Harbaugh: “It was no breakout game. That’s what Vernon Davis does.”

Here is a transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   Did DL Glenn Dorsey practice a little bit today? “Yes.”   How did he look? “Did good.”   Good enough to play on Sunday? “We’ll make that determination, but it was good.”   You’ve got a roster opening, are you going to use it between now and the game or is it kind of up in…

October 18, 2013
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Harbaugh on Walker: “I’m not happy to see him in a Titans No.82 jersey.”

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here is a transcript. Q: What are your early impressions on Tank Carradine and Quinton Dial? HARBAUGH: It’s early. Had some walkthrough at this point. Excited, that’s my impression. I know they are. It’s much like their first day in football. I’m sure that there is some gravel in the gut and some anticipation, excitement, nerves, all those…

October 16, 2013
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Delanie Walker on Aldon Smith: “He’s a little wild dude.”

Delanie Walker spoke on a conference call with Bay Area reporters Wednesday morning. Here is a transcript. Q: You’re on pace to have the best year you’ve ever had. What’s going on out there to make you be so productive? WALKER: Mainly because I’m the first read at tight end. They put in plays for me to get the ball and to try to make plays. That’s all I ask…

October 16, 2013
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Kaepernick: “Our offensive line is really going to have to be geared in this week and really handle business up front.”

SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick spoke in the 49ers’ locker room Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: We talked to Jon Baldwin yesterday and he said he’s been getting some extra work with you. What’s your assessment of him and how he’s progressed since he’s gotten here? KAEPERNICK: He’s been great. Jon has come to work every day, he’s been ready, he’s been trying to make sure he’s making…

October 2, 2013
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49ers flaws were exposed and the rest of the league was watching

Here is my Tuesday column on the issues the 49ers currently face. The Week 1 win against the Packers masked issues on the 49ers, but the Seahawks just tore off the mask. What do we see? The offense is worse than it was last season. Let’s start there. They’re missing key players: Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham, Delanie Walker and Frank Gore. Yes, Gore is missing. More on him later. Crabtree…

September 17, 2013
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Roman on the NFL’s new read-option rules: “The interpretation could be abused.”

SANTA CLARA – Greg Roman spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. ROMAN: Afternoon. Excited to move into the regular season. I think we’ve had a very productive preseason-phase. I’d like to thank everybody that was a part of the team during that time. We’re set and ready to go. We had a great practice yesterday and looking forward to having another great one today. Any questions?…

September 5, 2013
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Harper: “I thought I was a great blocker at WR, but now I’ve got to block dudes like Aldon and Patrick.

SANTA CLARA – Chris Harper spoke at his locker Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Is H-back a new position for you? HARPER: Yeah, I’ve never gotten in a three-point stance before. That’s going to be different for me. Q: Did you do a little bit of that today? HARPER: Yeah, I did. A lot of it today, actually. Q: Has the name Delanie Walker come up? HARPER: Nah,…

September 3, 2013
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Meaningless exhibition? Not when you know what to watch

Here is my preview of the 49ers-Chiefs preseason game. Five things to watch in the 49ers’ preseason game against the Chiefs Friday night: 1. Colin Kaepernick in the red zone. Kaepernick has something to prove here. As terrific as he’s played in his brief career, he needs to improve his passing in the red zone. Last season, his red zone passer rating was 83.9, nothing special. Compare that to Alex Smith…

August 15, 2013
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Kaepernick on Jenkins: “He has looked good. We expect more, though. We need him to step up.”

SANTA CLARA — Colin Kaepernick spoke in the 49ers’ media tent Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   Since WR A.J. Jenkins came back from his hamstring injury he’s been quite active, he looked pretty good these last two practices. Has that been your impression of what you’ve seen from him? “Yeah he has looked good. We expect more though. We need him to step up.”…

August 6, 2013
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49ers facing a summer of questions

This is my Monday column on the top-five questions the 49ers face this summer. Even though the 49ers are among the odds-on favorites to win the Super Bowl, like any other team, they confront certain issues. Two of their best players – Justin Smith and Frank Gore – are in their 30s and declining. The 49ers’ offensive MVP last season – Michael Crabtree – tore his Achilles tendon in OTAs….

July 22, 2013
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Ranking the 49ers’ offensive skill players against the rest of the NFL

We know Colin Kaepernick is a rising star at quarterback, and we know the 49ers have one of the best offensive lines in football. Let’s take stock of the 49ers’ offensive skill players – wide receivers, tight ends and running backs – now that they’ve lost Delanie Walker and Randy Moss, and Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham are injured. I count 18 teams having better offensive skill players than the…

July 7, 2013
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What Roman needs to be head-coaching timber

Here is my Monday column on Greg Roman. We’re in a football lull right now, but the 49ers are always in season. So, let’s dissect their most recent move, signing their promising offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, to a two-year extension through 2015. Roman is a good offensive coordinator. From 2011 to 2012, the 49ers’ offense ranked third in rushing yards and ninth in points per game. Jim Harbaugh thinks Roman…

June 24, 2013
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Putting Michael Crabtree’s 2012 production into perspective

There’s been a great deal of debate over how big of a loss of Michael Crabtree is to the 49ers. Some people say the loss is no big deal, others say it’s quite a big deal. To inform the debate, let’s look closely at Crabtree’s 2012 stats.   Michael Crabtree Catches: 85 (tied for 13th best in the NFL) Yards: 1,105 (14th) Touchdowns: 9 (tied for 11th) Deep catches (passes traveling…

May 24, 2013
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49ers rookie mini-camp: Day 2 – B.J. Daniels plays like Russell Wilson

SANTA CLARA – Before I get into the good and not-so-good of the second day of the 49ers’ rookie mini-camp, I want to share that I noticed three players playing two positions today – Eric Reid played free safety and strong safety, Al Netter played right guard and center and Andre Davis, Anthony Davis’ older brother, played right tackle and tight end. All three players seemed comfortable playing two positions….

May 11, 2013
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Why the 49ers signed TE Cameron Morrah

The 49ers just announced they’ve signed 26-year old H-back Cameron Morrah to a one-year contract. The 49ers did not include a statement from general manager Trent Baalke in the press release. Morrah (6-3, 251 pounds) missed all of last season with a toe injury. But he’s fast (4.61 40-yard dash), agile (6.99 3-cone drill), strong (24 reps of 225 at the 2009 Combine), he has good hands and he’s a…

April 18, 2013
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Grant’s four-round 49ers mock draft

This is my second attempt to mock the 49ers’ draft. My first attempt was on the money, but this second attempt is even more on the money. Note: I mock the first four rounds only. The 49ers will trade up and draft CB Xavier Rhodes with the 11th pick. They will trade the Chargers picks No. 31, 34 and 94 for picks No. 11 and 145. Rhodes will start at…

March 29, 2013
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Trent Baalke’s mid-offseason progress report

In my humble opinion, you’re doing pretty well so far this offseason, Trent. I’m not going to give you a final grade today. That wouldn’t be fair. You still have the draft in a few weeks, and that’s when you need to perform your best. You have 14 picks. You may feel this year’s rookies will be better and cheaper long term than what’s available on the free agent market,…

March 24, 2013
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49ers free agency preview: Goldson and Walker out? Casey and Cribbs in?

Free Agency starts Tuesday at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. To get you greased up for the signings, Rotoworld’s Evan Silva made a list of the top 100 free agents, and guessed where each one would sign. To read Silva’s list, click here. These are the predictions you’ll find most interesting: 5. FS Dashon Goldson (Silva ranks Goldson as the fifth-best free agent available): Eagles, five years, $40.5 million. 15. DT…

March 11, 2013
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