TIGHT END DENNIS PITTA

(on thoughts on 49ers media bias) “You know, I don’t know. I haven’t really been paying attention to what people have been saying. I know we just came from Baltimore and where theres a whole lot of Ravens fans. It’s kind of what we’ve been surrounded with.”

(on entering the Superdome) “I’ve played here before; I played here in college but never in the NFL. It’s an impressive stadium. It feels huge. You look up and you feel like it’s a mile high. It’s a great place to play and a great venue.”

(on having so much security around) “It’s a lot of fun having our guys around. It’s kind of sweet to have this monstrosity of media over there (reference to Ray Lewis’ podium). I feel like a kind of side show compared to what’s going on over there.”

(on John Harbaugh as a coach) “He’s a good football coach. He’s passionate about football, listens to his players on the team, and just knows the game well. He inspires his team and puts us in the best position to win, which is why he has been so successful.”

(on Vernon Davis as an opposing TE) “He’s a great football player. I’m fortunate I don’t have to go against him. I get to watch him on the sideline.”

(on team utilization of the TE position) “We utilize the tight end well. It’s a big part of our pass game. It’s something that we feel like we can create mismatches with the defense. I think we have tight ends that can run and get down field and catch a lot of footballs. That’s helped us.”

(on relationship with fellow TE Ed Dickson) “Ed and I work well together. I think we both have important roles on this team. It’s fun to play with him and to have been here these last few years with him.”

(on why the Ravens deserve to win) “You know, we’ve battled a lot this year. We’ve overcome a lot of adversity. We took a long road to the playoffs to get here. We took on some tough road games. We’re a battle tested team and we know what we’re capable of doing. We’re going to play our hardest and do what we can to win.”

(on feelings about being in the Super Bowl) “This is impressive. It’s kind of a lot going on. It’s a lot of fun and a great experience. You know, the first time I’ve ever been to the Super Bowl, let alone play in it, so I am just trying to enjoy the week.”

(on stepping onto the field Sunday) “Crazy, I don’t know what it’s going to be like. I have played in a lot of big football games and a couple of AFC Championship games but this is going to be probably a big step above that.”

(on Ray Lewis) “I think he’s been great. He’s gone as long as he can this year to the final game and has been huge for our football team.”

(on the changes by Jim Caldwell) “Jim is a great football coach, great leader for our offense. He’s done a tremendous job. I think a change was needed. I think we hit a plateau as an offense with Cam Cameron, for whatever reason. Cameron’s a great coach but I think we needed a change. It was a bold move to make the change in Week 13 like John did, but it ended up being a great decision for us. Jim has really got us to play some good football as of late.”

(on getting Ray Rice more involved) “Ray is a dynamic player and you always want to get him as involved as possible. We’ve tried that all year. It’s not like we’ve neglected to give him the football but we’re doing it in more creative ways now. It’s not just lining up in a pro formation and just handing him the ball. It’s getting him more on the edge and getting him involved in the pass game has really helped.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Super Bowl XLVII – Tuesday, January 29, 2013

QUOTES FROM BALTIMORE RAVENS MEDIA DAY

TIGHT END DENNIS PITTA

(on mid-season offensive coordinator change) “It was shocking at the time. Because of the time when it happened, week 13, you don’t expect a change in offensive coordinators. You know, you are sitting with a playoff on the horizon. It was a bold move but it was certainly the right decision. Jim Caldwell is a tremendous football coach and has been great offensive coordinator for us.”

(on Joe Flacco evolving with the offensive coordinator change) “The big part of Joe’s evolvement has been the play of our offensive line. They’ve been tremendous in giving him time. Anytime you can give a quarterback plenty of time to get comfortable and get in a rhythm that certainly helps. I think that has been huge for us in this last run.”

(on Juan Castillo) “He is good football coach. He’s got a great reputation. He has only been with us for a short time so it’s hard to assess right now, but he’s got a great track record and we’re excited to have him on board.”

(on advice from his father about playing) “He’s been an inspiration to me my whole life. He’s knowledgeable about football. He was a great athlete in his time and really helped me and supported me in my whole career. He’s always someone I could turn to for advice, support, and he’s been huge. It’s about effort, playing the game, never quitting, about heart, you know little things that he’s told me along my career that have helped out.”

