49ers’ next coach will be…

This is my Friday column. Let’s play a game. Based on what we know about Jed York and Trent Baalke, which isn’t much, and what we know about their head-coaching search, which is even less, predict which coach they will hire. Easy, right? I think I know the answer, based on next to nothing. And not only that — I think I know the exact words and phrases York and…

January 8, 2015
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The quarterback deficiencies of Colin Rand Kaepernick

This is my Sunday column. As Jed York and Trent Baalke search for someone who can make Colin Kaepernick a competent pocket passer, keep in mind that Jim Harbaugh, the Quarterback Whisperer, couldn’t do it; George Whitfield, the Quarterback Guru, couldn’t do it; and Bill Walsh, The Genius, almost certainly wouldn’t care to try. Of course, I can’t prove that last part — Walsh passed away in 2007 — but…

January 3, 2015
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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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Jed York: “Harbaugh is now free to consider his next coaching opportunity without any constraints.”

The 49ers just sent out the following press release: SANTA CLARA, Calif.  – The San Francisco 49ers and Jim Harbaugh have mutually agreed to part ways. The 49ers organization has begun its search for the team’s next head coach, while Harbaugh is now free to consider his next coaching opportunity without any constraints. 49ers CEO Jed York and General Manager Trent Baalke will hold a press conference in the Levi’s®…

December 28, 2014
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Anthony Davis’ criticism is out of bounds

This is my Sunday column. Anthony Davis sure has a lot to say for a guy who played just six games this season. Four days after he played his first game in five weeks, Davis more or less fired his own boss, offensive coordinator Greg Roman, via Twitter: “Greg Roman to me when I was 21: ‘You know we can get someone off the street to do what you do.’…

December 27, 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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Jim Harbaugh: “I definitely get happier and happier as that new opportunity approaches.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of what could be Jim Harbaugh’s final Monday press conference with the 49ers, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. Do you have any update on S Eric Reid and how he’s feeling? “He’s going to see the neurologist tomorrow and have an update by then.”   Is there added concern just because of the issues he had last year with a couple concussions…

December 22, 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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Jim Harbaugh: “We weren’t able to run full speed, so it physically impacted us quite a bit.”

This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. I’m assuming you guys had to change things up a little bit yesterday as far as the practice plan with that small enclosure that you guys were in. Did that impact you guys much as far as how you normally have a practice week? “Yes.”   In what ways? “We weren’t able to run…

December 12, 2014
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Kaepernick’s diminishing returns

This is my Wednesday column. Colin Kaepernick is in the tank. Every week he sinks a little deeper. I picture him diving into a pool like Dustin Hoffman in “The Graduate,” swimming to the deep end, sitting cross-legged on the bottom, covering his ears and screaming inaudible gurgles while Simon and Garfunkel sing “The Sounds of Silence.” Let’s put the plunge in context. Kaepernick is 27 years old and declining….

December 10, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh: “When you’re making an apology for something, that doesn’t actually fix the issue or the problem that you’re apologizing for.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. So, you guys activated LB NaVorro Bowman to the 53-man roster. What do you expect from him for the final three weeks of the regular season? “The doctors and medical staff put a plan into place that would make it possible for him to play this year. This week, he wouldn’t…

December 10, 2014
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Harbaugh: “Colin’s our quarterback.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Has there been any decision on LB NaVorro Bowman? “We’re going to discuss that this afternoon. Let all the medical weigh in today and then make decisions.”   The window closes tomorrow or today? “Correct. Tomorrow, I believe.”   You figure Seattle would love nothing more than to effectively end your…

December 8, 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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Jim Harbaugh says the Raiders have “some outstanding players.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Thanks for adjusting to the schedule change.”   Were you able to get a lot done out there? “Yeah. It was good focus. We did get a lot done. Could rain Sunday, so, it was good to get that work in the rain as well.”   I noticed 49ers…

December 3, 2014
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Harbaugh a Raider? Considering the unthinkable

Here is my Tuesday column. SANTA CLARA Would Jim Harbaugh willingly coach the Raiders next season? Is he insane? He is under contract to coach the 49ers next season, but ESPN reported this past weekend that the Niners will dump him after this season unless the team makes a deep run into the playoffs – fat chance. Almost every other week it seems a new report comes out reminding us…

December 1, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh: “I kind of think some of these questions are for your own pleasure.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. When we talked to you Thursday night, you hadn’t seen 49ers CEO Jed York’s tweet, you didn’t know, you didn’t respond. I’m sure, at some point, you’ve seen it now, where he said that that performance was not unacceptable and he apologized. What’s your reaction to that and have you talked…

December 1, 2014
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49ers turf war suffocates progress

This is my Saturday column. Even Trent Baalke’s daughter wants Jim Harbaugh to fire Greg Roman. Cassie Baalke has seen enough. The college student reached her breaking point Thursday night after the Niners’ offense scored just three points at home against the Seahawks. “Greg Roman can take a hike,” she tweeted, “the 49ers don’t want you no more.” She quickly deleted the tweet from her account, and she’s probably on…

November 28, 2014
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