Revised 49ers Thursday schedule

The 49ers just issued a revised schedule for practice tomorrow. It’s probably so their free agents can get on the field after the Collective Bargaining Agreement is ratified. Player availability is from 3:30 to 4:00, and that’s only half an hour so I hope the players talk fast. Practice goes from 5:00 to 8:00, and Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith have press conferences at 8:00, so it will be a…

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Greg Roman Q&A

Greg Roman spoke to the media at the podium after practice today. It was the first time he spoke at the podium this training camp. He spoke at length on the progression of the offense, Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Vernon Davis and Frank Gore. He had the highest praise for Davis and Gore. Here’s the transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. On how he is doing: “Feeling great, it’s great to…

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Vernon Davis on the quarterback competition

SANTA CLARA – Matt Maiocco asked Vernon Davis after practice if there will be a quarterback competition in training camp this year. Here’s what Davis had to say. DAVIS: I can’t really jump into that because that’s not my deal. I leave that up to the coaches. I’ll let them decide that. I’m sure they strongly believe in Alex along with the rest of the teammates and myself, and we…

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8/3 Practice notes

SANTA CLARA – When you watch Aldon Smith work individually with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, you think, “Here’s a rookie with a lot to learn.” Today Fangio worked with Smith on the blocking sleds, and he’d repeatedly stop Smith to work on his technique. Fangio wanted Smith to hit the sled, rip away to the right and square up. But Smith wasn’t squaring up, he was ending up sideways. Parys…

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Harbaugh the punter

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…

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Jonathan Goodwin signs

Trent Baalke’s patience-period is apparently over. According to Matt Barrows, the 49ers have signed two-time pro-bowl center Jonathan Goodwin to a three-year deal. According to Adam Schefter, the deal is woth $10.9 million with $4 million guaranteed. The 32-year-old Goodwin was the starting center for the 2009 Superbowl champion New Orleans Saints. He made the Pro Bowl in 2009, and in 2010 he made it as a reserve. Like Davis…

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Kaepernick on his progress

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…

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49ers pursue Braylon Edwards

Now the 49ers are pursuing wide receiver Braylon Edwards, according to Adam Schefter. Schefter believes Edwards is a good fit for the 49ers, and that the two sides could agree to a one-year deal. The 6’3″ Edwards is two inches shorter than Malcom Floyd, but he’s also two years younger. Edwards is the most talented wide receiver still on the free agent market, more talented than Floyd, but he’s also…

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49ers pursue Malcom Floyd

Jason LaCanfora reports that free agent wide receiver Malcom Floyd may decide to sign with the 49ers today. He’s choosing between them, San Diego, Carolina, Baltimore, and Arizona. Floyd will be 30 years old this season. He’s six-foot-five, which would make him the 49ers tallest receiver if he signs. Floyd has played for San Diego his entire professional career, dating back to 2004. The last two seasons with the Chargers…

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Carlos Rogers signs

According to Matt Maiocco, the 49ers have signed former Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers to a one-year deal. The thirty-year old Rogers is two years younger than Nate Clements. He won the Jim Thorpe award for the best defensive back in college football his senior year at Auburn, and the Washington Redskins picked him ninth in the 2005 draft. Rogers has played all 16 games of a season just twice…

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Carlos Rogers to visit tonight and tomorrow

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, free agent cornerback Carlos Rogers is scheduled to meet with the 49ers tonight and tomorrow. If Trent Baalke can sign Rogers – the top corner back left on the market – good for him and good for the 49ers. They need to sign a cornerback if they want to compete for a playoff spot this year. My gut says Baalke won’t offer Rogers a dollar…

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Tuesday’s Harbaugh Q&A

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…

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Frank Gore Q&A

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…

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Practice notes: The good and not-so-good

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…

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Trent Baalke takes the practice field, and more

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…

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Goodbye Aubrayo Franklin, hello Phillip Davis

SANTA CLARA – According to reports, former 49ers nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin signed with The New Orleans Saints this afternoon. The deal is for one season. With Franklin out of the picture, the 49ers defensive line would appear to be set, barring injury. It is: Justin Smith at RDE, Isaac Sopoaga at NT, and Ray McDonlad at LDE. The 49ers have the cap room to resign safety Dashon Goldon if…

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Joe Staley on Gore, Snyder, Aldon Smith, himself

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…

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The 49ers cap situation

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports this morning that the 49ers have over $30 million in cap space. Some of you asked whether the 49ers have to spend a minimum amount of that cap room this year, but they don’t. Individual teams don’t have to spend a minimum amount until 2013. This year, the league as a whole must spend 99% of $3.184 billion. In related news, Manny Lawson…

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The defensive backs

The 49ers ranked 24th against the pass in 2010, and their secondary could be even shakier in 2011. Their best cornerback, Nate Clements, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, and Trent Baalke has yet to sign anyone to replace him. He did sign a safety today. His name is Madieu Williams, and he presumably will replace free agent safety Dashon Goldson. Baalke says he has a plan that requires patience. How…

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Andrew Luck on Jim Harbaugh

Andrew Luck spoke about former coach Jim Harbaugh at today’s college football media day. Obviously he’s crazy about the guy. Here’s what he had to say. Luck compares David Shaw and Harbaugh: Anybody who knew or covered or came across coach Harbaugh knows he’s full of energy, a lot of attention on himself, not by him but he walked into the room and he sort of commanded the room, exuberant,…

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