Jim Tomsula: “We’re moving forward with Blaine.”

SANTA CLARA Here is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Good morning. The injury report here; [LB Aaron] Lynch, [CB Marcus] Cromartie, [DB Jimmie] Ward, [CB Keith] Reaser, they’ll all be full go. We’re in great shape there. [CB Kenneth] Acker will be go. He’s finished up and finishing up, but we expect him to be on this week. As…

November 16, 2015
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Colin Kaepernick on playing under center: “It’s helped this offense.”

This is the transcript of Colin Kaepernick’s Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. How do you feel about this opportunity this week to face a division team at home and get back 1-1 in the division standings? “Yeah, it’s a huge opportunity for us. Like you said, to get back to 1-1 in our division, to give us an opportunity to get to 3-4 overall and start…

October 20, 2015
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Geep Chryst: “Our base offense should be set up to beat your three division opponents.”

This is the transcript of Geep Chryst’s Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “It was a good win against Baltimore. Had to work a little harder than we had to at the end, but short week so we’re moving on to Seattle.”   What does working under center more allow the offense to do that maybe–? “Yeah. We don’t really have a pitch count one…

October 20, 2015
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49ers get smarter in the passing game

This is my Saturday column. Some say the 49ers suffered a damaging blow when the NFL suspended their No. 3 receiver, Jerome Simpson, for the first six games of 2015. Some say they showed no football wisdom in signing him, a player likely to be suspended. I say forget Jerome Simpson. His absence will have zero impact. He wasn’t the Niners No. 3 receiver, anyway – not in training camp,…

August 22, 2015
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CB Tramaine Brock on WR DeAndrew White: “I feel like he’s got it all.”

SANTA CLARA – Cornerback Tramaine Brock spoke in the 49ers’ auditorium Wednesday afternoon. Here are selected quotes. Q: Has there been much of an adjustment to the new defense being installed this year? BROCK: Yeah, it’s a whole different package. Q: How does that affect you? BROCK: As a corner, it’s still man, Cover 4, Cover 3 – it’s just a whole different package. It really doesn’t affect me as…

August 13, 2015
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Anquan Boldin on the 49ers’ new coaching staff: “It’s different, for better or worse. I guess you’ll find out.”

SANTA CLARA – Here are selected quotes from Anquan Boldin’s Friday morning press conference in the 49ers’ auditorium. Q: What gives you confidence that you guys can achieve what you set out to achieve last year and the year before? BOLDIN: We still have a lot of talent in this locker room. That hasn’t changed. The thing I’m excited about is all of the young guys who had to play…

July 31, 2015
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49ers know questions, but can they find answers?

This is my Sunday column. Remember dead week in college before finals? This is dead six weeks for the San Francisco 49ers. They have the next month and a half off to prepare for the exam that will make or break their 2015 season. What questions will be on that test when the Niners arrive for training camp? In ascending order of importance, here are the top five questions the…

June 20, 2015
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Grading the 49ers’ best players

How many players on the 49ers deserve an “A” or “A-” grade? I count six. Here’s my list, and I’m eager to read yours. Aldon Smith: A-. The best pass rusher in the NFL from 2011 to 2013, and a bad pass rusher in 2014. Suspended for the first nine games last season. When he returned, he was not in football shape. If he’s in shape this year, he should…

March 23, 2015
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Report: 49ers sign Torrey Smith to five-year deal

The 49ers have signed 26-year-old wide receiver Torrey Smith to a five-year, $40 million contract with $22 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter. Smith is the perfect complement to Anquan Boldin. Boldin is the Flanker — the possession receiver who finds the the open window against zone coverage. Smith is the split end — the sprinter who blows past man coverage and outruns the cornerback down the sideline. When the…

March 10, 2015
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49ers, here’s your man

This is my Wednesday column. I don’t get you, Jed. You say you know what you’re looking for and you still can’t find it. I asked you Monday what qualities the next head coach of the 49ers should have. You were prepared for that question. Right away, you said, “I want a teacher. I think what made Bill Walsh so successful is that he was a great teacher, whether that…

December 30, 2014
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49ers 20, Cardinals 17: Grades

