Kaepernick on B.J. Daniels: “He has the ability to make big plays and keep plays alive.”

SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick spoke in the 49ers’ media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Everyone has a mentor in this league. What did Alex Smith mean to you? KAEPERNICK: He did a lot for me. Alex is someone who really helped me pick up the playbook, understand what we’re trying to get done and how we wanted to do it. I wouldn’t be as far along…

August 14, 2013
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Training camp report: Kaepernick improves in the red zone

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Sunday afternoon’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Colin Kaepernick – He was on fire today. He couldn’t miss the deep passes, he had touch on his shorter throws and he scored twice in the red zone. First, he threw a touchdown pass to Chad Hall in the back of the end zone. Next, Kaepernick threw a TD pass to Frank…

August 11, 2013
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Too early to worry, but 49ers show they have issues to solve

Here is my Friday column about what we learned in the 49ers’ first preseason game. It’s almost impossible to evaluate the 49ers’ starters after their first preseason game. We don’t know how much the 49ers game planned for the Broncos – probably not very much. And the starters played just one series. Frank Gore and Justin Smith did not play at all. That should change next week. Gore should get…

August 9, 2013
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Harbaugh says it’s a three-way tie between McCoy, Tolzien and Daniels for the No.2 QB job

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh spoke in the 49ers’ media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   How many of the vets do you expect to just get the night off tomorrow? “Just a few.”   Which ones? “[LB] Patrick [Willis] for sure and possibly [RB] Frank [Gore]. We’ll see.”   What about DT Justin Smith? “We’ll see. But I think the bigger, rather than go…

August 7, 2013
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Training camp report: Jenkins has a good day

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Monday afternoon’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. A.J. Jenkins – Today was his best practice as a 49er. He caught seven passes, and he caught two more in half-speed drills against the scout defense. His best catch of the day came against Tarell Brown in team drills. Lined up at split end, Jenkins beat Brown on a square in for…

August 5, 2013
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Training camp report: The return of Jenkins, Bowman, Aldon Smith and more

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Sunday morning’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Aldon Smith – He practiced for the first time in a few days. Joe Staley didn’t practice, so Aldon Smith dominated. He got three sacks, and was in the backfield so often he started slowing down when he got to the quarterback so the offense could finish practicing their play. 2. NaVorro Bowman…

August 4, 2013
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Training camp report: Justin Smith and Tarell Brown sidelined, Mike Iupati dodges bullet

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Friday evening’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Vernon Davis – Today was his best practice of the offseason. He was a dominant pass catcher at tight end, in the slot, at split end and at flanker. As an outside receiver, he beat cornerbacks on single and double moves with efficient footwork three or four times. He also blew past Perrish…

August 2, 2013
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Harbaugh: “Colin is playing so well right now that he overshadows some of the other guys.”

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent after Thursday’s practice. Here’s a transcript, courtesy of the 49ers.   Can you give us any indication on how serious CB Chris Culliver’s knee injury is? “No not yet. He’s up at Stanford getting an MRI.”   How about LB Patrick Willis’ hand? “Yeah, he’s got something he’s going to be working through with his hand.”   Do you expect…

August 1, 2013
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Training camp report: Eric Reid’s breakout day

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Sunday’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Eric Reid – He was the best free safety on the field by far. In 11-on-11 team drills, Reid knocked away a Kaepernick pass intended for Anquan Boldin running a slant. Also, Reid intercepted a Scott Tolzien pass intended for Garrett Celek. During individual drills, Ed Donatell had the safeties practice single-high coverage, having…

July 28, 2013
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Roman on Boldin: “From the first day Anquan got in the NFL he just lit it up.”

SANTA CLARA — Greg Roman spoke in the media tent Saturday afternoon. Here’s what he said.   Opening statement: “It’s just hitting afternoon, good afternoon. It’s exciting to be back, start training camp, a chance to build a great foundation and build the keel of our ship. The first week or two, we are totally focused on ourselves and getting out there practicing, teaching and putting ourselves through the paces….

July 27, 2013
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Training camp report: Kyle Williams, Chris Culliver and Eric Reid stand out

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at the 49ers’ Thursday afternoon pad-less training camp practice. THE GOOD 1. Kyle Williams – He looked as explosive and fast as he did last offseason. In 7-on-7 drills, Williams blew past Marcus Cooper on a deep route and easily caught a 40-yard toss from B.J. Daniels. 2. Anquan Boldin – He snatched a sure interception away from Tarell Brown on…

July 25, 2013
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49ers’ mini-camp: Day 2 – Asomugha dominates, Boldin does not finish practice

SANTA CLARA – Here is what stood out to me at Day 2 of the 49ers’ mini-camp. If you have questions about anything else that happened at practice, ask me in the comment section. THE GOOD 1. Nnamdi Asomugha – Played left cornerback for the first team defense and did not give up a completion in full-speed team drills. Asomugha broke up two passes from Colt McCoy in a three-play…

June 12, 2013
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49ers’ mini-camp: Day 1 – The good and the not-so-good

SANTA CLARA – Here is what stood out to me at the 49ers’ Tuesday mini-camp. THE GOOD 1. Anquan Boldin – He was every quarterback’s favorite target, as usual. Five-of the-first-nine plays during 7-on-7 drills were passes to Boldin. He finished competitive team drills with seven catches and two touchdowns. He lined up at flanker and split end, but before the snap he usually went in motion and ended up…

June 11, 2013
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B.J. Daniels: “I’m just trying to learn how to tie my shoes right now.”

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers’ seventh round pick, quarterback B.J. Daniels, spoke to Bay Area reporters Saturday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. Q: What’s your first impression of the 49ers’ play book? DANIELS: It looks like a dictionary. There’s a lot of good stuff in there. It’s good reads. I’m doing whatever I can to make sure I get it done. Q: Are there concepts in there that you did in…

May 11, 2013
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49ers rookie mini-camp: Day 1 – McDonald and Okoye stand out

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me during the afternoon practice of the first day of the 49ers’ 2013 rookie mini-camp. THE GOOD 1. Vance McDonald, TE. The rookie tight end had the best practice of the day. He dropped the first pass thrown to him – it was a strike from B.J. Daniels – but after that miscue McDonald caught everything. During one-on-one drills, he went against…

May 10, 2013
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The 49ers’ top 10 offseason position battles

Here are the top-10 position battles on the 49ers I’m looking forward to this offseason. Which battles interest you the most? 1. No.2 and No.3 cornerback: Carlos Rogers vs. Nnamdi Asomugha vs. Chris Culliver. Tarell Brown probably is a lock to start, so Rogers, Asomugha and Culliver will compete for the other two cornerback spots in the 49ers’ Nickel defense. Rogers and Culliver will compete to cover the slot. The…

May 5, 2013
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