49ers 6, Broncos 10: Grades

SAN FRANCISCO – Here are my grades for the 49ers’ 10-6 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos. QUARTERBACKS: C. Kaepernick was perfect – four completions in four attempts for 38 passing yards. He also converted a third down with a six-yard scramble. His backups, Colt McCoy and Scott Tolzien, played dreadfully. McCoy completed three-of-four passes, threw one interception and left the game with a neck stinger. Scott Tolzien completed 15-of-26…

August 8, 2013
Read More >>

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
Read More >>

Training camp report: Huge day for Lockette and the L-Train

SANTA CLARA – Here is what stood out to me at Tuesday evening’s light, padless practice in which the first-team offense and first-team defense only faced the scout teams. THE GOOD 1. Ricardo Lockette – He had an outstanding practice. He lined up primarily at split end with the scout-team offense, meaning he faced Tarell Brown a lot. Lockette beat Brown for two touchdowns – one was a 20-yard catch…

August 6, 2013
Read More >>

Fangio says Brock has “been doing OK” in training camp

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the 49ers’ media tent Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   What have you seen from CB Tramaine Brock here since he’s taken over that number thee job? “He’s been doing OK. He’s had some plays that he’s missed on his assignments and exact pickups, but, he’s been improving on that as we go through this whole entire week….

August 6, 2013
Read More >>

Harbaugh: “I think we’re going to be real happy with T. Brock.”

Jim Harbaugh spoke about Tramaine Brock on KNBR Tuesday morning. Here’s what Harbaugh said. Q: What do you expect from Tramaine Brock this season? HARBAUGH: We all feel Tramaine is going to be just fine. Everybody has confidence in him. He’s extremely quick, fast, got good ball skills. He’s been a standout player for us on special teams. Everybody on the team has high expectations and high confidence in T….

August 6, 2013
Read More >>

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
Read More >>

Carlos Rogers is no loser

SANTA CLARA – Carlos Rogers spoke in the media tent after practice Sunday afternoon. One reporter asked Rogers if he draws motivation from the 49ers’ recent interest in cornerback Eric Wright and their signing of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha earlier this offseason. “No, I really don’t,” said Rogers, shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t want to sound conceited, but I don’t really pay attention. Anybody who they bring in can help the…

August 5, 2013
Read More >>

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
Read More >>

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
Read More >>

Report: Culliver tears ACL, out for season

ESPN is reporting Chris Culliver tore his left ACL in today’s practice. He likely will miss the upcoming season. Which cornerback do you think will take Culliver’s place in the lineup – Nnamdi Asomugha, Tramaine Brock or someone else? And do you think Trent Baalke regrets not drafting a cornerback in the first three rounds of the most recent draft?

August 1, 2013
Read More >>

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
Read More >>

Training camp report: Culliver injures left knee, Vernon Davis catches a TD playing WR

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Thursday’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Vernon Davis – He lined up everywhere – tight end, in the backfield and out wide. In a red-zone drill, Davis lined up at split end across from Tarell Brown. Davis beat Brown on an inside move and caught a touchdown pass from Colt McCoy. 2. Nnamdi Asomugha – He was the second-team right…

August 1, 2013
Read More >>

Training camp report: Patrick Willis leaves early with an apparent right wrist injury

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Wednesday’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Marlon Moore – He was the starting split end and he caught five passes and a touchdown during team drills. He also made the catch of the day, as he’s done every day of training camp. He ran a fade route against Tarell Brown, Kaepernick threw a back shoulder pass but it was at…

July 31, 2013
Read More >>

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
Read More >>

Asomugha on the 49ers’ Super Bowl optimism: “It’s coming from a real place. I’ve never been around that.”

SANTA CLARA – Nnamdi Asomugha spoke at the podium in the media tent Saturday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Are you looking forward to putting the pads on today? ASOMUGHA: I am. I’m always excited to start that portion of football. We’ve been doing shorts for a while, so it’s good. Q: Real football begins now? ASOMUGHA: It’s not like we’re going into full, live tackling immediately. It’s just…

July 27, 2013
Read More >>

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
Read More >>

49ers’ mini-camp: Day 3 – Kaepernick’s best practice of the offseason

SANTA CLARA – Here is what stood out to me at Day 3 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. Colin Kaepernick – He hadn’t done anything spectacular this offseason until this afternoon. He’d been mostly dinking and dunking. Colt McCoy had been more aggressive throwing downfield. Alex Smith had been more aggressive…

June 13, 2013
Read More >>

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
Read More >>

Jenkins a sight not to be seen

Here is my Wednesday column on A.J. Jenkins. SANTA CLARA – Apparently, A.J. Jenkins is two different people. When there are no fans or media watching him, when Jenkins is all alone with his teammates and his coaches, the former first-round pick is a fantastic receiver. That’s what Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman said Tuesday. They said Jenkins had his best practices last Wednesday and Thursday, two practices which were…

June 12, 2013
Read More >>

Fangio on Carradine, Reid, Asomugha, Rogers and more

SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Vic Fangio said Wednesday afternoon, courtesy of the 49ers.   So, offensive coordinator Greg Roman had said yesterday, obviously he’d been through two offensive installs already and it was more for him about execution. What is it about for you during this mini-camp with the defense? “Well, the mini-camp is just a continuation of the OTAs where we’re installing our defense. Teaching the assignments, the…

June 12, 2013
Read More >>