Whitner on the Saints bounty scandal, and more

SANTA CLARA – Donte Whitner spoke about everything from Randy Moss to the Saints’ bounty scandal this afternoon. Here’s what Whitner said: Q: Did the level of practice intensity go up a notch when the pads went on? WHITNER: Yeah, I think that’s natural. Whenever you have a bunch of competitive guys who want to get better, once the pads go on the intensity will be automatic. You don’t even…

July 30, 2012
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Training camp report: Sunday, the not-so-good – A.J. Jenkins struggles

SANTA CLARA — Despite the fact that Jim Harbaugh called A.J. Jenkins an outstanding football player before today’s practice, Jenkins was not outstanding today in practice. He struggled in the one-on-one press coverage drill against Perrish Cox and Deante Purvis. On Jenkins’ first rep, he ran deep but he forgot to look for the pass, so it dropped 10 yards away from him. On his second rep he caught a…

July 29, 2012
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Training camp report: Sunday, the good – Nathan Palmer stands out

SANTA CLARA — It’s very early in training camp, and I’m no expert, but the undrafted rookie wide receiver from Northern Illinois, Nathan Palmer, is good. He may be better than A.J. Jenkins right now. Palmer caught five passes today by my count, including one 50-yard reception in a seven-on-seven drill. In a one-on-one drill he beat Pro Bowl cornerback Carlos Rogers. After the play, Rogers walked over to Palmer…

July 29, 2012
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Harbaugh weighs in on A.J. Jenkins and media access

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh was itching to talk this afternoon. He wasn’t scheduled to speak. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman was, and Harbaugh was supposed to wait until Monday, but Harbaugh couldn’t wait. He sat in the back of the media tent and voraciously ate his lunch (greens, a roll, what looked like roast beef and a tall glass of milk) off of his lap while Roman answered questions. After…

July 29, 2012
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Roman on Gore’s workload, and more

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what offensive coordinator Greg Roman said at his Sunday afternoon press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   Opening statement: “We’re deep into camp now, in the swing of things. We get the pads on today, working through a lot of things. This is really the fourth time for guys that have been here through our whole offseason program that we’ve been able to install our offensive…

July 29, 2012
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Training camp report: Manningham and Bowman shine

SANTA CLARA – Here are my observations from the second padless practice of the Niners training camp. THE GOOD Mario Manningham – Four catches (two against the first team defense), no drops. He could have had five catches, but Alex Smith overthrew him deep when he had beaten Perrish Cox down the left sideline. Manningham beat Culliver short towards the end of practice. Culliver was so frustrated he slapped Manningham…

July 28, 2012
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Justin Smith on playing offense, defense and more

SANTA CLARA – Today Justin Smith answered questions about his teammates and about playing both defense and offense. Here’s what he said. Q: How much of a head start does the defense have this year as opposed to last year? JUSTIN SMITH: I think the biggest thing is you can actually see some of the things you did last year and some of the things you need to work on…

July 28, 2012
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Willis on covering tight ends and rushing quarterbacks

SANTA CLARA – Patrick Willis answered questions about his ability to cover tight ends and rush quarterbacks this afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: A year ago at this time going in to camp one of the things you said you were going to be working on was rushing the quarterback. It didn’t seem that you did that much of it last season. Did that surprise you, and what do…

July 28, 2012
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Demarcus Dobbs on learning to play tight end

SANTA CLARA – Last year undrafted free agent Demarcus Dobbs made the Niners as a reserve defensive linemen. This year he’s also playing tight end. He discussed his new job this afternoon, and here’s what he said. Q: There have been a couple of different heights and weights listed for you. What are you? DOBBS: I’m 6-3, 285 (pounds). Q: What was your reaction when you first heard you’d be…

July 28, 2012
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Vic Fangio on the state of the Niners defense entering training camp

SANTA CLARA – Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent today, and here’s a transcript of what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   How much more of the defense are you going to be able to install with this training camp compared to last year? “Not much more. We pretty much got everything we wanted to put in last year. And then as a matter of fact,…

July 28, 2012
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Training camp report: Vernon Davis runs great routes, Crabtree injures ankle

SANTA CLARA – The Niners first practice of the 2012 training camp was padless – full contact doesn’t start until Sunday. Keeping that in mind, here are my impressions from Friday. THE GOOD TE Vernon Davis – Twice the coaching staff raved about the routes Davis ran. Last year, Harbaugh mentioned he wanted Davis to improve his route running, to make his movements more precise. Today, Davis was the most…

July 27, 2012
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Alex Smith on his relationship with Moss: “We’re still in the courting stage.”

