SANTA CLARA – If you thought today’s practice would start with a Harbaugh-Kaepernick quarterback lesson, you were wrong. Harbaugh left Kaepernick alone with quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst for a change. Instead, Coach Harbaugh spent the beginning of practice standing next to punter Andy Lee. As I walked over, I saw Harbaugh pantomiming a punting motion, and for a second I thought he was trying to teach Andy Lee, one of…
SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick spoke to a group of media members again today. He answered questions about his progress picking up the offense, and he answered them with the same winning smile he’s had all of training camp. It’s a smile that just won’t quit. Here are selected quotes from that interview. Enjoy. Q: What’s it been like transitioning from the pistol to this pro-style offense? KAEPERNICK: It’s more…
Here’s the transcript of the post-practice interview with Jim Harbaugh I promised you, courtesy of the 49ers. Today was a heck of a lot of fun. I hope you’re having as much fun as I am. On how Gore looked during practice: “Good. He looked good/ There is quite a difference in communication when he’s in the huddle. [RB] Frank [Gore] does a great job communicating at the line, in…
Frank Gore spoke to the media in the interview tent after his first practice of the season today. When he got to the podium he greeted everyone with an exuberant, “how’s everybody doing, baby?” He seemed happy to be back and eager to play, even eager to answer questions. Here’s the transcript provided by the 49ers. On how he feels: “I feel great, I feel good. I feel good.” On…
SANTA CLARA – Practice ended at 5:30 and then Jim Harbaugh and Frank Gore spoke to the media, but before I pass along those transcripts, here is the good and not-so-good from today’s training camp. THE GOOD Frank Gore. He was the best player on the field. Almost every time he took a hand off he made one cut to get through the defensive line and one more cut to…
SANTA CLARA – Frank Gore was suited up and active for the beginning practice today, making cuts and catching passes, but he wasn’t the center of attention. Why? Because general manager Trent Baalke was on the field. For the first fifteen minutes he stood ten feet away from the offensive line and stared at them work with his arms crossed. He looked like a coach. It seemed like he was…
SANTA CLARA – Joe Staley just spoke to a media group at the 49ers practice facility. He answered questions about Frank Gore’s return, Adam Snyder’s move to center, and Aldon Smith’s long arms. You’ll like what he has to say about Smith. He also talked about his own health and his outlook for the season. Here are selected quotes from that interview. Q: How great is it to have Frank…
Here’s the full transcript for Jim Harbaugh’s post-practice group interview provided by the 49ers. Some of the salient points he makes regard the fast pace of practice, the reason players wear their uniforms in practice, and how the team has improved in these three days. For some reason he failed to reveal in the group interview that Frank Gore will end his holdout and will appear in Santa Clara on…
SANTA CLARA – David Akers spoke to the media after practice today. Akers played under Jim’s brother John for nine seasons in Philadelphia when John was a special teams coach. The 49ers’ new kicker had glowing praise for the Harbaughs. Specifically, Akers explained why he signed here and why he believes Jim can turn the 49ers into a winning franchise once again. Enjoy. Q: Why not be patient and see…
SANTA CLARA – Practice is over for the day and I will post two interviews shortly, but first here are the good things and the not-so-good things I saw on the field. THE GOOD Colin Kaepernick. By my count he was 15-23 with one interception and one fumbled snap in 11-on-11 scrimmages. He connected with Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker repeatedly on crossing routes and deep outs. Kaepernick makes throwing…
SANTA CLARA – The third practice of training camp started nearly an hour ago. Now that I’ve seen three, I’d like to share some trends I’ve noticed. The big activity to begin practice is special teams, and Ted Ginn has returned most of the kickoffs so far. Coach Jim Tomsula works with the defensive line in the back-left corner of the property, not technically on a playing field, just beyond…
SANTA CLARA – Aldon Smith, Adam Snyder, and Scott McKillop just spoke to the media, and here are selected quotes from those interviews. Practice starts at 2:30 and the players will wear pads for the first time this training camp. Jim Harbaugh will speak to the media after. If you have a question you’d like me to ask him, feel free to leave it in the comment section or send…
I want to take you back to a scene from practice yesterday. Second-year tight end Nate Byham landed wrong on his left knee and he was writhing in pain on the ground. Two trainers ran over to him immediately, and Vernon Davis ran over too. Jim Harbaugh did not run over. He blew his whistle and ordered the team to run to the other end of the field to complete…
My dad wrote a short blog today from training camp and I’m linking to it here. In it he describes how Jim Harbaugh coaches the quarterbacks, meaning mostly Colin Kaepernick. I gave a little description yesterday, but I thought you’d like to read my dad’s take on Harbaugh. He also raises this question: Is it possible for Harbaugh to be too quarterback-oriented? Something to think about.
SANTA CLARA – New general manager Trent Baalke spoke to the media behind a tent at the end of practice this afternoon. He insisted he has a plan and he’s executing it, even though the 49ers haven’t brought in any big name free agents. Here’s the transcript. Q: There are reports that Plaxico Burress is on his way here. Is that accurate? BAALKE: Like we’ve said all the time, we’re…
SANTA CLARA – Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to the media after today’s practice. He’s a blunt guy and he explained, among other things, there are only two positions set on his defense. You figure that out for yourself, and I’ll give the answer below. He also implied his defense is not ready for prime time. Q: What do you know about your defense two days into practice that you…
SANTA CLARA – Practice 2 starts at 2:30, but before I go watch it I want to tell you about the cafeteria at the 49ers practice facility. There’s a buffet and a grill, the players eat first, then the media eats after. We are all treated very well. Here’s what I mean. Check out the menu for the buffet: Grilled Airline Chicken Breast with Heirloom Tomato and Basil Relish. Fried…
SANTA CLARA – Ted Ginn spoke to the media under the hot Santa Clara sun this afternoon. He wore a sweatshirt and loafers – an outfit much too hot for me in this weather but, hey, some like it hot. Here are selected quotes from the group interview. Enjoy. Q: How is this offense different than last year’s? GINN: It’s different – more words. It’s kind of similar, just get…
SANTA CLARA – Sorry to be so late with this. I had computer problems today in Santa Clara. Jim Harbaugh addressed the media after practice at a podium under a tent facing the field. When we asked questions he’d pause for a second or two before responding, face completely blank. Then he’d either light up and respond enthusiastically or bypass the question with a vague, short answer. He’s the opposite…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the first scene from the 49ers’ first practice of the 2011 training camp. New quarterback Colin Kaepernick lined up under new center Adam Snyder, and took snaps as new head coach Jim Harbaugh watched on a knee like an umpire calling balls and strikes. It was these three men in the middle of the field. Harbaugh’s attention was focused completely on Kaepernick, and the rookie was…
