This is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s press conference from the NFL Combine, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Good afternoon and we’ll try this again. Go ahead and shoot. I’m really happy to be here and I’m excited to see you all and looking forward to the questions.” You seemed to just reference your introductory press conference, which was criticized in some circles, you may have…
This is what what Trent Baalke said Wednesday morning at the NFL Combine. Q: What are some of the things you consider when you evaluate wide receivers? BAALKE: Can they catch the football, probably No.1. They come in all different sizes, as we know. All different speeds. You really try to match that guy up with your quarterback and what your quarterback’s skill sets are. Some teams put a premium…
This is my Tuesday column. At a certain point, Jed York had all the goodwill and Mark Davis had none. I’m talking as recently as six months ago. People perceived York as one of the best owners in the NFL, a forward-thinking young entrepreneur who had a brand new stadium, a great team and a great coaching staff. A winner. People perceived Davis as a bumbler who had no experience,…
This is my Friday column. Trent Baalke, you sly dog. I thought I had you figured out. I thought I could read you like a map. I knew you revealed your master plan for the 49ers’ coaching search when you said, “This isn’t a rebuild situation. This is a reload situation,” at the end-of-the-season press conference. But, I still couldn’t predict who you would hire. I figured you would promote…
This is my Sunday column. Keep running him until he breaks down. That is the 49ers’ plan for Colin Kaepernick next season. I can’t prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, but I can make a case. Exhibit A: Mike Shanahan and Rob Chudzinski – the top candidates to become the Niners’ new offensive coordinator, according to reports. Shanahan was Robert Griffin III’s head coach…
SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Jim Tomsula’s introductory press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. CEO Jed York opening comments: “Good afternoon. We are here to introduce the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Jim Tomsula. It’s been a long process, a detail-oriented process. [49ers general manager] Trent Baalke will get into more details on that. We obviously interviewed a lot of candidates for…
The 49ers just officially named Jim Tomsula the head coach. Here is the press release. “After conducting a thorough coaching search, and meeting with a number of outstanding candidates, Jim Tomsula clearly is the right man to lead this team,” said 49ers CEO Jed York. “Jim is a great teacher and a tremendous mentor who conducts himself with great class and integrity.” “Our organization is excited to have Jim Tomsula leading this…
According to Adam Schefter, the next head coach of the 49ers will be Jim Tomsula. Jed York got rid of Jim Harbaugh for this guy? Update: According to Matt Maiocco, the next defensive coordinator “is expected” to be Jason Tarver. Jed York got rid of Vic Fangio for the guy the Raiders didn’t want?
This is my Wednesday column. I don’t get you, Jed. You say you know what you’re looking for and you still can’t find it. I asked you Monday what qualities the next head coach of the 49ers should have. You were prepared for that question. Right away, you said, “I want a teacher. I think what made Bill Walsh so successful is that he was a great teacher, whether that…
SANTA CLARA — Ahmad Brooks answered questions at his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. Q: What happened when you didn’t play the second half against the Giants? BROOKS: “I reacted out of my character. I did not quit on the team. I did not take myself out of the game. But words that were said by me obviously could not be taken back, so they decided not to put…
Here is my Wednesday column. Here is the current stock report of six prominent 49er figures, letting you know if their stock is up or down. Jim Harbaugh: Stock down For eight consecutive years, his stock was up, up, up. That trend ended Jan. 19, the day Harbaugh lost the NFC Championship to the Seahawks the same way he lost the Super Bowl to the Ravens the season before —…
Here is my Wednesday column on Jim Harbaugh. Under no circumstances should the 49ers give Jim Harbaugh a contract extension this offseason. Let him play out the final two years of his deal. Or let him win a Super Bowl before giving him a raise. Apparently, Harbaugh wants to be the highest-paid head coach in the NFL. Hey, so do I, but I don’t deserve to be. Harbaugh doesn’t deserve…
This is my Sunday column on what makes Jim Harbaugh a good head coach. SEATTLE — Serious question — what makes Jim Harbaugh a good head coach? Clearly, he is a good coach. His record reflects that. More than three wins for every loss as a head coach in the NFL. But Harbaugh doesn’t call his own plays like Bill Walsh or Sean Payton, and Harbaugh isn’t a defensive specialist…
SANTA CLARA – Greg Roman spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. ROMAN: Afternoon, we’ve got a playoff team coming in here in the Colts, very well-coached, very good defense. Just day-to-day here in terms of getting ready. Thursday is more of a situational day for us and that’s what we’ve just been working on this morning. Any questions? Q: How big of a priority is it…
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…
Lawrence Okoye participated in his first football practice Friday morning. After practice, he spoke on the side of the field with Bay Area reporters. Here’s a transcript. Q: Were you overwhelmed out there today? OKOYE: I wouldn’t say overwhelmed. I got some things wrong out there today. It’s all part of the learning process. I we went on I got more and more comfortable. I went up against an O-line…
The newest 49er, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, spoke on a conference call Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. Q: What was your reaction when you heard the 49ers were interested in your services? DORSEY: I was excited. I really look forward to the opportunity. I got the call from my agent, and I hopped on a flight first thing. Q: Where do you make your offseason home? DORSEY: Baton Rouge, but…
Tom Gamble, the 49ers’ Director of Player Personnel, is being courted around the league to become a general manager. He’s already interviewed with the Jaguars, and the Jets, Browns and Chargers are reportedly interested in him as well. About a year ago, the Raiders expressed interest in him, too. Gamble has a great reputation in the NFL. He was a college scout for the Indianapolis Colts from 1998 to 2004….
SANTA CLARA – Patrick Willis answered questions about his ability to cover tight ends and rush quarterbacks this afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: A year ago at this time going in to camp one of the things you said you were going to be working on was rushing the quarterback. It didn’t seem that you did that much of it last season. Did that surprise you, and what do…
We often talk about the same few guys around here – Jim Harbaugh, Trent Baalke, the Smiths. But for the most part, the entire organization is thriving, and many 49ers don’t get the credit they deserve. So let’s address that. Here are five unsung heroes. Joe Staley – He struggled at the beginning of last season, but so did the entire 49ers offensive line. They didn’t have an offseason, so…
