What we learned about the 49ers in Week 1

Here’s my Thursday column. Breaking down the 49ers before Week 1 this year was like trying to see San Francisco through the fog. It’s Week 2 now, and the fog has lifted. What do we see? 1. NaVorro Bowman is NaVorro Bowman Apparently, NaVorro Bowman is not a human being. He’s some other life form, perhaps from the NaVorro Galaxy. A human being wouldn’t be able to play every snap…

September 16, 2015
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Alex Boone: “I think this is one of the best teams we’ve had.”

SANTA CLARA – Alex Boone spoke in the 49ers’ auditorium Monday afternoon. Here are selected quotes. Q: How has it been moving to the left side in training camp? BOONE: It’s great. It’s different, obviously, playing next to Anthony all those years. Now I go and play next to Joe. Both great tackles. Footwork’s a little different. Handwork’s a little different. At the end of the day it’s coming along…

August 4, 2015
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Trent Baalke answers lots of questions

SANTA CLARA— Trent Baalke answered a few reporters’ questions in the 49ers’ media room Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript of the interview. BARROWS: Has Justin Smith decided whether he will retire? BAALKE: As I said at the end of the season, I think at this stage of his career, he has earned the right to make that decision when it’s right. I think he’s still sorting through that process. He’s…

March 12, 2015
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Report: Frank Gore expected to sign three-year deal with Eagles

Frank Gore will sign a three-year contract with the Eagles according to Adam Schefter. The deal reportedly is worth $7.5 million guaranteed. It’s ironic the Eagles want Gore in their zone-read running game, considering Gore never could get acclimated to the Niners’ zone-read package with Colin Kaepernick. This signing works out perfectly for the 49ers. They no longer have to worry about pushing Gore out the door and getting blowback…

March 8, 2015
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If Frank Gore signs elsewhere, who will replace him as the 49ers’ mid-sized running back?

Trent Baalke seems to be searching for a specific type of running back to replace Frank Gore if he signs with another team. Baalke just recently signed Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne, and, according to Jason Cole, Baalke is interested in Ryan Mathews and Mark Ingram. What do Hayne, Mathews and Ingram have in common? Each weighs about 220 pounds, and each runs roughly a 4.5 40-yard dash. They are…

March 4, 2015
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Report: 49ers sign Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne to futures contract

Twenty-seven-year-old Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne just announced he has signed a futures contract with the 49ers. The contract guarantees Hayne a spot on the Niners’ 90-man offseason roster. Good, creative signing. Hayne has the physical traits of a first round pick. He is 6’2″, 226 pounds and he reportedly ran a 4.53 40-yard dash a few weeks ago. Compare Hayne to Melvin Gordon, who is expected to be a first-round pick…

March 2, 2015
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Tomsula: “I take full responsibility for the results of the coaching staff.”

This is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s press conference from the NFL Combine, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Good afternoon and we’ll try this again. Go ahead and shoot. I’m really happy to be here and I’m excited to see you all and looking forward to the questions.”   You seemed to just reference your introductory press conference, which was criticized in some circles, you may have…

February 19, 2015
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49ers face key decisions in free agency

This is my Sunday column. Is it too early to predict which free agents the 49ers will re-sign this offseason? The 49ers still haven’t announced the hiring of Eric Mangini as the defensive coordinator or Geep Chryst as the offensive coordinator, and we still don’t know what schemes they plan on using. On defense will they use a Tampa-2 scheme or a single-high safety scheme, a three-man defensive front or…

February 7, 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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Jim Harbaugh on Frank Gore: “He never talks about being 30 or being an older player, therefore he never thinks that way.”

This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. Opening comments: “We had compiled some team voting and voted on awards for this season. Wanted to announce those. The Len Eshmont Award: [RB] Frank Gore. The Bill Walsh Award: [S] Antoine Bethea. Bobb McKittrick Award: [T] Joe Staley. The Hazeltine Iron Man Award: [DT] Justin Smith. Thomas Herrion Memorial Award: [LB] Chris Borland….

December 24, 2014
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Colin Kaepernick: “I change things every offseason. Little bit here, little bit there. Try to make sure I’m staying on top of the things that I feel like are my weaknesses.”

This is the transcript of Colin Kaepernick’s Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. Did RB Frank Gore surprise you at all for what he was able to do six days after a concussion? “I can’t say he did because I expect a lot out of Frank and there’s not too much he does that amazes me anymore because that’s just the standard he’s set for himself.”  …

December 23, 2014
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Greg Roman: “I think we’ve got to produce more in the second half.”

This is the transcript of Greg Roman’s Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. Opening comments: “Good afternoon. Hope everybody’s getting their Christmas shopping done if you haven’t already. Getting ready for a very good Arizona team. Obviously they’re a playoff team, a very aggressive defense led by [Cardinals DE] Calais Campbell up front, [Cardinals NT Dan] Williams and [Cardinals DT Frostee] Rucker and then [Cardinals LB Alex]…

December 23, 2014
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49ers 35, Chargers 38: Grades

SANTA CLARA – On third-and-5 with 3:43 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Niners up by seven, Colin Kaepernick ran out of bounds after losing a yard, stopped the clock for the Chargers and set up Philip Rivers’ game-tying touchdown pass. No, Kaepernick hasn’t thrown a touchdown in the fourth quarter this season. But Rivers threw one today, and Kaepernick helped him do it. Give Kaepernick credit. KAEPERNICK: D. That’s…

December 20, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh: “I’m going to finish this until the end.”

Here is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. How’s the running back situation looking at this time? “[RB] Frank [Gore] practiced today. [RB] Alphonso Smith has had a good week. And we have a new back that has worked in very nicely. Anticipate him being ready for the game and contributing at running back and special teams.”   So, RB Phillip Tanner,…

December 18, 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 3, Seahawks 19: Grades

SANTA CLARA – Jed York can’t blame Vic Fangio for this one — the 49ers’ defense gave up just one touchdown. It was the offense that failed to show up for the third game in a row. Here are the grades. KAEPERNICK: Z. Worst game of his career. His passes were inaccurate, his downfield vision was poor and he forced passes to covered receivers. Is there any doubt which team…

November 27, 2014
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