(on impressions on Colin Kaepernick) “He’s a great football player and great athlete. I watched him a little in Nevada and knew he could run and knew he was a good athlete. I’ve been impressed by how well he throws the football. He’s a tough player and we have our work cut out for us this week to stop him.”

(on how to deal with distractions during the week) “We’ve only got a hand full of guys that have been through this experience before and they have given us a great deal of advice along with Coach Harbaugh. It’s about just staying focused and this is business trip. We’re here to win a football game. We have one game left and that’s got to be our focus. You have to be able to manage the distractions and do your best to focus on the football game. Obviously, that’s what we’ll try to do.”

(on advice from Ray Lewis about being in the Super Bowl) “They’ve kind of echoed the same sentiments. You just have to focus on the game and be able to put everything aside. There’s a lot to do, a lot to do at night here. You’re going to be pulled in a lot of different directions but there’s plenty of time to do that and then party after you win. You have to kind of buckle down this week and just focus on the game.”

(on safety concerns of the game and its future) “The nature of football is violent. I don’t think you will ever be able to eliminate some of those big hits. I understand the league is trying to limit some of those things, the big hits and concussions that are going on. Those are going to happen just by the nature of the sport. I don’t necessarily agree that the sport is going to be gone in 30 years. I think it’s too popular, too exciting for fans. I think they’ll find ways to revise it a little bit, make it a little safer, but as an offensive player, I am okay with that, as long as players aren’t launching at my head.”

(on the road to the Super Bowl) “I think during a season to get to this point you have to be good and you have to be fortunate at times. We’ve been fortunate enough to take the mistakes by defenses, fortunate to make plays that were critical in critical situations. You have to have players that can perform in those situations. We’ve got a quarterback that can make throws in tough situations and players that can make plays. So that’s really driven this team up until this point. We’ve had a lot of adversity. We are a better football team now having gone through all that.

(on expectations coming to the Super Bowl) “It’s tough to know what to expect. I’ve never been to the Super Bowl as a spectator, let alone as a player. You just kind of have to take it all in and enjoy the experience, enjoy the ride, try and focus on the game.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Super Bowl XLVII – Tuesday, January 29, 2013

QUOTES FROM BALTIMORE RAVENS MEDIA DAY

TIGHT END DENNIS PITTA

(on how it would feel on playing against a brother in the Super Bowl) “I would have to play against my sister because I don’t have a brother. It would be incredible to play against a sibling like that, someone you grew up with your whole life and know so well. To be on opposite sides where the whole world is watching, I can’t imagine what that would be like.”

(on involvement in the offense at onset of the year) “You know training camp, I did. I think I had some important games at the end of last season too that helped me contribute to the team a little more. So, going into this year I knew my role would be extensive. In training camp I broke my hand, so I missed all of training camp. I kind of had to start fresh again in Week 1. Obviously, as a team it’s been a great year.

TIGHT END VERNON DAVIS

(on what the team is focusing on during this week of preparation) “Just keeping the focus that we need to have because it’s easy to get distracted. We have to maintain a good level of focus.”

(on how he would describe Head Coach Jim Harbaugh in one word) “Energetic.”

(on what is the one thing about QB Colin Kaepernick that has impressed him the most) “His ability to maintain focus under pressure. He came in late in the year, and he can still maintain his focus. That was something that impressed me.”

(on how the 49ers can win the game) “The 49ers will win if we play to the highest level of our potential.

(on former 49ers head coach Mike Singletary playing a part in this team’s success) “I think that he did have a key role in helping to make us successful.  When Singletary was here, he helped mold us. That’s one thing that I appreciate about him is that he was always there for us and he stayed on us no matter what.”

(on how he felt about the quarterback switch during the season) “We pretty much had to support Harbaugh’s decision. He is the head coach, so whatever decision he makes we have to support it no matter what. Whether we like it or dislike it.”

(on QB Alex Smith) “Alex is a class guy. He’s been through so much. He’s been on an emotional roller coaster. I wasn’t worried about Alex because I know that he can handle anything. He’s been high, he’s been low, and he’s been through so much at a young age. So he can pretty much handle whatever comes his way.”

