8/3 Practice notes

SANTA CLARA – When you watch Aldon Smith work individually with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, you think, “Here’s a rookie with a lot to learn.” Today Fangio worked with Smith on the blocking sleds, and he’d repeatedly stop Smith to work on his technique. Fangio wanted Smith to hit the sled, rip away to the right and square up. But Smith wasn’t squaring up, he was ending up sideways. Parys…

August 3, 2011
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Frank Gore Q&A

Frank Gore spoke to the media in the interview tent after his first practice of the season today. When he got to the podium he greeted everyone with an exuberant, “how’s everybody doing, baby?” He seemed happy to be back and eager to play, even eager to answer questions. Here’s the transcript provided by the 49ers. On how he feels: “I feel great, I feel good. I feel good.” On…

August 2, 2011
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Practice notes: The good and not-so-good

SANTA CLARA – Practice ended at 5:30 and then Jim Harbaugh and Frank Gore spoke to the media, but before I pass along those transcripts, here is the good and not-so-good from today’s training camp. THE GOOD Frank Gore. He was the best player on the field. Almost every time he took a hand off he made one cut to get through the defensive line and one more cut to…

August 2, 2011
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Trent Baalke takes the practice field, and more

SANTA CLARA – Frank Gore was suited up and active for the beginning practice today, making cuts and catching passes, but he wasn’t the center of attention. Why? Because general manager Trent Baalke was on the field. For the first fifteen minutes he stood ten feet away from the offensive line and stared at them work with his arms crossed. He looked like a coach. It seemed like he was…

August 2, 2011
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Joe Staley on Gore, Snyder, Aldon Smith, himself

SANTA CLARA – Joe Staley just spoke to a media group at the 49ers practice facility. He answered questions about Frank Gore’s return, Adam Snyder’s move to center, and Aldon Smith’s long arms. You’ll like what he has to say about Smith. He also talked about his own health and his outlook for the season. Here are selected quotes from that interview. Q: How great is it to have Frank…

August 2, 2011
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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…

August 1, 2011
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Waiting for Nnamdi

SANTA CLARA – I just arrived in Santa Clara. Players will be available for group media interviews in the press room from 11:30 to 12:45, just like yesterday and the day before. I will be posting them later. Remember, these interviews are group efforts by the beat writers. Now let’s catch up with free agency. According to Mike Sando, Nate Clements’ release is “finally imminent.” So, we know the 49ers…

July 28, 2011
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A breather for the Bell Cow? It could finally happen

In the 23 full games Gore has played since 2009, he’s had 426 of the 466 carries given to 49ers running backs, or 91.4 percent. Is that a lot? Well, it’s a higher percentage than Kansas City’s Larry Johnson had in 2006 when he set the NFL record for carries. Johnson had 416 of the 470 carries given to Chiefs running backs, or 88.5 percent.

April 1, 2011
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Alex + Vernon = 124.0

San Francisco quarterbacks had a whopping 113.8 rating in 2010 when they targeted Vernon Davis, who had a particularly good rapport with Alex Smith (124.0 rating).

March 10, 2011
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Harbaugh suggests Gore will be his latest workhorse

Harbaugh has twice had running backs returning after 1,000-yard seasons. In each case those backs have ranked among the top three in the nation in carries per game, averaging more than 26 a contest (perspective: Kansas City’s Larry Johnson set the NFL record for single-season carries in 2006 with 416, or 26 a contest).

February 15, 2011
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A mock draft to Bank(s) on?

Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks broke the Jeff-Fisher-is-out-in-Tennessee story on Thursday. Banks evidently had the news before some of the Titans assistant coaches. With Banks’ obvious connections in mind, perhaps his mock draft (click here) is actually more like the answer key.

January 28, 2011
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