Is Ward a lock to start at Nickelback? Fangio: “I don’t think you can assume that.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke to Bay Area reporters Wednesday afternoon. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers. Are these the first real looks that you’ve been getting of DT Tank Carradine since he got here last year? “Yes. Last year at this time he wasn’t practicing, and that you guys know, didn’t practice until some point in October, November. And he wasn’t physically ready to go then….

June 18, 2014
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Top 5 defensive coaches in the NFL

Who are the top-five defensive coaches in the NFL right now? By defensive coaches, I mean guys who actually are instrumental in designing the defensive game plan during the week. The defensive coordinator does it for some teams, but the head coach does it for other teams. When Bill Walsh was the 49ers’ head coach, he had various offensive coordinators but the offense was Walsh’s and he called the plays….

May 21, 2014
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Why Harbaugh is so good

This is my Sunday column on what makes Jim Harbaugh a good head coach. SEATTLE — Serious question — what makes Jim Harbaugh a good head coach? Clearly, he is a good coach. His record reflects that. More than three wins for every loss as a head coach in the NFL. But Harbaugh doesn’t call his own plays like Bill Walsh or Sean Payton, and Harbaugh isn’t a defensive specialist…

January 18, 2014
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Fangio on Lynch: “He’s just a great back.”

SANTA CLARA — Here is a transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.   How did CB Carlos Rogers look to you during yesterday’s practice? “He did fine in yesterday’s practice. He took part in about half of it, opened up a few times, looked good running and then we shut him down at that point and hopefully he’ll be able to do a…

January 16, 2014
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49ers 23, Panthers 10: Grades

CHARLOTTE – Here are the grades for the 49ers’ 23-10 divisional playoff win over the Panthers. KAEPERNICK: A-. He played terribly before the 49ers defense made their second goal line stand but, then again, most of the Niners played terribly before the second stand. After that, Kaepernick and the rest of the Niners were just about unstoppable. Kaepernick accounted for two touchdowns – a pass to Vernon Davis while rolling…

January 12, 2014
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Fangio: “The quarterback powers and lead draws. We’re anticipating more of those from them.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the 49ers’ media tent Thursday afternoon. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.   How has CB Carlos Rogers seemed to you? “Who’s that?”   Carlos Rogers. “He’s doing, what’s the word I’m looking for, he’s still hurt a little bit. But, he’s much better than he was last week. We’ll see if he can try and do something today.”…

January 9, 2014
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Vic Fangio on Carlos Rogers: “This will be our first game without him as our nickel.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.   How has the Packers offense evolved since you faced them Week 1? “They really haven’t changed a whole lot. To me, that’s a credit to their coaches and the system that they have installed there. It’s a flexible system. And when they had lost their quarterback for…

January 2, 2014
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49ers 23, Cardinals 20: Grades

Here are my grades for the 49ers. They beat the Cardinals 23-20 on a last-second field goal by Phil Dawson. KAEPERNICK: B+. Excellent in the first and fourth quarter, bad in the second and third quarter. He was flagged for a delay-of-game penalty on the final drive of the game, but he also made two beautiful throws on that drive – one to Anquan Boldin for 18 yards and one…

December 29, 2013
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Vic Fangio on Andre Ellington: “He’s very similar to Darren Sproles.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here is a transcript, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.   Can you take us through LB NaVorro Bowman’s interception one more time and just how that play was designed and how it unfolded? “Well, everybody on that play did their job exactly correct, all 11 guys. And luckily it worked out. But, it just goes to show…

December 26, 2013
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Fangio on the Falcons: “They’re still a very explosive offense.”

SANTA CLARA — Vid Fangio spoke in the media tent Friday afternoon. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.   Since you have all of the same guys in the same places as last year, what’s different about your defense this year as far as the way it’s executing your scheme and what it’s accomplished? I think you’re back up there right there at the top like…

December 20, 2013
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Fangio says Wilson “can run any offense.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here is a transcript.   How much of Seattle’s success is success on first and second downs to stay in manageable situations, third and short? “Well, it’s a big part of their success. Basically, the big part of their success is they’re balanced. They run the ball on first and second down as much as anybody in the…

December 5, 2013
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Did Fangio ask his players to watch the Monday Night broadcast? Fangio: “No. Why should I?”

SANTA CLARA – At his Thursday press conference, Vic Fangio spoke about watching the Monday Night broadcast of the Seahawks-Saints game. Here is a trancsript. Q: How does Russell Wilson prevent getting his passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage? FANGIO: He throws through windows. He doesn’t get his balls batted. I was watching the Monday Night game and they threw a stat up there that he’s in the…

December 5, 2013
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Fangio on the Cardinals: “They’ve got a very talented offense in the skill positions.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript courtesy of the 49ers.   How do you feel just about the way the defense has rallied these last few weeks with a couple very significant guys out of the lineup? “Well, the guys that have come in and replaced those guys have played well enough for us to keep playing the way we like…

October 10, 2013
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Arians on the Cardinals: “One thing we’ve done so far is play the run pretty solidly and eliminate long balls.”

Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Bruce Arians spoke on a conference call with Bay Area reporters Wednesday morning. Here is a transcript. Q: Do you feel like your team is getting better each week as we go along here? ARIANS: We are starting to improve each week. Offensively it’s taken a little more time than we had hoped, but special teams and defense so far have been playing pretty solid. Q:…

October 9, 2013
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Fangio on the Texans: “They make their runs and play-action passes look exactly the same.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript courtesy of the 49ers.   When you look at the Texans, what sort of jumps out at you about the challenge that they present to you guys? “Well, balance number one. These guys are committed to running the ball and they have a play-action passing game that works directly in conjunction with their running game….

October 3, 2013
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Fangio: “We were ultimately the second-best defense on the field in those two games.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Tuesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript courtesy of the 49ers.   We saw CB Darryl Morris got promoted to the active roster. Is that a sign that CB Nnamdi Asomugha won’t be able to play Thursday? “Well, we had the opening with the roster, and we do have some questions with our health at the corner position. So, we just felt it…

September 24, 2013
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Colts have the horsepower to outrun 49ers on Sunday

Here is my Friday column previewing the 49ers-Colts game. Even if Indianapolis hadn’t traded for Trent Richardson on Wednesday, the 49ers still would have a tough time beating the Colts on Sunday. Look at the facts: The Colts ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards without Richardson. They average 5 yards per carry. To beat the 49ers, you have to run the ball well and that’s what the Colts…

September 20, 2013
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Fangio on Trent Richardson: “It would not surprise me to see him play half the game or 90 percent of the game.”

SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript: Q: When did you find out that the Colts had added a running back (Trent Richardson)? FANGIO: Yesterday during practice. Q: What did you guys have to do as far as the preparations for this game? FANGIO: Obviously we went in and put a tape together of him running the ball for Cleveland for the…

September 19, 2013
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Bowman on the Colts’ offense: “It’s really just No.12, man. He pretty much runs everything.”

SANTA CLARA – NaVorro Bowman spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: It’s the third straight week your defense faces one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Any thoughts on that? BOWMAN: Yeah, I’m excited to face a good quarterback, one of Coach Harbaugh’s protégés. Just excited to bounce back from this loss. If you face the best early in the season then it…

September 18, 2013
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