SANTA CLARA – Hey, at least the 49ers didn’t lose to both Cardinals’ backup quarterbacks this season. KAEPERNICK: B+. Played his best when it really mattered. Threw two touchdown passes and zero picks for the first time since Week 6. Also threw zero fourth-quarter touchdown passes for the 18th game in a row. Would have committed a Delay of Game penalty with 2:11 left in the fourth quarter if Marcus…

December 28, 2014
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49ers’ coaching choice important and perilous

This is my Wednesday column. Trent Baalke will move against you first, Jed. After you get rid of Jim Harbaugh, Baalke will set up an interview with someone you’re supposed to trust — some hot-shot NFL offensive coordinator, maybe Adam Gase or Josh McDaniels or Darrell Bevell. And at that interview, the coordinator will guarantee to Baalke he can fix the 49ers’ offense. Do not let Baalke hire him, Jed….

December 24, 2014
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49ers 7, Seahawks 17: Grades

SEATTLE – Trent Baalke folded his arms and hung his head in shame. The 49ers’ season was over. The Niners and Seahawks were shaking hands at midfield and Baalke was staring at his desk in the press box. Bad look, Trent. Time to face the failure you created. KAEPERNICK: C. Played like Alex Smith. Didn’t turn the ball over – a first for Kaepernick against the Seahawks. Yes, he scored…

December 14, 2014
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49ers 13, Raiders 24: Grades

OAKLAND – Before we get to the grades, let’s have a moment of silence for the Jim Harbaugh Era.       That’s enough. KAEPERNICK: Ω. He gets an omega, the last letter in the Greek alphabet, because English just won’t do. An ‘F’ isn’t low enough. A ‘Z’ isn’t low enough. This was the worst performance of Kaepernick’s career, the kind of performance that gets a quarterback benched and…

December 7, 2014
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49ers GM Trent Baalke, pass or fail?

This is my Sunday column. What about Trent Baalke? Sure, the 49ers probably will dump Jim Harbaugh at the end of the season. His quarterback isn’t improving and his offense stinks and he ticks people off. We get all that. But what about Baalke? Who’s to say the Niners won’t dump him, too? What makes him worth keeping? Let’s evaluate his contribution to the franchise. Let’s figure out how many…

December 6, 2014
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Redskins 13, 49ers 17: Grades

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers defied the odds and beat the first-class Redskins 17-13 Sunday afternoon. Here are the Niners’ grades. KAEPERNICK: B. Unusually efficient. Completed 20-of-29 pass attempts (69 percent) for 256 yards (8.8 yards per attempt). Three of his nine incomplete passes were dropped. He threw a long, beautiful touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin on the first drive of the game, but he never came close to throw…

November 23, 2014
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49ers 27, Saints 24: Grades

They aren’t dead yet. The 49ers beat the Saints 27-24 in overtime Sunday afternoon, handed Sean Payton his first loss in the Superdome since 2010. Now the 49ers are 5-4. Here are their grades. KAEPERNICK: B+. It was fourth-and-10 from the Niners’ 22-yard line, one minute and 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Niners’ down by three. Kaepernick had to save the game. He rolled to his right. Nowhere…

November 9, 2014
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Grading 49ers at the break

This is my Sunday column. The 49ers just finished dead week. These are their midterm grades. COLIN KAEPERNICK Pocket proficiency: B. Was a C-minus last season. Completed just 57 percent of his passes and posted an 81 passer rating inside the pocket in 2013. Has completed 69 percent of his passes and posted a 90 rating inside the pocket this season. He’s finding the open receiver quickly and throwing the…

October 27, 2014
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49ers 17, Broncos 42: Grades

The Broncos eked out a 42-17 win over the 49ers Sunday night. Here are the Niners’ grades. KAEPERNICK: D. Carried the team in the first half. Posted a 140 passer rating in the second quarter. Would have been a 156 rating if Anquan Boldin hadn’t dropped a touchdown pass on third-and-goal from the 4 yard line. Kaepernick led a 7-play, 85-yard touchdown drive that took 2 minutes and 58 seconds…

October 19, 2014
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49ers need to ride that stallion

This is my Sunday column previewing the 49ers’ upcoming game against the Rams. The final score might be closer than we expect but, come on, this game won’t be competitive. The oddsmakers in Las Vegas must be messing with us, favoring the 49ers to beat the Rams by just 31/2 points Monday night. Sure, the 49ers have kicked nine field goals the past two games and struggle to score touchdowns…

October 11, 2014
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