Brian Hoyer has a perfect practice at 49ers training camp

1 SANTA CLARA Here’s what stood out to me during practice Saturday morning. THE GOOD 1. QB Brian Hoyer. As far as what Hoyer could control, he was perfect. Of his six incompletions, one was a drop by Pierre Garcon, two were throw-aways and three were pass breakups by cornerbacks. Hoyer threw zero bad passes. Overall, he completed 13 of 19 (68 percent), and he wasn’t just dinking and dunking….

July 29, 2017
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Jim Tomsula on the status of 49ers’ injured center Daniel Kilgore: “I didn’t ask.”

This is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Injuries; [LB] Ahmad [Brooks], you saw Ahmad got back yesterday, had a good practice. So, we limited him, and then he’ll be out there practicing today. So, really glad to have him back in the building. [RB] Reggie [Bush], today they’re going to do some work with him on the side and…

October 16, 2015
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Thomas McGaughey Jr. on Bruce Ellington: “You’re not going to take a guy out of a game who scored a touchdown.”

This is the transcript of special teams coach Thomas McGaughey Jr.’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. When, shortly after RB Jarryd Hayne muffed the punt and was on the sideline standing by himself, you went up and it seemed like you had some encouraging words for him, tapped him on the helmet. What was kind of the message you wanted to get across to him? “It’s…

September 17, 2015
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Geep Chryst on Vernon Davis: “Reward the big man for running the floor.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of offensive coordinator Geep Chryst’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “It’s great to be here. Week 1 of the regular season, there’s a lot of juice throughout the league and in our locker room. But, can’t wait to play Monday night. That’s about all I have to say, but I know you probably have some questions.”  …

September 11, 2015
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Jim Tomsula: “We need the practice time instead of going out there today.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s post-game press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Hello, good evening. Well there’s a wrap for the preseason. I thought the young guys represented themselves well. I thought they played hard and physical. I thought both teams did. There were still a few penalties. We do a good job turning second down into first down but we’ve…

September 4, 2015
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Jim Tomsula says Bruce Ellington, Michael Wilhoite and Glenn Dorsey will return to practice this week, plus more

SANTA CLARA – Here’s a transcript of head coach Jim Tomsula’s Monday conference call. Q: Last week you intimated you’d be shuffling around the offensive. Is the first unit the unit you’ve settled on? TOMSULA: No, it is not the unit we’ve settled. We are not settled there. We’re getting closer. I like what (Joe) Looney did, and I like where we’re going with RG Marcus (Martin). He’s really doing…

August 24, 2015
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49ers special teams coach Thomas McGaughey Jr. on Jarryd Hayne: “He’s got a long way to go.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of special teams coach Thomas McGaughey Jr.’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. What was your assessment of how the special teams played in the last game? “Typical first game. You know, a couple of kinks to work out. I was pretty satisfied, no substitution errors which is normally a big deal in the preseason. You have 90 guys that…

August 20, 2015
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49ers training camp report: Day 2

SANTA CLARA – Here are the highlights from the 49ers’ second practice of training camp, which took place at Levi’s Stadium. THE GOOD 1. WR Bruce Ellington. Made a team-high six catches during team drills, including two 15-yard catches over the middle and a 50-yard catch for a touchdown. On the 50 yarder, Ellington burned cornerback Chris Cook, and Colin Kaepernick’s pass hit Ellington in stride. Ellington and undrafted rookie…

August 2, 2015
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Colin Kaepernick: “I change things every offseason. Little bit here, little bit there. Try to make sure I’m staying on top of the things that I feel like are my weaknesses.”

