Jim Harbaugh: “This is a big game, big challenge, big task but we’re excited to compete.”

SANTA CLARA — Here is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. You talked on the radio this morning how the challenge that Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense gives you guys, but you said that you think your defense is going to be up for it. So, what are expecting out of your defense and how well they’ve been…

October 15, 2014
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49ers need to ride that stallion

This is my Sunday column previewing the 49ers’ upcoming game against the Rams. The final score might be closer than we expect but, come on, this game won’t be competitive. The oddsmakers in Las Vegas must be messing with us, favoring the 49ers to beat the Rams by just 31/2 points Monday night. Sure, the 49ers have kicked nine field goals the past two games and struggle to score touchdowns…

October 11, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh’s job description does not include being nice

This is my Thursday column on the Jim Harbaugh rumors. This Monday, as the 49ers started to prepare for the Rams, Jim Harbaugh told the media, please, don’t ask the players if they like him. “That’s not their job to defend the head coach,” Harbaugh said. “Their job is to do their jobs – to play football, have each other’s backs, and that’s what I’ve always seen out of them….

October 9, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh says Frank Gore is getting better

SANTA CLARA — Here’s the complete transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. What do you see when you’ve looked at the Rams here? The last two weeks couple of close games coming off of a win before that. What kind of challenge do they pose to you guys? “Big challenge. Have always had knock-down, drag-out games with the Rams. Expect this to be…

October 9, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh says the plan is for Marcus Lattimore to play this season

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh was interviewed by Bay Area reporters Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about Marcus Lattimore. Q: What’s the update on Marcus Lattimore? Do you anticipate him practicing sooner than later? Where is he in his progression? HARBAUGH: He has done very well. The way we’re thinking about it is he will be eligible after the sixth week. He could have a week of practice and…

October 9, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh: “Jed stopped by today. We had a real good talk.”

SANTA CLARA — Here is the full transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.   Anything jump out at you after reviewing the film of that win? “Yeah, lot of things. Where would you like to start?”   Let’s start defensively. What did you think just of how well they’re tackling and the way they made adjustments in the second half? “Well, that would…

October 6, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh: “We were calling and executing the plays that we thought would get us in the end zone.”

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh was interviewed in the 49ers’ auditorium Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the 49ers’ red zone offense. Q: In the past two games, seven trips to the red zone but only two touchdowns. What has been the problem? Execution? Play calling? HARBAUGH: “There was a couple there where I really thought we were going to knock it in. The last drive, I really felt…

October 6, 2014
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49ers 22, Chiefs 17: Grades

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers eked out a 22-17 win over the Chiefs Sunday afternoon. But the 49ers should have lost. The Chiefs gave away the game. With four minutes and 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter Kansas City committed one of the stupidest penalties you ever will see: Fourth-and-2 at the Chiefs’ 36-yard line. Phil Dawson was on the field to attempt a 54-yard field goal and, if…

October 5, 2014
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Smith or Kap? Choose carefully

This is my Saturday column. Alex Smith is better than Colin Kaepernick. Face it. Jim Harbaugh picked the wrong quarterback. The 49ers never should have traded Smith, never should have benched him in the first place. Remember how it went down? Harbaugh was so eager to bench Smith, Harbaugh broke an unwritten rule, an NFL tradition – a player does not lose his starting job if he gets hurt. Alex…

October 4, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh: “I think we’re real close to playing our best football.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Generally, people will probably second-guess your decision to trade Kansas City Chiefs QB Alex Smith if they could. I mean, they probably do anyway, especially if they come in and win. Does that add any weight or any perspective to this game for you? “We said before, playing against a team…

October 3, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh on Alex Smith: “Always very happy for his success, almost all the time.”

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh was interviewed by Bay Area reporters Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Is this different, just the preparation in any way, facing somebody at the quarterback position that you know so well? “To some degree it is. I think about it. When we start talking about the scouting report and it’s [Chiefs QB] Alex [Smith]. So, yeah, in some ways…

October 1, 2014
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Vernon Davis on Jim Harbaugh: “I heard about the rumor that was going on around here but I don’t really see it that way.”

SANTA CLARA – Vernon Davis answered questions at his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about his relationship with Jim Harbaugh. Q: Could you characterize your relationship with Jim Harbaugh? VD: He’s awesome. He’s a great guy. I haven’t really heard anything. I heard about the rumor that was going on around here but I don’t really see it that way. I think he’s a great guy. Everyone in…

October 1, 2014
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49ers 26, Eagles 21: Grades

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers beat the Eagles 26-21 Sunday afternoon. Here are the 49ers’ grades. KAEPERNICK: B-. Made both of the 49ers’ touchdowns happen. On the first one he scrambled left, drew the Eagles’ entire defense and threw back to the right, across the whole field to Frank Gore who was wide open. One of the most thrilling plays you’ll see. Next, Kaepernick scrambled to the left and threw…

September 28, 2014
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Vic Fangio struggles with the hand he was dealt

This is my Saturday column previewing the 49ers’ Sunday home game against the Eagles. What is Vic Fangio supposed to do? Call plays while hopping on one leg? Vic, try patting your head and rubbing your stomach in the coaches’ box. Say rubber baby buggy bumpers. Strike a pose. The 49ers’ defensive coordinator is running out of options. He tried blitzing. He tried not blitzing. Neither has worked. The 49ers’…

September 27, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh: “I’m not going to be consumed with anything but playing the game and things we’ve worked on, things we try to improve.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. What kind of week was the work? What did you see from your team coming off the two losses? “Good week of work. Thought the meetings were good and good energy at practice.”   You were optimistic earlier in the week about TE Vernon Davis. Is that still the case? How’s…

September 26, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh says he “wouldn’t categorize” the 49ers’ offensive identity

SANTA CLARA — Here’s a transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. We talked to Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly today. He told some of the stories about offensive coordinator Greg Roman going up there and then him coming here. Can you talk about when he came here, I believe it was 2012, just what ideas were exchanged between him and your staff…

September 24, 2014
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49ers victims of identity theft

This is my Tuesday column on the 49ers’ offense. Who are these guys? The 49ers’ offense used to have an identity. It was a power-running offense. It was a rhinoceros. It had a metamorphosis last week and now it’s a bug. The 49ers rode the rhinoceros to three consecutive NFC championships and one Super Bowl appearance. Twice, the rhinoceros trampled the Arizona Cardinals last season – 49ers halfbacks carried the…

September 24, 2014
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Chip Kelly: “I’ve had a lot of respect for Jimmy and Greg Roman going against them. They can scheme up the run game as good anybody I’ve ever seen.”

This is the transcript of Chip Kelly’s Wednesday morning conference call with Bay Area reporters. Q: Is there anything you can put your finger on for why you’ve had to come back from big deficits the first three games? KELLY: Part of it is the opponent. You’ve got to give credit to them for playing well. I think every week in this league is a battle. There aren’t many blowouts…

September 24, 2014
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49ers 14, Cardinals 23: Grades

GLENDALE, AZ. – The 49ers lost 23-14 to the Cardinals. Here are the 49ers’ grades. KAEPERNICK: A. Gained 290 of the 49ers’ 318 total yards. Ran 13 times for 54 yards and completed 78.4 percent of his passes. Passer rating was 103.3. The entire offense was Kaepernick. Hard to win in the NFL with a one-player offense. RUNNING BACKS: D. Frank Gore carried the ball 6 times and gained 10…

September 21, 2014
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