HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (General Comments) Wednesday, October 28, 2009* *
"We are back in the groove again for us. Today is a big day in terms of our preparation. It's very important that we focus in on a real good San Francisco team. They have a lot of weapons. They certainly have some firepower on offense with (Frank) Gore coming back. This will be his second week back after his injury. He's a guy who can certainly run the ball. He will certainly be a factor in any ball game. He can take it to the house at any point in time. He is a very capable runner. He also blocks well and can catch passes. There is obviously a little change in their quarterback situation. Looks like (Alex) Smith has done a tremendous job. He had three touchdown passes in the second half against Houston. He should he was very poised and under control. He threw the ball accurately. It's going to be a real battle for us. (Michael) Crabtree and (Alex) Smith seem like they have something going in terms of some continuity. I understand they worked together during the bye week. You can tell those two guys are on the same page with some well-timed throws. The tight end is as fine of a player as you will see. He's strong and fast. Vernon Davis can catch the ball. He has six touchdowns so far this year. Three of them were in the second half, which I mentioned against Houston. He's a threat at any point in time. He runs extremely well like a wide receiver, but has the girth and size of a typical tight end. Across the board when you look at what they are able to do form a schematic standpoint they certain are a team that can run the ball well. They are a power-oriented team. We have to do a good job in terms of stopping the run, but yet be able to cover their weapons down the field. They have a balance now. I think early on they wanted to just run the ball and pound it at you. Now they have shown they can also spread it out and be effective in the passing game as well. On the defensive side of the ball they are equally talented. They have some guys who can rush the passer. They certainly are effective on the inside with (Justin) Smith. Both (Takeo) Spikes and (Patrick) Willis are guys that are equally effective not only as pass rushers in the inside, but they also make a lot of plays running from sideline to sideline. They are great leaders as well. They have a veteran secondary. The two of note would be (Nate) Clemens, who is a guy who that certainly can play the game extremely well. He's a guy that once he gets his hands on the ball can certainly do some damage. He's also one that covers extremely well. It's a good solid secondary. Dre Bly, who has been around for a while, is their nickel back. He's a guy that has the ability to turn a game around. The kicking game is solid. (Joe) Nedney is a very solid kicker. Overall, I just think they have some real solid weapons. They are a well- coached football team. We have to make certain we are prepared to play."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the switch of 49ers starting quarterbacks and their running game) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"It appears it had to do with the fact they were down by a certain number of points and they felt they had to open it up a little bit more, or maybe it's part of a trend. We have to be prepared for both. We have to believe with one of the best running backs in the league, he would certainly be a real big part of your offensive plan."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On any updates on WR-Reggie Wayne) Wednesday,
"He feels good. He won't practice today more than likely. We hope that he will progress throughout the week and just increase his activity. We'll see where he is come Friday."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On any updates on RB-Donald Brown) Wednesday,
"Donald is going to have to nurse that shoulder a bit. The doctors are looking him closely. It just depends on how quickly he comes along. He'll be a wait-and-see as well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On any updates on WR-Anthony Gonzalez) Wednesday,
"I would suspect we will get a little practice out of him this week. I'm not certain how much. That will depend on how he reacts when he steps on the field. He participated in walk-through. We'll see how he does later on in the week."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On if WR-Anthony Gonzalez's return impacts WR-Reggie Wayne's return) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"Both are separate issues. We would certainly like certain things to happen. We can't accelerate the healing process. The doctors look at that and make a determination when he's best suited to return. We go from there."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the possibility of RB-Donald Brown practicing today after Brown told media he would practice) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"As coaches, we love to hear that. The realistic side of it is I'm not certain of that. This is a day we go out that we don't have pads on. There may be some phase he may be able to participate in. Today would be wishful thinking for him."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On returning for a home game after a few weeks) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"It's always great to play at home for your fans. That in itself is a rare opportunity for us in the last couple months. It's been almost four weeks since we've had this opportunity. We are looking forward to that. It certainly doesn't make our preparation for a tough team any different. At home it gives the opportunity to enjoy the comforts of where you live. You don't have to travel and things of that nature. It does take a little bit of a load off of you. The game is played on the field in between those white lines. Oftentimes, that doesn't give you that many advantages when you are at home. We are also mindful of the fact teams can come in here and win as well if we're not prepared."
* *
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On why elite players in the NFL don't always make good coaches) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"Here is my personal view. I think in a number of situations some many of them are absolutely perfectionists. A number of the real fine ones can't quite understand why everyone can't do the same things they were able to do. They can't see it. The fact is they don't look at themselves oftentimes as rare or elite. Thus, they lose patience with coaching. That is my own personal view of it where I think a lot of the great ones steer clear of it, or they get involved and find out it's certainly pretty difficult for them to handle."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On if the 49ers overall mindset comes from their head coach) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"They do all of the little things and all the intangibles in terms of hustle, grit, fight, determination and desire. You can see all of that on film in every single phase of their operation. I certain would attribute the great majority of that to Mike (Singletary) and his personality. I see a defense that pressures you, that walks up on you and challenges you every single snap of the ball. If you look at the first two games, you get that sense for what they've done offensively. They spread it out a little bit. All in all, they want to be a tough, hard-nosed team with a great defense and good solid kicking game."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On if QB-Peyton Manning could be a coach) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"I can tell you if he wanted to, he'd be a great one. I think oftentimes most of the guys will look at their careers and make a determination of what they would like to do afterwards. Some of them have expressed wanting to look into coaching. Jeff Saturday has mentioned from time to time he may have an interest. There are a few. I know (Broncos wide receiver) Brandon Stokley was one that talked about having an opportunity. I know he is no longer with us, but he thought about coaching. His father was a coach. He would certainly be a good one as well. We have a lot of guys on this squad that have a lot of potential to do a lot of different things in life. I'm sure there will be a few coaches out of the group as well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On DE-Dwight Freeney's play this season) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
He's always been pretty good. I think he's gotten himself into a pretty good groove. He's been able to string quite a few of them (games) together. He has always had a real business-like attitude. He has always prepared extremely well. I just think right now he is having a good solid stretch."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the running back rotation if RB-Donald Brown does not play) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"Joseph (Addai) would carry the load a little bit more. You certainly would see Chad (Simpson) as well. He (Simpson) is capable. He showed some flashes in the last game. You will see an increase there."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the Colts win streak and looking ahead) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"The thing that we try and do and have always done is that old cliché, 'You really don't get out ahead of yourself in terms of your focus and in terms of your preparation.' You are just looking at one game. That's it. We would like to just add them up at the end. I do believe you don't want to get to the point of looking out on the horizon and not focusing on what's right there in front of you. For us, it's the 49ers walking into our stadium on Sunday. We'd better be prepared to play."