(on what he thinks of media day so far) “I haven’t really paid attention to it. My thing is just keeping my focus. That’s what I’m here for. I’ve been to [NBA] All-Star weekend, I’ve been to a number of Super Bowls. Just the atmosphere and the things that are going on don’t really impress me. It’s not new to me, so I can maintain my focus as well as my teammates. They can do the same thing.”

(on whether it matters that the Super Bowl is in a fun city like New Orleans) “I doesn’t really matter because we’re not here to have fun. The game will be fun for us.”

(on where he does his curling in the offseason) “In the weight room.”

(on WR Michael Crabtree) “I think that Michael Crabtree has done a terrific job as far as stepping up and becoming a leader. He’s been through a lot as well. It’s takes time for a guy to come in and be successful.  You have to go through some things first before you can reach your highest peak. So I think that he’s been patient as far as that.”

(on WR Randy Moss) “I’m happy for Randy. I’m very happy for him because he’s been in this league for years now and he still hasn’t had a chance to win a Super Bowl. He’s finally at the stage where he can really make some things happen with this team and I’m very happy for him.”

(on playing in the Super Bowl against Maryland alumn Ravens’ WR Torrey Smith) “Torrey is a Maryland guy and to come from Maryland- there aren’t too many guys in the league that are from Maryland. So to have Torrey, who is playing at a high level and most of the guys that are in the league, I can name them but it’s a few, I’m very pleased to see that. Because most of the guys that I played with, to have them and especially Torrey, play in this game is truly a blessing.”

(on whether or not he was a Ravens fan growing up in Baltimore) “I was always a Washington Redskins fan, but I would see the Baltimore Ravens all of the time. I know that Ray Lewis had a brother that played with me in college: Keon Lattimore. So I would see him come through. But the Baltimore Ravens being my home team is pretty significant because everyone back there will be watching and they’ll get a chance to see me and my teammates playing as well.”

(on facing the Raven’s defense and LB Ray Lewis) “They’re a tough defense, very tough and physical. Ray Lewis is playing at a high level. I know he’s up in age put still playing. They’ve got a lot of guys over there. I know from playing them last year that they are really going to bring all that they have. Despite some of the injuries that they have they will play hard and fast. As an offensive unit we know that and so we have to start fast as well.”

(on the connection with QB Colin Kaepernick versus QB Alex Smith) “I was not frustrated when they made the change from Alex to Kaepernick because I knew that Harbaugh will make the right decision. As far as the adjustment to Colin Kaepernick, it took a little while at first. But as far as practice, we had to continue to work on our chemistry, building chemistry and just learning one another because Alex had been there since day one and it took years to build what we had. But it didn’t take too long to learn that with Kaepernick.”

(on the team’s multi-dimensional offensive weapons) “With this offense, you never know. One week it can be me, next week it can be (WR Michael) Crabtree, it can be (RB) Frank Gore. That’s what makes this offense unique is that you never know who’s number is going to be called each week. It’s a good thing because we’re winning. We’re here so how could you complain about it?”

(on the type of person that WR Randy Moss is) “My locker is right beside Randy’s. Randy is a great guy. I think that people view him the wrong way. He’s a terrific guy in the locker room. He’s funny, he’s energetic, he’ll always put a smile on your face and a lot of people don’t know that about him. I’m very thankful to have him as part of this team. I think that this has been a great year for him. Probably, after it’s all said and done, it’ll be one of the best years of his career.”

(on if he’s surprised at any of Randy Moss’s hobbies) “Randy’s favorite hobby is probably fishing. It did surprise me at first. I thought that he’d be one of those guys that played basketball during the offseason, but he likes to fish.”

(on winning the Super Bowl for Randy Moss) “I don’t think that we’re going into this game as far as winning for Randy. It would be great to be a part of this with him but our biggest thing is winning it for the team, the franchise, and our community because it’s been a long time. We’ve put a lot of work in just like Randy. He put a lot of work in throughout the years and he’s never won a Super Bowl. Our hopes are high for the team and for the community.”

(on how the 49ers could win in a close game) “In a close game, we would win because our defense doesn’t give up. Our offense is always aggressive and eager to win.”

