Justin Smith on the Ravens’ offense: “The main reason they can chuck it deep is they run the ball successfully.”

SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith spoke at his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Are you excited about the HarBowl? JUSTIN SMITH: No, not really. I don’t even know John Harbaugh. Just from playing against him, he’s on the other sideline. But that’s for them. They’re probably focused on it, it’s an awesome deal for their family but, you know, we’re concentrating here on bringing home a championship….

January 23, 2013
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Aldon Smith: “It might not be me making the play, but somebody’s going to get there.”

SANTA CLARA – Aldon Smith spoke in the 49ers’ locker room Wednesday afternoon. This is what he said. Q: Have offenses been double-teaming you more and more as the season has progressed? ALDON SMITH: Yeah, I’ve gotten doubled a lot more. Quarterbacks are doing a good job of getting the ball out of their hands. Stuff like that. Q: How do you deal with that? ALDON SMITH: It’s freeing somebody…

January 23, 2013
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Cosell on Kaepernick: “I thought he did a really good job of stepping up in the pocket.”

Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR on Monday and Tuesday. Here’s what he said about the NFC Championship game. Q: How do you think Colin Kaepernick performed as a passer against the Falcons? COSELL: I thought he threw the ball exceptionally well. I thought he did a really good job of stepping up in the pocket, which younger quarterbacks – particularly ones that run – sometimes struggle to do because as…

January 23, 2013
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49ers NFC Championship grades: Defense and special teams

ATLANTA – The 49ers beat the Falcons 28-24. The 49ers are going to the Super Bowl. Here are the grades for the 49ers’ defense and special teams. Defensive line: B. Justin Smith and Ray McDonald didn’t get much pressure on Ryan, but in the second half they were able to push the pocket up the middle. It became difficult for Ryan to step into his throws. Also, the 49ers’ defensive…

January 20, 2013
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Frank Gore on the pistol read option: “I just felt like that’s not real football at first.”

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Frank Gore’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   You haven’t worn that in a while? “No.”   Why’d you pull it out today? “It’s a work day. That’s about it. Just want to have a good work day.”   What’s it going to take to have a good work day on Sunday? “We just have to play 49ers football. Do…

January 17, 2013
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Fangio on Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers: “They’ve been running through tackles and running people over.”

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   Just the matchup, the two wide receivers, how do those guys rate or compare or how difficult it is to prepare for those two guys as opposed to a lot of receiver combinations you guys have faced? “Well, they’re certainly up there as one of the best tandems in the league, if…

January 17, 2013
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Harbaugh on Gore: “Body feels great, his mind feels good, great attitude.”

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   Have you had any interesting guests come in and talk to the team this week? “No.”   Sometimes you do. “Yeah, sometimes.”   But not this time? “[ESPN Sportscaster] Chris Berman was here yesterday, he said a few words to the team.”   How do you feel about preparation to this point,…

January 17, 2013
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Cosell: “Crabtree has become a big-time NFL receiver.”

Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR Thursday morning. Here’s what he said about the 49ers and the Falcons. Q: Was Kaepernick’s record-breaking performance aided by an awful Packers defense? COSELL: I think that’s fair. I think the numbers reflect that. He had three scrambled in the first half for 53 yards. All of them came against man-to-man coverage concepts. Two of those plays they doubled Michael Crabtree. I think that playing…

January 17, 2013
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Justin Smith on the Falcons: “They have two really good running backs and they run the ball exceptionally hard.”

SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript of his press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   How did you come out of the game? How did you feel Sunday? “I think it felt pretty good for the most part, just getting use to it and playing with it. It should be even better this week after going through it, knowing how it…

January 16, 2013
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Willis: “It’s not good enough just to make it to the NFC Championship. We want to win it all.”

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Patrick Willis’ Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   When you put on the game film of the Falcons, what’s the first thing that jumps out at you? “They’ve got a good quarterback, a real good quarterback. The team, they’re fundamentally sound, have some great skill players. I feel like they have a complete offense.”   Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez caught…

January 16, 2013
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Harbaugh: “I think Colin does a great job of continuing in his humility.”

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   A week ago at this time you made an observation about the early stages of the game planning, guys were soaking it in. Do you have any observations like that this week? “Yeah, it’s been good. We’re working through the dynamic of playing the Falcons. And so far so good.”   When…

January 16, 2013
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Harbaugh on the Falcons: “They’re solid in every regard.”

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   How did DT Justin Smith make it through the game? “Good. Played well. Came out of the game as clean as possible.”   And did you expect him to kind of pick up where he left off? “It looked good in practice and the feedback that we were getting from him was…

January 14, 2013
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49ers divisional playoff grades: Defense and special teams

SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers massacred the Packers 45-31 on Saturday night. Here is the grade for the 49ers defense and special teams. Defensive line: B+. Justin Smith played 53 snaps, 91 percent of the defensive snaps. That alone is impressive. He couldn’t use his injured left arm, but the Packers still double teamed him, and he was disruptive bull rushing. And he was effective against the run, finishing the…

January 13, 2013
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Can Aldon Smith be effective against the Packers?

The 49ers play the Packers Saturday at the Stick. In the meantime, I’ll break down the key matchups. LT Marshall Newhouse vs. ROLB Aldon Smith To beat the Packers, you must pressure Aaron Rodgers. Aldon Smith, as you know, is the 49ers best pass rusher. He’ll be facing Marshall Newhouse, a mediocre left tackle who has given up eight sacks this season. Aldon Smith finished the Week 1 game against…

January 11, 2013
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Harbaugh on Justin Smith: “God willing and the creek don’t rise, he’s going to play.”

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript of his press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   Have you made a decision on your kicker yet? “No. Not one that we’ll have made or announce yet.”   Will you not announce it until an hour and a half before the game? “That’s possible.”   I was on a conference call with former 49ers…

January 9, 2013
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Aaron Rodgers: “Being a 49er fan, that was a team I enjoyed watching and dreamt about playing for.”

Aaron Rodgers spoke on a conference call with Bay Area reporters Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: How does this 49ers team look different from Week 1 when you saw them at Lambeau? RODGERS: Defensively it’s the same guys. One of the top defenses in the league, if not the best. They have playmakers all over the field, at every level – D-line, linebackers, secondary. The secondary can make…

January 9, 2013
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Are the Packers equipped to run the ball on the 49ers? McCarthy: “We have to be.”

Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy spoke on a conference call with Bay Area reporters on Tuesday. Here’s what he said. Q: How different are both of these teams from the teams that faced each other in Week 1? McCARTHY: I think every team in the National Football League is different from Week 1 to when they get in the playoffs. I think that holds true for both the 49ers and…

January 9, 2013
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Stakes higher for 49ers this time around

This is the opening for my Wednesday analysis of what’s at stake for Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers on Saturday. This will run in the Press Democrat newspaper, and I’m also posting it here. This week the 49ers are in the same position they were in a year ago — No. 2 seed, first-round bye, home game. It’s a great situation to be in, but the stakes are different. Last…

January 8, 2013
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Fangio on Justin Smith: “If he’s not playing up to his standard or close to it then we’ll put the next guy in.”

SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about Justin Smith and the rest of the 49ers defense, courtesy of the 49ers.   Is DT Justin Smith closer to full strength and how’s he looking out there? “He’s doing fine. I don’t think we’ll know for sure until Sunday comes.”   Saturday? “Saturday. Sorry.”   But, what has he shown you in…

January 8, 2013
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