Vic Fangio on Cardinals QB John Skelton: “He’s got good arm talent. This guy can throw the ball.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Is there any question in your mind which quarterback you’re going to be facing on Sunday? “Well, it seems like it’s going to be [Cardinals QB John] Skelton based upon the reports and the comments.” What about him and is there anything about him that stands out? He’s obviously had a couple of nice…

November 17, 2011
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Vic Fangio sizes up the Giants offense

SANTA CLARA – Here is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. How good of a test is this Giants offense in terms of evaluating your entire defense? “It’ll be a great test because the one thing about the Giants offense that I think you can say, it strikes you right from the start of looking at them, is their balance. A lot of times…

November 10, 2011
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Fangio: “We’re a lunch-pail-and-bucket type defense, and we’ve got to do our job the right way all the time.”

SANTA CLARA – Here is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Vic, [LB] Aldon Smith was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month, is he just providing everything you could have hoped he would at this point? “He’s played well in this last month. His pass rush has really picked up. He’s had games where he’s had opportunity to play more because the type…

November 3, 2011
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Fangio: “I don’t see anybody running the West Coast Offense.”

SANTA CLARA – Here is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s press conference from this afternoon, courtesy of the 49ers. How do you expect to use your third corner back this week, third corner? Who do you expect it to be and how do you plan to use them? “I think it will be kind of similar to what it’s been lately. [CB] Shawntae [Spencer] is improving, he’s still not 100…

October 27, 2011
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How Ray McDonald spent his Bye week

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of today’s Q&A with Ray McDonald from the 49ers locker room. Q: How did you spend the Bye week? McDONALD: I got a chance to sit around and kick my feet up and get my legs and my body back. So any nick or bruise I had before the bye week, I was able to heal up. Q: Coach Harbaugh cited that teams are…

October 25, 2011
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Vic Fangio on the Lions offense: “They’re a single back team.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Vic Fangio’s week 6 Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. What kind of challenges does Lions RB Jahvid Best present for your defense? “A lot. He’s extremely fast, he’s quick, he’s very elusive. He’s got deceptive strength, also. He’s a hard guy to tackle. Any time he gets to the open field, he’s capable of hitting a homerun, as I’m sure you…

October 13, 2011
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Fangio on Justin Smith’s game-winning strip: “The defensive equivalent of The Catch.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the complete transcript of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference in the media tent, courtesy of the 49ers. Do you know or expect what the status of DT Isaac Sopoaga will be on Sunday? Do you expect to have him ready for the game? “I think right now it would be highly unlikely that he’ll play this Sunday.” What have you seen from his replacement…

October 6, 2011
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Vic Fangio Q&A

SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio spoke at the podium in the media tent today. Jim Harbaugh will speak tomorrow, and Greg Roman will speak on Thursday. Here’s the complete transcript of Fangio’s Tuesday interview, courtesy of the 49ers. What kind of role do you foresee for LB Tavares Gooden? “When you’re selecting back-up linebackers, a major part of that process is the equation of special teams. We felt he would…

September 6, 2011
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Fangio says his defense is “behind from a mental standpoint.”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s what defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said today at his noon press conference. Do you expect to get CB Shawntae Spencer back this week? “It remains to be seen. He’s going to start trying to do some stuff today and we’ll see how it progresses.” Does he need to play in this last game in order for him to be in the picture for week one? Do…

August 29, 2011
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Fangio: “We’ve got 5 safeties who can play in the NFL.” Mays not one of them.

SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio gave another blunt assessment of his defense this morning in the media tent next to the practice fields in Santa Clara. He refused once again to name Shawntae Spencer a starting cornerback, and he implied that Taylor Mays is not an NFL-caliber safety right now, listing Reggie Smith, Dashon Goldon, Donte Whitner, Madieu Williams, and C.J. Spillman as the only safeties on the roster who…

August 22, 2011
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Fangio assesses the 49ers defense

SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio was the podium speaker today after practice, and here’s what he had to say about his defense. This transcript is courtesy of the 49ers. On his assessment of DT Isaac Sopoaga: “He was rusty the first couple practices, which was to be expected from the long layoff and the injury and a new system, but he has really picked it up here the past few…

August 17, 2011
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Keys for 49ers vs. Saints

The Niners play the Saints in New Orleans tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. What are the top 5 things you’re looking for in the first preseason game? Here’s my list: Mistakes. The Niners have described themselves as “behind the eight ball” preparing for this season, because they needed to install brand-new systems on offense and defense, and the lockout hindered their ability to do that. Their opponent, the Saints,…

August 11, 2011
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Vic Fangio on his defense

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the complete transcript of Defensive Coordinato Vic Fangio’s post-practice interview, courtesy of the 49ers. Enjoy. On whether Aldon Smith is a little more advanced than he thought he’d be at this point: “He’s had his flashes and I think that’s what you’re seeing, that he is flashing his ability, which gives you the impression when you’re kind of watching the whole thing and not focusing on…

August 9, 2011
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Ricky Jean-Francois Q&A

SANTA CLARA – I just participated in a group interview of Ricky Jean-Francois. He explained to us that he’s been playing all three positions on the defensive line, but mostly right end behind the starter Justin Smith. This seems to suggest Jean-Francois will be the first defensive lineman off the bench. It also suggests undrafted rookie Ian Williams has a good chance to make the team as a backup nose…

August 8, 2011
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Fangio tells brutal truth

SANTA CLARA – Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to the media after today’s practice. He’s a blunt guy and he explained, among other things, there are only two positions set on his defense. You figure that out for yourself, and I’ll give the answer below. He also implied his defense is not ready for prime time. Q: What do you know about your defense two days into practice that you…

July 30, 2011
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Training camp 1st day: The key topics

Training camp starts Friday and here are the top-five people I’m interested to watch. 1. Jim Harbaugh. It’s important to see how he runs a practice. Does he teach? Does he delegate work to his other coaches? Does he spend most his time with the quarterbacks? 2. Colin Kaepernick. How comfortable is he running the offense? What are his strengths and weaknesses? How does he interact with his teammates? Does…

July 28, 2011
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Aldon Smith Q&A

SANTA CLARA – As 112president requested on twitter, here’s the complete transcript of the interview with 49ers rookie Aldon Smith. Enjoy. Q: What time did you come in to the facility today? ALDON SMITH: 12 p.m. Q: Does it feel real to you? ALDON SMITH: Yeah, I’d say so. Getting my locker felt real. Q: Have you had a chance to meet with coach Harbaugh? ALDON SMITH: Yeah I talked…

July 26, 2011
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Fangio emphasizes pass defense; zings Saban

Fangio didn’t come out and announce that he wanted Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller or LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson in the draft. But he did make it clear that stopping the opponent’s passing attack, through coverage or pressure, was crucial when he was asked to identify the most important position on defense.

March 14, 2011
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