Jim Tomsula: “To answer that question would be that I had a view that Seattle was on the decline, which I do not.”

SANTA CLARA This is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Everybody will be on the field today for practice. [LB NaVorro] Bowman will be normal Wednesday. We’re just going to stay on that deal leading into the game. As far as [WR Anquan] Boldin, [RB Carlos] Hyde, [CB Tramaine] Brock, they will be out there, they will be going and…

November 18, 2015
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Eric Mangini on Aldon Smith: “Loved the way he was working, approaching things. I’m really happy for him and I’m cheering for him to do great things.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of defensive coordinator Eric Mangini’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Good morning everybody, how are you doing? We are just pushing forward on our installation, our situational defenses. Got through walk-thru, we’ve got another good day of practice today. I thought yesterday went well, and just moving the plan along.”   How do you kind of account…

September 11, 2015
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Raiders sign Aldon Smith to one-year deal

Former 49ers’ All-Pro outside linebacker Aldon Smith has signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders, according to Jason Cole. The Niners released Smith on August 7 after he was charged with hit and run, DUI and vandalism. Smith allegedly hit a parked car and left without leaving a note. And when he finally returned, he was intoxicated. The NFL has not yet decided whether to suspend Smith. For now,…

September 11, 2015
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49ers and their flexible code of conduct and punishment

This is my Friday column. Whatever they need, however they can justify it. On Aug. 31, 2014, 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. He was throwing a birthday party at his house and allegedly got in a fight with his pregnant fiancé. Police arrived at 2:48 a.m., found bruises on the woman’s arms and neck and arrested McDonald. He was never charged for the…

August 27, 2015
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Eric Mangini: “I’ve got a fresh set of eyes and perspective going into this that my first time at it I didn’t have.”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s a transcript of defensive coordinator Eric Mangini’s Sunday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “I thought that was great this afternoon. We were able to go through a bunch of different situations, had substitutions, had the NFL officials there. Really good work collectively at that period there at the goal line. Thought that was good to see some things off that as…

August 9, 2015
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Torrey Smith: “I can run, Bro – you can throw it out there, I’m going to go get it for you.”

SANTA CLARA – Wide receiver Torrey Smith spoke in the 49ers’ auditorium Saturday morning. Here are selected quotes. Q: How is the offense coming along? SMITH: I think it’s always going to be a work in progress. I think we’re going in the right direction, fixing the mistakes. That’s what the first week of camp is about, really camp in general. We’re doing a great job learning from mistakes, and…

August 8, 2015
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Jim Tomsula: “It’s a sad day.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s Friday press conference. TOMSULA: I think you’re all aware, the San Francisco 49ers released Aldon Smith today. It’s a sad day. This is a day that doesn’t have anything to do about football. Although he won’t be playing football for the San Francisco 49ers, he will be supported and helped, and he will not have to walk this path alone….

August 7, 2015
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49ers release Aldon Smith

The 49ers just announced they’ve released Aldon Smith. The Niners included the following statement in their press release: ““This organization has tried very hard to help Aldon fight his issues. Although he is no longer a member of this team, our support and concern for him will continue.” The press release does not attribute that quote to anyone. Someone from the team will have a press conference any minute. Stay…

August 7, 2015
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Aldon Smith arrested again

According to the Santa Clara Police twitter account, Aldon Smith was arrested last night for “hit & run, DUI and vandalism.” Stay tuned for more information as it breaks. The 49ers have media availability at 11:30 am. This is Smith’s fourth arrest as a member of the 49ers. On April 13, 2014, Smith was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for making a fake bomb threat. On September 20, 2013,…

August 7, 2015
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Trent Baalke on Aldon Smith, Colin Kaepernick and Vernon Davis

SANTA CLARA – 49ers’ general manager Trent Baalke just spoke with 49ers’ beat reporters at Levi’s Stadium. Here are selected quotes. Q: What’s your impression of Aldon Smith these days? BAALKE: Aldon’s like any young player, he’s growing up, he’s maturing. You see that with a lot of these guys. Some of them get themselves in a few more situations that you wish they didn’t. If you asked them, I…

August 4, 2015
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49ers training camp report: Day 4

SANTA CLARA – Here are the highlights from the 49ers’ fourth practice and first padded practice of training camp. THE GOOD 1. OLB Aldon Smith. Abused starting left tackle Joe Staley all afternoon. During one-on-one pass-rushing drills, Smith faked to the outside, came back inside and Staley never touched him. Later during team drills, Smith beat Staley around the edge and tagged Colin Kaepernick for the sack. 2. OLB Eli…

August 4, 2015
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Jim Tomsula: “I respect what Aldon’s doing and I respect the road he’s on.”

