Steve Young: “Whoever doesn’t think these guys are for real is kidding themselves.”

Steve Young spoke with Ted Robinson for a change this afternoon on KNBR. Here’s the transcript. Enjoy. Q: What did that win over the Steelers mean for the 49ers? YOUNG: “It was huge, just perceptually around the country. People look at the Pittsburgh Steelers – that’s a marquee name and a marquee game and a marquee record, and a big name, big players, big stuff, Monday night. So it’s perception….

December 21, 2011
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Vic Fangio on Aldon Smith: “It took him a while to totally integrate the power into his pass rush.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Yesterday, head coach Jim Harbaugh made a pitch for QB Alex Smith for the Pro Bowl. If you were pick one of your guys that maybe isn’t on the top of the public consciousness, who would you pitch for the Pro Bowl? “All of them, almost all of them.” OK, which ones wouldn’t you…

December 21, 2011
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Harbaugh heaps praise on Aldon Smith, Tarell Brown, Ahmad Brooks, and more.

SANTA CLARA – Here are more quotes I selected from Jim Harbaugh’s Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Larry Grant has played really well with Patrick Willis out. Have you thought about, are there different ways you’re going to look to get him involved when Willis comes back? Are there other ways to get Larry Grant on the field more than he had been before the last few weeks?…

December 20, 2011
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Week 15 NFL picks: Why the Niners will beat the Steelers 9-6.

Here are my Week 15 NFL picks. 49ers vs. Steelers: 49ers 9-6. The Steelers should struggle to score points. They won’t be able to run the ball – not against this front seven. So they’re going to pass, their offensive line is mediocre at best, and one of their best linemen, center Maurkice Pouncey, has a high ankle sprain and he’s questionable for Monday night. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Ray…

December 17, 2011
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Highlights from warmups

SANTA CLARA — Here’s what I observed during today’s warmups. Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh’s father, Jack, having a serious conversation in the middle of the practice field. Patrick Willis gingerly high stepping hurdles. I would be extremely surprised if he plays this Monday night. Joe Staley jogging back and forth across the field with a backwards cap on his head. I doubt he plays this Monday night, either. Aldon…

December 16, 2011
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What I want to see from the Niners

The Niners are going to have to be creative and efficient to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Here’s what I want to see from them. It’s a given the Steelers are going to blitz, blitz, blitz the Niners offense. They will bring extra rushers up the middle and other times they’ll overload the right side of the Niners’ O-line – the Anthony Davis side – and run four-man…

December 14, 2011
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Who’s the Niners MVP?

The great Matt Barrows made his case on KNBR a few days ago for DT Justin Smith as the Niners’ 2011 MVP. That’s a terrific selection, and it’s hard to argue with it – Justin Smith has been the best player on the league’s best defense this season. He’s certainly been the Niners most excellent player. But if I were picking their most valuable player, I’d go with Alex Smith….

December 11, 2011
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Week 13 grades for the NFC West Champion Niners

SAN FRANCISCO – Here are my Week 13 grades for the 10-2 NFC West Champion Niners, who beat the 2-10 Rams 26-0 this afternoon. Quarterback: A. This was almost an A+ performance for Alex Smith, but the sheer awfulness of the Rams holds his grade back. Here’s his final stat line: 17 of 23 for 274 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 picks, and a 142.3 rating. Two of his incompletions were…

December 4, 2011
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Vic Fangio: “Our pass rush was not an issue in that game.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s Thursday afternoon press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. [LB] Patrick [Willis] was talking about the goal line stand that you guys had in Baltimore a week ago, how he was able to call out the drop there with QB Joe Flacco in, said that was something you showed them on film, even though Baltimore hadn’t run it all season….

December 1, 2011
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Jim Harbaugh reads The Art of War, and more

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Want to start off and just say how saddened we are as a team with the passing of Chester McGlockton. Chester’s been a very close and dear friend over the last four years. Was a part of our team here with the 49ers and also at Stanford. Chester worked with the defensive…

November 30, 2011
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Fangio: “We’re a lunch-pail-and-bucket type defense, and we’ve got to do our job the right way all the time.”

SANTA CLARA – Here is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Vic, [LB] Aldon Smith was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month, is he just providing everything you could have hoped he would at this point? “He’s played well in this last month. His pass rush has really picked up. He’s had games where he’s had opportunity to play more because the type…

November 3, 2011
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The joy of sacks and touchdowns

SAN FRANCISCO — Here’s an interaction between Aldon Smith and my dad that took place yesterday in the locker room after the Niners beat the Browns. Q: Aldon, what’s it like when you get a sack? I mean, you’re really good at it, but I’ve never done it. ALDON SMITH: What do you mean? Q: Like, when the play starts. What are you thinking, and then what do you see…

October 31, 2011
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Browns HC Shurmur on Niners D: “They’re so good against the run they don’t have to be overly heroic in coverage.”

Here’s the transcript of Cleveland Browns head Coach Pat Shurmur’s morning conference call with Bay Area reporters. Q: Are you going to keep the same travel schedule from when you came out here a couple weeks ago? SHURMUR: Yeah, we’re actually going to stay right there at the Westin SFO. We’ll come out on Friday. Q: Have you talked to the NFL about these West Coast trips back to back…

October 26, 2011
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The NFL honors Frank Gore and Aldon Smith

The NFL announced today that the winner of their FedEx Ground Player of the Week award goes to Frank Gore this week. And voters on NFL.com awarded the Pepsi Defensive Player of the Week honor to Aldon Smith today for the second week in a row. Gore averaged 9.4 yards per carry against the Lions – the highest average of any running back with more than ten carries last Sunday….

October 21, 2011
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Greg Cosell on Alex Smith and Carson Palmer

Here’s the transcript of Murph and Mac’s Q&A with NFL Film’s analyst Greg Cosell from this morning on KNBR. Murph and Mac asked Cosell about Carson Palmer first and then the 49ers second. I’m giving you the whole interview, but I’m putting the Niners stuff at the top. Q: Jim Harbaugh and Vic Fangio called the 49ers defensive performance in Detroit last week the best one they’ve ever coached. Did…

October 20, 2011
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Aldon Smith on Justin Smith, and more.

SANTA CLARA – Here are some quotes from Aldon Smith’s Q&A today outside the 49ers locker room. Q: How much does it help you playing right next to Justin Smith? ALDON SMITH: That definitely helps. Man, he demands so much attention. He’s a great player. He makes my job easier. Q: Are you blocked one-on-one often because you’re next to him? ALDON SMITH: Yeah, I’d say so, yeah, because you’ve…

October 18, 2011
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Harbaugh’s post-practice presser

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the complete transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s post-practice press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. On whether he has a different perception on the look of his team compared to last week: “We’ve added some new players, it’s changed that way. I wouldn’t say any dramatic change. The guys have come in and worked and have been very hungry throughout the training camp. I think it’s just been…

August 6, 2011
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Alex Boone Q&A

SANTA CLARA – I participated in a group interview with third-year backup tackle Alex Boone. He starts with praise for Aldon Smith, and then he talks about his own role on the team this year. I included almost the entire 10-minute interview because Boone had some great lines. He’s a funny guy. Enjoy. Q: What’s it like to go against Aldon Smith in practice? BOONE: What’s it like to go…

August 6, 2011
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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…

August 3, 2011
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