Jim Tomsula: “Honestly, I don’t know the first thing about grass.”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s a transcript of head coach Jim Tomsula’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Good afternoon. Injury report; [DL Glenn] Dorsey we are still, we’re staying on that. Looking good though, looking real good. You see him out there running around and pushing and pulling, so feeling good there. [WR Bruce] Ellington in the process, [LB Philip] Wheeler in the process, we’re…

August 21, 2015
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49ers-Texans preview, what you need to be watching

This is my Saturday column. Hits. That’s the main difference between preseason and training camp. In training camp players don’t hit each other — they play a slightly rougher version of two-hand touch. Coaches can’t learn much about their running game or their defense’s ability to tackle during this portion of the offseason. That’s what the preseason games are for. They allow coaches to evaluate what they can’t gauge during…

August 15, 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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49ers training camp report: Day 9

SANTA CLARA – Here are the highlights of the 49ers’ fifth padded practice of training camp. THE GOOD 1. ILB NaVorro Bowman. During an 11 on 11 fourth-down drill, Bowman tagged Colin Kaepernick for a sack when Kaepernick was scrambling toward the sideline. After Bowman tagged him, Kaepernick threw a deep pass across his body to Anquan Boldin, who caught the ball for a gain of about 40 yards. After…

August 11, 2015
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49ers training camp report: Day 8

SANTA CLARA – Here are the highlights of the 49ers’ fourth padded practice of training camp. THE GOOD 1. DL Tank Carradine. The final 15 minutes of practice the 49ers did a live hitting goal-line drill. On first and goal from the two-yard line, Jarryd Hayne took the handoff on a stretch-zone run to the left, and as he ran parallel to the line of scrimmage he cut back quickly…

August 9, 2015
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49ers training camp report: Day 6

SANTA CLARA – Here are the highlights from the 49ers’ third padded practice of training camp. THE GOOD 1. TE Vernon Davis. His best day of training camp, and the best receiver on the field. Made four catches during team drills, including a 50-yard touchdown catch. On the touchdown Davis ran straight down the middle of the field, straight past the second-team defense’s safeties, and third-string quarterback hit Davis perfectly…

August 7, 2015
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Quinton Dial: “Somebody’s got to pay for this work I’ve been putting in. Can’t wait.”

SANTA CLARA – Quinton Dial spoke in the 49ers’ auditorium Monday afternoon. Here are selected quotes. Q: You’re running with the first-team defense this year. Is that a good opportunity for you? DIAL: Yeah it’s a great opportunity. I don’t think it’s too much of a transition for me because starting with the last eight or nine games (last season) I’ve been running with the guys and I know what…

August 3, 2015
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49ers training camp report: Day 1

SANTA CLARA – Here are the highlights from the 49ers’ first practice of training camp, which took place at Levi’s Stadium. THE GOOD 1. WR Torrey Smith. Made the catch of the day – a one-handed catch near the sideline. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick lofted the pass over cornerback Shareece Wright’s head, and Smith reached out and caught the pass like Kevin Mitchell in 1989. 2. WR DeAndrew White. Caught two…

August 1, 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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