SANTA CLARA — Here is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s Sunday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Let me give you this real quick. Practice yesterday, everything is the same. [WR Issac] Blakeney is the one thing. Blakeney, he’s got a muscle pull. It doesn’t seem real severe, but he won’t be in practice today. So, that’ll be the only guy that will be changed in…

August 2, 2015
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Aldon Smith: “I feel real good. My body feels good. I’m ready to go.”

SANTA CLARA – Aldon Smith spoke in the 49ers’ auditorium Sunday afternoon. Here are selected quotes. Q: How has your interaction been with Jim Tomsula? ALDON SMITH: We know each other pretty well. We’re going into our fifth year together. It has been the same as usual. I’m just excited about this season, excited about where we’re going to go and focused on starting off on a good note. Q:…

August 2, 2015
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Eric Mangini on Jim Tomsula: “He cares deeply about (the players) and that resonates, I believe, in the locker room.”

SANTA CLARA — Here is the transcript of defensive coordinator Eric Mangini’s Saturday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. LB NaVorro Bowman prepared for this and you’ve got to be excited to see what he does back on the field? “He’s been great. He had a really good spring. I’ve gotten to know NaVorro a little bit since I’ve been here, but it’s different when you start coaching…

August 1, 2015
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Is Eric Reid the best player on the 49ers defense?

Who will be the 49ers’ best defensive player in 2015? I don’t think it will be inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman. He was the Niners’ best defensive player in 2013, but I don’t expect him to play anywhere near that level just one year after missing a season due to a torn ACL and MCL. I don’t think outside linebacker Aldon Smith will be the 49ers’ best defensive player, either. I…

July 27, 2015
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49ers know questions, but can they find answers?

This is my Sunday column. Remember dead week in college before finals? This is dead six weeks for the San Francisco 49ers. They have the next month and a half off to prepare for the exam that will make or break their 2015 season. What questions will be on that test when the Niners arrive for training camp? In ascending order of importance, here are the top five questions the…

June 20, 2015
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Grading the 49ers’ best players

How many players on the 49ers deserve an “A” or “A-” grade? I count six. Here’s my list, and I’m eager to read yours. Aldon Smith: A-. The best pass rusher in the NFL from 2011 to 2013, and a bad pass rusher in 2014. Suspended for the first nine games last season. When he returned, he was not in football shape. If he’s in shape this year, he should…

March 23, 2015
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49ers 20, Cardinals 17: Grades

SANTA CLARA – Hey, at least the 49ers didn’t lose to both Cardinals’ backup quarterbacks this season. KAEPERNICK: B+. Played his best when it really mattered. Threw two touchdown passes and zero picks for the first time since Week 6. Also threw zero fourth-quarter touchdown passes for the 18th game in a row. Would have committed a Delay of Game penalty with 2:11 left in the fourth quarter if Marcus…

December 28, 2014
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49ers 35, Chargers 38: Grades

SANTA CLARA – On third-and-5 with 3:43 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Niners up by seven, Colin Kaepernick ran out of bounds after losing a yard, stopped the clock for the Chargers and set up Philip Rivers’ game-tying touchdown pass. No, Kaepernick hasn’t thrown a touchdown in the fourth quarter this season. But Rivers threw one today, and Kaepernick helped him do it. Give Kaepernick credit. KAEPERNICK: D. That’s…

December 20, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh: “I’m going to finish this until the end.”

Here is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. How’s the running back situation looking at this time? “[RB] Frank [Gore] practiced today. [RB] Alphonso Smith has had a good week. And we have a new back that has worked in very nicely. Anticipate him being ready for the game and contributing at running back and special teams.”   So, RB Phillip Tanner,…

December 18, 2014
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