to the media behind a tent at the end of practice this afternoon. He insisted he has a plan and he’s executing it, even though the 49ers haven’t brought in any big name free agents. Here’s the transcript. Q: There are reports that Plaxico Burress is on his way here. Is that accurate? BAALKE: Like we’ve said all the time, we’re…
Fangio tells brutal truth
SANTA CLARA – Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to the media after today’s practice. He’s a blunt guy and he explained, among other things, there are only two positions set on his defense. You figure that out for yourself, and I’ll give the answer below. He also implied his defense is not ready for prime time. Q: What do you know about your defense two days into practice that you…
How the 49ers eat
SANTA CLARA – Practice 2 starts at 2:30, but before I go watch it I want to tell you about the cafeteria at the 49ers practice facility. There’s a buffet and a grill, the players eat first, then the media eats after. We are all treated very well. Here’s what I mean. Check out the menu for the buffet: Grilled Airline Chicken Breast with Heirloom Tomato and Basil Relish. Fried…
Ted Ginn Q&A
SANTA CLARA – Ted Ginn spoke to the media under the hot Santa Clara sun this afternoon. He wore a sweatshirt and loafers – an outfit much too hot for me in this weather but, hey, some like it hot. Here are selected quotes from the group interview. Enjoy. Q: How is this offense different than last year’s? GINN: It’s different – more words. It’s kind of similar, just get…
Harbaugh the Whistle Blower
In Matt Barrows’ article this morning he uses a great metaphor for how Jim Harbaugh blows his whistle. Barrows says he blows it like a Manhattan traffic cop. I say he blows it more like the leader of the marching band. He blows it with short bursts followed by a long melodic blow, from low to high, and sometimes he extends the notes. It sounds like music. I want to…
Harbaugh vs. Singletary: It’s in the eyes
SANTA CLARA – Sorry to be so late with this. I had computer problems today in Santa Clara. Jim Harbaugh addressed the media after practice at a podium under a tent facing the field. When we asked questions he’d pause for a second or two before responding, face completely blank. Then he’d either light up and respond enthusiastically or bypass the question with a vague, short answer. He’s the opposite…
Day 1: The Harbaugh and Kaepernick Show
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the first scene from the 49ers’ first practice of the 2011 training camp. New quarterback Colin Kaepernick lined up under new center Adam Snyder, and took snaps as new head coach Jim Harbaugh watched on a knee like an umpire calling balls and strikes. It was these three men in the middle of the field. Harbaugh’s attention was focused completely on Kaepernick, and the rookie was…
LaBoy signs with Chargers
Greg Manusky has added another former 49er to his defense. A couple days after the Chargers agreed to terms with Takeo Spikes, they announced today that they had signed another linebacker, Travis LaBoy, to a two-year contract. Both will play for Manusky in San Diego.
Pre-practice Q&As
SANTA CLARA – Rapid fire, here are selected quotes from four different group interviews from this afternoon. They feature Josh Morgan, Shawntae Spencer, Patrick Willis, and Taylor Mays. The first practice of the season starts at 2:30 and goes to 5:30 and I am not allowed to tweet but I will take diligent notes and report back to you tonight. After practice we will interview Coach Harbaugh, Vernon Davis, and…