SANTA CLARA – Alex Smith spoke last in the media tent on Friday. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   [WR] Randy [Moss] was saying it’s a work in progress, the offense, the passing game, and fitting in with you. Do you feel that way too? “For sure, I guess I kind of always feel like it is. You’ve never arrived. You’re never there and we certainly aren’t…

July 27, 2012
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Moss on his relationship with Alex Smith, plus more

SANTA CLARA – Randy Moss spoke to Bay Area reporters for the first time in person as 49er today. He came into the media tent after head coach Jim Harbaugh and answered questions about his conditioning, his first impression of his new team and his relationship with Alex Smith. Here’s the transcript, courtesy of the 49ers.   “Let’s go you all got a few questions, fire away.”   Jim Harbaugh…

July 27, 2012
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Harbaugh and the Niners depth chart

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh was the first 49er to speak at in the media tent this afternoon. He mostly discussed the depth chart. Here’s the transcript, courtesy of the 49ers.   Opening Statement: “Hello.”   Did you do anything different at the opening of camp this year with no lockout as opposed to a year ago when you didn’t really know these guys? “Yes, we have a strategy that’s…

July 27, 2012
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Aldon Smith says he’s “all healed up and ready to go” after stabbing

SANTA CLARA – Aldon Smith spoke to reporters for the first time since his stabbing on June 30, and here’s what he said. Q: There’s been a lot of concern around the country for your well-being. What was the saddest part for you? ALDON SMITH: Letting everyone down was probably the saddest part. I’m back to 100 percent and I’m ready to go. Q: You felt like you let who…

July 27, 2012
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Niners media tent schedule

Here is the Niners’ current weekend interview schedule, which is subject to change. If you have any questions you would like me to ask, please leave them in the comment section below.   Friday, July 27 between 12-1pm Head Coach Jim Harbaugh QB Alex Smith WR Randy Moss   Saturday, July 28 between 12-1pm Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio DT Justin Smith LB Patrick Willis   Sunday, July 29 between 12-1pm…

July 27, 2012
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Goldson explains why he signed when he signed

SANTA CLARA – Dashon Goldson, who signed his one-year franchise tender this morning, explained to reporters this afternoon why he chose to sign it today. Here’s what he said. Q: How does it feel to be back? GOLDSON: It feels great. The offseason was real good. I’m very confident in everything that went on. I’m glad to be back here to get this show on the road. Q: What are…

July 26, 2012
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Vernon Davis and the smell of the Super Bowl

SANTA CLARA – Vernon Davis spoke about the Niners Super Bowl expectations this afternoon, and here’s what he said. Q: How does it feel to be back? VERNON DAVIS: It feels awesome. I’m excited about the players we have here. I can’t wait until the season starts. Sometimes you want to skip preaseaon and get right to the season. It’s going to be a good year. I can feel it….

July 26, 2012
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Niners sign Leonard Davis

SANTA CLARA — More breaking news: The 49ers have signed guard 33-year-old guard Leonard Davis to a one-year contract. Davis (6-6, 375 pounds) did not play a single snap last season, but he will compete with Alex Boone for the Niners starting right guard job in training camp. Here’s what Davis said to reporters this afternoon: Q: When you came to visit the 49ers in March, did you have an…

July 26, 2012
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Dashon Goldson signs the franchise tag

A central question of the 49ers’ offseason has been answered: Pro Bowl free safety Dashon Goldson will not sit out training camp. The Niners announced Thursday morning that Goldson has signed his one-year franchise tender worth $6.212 million. Goldson reportedly arrived at team facilities this morning in time for a 9 a.m. meeting. Stay tuned – all the veterans report to camp today, and I’ll be posting interview transcripts this…

July 26, 2012
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