This is the transcript of Colin Kaepernick’s Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. Did RB Frank Gore surprise you at all for what he was able to do six days after a concussion? “I can’t say he did because I expect a lot out of Frank and there’s not too much he does that amazes me anymore because that’s just the standard he’s set for himself.”  …

December 23, 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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49ers 13, Raiders 24: Grades

OAKLAND – Before we get to the grades, let’s have a moment of silence for the Jim Harbaugh Era.       That’s enough. KAEPERNICK: Ω. He gets an omega, the last letter in the Greek alphabet, because English just won’t do. An ‘F’ isn’t low enough. A ‘Z’ isn’t low enough. This was the worst performance of Kaepernick’s career, the kind of performance that gets a quarterback benched and…

December 7, 2014
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49ers 10, Rams 13: Grades

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers just gave away a game to the Rams, a dreadful team that was trying its best to lose. Here are the 49ers’ grades. KAEPERNICK: D+. Was that him? Didn’t look like it. Whoever was wearing the red No.7 jersey looked timid, tentative, not explosive at all. Averaged just 7.18 yards per pass and 2.8 yards per carry, converted 3-of-12 third down and scored no touchdowns…

November 2, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh on Marcus Lattimore: “He hung back in the training room today.”

Here is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Hello. Happy Halloween.”   Pirates, right? “Correct.”   Which pirate are you? “Just a normal pirate.”   Not Captain Hook? “No, I don’t think so.”   How did LB Patrick Willis look in practice this week? Does he look ready to play? “He’s working hard every day. He says he’s feeling better…

October 31, 2014
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Grading 49ers at the break

This is my Sunday column. The 49ers just finished dead week. These are their midterm grades. COLIN KAEPERNICK Pocket proficiency: B. Was a C-minus last season. Completed just 57 percent of his passes and posted an 81 passer rating inside the pocket in 2013. Has completed 69 percent of his passes and posted a 90 rating inside the pocket this season. He’s finding the open receiver quickly and throwing the…

October 27, 2014
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49ers 26, Eagles 21: Grades

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers beat the Eagles 26-21 Sunday afternoon. Here are the 49ers’ grades. KAEPERNICK: B-. Made both of the 49ers’ touchdowns happen. On the first one he scrambled left, drew the Eagles’ entire defense and threw back to the right, across the whole field to Frank Gore who was wide open. One of the most thrilling plays you’ll see. Next, Kaepernick scrambled to the left and threw…

September 28, 2014
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49ers victims of identity theft

This is my Tuesday column on the 49ers’ offense. Who are these guys? The 49ers’ offense used to have an identity. It was a power-running offense. It was a rhinoceros. It had a metamorphosis last week and now it’s a bug. The 49ers rode the rhinoceros to three consecutive NFC championships and one Super Bowl appearance. Twice, the rhinoceros trampled the Arizona Cardinals last season – 49ers halfbacks carried the…

September 24, 2014
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Top-3 questions facing the 49ers against the Cardinals

Quick, before I drive over to University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale: 1. How many blitzes will  Vic Fangio call? He called one last week. 2. How many touches will Bruce Ellington get on offense? He got none last week. 3. If Vernon Davis plays, how fast will he be? Can the Cardinals cover him with a linebacker? If so, how will that affect the rest of the 49ers’ offense?

September 21, 2014
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How 49ers can beat Cardinals

Here is my column previewing the 49ers-Cardinals game. Two things. One, the 49ers have to blitz. Two, Bruce Ellington has to carry the ball. Otherwise, the 49ers could lose to the Cardinals. Ideally, 49ers’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wouldn’t have to blitz. Blitzing comes with risk, involves rushing a fifth or sixth defender. Better to rush with four and cover with the remaining seven. Fangio doesn’t have that option. Without…

September 19, 2014
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Top-four questions the 49ers face against the Bears

We all know the 49ers will beat the Bears this Sunday Night. I’m saying the final score will be 24-13. The game will not be close. That said, these are the four questions that interest me most about this game: 1. Who will lead the 49ers in rushing, Frank Gore or Carlos Hyde? The Bears gave up 7.3 yards per carry on 21 read-option runs against the Bills last week….

September 13, 2014
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Dontae Johnson expects Jay Cutler to test him Sunday Night

SANTA CLARA – Dontae Johnson was interviewed next to his locker Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript Q: Going up against Jay Cutler do you expect to be targeted a little more just because you’re the rookie? JOHNSON: Yeah, absolutely. That’s just one of the things: “He’s a rookie. Let’s see if he can play this game.” That’s one of the things that comes with being a rookie. You’ve got to…

September 11, 2014
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