Justin Smith: 6’4”, 285 lbs., 31 years old Derrick Dockery: 6’6”, 325 lbs., 31 years old It looks like the Cowboys will start their backup right guard, Derrick Dockery, at left guard on Sunday instead of David Arkin, the rookie listed as the backup left guard. The starter at that position, Bill Nagy, is doubtful to play with a neck injury. Still, this is a matchup between the Niners’ best…

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Not often do you hear piped in noise for a home game, what was the thinking behind that? “The defensive communication. Times when the opposing offense has the ball, there’s crowd noise and the defense has to communicate. Going through those mechanics of the communication without being able to hear each other.” Jim you…

SANTA CLARA — Michael Crabtree and Dashon Goldson are both listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Dallas. Both players say they’re feeling better, but neither took many reps in practice this week. Expect both to play, but neither to start. Here’s Dallas’ extensive injury report: OUT: CB Terence Newman (groin), CB Orlando Scandrick (ankle). DOUBTFUL: G Bill Nagy (neck). QUESTIONABLE: WR Dez Bryant (thigh). PROBABLE: WR Miles Austin (knee),…

Here are my week 2 NFL picks. Dallas @ 49ers: 49ers. Tony Romo will commit one more turnover than Alex Smith will, and the Niners will win by less than a touchdown. Oakland @ Buffalo: Oakland. The Raiders have to win this game, because they play the Jets and the Patriots in weeks 3 and 4. Buffalo is riding high from their week 1 win over KC and they will…

For what it’s worth, and it may not be worth much, three days ago Football Outsiders, the same outlet that predicted the Packers Super Bowl victory last season, gave the Niners a 55.6% chance to win the NFC West this season. Football Outsiders was so impressed by the Niners victory of Seattle, they also gave San Francisco a 15.4 percent chance to go to the NFC Championship game. I kid you…

SANTA CLARA – David Akers has a lot to say about special teams. He shared the tip of the iceberg today to reporters at his locker. Q: Beyond your own interest as a kicker, do you think it’s a good rule change (moving kickoffs up five yards)? AKERS: I really believe time will tell. You’ll calculate the injuries later on at the end of the year. The initial deal was…

SANTA CLARA – Braylon Edwards chose to speak at his locker this afternoon. Here are selected quotes from that interview. Q: Playing a full game, how much was that a learning experience for you to learn about your teammates and what works offensively? EDWARDS: I think it was good for all of us. Just to see what we can do, what we can’t do, what we need work at. What…

The 49ers just released the injury report for Thursday. Here’s what it looks like. 49ers Limited participation in practice: Crabtree (feet) and Goldson (knee) Cowboys Did not participate in practice: WR Dez Bryant (thigh), G Bill Nagy (neck), CB Terence Newman (groin), CB Orlando Scandrick (ankle) Limited participation in practice: CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), LB Anthony Spencer (shoulder) Full participation in practice: WR Miles Austin (knee), TE Martellus Bennett (ankle),…

SANTA CLARA – Here is the complete transcript of Greg Roman’s opening statement and Q&A from his Thursday afternoon press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “We’re knee-deep in Dallas preparation. This defense presents a lot of challenges from a personnel standpoint as well as a scheme standpoint. They were real impressive the other night against the Jets and we’re going to have our work cut out for us….

SANTA CLARA — While Michael Crabtree and Dashon Goldson are still “working through” injuries, both players participated in Thursday’s warm ups and drills. Dashon Goldson lept high into the air once, and Crabtree ran routes with all the other receivers. Does this mean either player will start on Sunday against the Cowboys? Probably not. But both could get some action. It should take both players longer than these few practice…

SANTA CLARA – In the locker room this afternoon Aldon Smith answered questions, mostly ones about DeMarcus Ware. Here’s what Aldon Smith said. Q: Some people have compared you favorably to DeMarcus Ware. Have you studied him on film to see what of his that you can use? ALDON SMITH: Definitely. Making the transition to standing up. I think he (Ware) played with his hand down at Troy, so I’ve…

SANTA CLARA – Both Niner coordinators spoke in the media tent this afternoon. I’m giving you the transcript of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s interview first. Q: When you look at the Cowboys what are some of the aspects of their offense that stand out to you? FANGIO: Just their overall talent level jumps off the screen at you, starting off with Romo, Bryant, Witten, Jones, Austin, you name it. These guys…

This morning on KNBR’s Murph and Mac show, NFL Films insider Greg Cosell broke down the 49ers and their matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Here’s what he had to say. Q: Should the 49ers fans be excited? The offense looked conservative. GREG COSELL: Well, it is, but I think you have to understand what they’re dealing with. And by the way, they know this, but it’s just their guys, so…

SANTA CLARA – As Vernon Davis walked away from his group interview I asked him privately who are his favorite painters of all-time? Why did I ask him? Because he was a studio art major at Maryland and he is a painter still. “Da Vinci, I like Davinci,” he replied with certainty. “But Claude Clark is my No. 1 painter. He’s an African American painter. He’s pretty good. I don’t…

SANTA CLARA – The last player to speak this afternoon in the locker room was Vernon Davis. He answered the big picture questions, like where the team stands and how good the offense can be. Here’s the transcript of his group interview. Q: Can you characterize where the team is right now going into this game? VERNON DAVIS: I think we’re still going, we’re still going. We’re young. We’ve got…

SANTA CLARA – Frank Gore made himself available to speak this afternoon in the 49ers locker room – he walked to the middle and waited for questions. Here’s what we asked, and here’s how he answered. Q: Was there any rust for you not having played Since November? GORE: No, I watched the film. I made all my reads. I don’t think so. Q: How difficult is the Cowboys’ front…

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers just sent out Wednesday’s injury report. It is: 49ers: Limited participation in practice: Michael Crabtree (feet), Dashon Goldson (knee) Cowboys: Did not practice: WR Dez Bryant (thigh), CB Terence Newman (groin), CB Orlando Scandrick (ankle). Limited participation in practice: CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), G Bill Nagy (neck), LB Anthony Spencer (shoulder). Full participation in practice: WR Miles Austin (knee), TE Martellus Bennett (ankle), C Phil…

SANTA CLARA – The newest 49er, third-string tight end Justin Peelle, talked today at his locker. He sees himself most likely playing a blocking tight end for the Niners, but he says he wants to do whatever the coaches ask of him. Here’s what he said. Q: How do you see your role going with this team? PEELLE: Just do whatever they need. They’ve obviously got two really talented players…

SANTA CLARA – This is the complete transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. In the first regular season game, how much did you learn about your team as far as how you can manage a game now with them? “We learned a lot about our team. The fact that you play the preseason and not everybody’s playing every snap. They’ve not all played together. You…

SANTA CLARA — Michael Crabtree and Dashon Goldson were fully suited up at the beginning of practice, but neither player participated in warm ups or drills. Goldson stood on the side of the field and watched the DBs do their drills. Crabtree talked for a while with head trainer Jeff Ferguson before taking a knee by the wide receivers. The Niners will give their official word on both players status…