Harbaugh on Kaepernick: “He’s universally respected in the locker room and loved by his teammates.”

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh spoke to Bay Area reporters in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said.   One of the themes for the team that loses the Super Bowl is how historically they have a difficult time coming back, whether it’s mental or what. Is that an issue that concerns you at all with this team? “Whether what context you put it in, firm believer that…

July 25, 2013
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Kaepernick: “Knock on wood, I haven’t been knocked out yet.”

SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick spoke to Bay Area reporters Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: How has your life changed the past few months? KAEPERNICK: I’ve had more opportunities to do things. For the most part for me, I’m worried about playing football. Q: Was it awkward for you last season going from a backup to the focus of everybody? KAEPERNICK: No, it wasn’t awkward. For the most…

July 25, 2013
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Michael Crabtree walks

Michael Crabtree just walked from the locker room to the weight lifting shed sans limp. He was sporting a light brace on his right ankle and he rode a stationary bike.  

July 25, 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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Harbaugh on Eric Wright, Ahmad Brooks, Aquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree and Kaep’s cap

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke to Bay Area reporters Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: What happened with Eric Wright? HARBAUGH: He did not pass his physical. Q: Why didn’t he? HARBAUGH: We don’t ever talk about that. He’s not on the team. Q: Were you aware of his DUI before you made the trade for him? HARBAUGH: The better guy to talk to is Trent. He’s got…

July 22, 2013
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Who is the most important player on the 49ers this season?

I say Justin Smith is the most important player on the 49ers this season. He is the engine that makes that defense go. The 49ers’ defense was terrible without Justin Smith last season, and until Michael Crabtree is 100-percent healthy, the 49ers are going to have to win games with their defense. Who do you think is the most important player on the 49ers this season and why?

July 17, 2013
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Pre-training-camp playoff and Super Bowl predictions

We have nine more days to kill before training camp starts, so let’s predict which 12 teams will make the playoffs and which team will win the Super Bowl. I’m not looking to start a fight, just a discussion. I reserve the right to change my predictions as many times as I want before the season starts. NFC West: Seattle Seahawks. They won 11 games last season, and with the…

July 15, 2013
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Colin Kaepernick vs. Alex Smith: Which QB will have the better season?

Which quarterback will have a better 2013 season – Colin Kaepernick or Alex Smith? On the one hand, Kaepernick is the superior physical talent and it isn’t close. On the other hand, Smith had the superior passer rating last season – 104.1 to Kaepernick’s 98.3. This season, Smith will have the younger and better running back (27-year-old Jamaal Charles vs. 30-year-old Frank Gore), and the younger and better No.1 wide…

July 10, 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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A.J. Jenkins: “In college, you’re wide open all the time. In the league, you’ve really got to have strong hands.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what A.J. Jenkins said Tuesday afternoon. Q: Did your mindset change when Michael Crabtree got hurt? JENKINS: My mindset going into this offseason was just trying to play more, regardless of whether Crabtree was hurt or not. It’ s unfortunate that he got an injury, but my mindset didn’t waver at all because he got hurt. Q: Roman said last week was the best you’ve practiced…

June 11, 2013
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Boldin’s good work adds to Davis puzzle

Here is my Thursday column on the 49ers’ offense, sans Michael Crabtree. SANTA CLARA –Without Michael Crabtree, the focal point of the San Francisco 49ers’ passing attack last season, the 49ers need all of their receivers to step up – Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis, A.J. Jenkins and anyone else who can run and catch and breathe. At an afternoon OTA session this week, Boldin stepped up. He was unstoppable. He…

May 30, 2013
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Harbaugh on the 49ers’ wide receiver competition: “The young guys are over on the X side.”

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh spoke to the Bay Area media Tuesday afternoon next to the 49ers’ practice field. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   This was our first time seeing WR Anquan Boldin out there. He looked like he’s still in playoff form, what he’s done all those years. What’d you see out of him? “Well, very impressed. Today, you got a good look at what…

May 28, 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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How big of a blow to the 49ers is the loss of Crabtree?

The loss of Michael Crabtree raises a series of questions: 1. Are the 49ers deep enough at wide receiver without Crabtree? 2. Who will step up while Crabtree’s out? 3. Will the 49ers sign or trade for another wide receiver? 4. Does Crabtree’s injury affect the 49ers’ Super Bowl chances? What about their playoffs chances? 5. Are the 49ers still the favorite to win the NFC West?

May 22, 2013
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Lockette: “We’re not taking this lightly, replacing our teammate who is definitely in our prayers.”

SANTA CLARA – Ricardo Lockette spoke to Bay Area reporters Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Does it feel different from last year? LOCKETTE: No, it’s still competition, but the job that we’re competing for happens to be one of the most important jobs on this team, and that’s replacing the best receiver on the team. We’re not taking this lightly, replacing our teammate who is definitely in our…

May 22, 2013
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Kaepernick: “Crab’s going to work. He’s going to be back.”

SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick spoke with Bay Area reporters Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: How big a blow is it to the team to lose Michael Crabtree? KAEPERNICK: Obviously, he’s a great player. He’s done a lot for this team. We just have to have someone step up. Q: Have you talked with him? How’s he feeling? KAEPERNICK: Obviously, he’s not happy about it. He’s just trying…

May 22, 2013
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Harbaugh on Crabtree’s torn Achilles: “We do not anticipate that it will be season-ending.”

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke with Bay Area reporters Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. HARBAUGH: Michael Crabtree underwent surgery to repair his Achilles tendon that he tore yesterday. The surgery was successful and we do not anticipate that it will be season-ending. Q: Was it a partial tear or a full tare? HARBAUGH: It was completely torn and completely repaired. Q: How did it happen? HARBAUGH: He was…

May 22, 2013
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