(on how he feels about luck being on the 49ers side due to the hotel that they’re staying at) “I don’t think that this is a game of luck. I don’t really believe in luck, I believe in God. I believe that He’s always the way, He’s the answer, so prayer is important to me. So as far as luck, it doesn’t really stick to me.”

(on his message to service members overseas) “Good luck to all of the soldiers overseas. I’m honored to have you all as part of the United States of America and good luck out there.”

(on if he was concerned  on the offense’s use of the read-option) “As far as the read-option game, I wasn’t worried because this game is not about me, it’s about my team. I once read something that said, ‘In order to be great you have to be a servant, you have to be a slave.’ It’s a way of saying that you have to be humble and that’s something that I’ve learned here. I’m not worried about statistics and things like that. When I was younger I was. It was all about statistics. I had to get this number of catches, this number of yards. I don’t really care about that anymore. I’m more so worried about making it to the playoffs and making it to the Super Bowl.”

(on how special it is to be in New Orleans playing in the Super Bowl) “I was walking down the street the other day and I was looking up and I was like ‘Wow, the Super Bowl! This is incredible, man.’ Just being a part of this franchise is legendary (WR) Jerry Rice, (QB) Joe Montana, (QB) Steve Young and to be able to bring a ring back that’s something that you can cherish for the rest of your life.”

(on his own personal testimony) “As far as my story, I think that it’s important for young guys to see what I’ve gone through and the way that I view things, and what’s important and what is not important because they can learn from that. Because when I came in I was looking up to guys that were before me. The (Terrell Owens) and the (Chad Johnsons), I looked up to those guys. It is very important for guys to listen to the story of people like myself and learn from it.”

(on how his faith helps him stay focused both on and off of the field) “My faith as far as keeping me focused kind of works hand-in-hand. When I’m playing the game my faith is what keeps me going, keeps me humble, it makes me a leader. As far as off of the field I can stay away from the negativity that life brings you and that transforms me into a leader as well because I can go back and implement what I do off of the field to my teammates.”

(on his testimony) “I want people to remember that I was a man of God, I was a leader and that I was dedicated to this game. I also them to remember that I gave this game everything that I had as a tight end. I gave it everything. I gave it my all.”

(on QB Colin Kaepernick’s amazing start) “I was surprised at first, but when you look at Colin he wants to be great, he wants to be successful. He’s one of those guys that will give up anything to be great at this game and at his position. He’s alwaysd in the weight room, he works hard each and every day. That’s something that people don’t know about him that he’s always in the weight room, always. And it’s rare to see a quarterback in the weight room as much as he’s in there.”

(on Kaepernick’s physical ability) “I would call him a freak.”

(on the motivation it brings him seeing Kaepernick working out) “It does a lot. It motivates us because you have this quarterback, which is rare, in the weight room for a guy like him. It motivates us because I was walking in from practice one day and saw Colin doing abs and then he went over and started doing curls. I was like ‘I’m not going in. I’m about to go in the weight room myself.’ He doesn’t need to get too much bigger because he’s already throwing faster than anybody I’ve ever caught balls from.”

(on comparing himself from previous seasons) “The difference between me now and when I first came in was that it was all about me. I came in with the attitude to catch balls and get statistics and things like that. I didn’t care about the team. I was about Vernon, always but now I could care less about catching balls and getting statistics because I understand that the team is much bigger.”

LINEBACKER COURTNEY UPSHAW

(on Harbaugh’s coaching style) “You have that extra leadership. Our team is full of leadership and as a young guy, you have to buy into that leadership and listen to the older guys.”

(on defending the 49ers’ unique offensive sets) “We just have to go out and have the coaches put us in the right position to make plays and to try to stop that offense. They’re a good offense so it’s not going to be easy. We watch the tape, so we see what they’re doing and what teams have success doing but those guys have had success so you’ve just got to go execute the game plan.

(on winning a National Championship at this exact spot last year) “It was great. I’m in the Super Bowl now so I have to put that feeling behind me and try to win this Super Bowl come Sunday.

(on the feeling of winning a National Championship with a dominant Alabama team) “That defense was dominant. The way we came out and played that game and the atmosphere here too. Winning the MVP was great.”

