HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on how he would assess where the team is after six games) * *
"I think we're at a good place. We're fighting and scratching and kicking, growing. We're having some growing pains, but very excited about where we're going."
HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on Alex Smith being named starting quarterback and him giving the team a lift last weekend)
"Yes, he did. I think the most important thing is we're just trying to continue to get better. It's not that you just look at the quarterback position and go, 'Hey, yeah, we got a quarterback, so let's go.' It is looking at the entire team, some of the things that we have done, some of the things we've been able to do, some of the things we haven't done very well. The best thing about the things we have not done well, (is that they) are fixable. So having said that, I just think we have to give ourselves a chance to get out there and play the game and play it as best as we can and move forward."
HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on what RB-Frank Gore means to his team and how much the offense revolves around his success)
"It means a lot. A healthy Frank Gore really means a lot. You have a guy like that with the ability to run and make plays, whether he's carrying the ball or catching the ball out of the backfield, (it) really poses a threat. It really makes a difference."
HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on teams loading the box defensively to stop Gore, and needing to be able to pass it)
"I think a balanced attack is always the way you want to go forward and try and create opportunities for the other. If you're going to run, then open it up for the pass and vice versa."
HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on why more former great players don't get into coaching)
"I'm not as smart as some of those guys. I figure that guys get out of the game and some of the things that you see while you're in the game, I think a lot of the great players just feel, 'Hey, you know what? I've had enough,' and want to move on. I think for me, it's just a matter of kind of being away from it for a while, and really my wife more than me, after praying about it, decided to get back in it. I think a lot of guys have other careers at hand, and when you're a great player, there are so many other opportunities for you than the guys that don't do as well."
HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on former Ball State QB Nate Davis and what impressed him about Davis in camp)
"The ability to throw the ball. He has a great arm, and he's a guy that throws bullets. He's accurate, and there are a lot of things. He's a leader, he commands the huddle, and he has a bright future ahead of him."
HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on trying to change the culture in San Francisco)
"Changing the culture is always a little bit more difficult than you think it would be. I think the most important thing in doing this is having a tremendous staff, and I feel very fortunate to have a great staff. And these players that are on this team are some of the finest that I have been around. So having said that, I'm very excited about the future of the organization. I'm very excited about 49er football."
HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on if his team employs the 'Bears tenacity' of his old Chicago teams and if that is a good thing)
"It can be, depending on what Bears you're talking about. It's just one of those things where we're really trying to build something special here. And it takes time when you have a vision and you know what you want, and you just have to continue to put it together. And I think we're just going to continue to fight and scratch and kick, and then we're going to get where we want to go. It's just a matter of time."
HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on if Nate Davis is the scout team quarterback impersonating Peyton Manning)
"I don't know if anyone can impersonate Peyton Manning. He's a unique guy, and he has his own style. We'll come as close to it as we can, but won't be able to duplicate that."
HEAD COACH MIKE SINGLETARY (on how much of a game-planning issue Dwight Freeney is)
"I don't know if you can really gameplan against a guy like that. He's spinning and turning and flying and doing all kinds of stuff coming off the ball, and we're going to have our hands full trying to allow Alex enough time to throw the football instead of throwing on the run. I just think we have to do the best job we can."
RB-FRANK GORE (on his sprained ankle) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"It feels alright. It feels pretty good."
RB-FRANK GORE (on if he feels the San Francisco offense runs through him and if that's a big responsibility) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"I do. I feel like I can handle it."
RB-FRANK GORE (on his nickname 'The Inconvenient Truth') Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"When I hear it, I like it. They're showing me they respect me and what I do."
RB-FRANK GORE (on WR-Reggie Wayne) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"We're good. He's doing great. He's taking advantage of all the opportunities he's had."
RB-FRANK GORE (on the Colts' defense) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"They're a pretty good defense, especially towards the run, and sometimes they put themselves in a position to make a mistake and give up big runs. Other than that, they're pretty good. They're fast. They run to the ball. They do a great job."
RB-FRANK GORE (on his running style being more physical than speed) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"I feel like if I have to I will (run through a defender), but if I can an opportunity to outrun them (I will). I can do both."
RB-FRANK GORE (on if he's tougher than his RB Coach Tom Rathman) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"I think I am. He was pretty tough, too. I like him as a coach. He's been great as a coach, and we've been doing pretty well so well."
RB-FRANK GORE (on San Francisco quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"They're totally different quarterbacks. Alex can really throw the deep ball. Shaun more takes what is there. That's probably one of the biggest things."
RB-FRANK GORE (on Edgerrin James saying he has the most physical talent of any former University of Miami running back) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"That's great, especially coming from Edge, he's a future Hall-of-Famer. He had a great career at the University of Miami. I really like that. I just want to show it. I know right now things aren't going right for me, but it will pick up for me."
RB-FRANK GORE (on his career goals) Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"I want to be remembered as one of the top guys to ever play the position I play, and for everything I did, not just running, but catching and blocking, too. My personal goal for this year was to be the top back in the league. My goal for the team was to make the playoffs and advance in the playoffs. It's still early, and we can still do that."
