The Niners are no longer in “training camp mode,” as Jim Harbaugh would say. They’re in a process of transitioning to regular-season mode. But before we all change our modes, let’s relive the highlights of training camp. Here are the five most interesting moments of Niner camp 2011: Harbaugh takes player reps. One minute he’s Coach, blowing his whistle and barking instructions at his players. But when he flips his…
SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh did not invite reporters out to practice until 2:30 p.m., so I missed most of the players stretch, so I won’t be able to report on that for you today. Sorry about that. But I did get to see the quarterbacks warm up. When I got out to the field they were doing a three-step-drop drill and Harbaugh was watching closely. Alex Smith and Colin…
A talkative Jim Harbaugh assessed a good chunk of his roster after practice, giving more praise than he’d given all of training camp. Here’s the complete transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. On whether he has a snap count for his starting offense for Saturday’s game: “It will be fairly similar to last week.” On whether that includes QB Colin Kaepernick playing most of the game: “We’ll see, we’ll see. I…
SANTA CLARA – For the last open practice of the year, the 49ers scrimmaged as far away from the fans as they could. There’s a north and a south field at the Santa Clara complex, and when the fans come they sit around the south field. Usually Harbaugh makes the team practice on both fields. About every 30 minutes he blows his whistle and yells for fresh grass, so the…
SANTA CLARA – Patrick Willis spoke for a few minutes after practice. He had big praise for two of the starting linebackers, and for a surprise backup cornerback as well. Here’s a transcript of that interview. Q: Would you say the team has worked harder this year than last year? WILLIS: I would probably say so. With Coach Harbaugh, everything we do is quick tempo. It’s his way of getting…
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers just ran out to practice in shorts and shells. It’s 80 degrees in Santa Clara and I’m glad I’m wearing shorts as well. Some players are wearing extra clothing, though, which boggles my mind. I’m from the east bay, and my idea of perfect weather is 70 degrees with a breeze. The Santa Clara heat is almost uncomfortable for me. But for some 49ers, Santa…
The 49ers have changed their practice schedule today and there will be no player availability from noon to 1 p.m. as there usually is. All player inteviews will happen after practice today, around 5:30, so stay tuned later in the day for some major bloggage. Anything happens in between I’ll be right on it. Follow me on twitter @grantcohn.
SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio was the podium speaker today after practice, and here’s what he had to say about his defense. This transcript is courtesy of the 49ers. On his assessment of DT Isaac Sopoaga: “He was rusty the first couple practices, which was to be expected from the long layoff and the injury and a new system, but he has really picked it up here the past few…
SANTA CLARA – The competitive portion of practice was brief but it was also violent. The offensive lineman took turns trying to prevent defensive linemen and linebackers from sacking a ball boy who was standing behind them in the pocket. Every time the coach yelled “hut,” the players collided and their helmets crashed. It was definitely nutcracker-esque. First, the drill was one-on-one. Aldon Smith had Joe Staley’s number, beating him…
SANTA CLARA – Josh McCown, the 49ers newest quarterback, spoke after practice. Here’s the complete transcript of that interview. Stay tuned for my notes from practice. Q: They certainly didn’t ease you into practice today, did they? McCOWN: Yeah, I jumped right in, it was fun. Why not? It’s indicative of the whole camp, I’m sure. They’re just learning on the fly, coming out of the CBA stuff, so it’s…
SANTA CLARA — According to Matt Maiocco, the 49ers have signed 32-year old Quarterback Josh McCown. Quarterback news seemed imminent when Jim Harbaugh walked out to practice with the current third-string QB, Jeremiah Masoli. The two were discussing something, and ten feet away Trent Baalke and Alex Smith were discussing something sternly as well. Right after these discussions, someone with platinum blond hair walked out of the 49ers locker room…
SANTA CLARA – Joshua Morgan, not Josh Morgan, spoke this afternoon on Harbaugh’s new offense and how it impacts the wide receivers. He talked about the increase in slant routes from previous years in particular. He also told the story of why he wants to be called Joshua instead of Josh. Here’s the transcript of the interview. Enjoy. Q: Harbaugh said he wants to make the wide receiver position more…
SANTA CLARA — Adam Snyder just spoke on behalf of the offensive line today, and he sounds confident in their ability to improve. He also feels confident in his transition to center. Here’s the complete transcript of the interview. Q: Did you come to camp expecting to play a number of different positions? SNYDER: Yeah. Right now I’m focusing on what I’m doing at center. That’s the one position I…
As it turns out, today and tomorrow will be the last practices of training camp where reporters will be allowed to watch all of practice. Next week, and for the rest of the season, we’ll only be able to watch the first 30 minutes of practice when the players stretch. Then we have to return to the media trailer. So, I want to give you as many visuals these next…
Here’s the full transcript of Harbaugh post-practice press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. He spoke at length about the team’s plans for a third quarterback, the greatness of Frank Gore, the talent of Kendall hunter, and his experience as an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders. He told an Al Davis story which is particularly amusing, but I won’t spoil it for you. Enjoy. On how he will determine which…
SANTA CLARA – Practice ended with Colin Kaepernick leading the first team offense against the first team defense in a 2-minute drill. Kaepernick was 4-6 on the drive, but Aldon Smith sacked him on the last play, and the offense put up zero points. Over the last 90 minutes of practice, Kaepernick took 22 reps with the first team while Alex Smith took 20. This was the first time in…
SANTA CLARA – Backup tackle Alex Boone spoke this afternoon. Boone is hands-down the most talkative offensive lineman on the team, so we asked him questions on a variety of topics. He starts by discussing his own progress, then he moves on to Justin Smith’s chop-to-bull rush, then Aldon Smith, then last Friday’s game against New Orleans. Enjoy. Q: Last time we talked to you we discussed you becoming the…
Greg Roman spoke at the podium after practice to the media. Here’s the complete transcript of that interview, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening statement: “How’s it going? Good. Just had a great practice, got a lot done today. Guys are really working hard. We are challenging them with a lot of things. We’ve got a plan, long-term plan. We are installing a lot of things on them right now and…
SANTA CLARA – Around 5 o’clock I was ready to tweet that Colin Kaepernick had practiced better than Alex Smith today. Kaepernick had been exceptionally accurate, and he’d just led the second team offense on an impressive drive against the second team defense, handling their blitzes with hard counts and audibles. I’d never seen him take such decisive actions at the line of scrimmage in practice before. On the other…
SANTA CLARA — I just saw Michael Crabtree working vigorously on an exercise bike. He was bootless. Earlier in the day, Crabtree was seen smiling, and he told reporters he feels encouraged. Matt Maiocco reports Crabtree should be cleared to practice in two weeks, and although he won’t play in any of the preseason games for a third straight year, he should be ready to play in game 1 of…