(on seeing some of his Alabama teammates go before him on day 1 of the NFL Draft) “I was disappointed. Honestly, I’m not going to lie to you, I was disappointed. I went back to the hotel, and a couple people with me and my agent prayed a lot about it. I was hoping Baltimore would take me the next day and that’s what happened. I’m here now, so I can’t look back on what didn’t happen in the first round of the draft.

(on the road to the Super Bowl with Ray as their leader) “Being along with Ray and Ed, you grow up wanting to be those guys playing backyard football. I say that all the time, but just the leadership here, to go from Alabama to the leadership here, there is not too much difference. Me being a young guy, I just bought into it and we are here in the Super Bowl now.

(on the similarities between the Alabama and Baltimore defenses) “Like you said, there are not too many differences with this team and with Coach Saban back in the day. They’re kind of similar. This is a hard, tough and physical defense with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed back there. You’ve got guys like Dannell Ellerbe who I look up to for his play on the field and for the kind of guy he is off the field.

(on what he has learned specifically from Ray Lewis) “To be a pro about any and everything. When going into the weight room to get extra reps, studying film and just knowing what you have to do and knowing what’s coming on the field.”

(on his journey from a difficult childhood to football’s national stage) “I’m always humble, number one. What I say about the Super Bowl is that I have to win it first. Those championships, I won those, but now I’m in the Super Bowl. I’m on a whole different level and I have to execute on the opportunity to win my first Super Bowl. I dreamed it and never thought I would be here. I didn’t even think I was going to go to college to play football and luckily I had people back home that put my name out there and sent my high school film to colleges. I never thought I’d be here to be honest with you.”

(on his friendly trash talk with former Auburn linebacker Josh Bynes) “Man, Auburn, Georgia, we talk about all that. You have a lot of Alabama haters around here man. It’s all fun and games. Alabama is on top. They’re tired of seeing Alabama win championships. For me to come here with two, I’ve got the upper hand.”

(on his time in New Orleans so far) “The week has been good. We got in yesterday after a good send off. It was great to see all those fans who came out to send us off.”

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Super Bowl XLVII – Tuesday, January 29, 2013

QUOTES FROM BALTIMORE RAVENS MEDIA DAY

MORE LINEBACKER COURTNEY UPSHAW

(on having the opportunity to play in a Super Bowl) “I always tell everybody I have to go win it first. That’s what is most important to me now is to win this Super Bowl. I won those championships back at Alabama but now it’s time to move forward.”

(on the differences between getting to the BCS Championship and getting to the Super Bowl) “It’s another championship, but this is the biggest stage. As a kid, we grew up dreaming and hoping that we’d be in the Super Bowl. Not too many people in this league get the chance to get to that first Super Bowl. So for me to be a rookie, it’s just unbelievable. I have to execute on that opportunity.”

(on the idea of rookie nerves and his feelings as the Super Bowl inches closer) “Going into any game, a regular or preseason game, I’m always nervous before that first snap. Honestly, you just have to go out and do what we do. I’ve been playing football since a little kid, so it’s not the time to get nervous. That’s how you lose games.”

(on his approach to preparing himself both physically and mentally for a game) “When I get in that locker room, just minutes before we kick it off, the nerves build up because you are so anxious to get it started. Once I get that first hit in on the kickoff team, then I’m ready and the game has started so it’s time for me to do what I do.”

(on the lifestyle differences between Alabama and Baltimore) “It’s the snow. I had only seen snow twice before in my life in Alabama. It’s been great. I live in a nice little community where the neighbors are real good people. The people have been so good to me.”

(on media expectations and predictions and how they affect a team’s play) “You can’t really listen to that stuff. You just have to go out there and play your game. For the fans, a lot of people are going to predict and pick the 49ers. If we go out and play our game so you never know what’s going to happen. Honestly, this year throughout the season I learned not to watch TV that much because of the simple fact that they are always rooting against us. We just have to prove everyone wrong once more. It’s definitely motivation. We know what kind of team we have and we know we can be dominant. It’s all about just doing it out on the field.”

(on the transition from college football to the professional level) “Early on, I had some issues with my weight and the conditioning. Nick Saban and that coaching staff down there at Alabama does a great job trying to prepare us for this.”

(on the experience of playing in the Superdome) “I’m familiar with it. This is my third time playing in here for a football game on this field. I don’t want to say it’s my home field since I’ve only been here 3 times. It was great to win a championship here last year with Alabama. But now it’s time for me try to execute on my opportunity at the Super Bowl.”

