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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Redskins 13, 49ers 17: Grades

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers defied the odds and beat the first-class Redskins 17-13 Sunday afternoon. Here are the Niners’ grades. KAEPERNICK: B. Unusually efficient. Completed 20-of-29 pass attempts (69 percent) for 256 yards (8.8 yards per attempt). Three of his nine incomplete passes were dropped. He threw a long, beautiful touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin on the first drive of the game, but he never came close to throw…

November 23, 2014
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49ers 27, Saints 24: Grades

They aren’t dead yet. The 49ers beat the Saints 27-24 in overtime Sunday afternoon, handed Sean Payton his first loss in the Superdome since 2010. Now the 49ers are 5-4. Here are their grades. KAEPERNICK: B+. It was fourth-and-10 from the Niners’ 22-yard line, one minute and 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Niners’ down by three. Kaepernick had to save the game. He rolled to his right. Nowhere…

November 9, 2014
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49ers 10, Rams 13: Grades

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers just gave away a game to the Rams, a dreadful team that was trying its best to lose. Here are the 49ers’ grades. KAEPERNICK: D+. Was that him? Didn’t look like it. Whoever was wearing the red No.7 jersey looked timid, tentative, not explosive at all. Averaged just 7.18 yards per pass and 2.8 yards per carry, converted 3-of-12 third down and scored no touchdowns…

November 2, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh on Marcus Lattimore: “He hung back in the training room today.”

Here is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Hello. Happy Halloween.”   Pirates, right? “Correct.”   Which pirate are you? “Just a normal pirate.”   Not Captain Hook? “No, I don’t think so.”   How did LB Patrick Willis look in practice this week? Does he look ready to play? “He’s working hard every day. He says he’s feeling better…

October 31, 2014
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Greg Roman: “Don’t buy into the fact that we’re really doing that many more things. We’re probably doing less things.”

SANTA CLARA — Here is the transcript of Greg Roman’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Good afternoon. First of all, congratulations to the Giants. What a game, huh? Some high drama there at the end. What they’ve done is pretty remarkable. I know the city’s just pretty excited, as well they should be. Here we are facing the Rams again, division opponent, very good…

October 30, 2014
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Grading 49ers at the break

This is my Sunday column. The 49ers just finished dead week. These are their midterm grades. COLIN KAEPERNICK Pocket proficiency: B. Was a C-minus last season. Completed just 57 percent of his passes and posted an 81 passer rating inside the pocket in 2013. Has completed 69 percent of his passes and posted a 90 rating inside the pocket this season. He’s finding the open receiver quickly and throwing the…

October 27, 2014
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49ers 17, Broncos 42: Grades

The Broncos eked out a 42-17 win over the 49ers Sunday night. Here are the Niners’ grades. KAEPERNICK: D. Carried the team in the first half. Posted a 140 passer rating in the second quarter. Would have been a 156 rating if Anquan Boldin hadn’t dropped a touchdown pass on third-and-goal from the 4 yard line. Kaepernick led a 7-play, 85-yard touchdown drive that took 2 minutes and 58 seconds…

October 19, 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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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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Colin Kaepernick: “I think we’re multiple in what we do.”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s a transcript of Colin Kaepernick’s Wednesday interview, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. How tough does the Eagles defense look to you? “Very good defense. Do a lot of different things and do a lot of things well.”   Do you think that the offense right now is grappling in any way with an identity issue? Are you guys a power-running team? Are you a spread-it-out…

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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Harbaugh: “The foot on the accelerator analogy, I’m not sure exactly what you’re saying there.”

SANTA CLARA — This is a transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. When Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy was inactive for the Panthers, did that cause you guys to reevaluate DT Ray McDonald’s situation at all whether he’d play or not? “No. We didn’t compare the two situations.” You talked last night about QB Colin Kaepernick making good throws. When you look back…

September 15, 2014
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Dontae Johnson expects Jay Cutler to test him Sunday Night

SANTA CLARA – Dontae Johnson was interviewed next to his locker Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript Q: Going up against Jay Cutler do you expect to be targeted a little more just because you’re the rookie? JOHNSON: Yeah, absolutely. That’s just one of the things: “He’s a rookie. Let’s see if he can play this game.” That’s one of the things that comes with being a rookie. You’ve got to…

September 11, 2014
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Colin Kaepernick on the Cowboys’ defense: “They’re physical. They’re fast. They know what they’re doing out there.”

SANTA CLARA — Colin Kaepernick was interviewed next to his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. Q: If this game turns into a shootout, are you ready for that? Do you enjoy that kind of a game? KAEPERNICK: Of course. We’re always ready to score points. Q: What challenges does the Cowboys’ defense pose to you? KAEPERNICK: They’re very physical. They’re very fast. They know what they’re doing out there….

September 3, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh on Daniel Kilgore: “He’s done a very good job with making the calls.”

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh was interviewed in the 49ers’ auditorium Monday afternoon. Here’s a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. staff. Do you have an update on C Marcus Martin yet? “Yeah, it’s coming in. He had an MRI this morning and, can’t go into all of the details because I don’t know them all, but it doesn’t appear that it’s an ACL.” Two months, is that the timeframe…

August 25, 2014
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49ers 21, Chargers 7: Starters’ grades

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers beat the Chargers 21-7 Sunday afternoon. Here are the grades for the Niners’ starters. KAEPERNICK: D-. Fumbled twice and committed one turnover. Completed 50 percent of his passes. Completed zero percent of his passes in the red zone. Posted a 64.2 passer rating. Performed poorly in areas he needed to improve this offseason – accuracy, touch, footwork and red-zone passing. RUNNING BACKS: C. Carlos Hyde…

August 24, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh ends open practice at Levi’s Stadium after 45 minutes

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers have been talking about the Levi’s Stadium grass all week. Its roots haven’t set, the 49ers say. The footing is no good and patches of sod are coming up. Stevie Johnson slipped on the grass 45 minutes into practice, got up and started limping. Two plays later, Harbaugh pulled the team off the field and finished practice on the practice field which is closed to…

August 20, 2014
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Roman on the 49ers’ wide receivers: “There is a good chance you see more of them.”

SANTA CLARA — Greg Roman was interviewed in the 49ers’ auditorium Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. ROMAN: Afternoon. Had a great practice yesterday. A lot of spirit. Looking for another one today. Got a lot of things going on right now. Our offensive staff, just got to commend them. To a man they do a great job. Very fortunate to work with this group. It’s our fourth year together for…

August 20, 2014
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Stevie Johnson says he’s playing X, Z and F

SANTA CLARA — Stevie Johnson was interviewed next to his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here is a transcript. Q: Are you happy with how the offense is going to look this season? S. JOHNSON: Yeah, I think the offense will be pretty dynamic. Just happy to be here. Q: How are you meshing with Colin Kaepernick? S. JOHNSON: We’re working well. Every day is another opportunity to get better and that’s…

August 20, 2014
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