(on his relationship with Baltimore’s head coach John Harbaugh) “It’s been great playing for coach. I told him after we got that win against the Patriots that I was glad that they brought me in to Baltimore. I’m trying to beat his brother. It’s a team game. We all want to win just for coach, to say he beat his brother, but also to get Ray Lewis a ring and get Baltimore another trophy. “

(on the differences in coaching styles between Nick Saban and John Harbaugh) “They will get on you. I say that first hand. At Alabama, I had my share of run-ins with coach, especially as a freshman. In my rookie year, coach Harbaugh has got on me a few times. I’m just trying to do things the right way and be a pro about a lot of things.”

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Super Bowl XLVII – Tuesday, January 29, 2013

QUOTES FROM BALTIMORE RAVENS MEDIA DAY

MORE LINEBACKER COURTNEY UPSHAW

(on what he looks forward to most about being New Orleans besides playing in the Super Bowl) “Well, this is my third time here. I’ve done it all. I had the food and enjoyed Bourbon Street after the win last year.

(on being a part of a team with Ray Lewis as its leader) “In this game of football, you have to execute on your opportunities. You dream about being a part of team like this, ever since playing in the backyard with the Ray Lewis jersey on. It’s a great feeling.

QUARTERBACK JOE FLACCO

(on disagreeing with the Super Bowl location for next year) “I think it’s obvious reasons. They’ve done it the way they’ve been doing it for 47 years. There’s a lot that goes into this game, more than just playing the game: it’s about the fans and it’s about the players that played for the right to get there. There are a lot of things that go into it and it’s just kind of a crazy decision, I believe.”

(on all of the media presence) “You kind of just try to avoid it and ignore it as much as you can, but obviously that’s hard to do with all the media hype that surrounds this football game. You kind of just have to take it in and enjoy it and realize that it’s a pretty cool situation that you’re in.”

(on his hometown) “I think a lot of people’s personality is shaped from where they are from and what kind of environment they grew up in. It is a very small town, very tight knit group. I think it just makes you proud and I hope we can go out there and represent them well.”

(on his high school) “There are a lot of positives. I think you develop a lot of relationships that you’re able to take with you throughout time. I think that’s what has happened.”

(on LB Ray Lewis’ pregame ritual) “He has the craziest ritual. I’m trying to think of all the guys that do stuff. I try not to pay attention to it but you have Terrell Suggs, you have Jacoby Jones on our team, you have Ray Lewis. You have a bunch of really fun personalities so they kind of all do their thing. I just kind of sit there and wait for the game to get going.”

(on if he plays worse in domes) “I don’t think so. I mean .500? Is that all I’ve played in domes? Five years and only six games in domes, that’s pretty crazy. The truth of the matter is when I get in here and start throwing the ball around you really get kind of excited about it just because you can tell the difference. The ball really goes in here and there are no real elements to deal with. I haven’t really thought too much about it.”

(on playing on turf) “Our home stadium is on turf. I know we’re outside but I think we have some fast guys. I don’t know who it lends better to but I think we play well on this surface.”

(on teachers influencing him) “There’s a bunch of people along the way. I think the grade school teachers are the ones who are around you the longest and that you probably remember the most.”

(on being in New Orleans) “This is the first time I’ve ever been here so it’s pretty cool. It seems like a very fun time. It’s not the biggest the city so it seems like you can kind of go out and hang out and have a good time with a bunch of people you know. I was walking around the city for a little bit last night just to kind of get a feel for it and it seemed pretty cool. Most places I would assume you go out on a Monday night and just walk around it’s pretty quiet, pretty dead and parts of the city were like that but other parts of the city it didn’t seem too much like a Monday night, it could have been a weekend night. It’s kind of crazy to think about what this place might be like on the weekend.”

(on if he believes he’s considered elite) “I don’t really care. To be honest with you it’s kind of a crazy question, it’s weird to answer. I’m just going to let my play speak for itself. I don’t know if it’s answered it or not, it’s really not my job to concern myself with that. You guys can all talk about that. If we come out here and play the game the way we should and the way we can then I don’t care and I don’t think anyone else is going to care. We’re going to be feeling pretty good about ourselves and what we accomplished.”

(on if he’s going to run the shotgun offense) “I’m not ready to run any of that. You can leave that to the 49ers and our guys trying to stop it.”

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QUOTES FROM BALTIMORE RAVENS MEDIA SESSION

MORE QUARTERBACK JOE FLACCO

(on if last season still haunts him) “Not at all. I put that behind me once the offseason was over. Even the offseason when we were talking about things like that it was all good stuff and it wasn’t really anything I was concerned about. I’ve been able to go out there and just play and not really worry about that.”

(on if being called dull bothers him) “No. People have been telling me that my dad was quoted as calling me that. I think the bottom line is I think he takes it as a compliment because I believe that it probably means I’m going out there and carrying myself in a good manner and not giving anybody a reason to maybe like me or dislike me. Either way, I don’t really concern myself with that. It’s all good with me.”

(on how he would describe himself) “I don’t know if I would say I’m dull but I’m probably close to it.”

(on his head coach) “I think John (Harbaugh) does a great job of walking the line between being that very intense guy and also allowing us to go out there and play the way we played very well, which is a loose-type setting. He has a lot trust in us that we are going to go out there and work hard. That takes a lot as a head coach because you always want to be so hands on and you want to have your impact on the team. To be able to let us go out there and trust us, even though we’re a loose-type of team. The fact that he trusts us to go out there and get it done and then turn it over to us on game day, that’s takes a lot.”

(on if he has any tattoos) “No, no tattoos.”

(on the rough patch during the season) “What I said about the loss is I think everybody will try to make it out like we are 0-14. It’s kind of crazy. We lost those three games there and a couple of them were really tight games. The Denver one wasn’t, but the others were. I don’t think we were playing bad in those games. I think, after those games were over, we got to a point where people were getting back and getting healthy, and we were getting our whole team together. Now, we just kind of hit that stride and we’re getting better and better each week.”

(on the Denver playoff game) “There’s really no real way to explain it. It was an incredible game to be a part of. I think both sides played really hard and it turned out in a crazy way. I think we played well enough to win the game. I don’t know if it will ever happen again that way but we’re glad it happened that way that game.”

(on what he expects on game day) “I have no idea. I assume it’s going to be pretty cool. Some of the things that we’ve done leading up to this point you start to get goose bumps just thinking about it. When the day comes that we run out here and get ready to play I assume it’s going to be pretty darn cool.”

(on being nervous before the game) “I’m sure there will be a little bit of that. That’s part of coming out and playing in this type of environment. I think most of our guys haven’t played in the Super Bowl before. We’ve played in some big games but nothing quite like this, so it will be interesting to see how we’ll react. I think we have the kind of team, and I think I’m the kind of person, that will handle that pretty well, but you never know until you’re put in that situation. I hope that we all just kind of get good, positive feelings from it and it brings our confidence level even higher and we just go out there and play.”

(on the people that said they couldn’t get to the Super Bowl) “We have a good football team. I don’t really care if people said bad things or not. It’s what is going to happen, it’s part of being a quarterback: you’re going to get talked badly about and you’re going to be put in a good light. You just have to take it for what it is.”

(on if the naysayers motivated him) “I think there is definitely a part of all of us that hear things and when somebody doubts what you want to do, you definitely go show them that they may be wrong. I think for the most part we play for each other and that stuff is kind of a secondary issue.”

PUNTER ANDY LEE

(on if he can relate to what kicker David Akers has been going through towards the end of the season) “It’s tough. He’s been hanging in there and he’s been working really hard. It’s just something – that sometimes there’s one little bitty thing here and there off because he kicks the ball great in practice. His form looks great. Everything looks great. It’s just like little things here and there. It’s just little fine tuning things. Those are the hardest, I think, to do because if it’s a big thing you can make a big change. If it’s a little thing, it’s just hard to tweak here and there. We’ve just been in there trying to work and trying to get things right. His head is right and I have all the confidence in him in the world.”

(on if his first NFL game was a game that he actually played in during his rookie year) “Yes, I’ve never actually watched an NFL game from the stands. I grew up in South Carolina, went to University of Clemson games. It’s a big college town, college area. The NFL was never a big thing for me, really ever, until probably midway through the University of Pittsburgh because the Steelers were so good.”

(on what it was like playing an NFL game for the first time)  “A little nerve-wracking to be honest with you. Now it’s just kind of another thing now. But there was anxiety, kind of surreal I guess you could say.”

(on if he thinks the role of special teams gets enough credit in comparison to in the past) “I think now it’s getting more prevalent and people are starting to understand the field position game and how much means. So, I think it’s getting enough credit this day in age, but I think in the past there’s been a little bit of rejection.”

(on if the team has rallied around David Akers following his performance this season) “Yes. Everybody on the team, as far as I know, that I know of, has total respect for him. He’s still a great kicker. He’s still doing a great job.”

(on if it helped the special teams unit when head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to stick with David Akers) “I definitely think change is harder, especially with me holding and doing all that kind of thing. I think with our system, we’re comfortable together. So, not making that change, I think, is putting the confidence back in David. I think it was the right decision.”

(on if he thinks the game could come down to punting and field position considering both teams have strong defenses) “Yes, definitely I think there’s a chance for that. You never know. Sometimes you just bust defenses wide open. So, it would be nice to just be holding all game, probably means that we’re scoring a lot of points. If we have to go out there and punt, this is a great place to do it and I definitely think that this could be one of those games.”

(on if the limited number of return yards is a result of good hang-time and not outkicking his coverage) “I would say I have a really good coverage team. They’ve done a really great job, especially C.J. Spillman. I don’t know of any other NFL teams that has two All-Pro, Pro Bowl defensive players on the punt team either. NaVorro Bowman and Dashon Goldson are on our punt team. We have a great unit. They really cover well. I can’t take all the credit for any of the coverage stuff. That’s a lot of them. Putting the ball in certain places, hitting them high, it helps them. But, they’ve done a great job and they’ve backed me up on some missed kicks, too.”

(On what role his faith has had in leading him up to this point) “It’s what I live by, so every day I try to get up and do the best I can to live as closely to Jesus as I can, which I fail every day. It keeps me going. It’s what keeps me trying to make my family as happy as I can, treating my wife the best I can, and treating my kids the best I can and keeping them first.”

(On what his day-to-day role with the team) “Pretty much what we do is we’ll have our meetings. We don’t have meetings like other guys that are really long and drawn out because pretty much what I need to know is how to catch it and kick it. Are they rushing this? Maybe speed up a little bit. It’s what I’ve been doing my whole life, so there’s nothing really new to learn. It’s a lot of, what can I do to get my mind off the game, mentally. Physically, just making sure you’re not kicking too much. It’s more stress related.”

QUOTES FROM SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS MEDIA DAY

KICKER DAVID AKERS

(on if he takes a moment to draw upon his faith during times of adversity) “Well, I try to give thanks when things are positive as well, but absolutely during that time, I think everybody, as humans, we question a lot of what’s going on or we can’t see the big picture of what’s happening. Sometimes the answer comes quickly and sometimes it takes a long time before reflection is turned into answers. So I look in and go to the scripture of, ‘Lean on our own understanding’ and ‘His ways.”

(on what it will be like to walk out of the tunnel on Sunday) “It is exciting. You come in, it’s an absolute circus here as we pan around here, but there is a game in between there. So, one thing Andy Reid said when I played in Jacksonville against the Patriots there in that Super Bowl, was to just take a second and look around at the stadium and enjoy the moment. Because a lot of guys work really hard and they never get this opportunity. I’ve been here twice now, we lost the first one, and hopefully things will be a little bit different this Sunday.”

(on if he’s had a chance to speak with Adam Vinatieri about his experiences) “I still think Adam’s best kick was the one in the snow, though, against the Raiders to get them into the Super Bowl, or to tie the game and then to hit the game winner. Again, he’s one of those guys whose been very clutch over his career. A lot of guys that are clutch like Adam just haven’t been put in that opportunity. But again, great guy, worked hard, and has produced on the field many, many times.”

(on if he feels that being a kicker is an unfair position to play in football) “I don’t know if it’s an unfair position, I think it’s just kind of the reality of what the game is and how it’s designed and just kind of the position that I chose to be in as a kicker.”

(on if he prefers to be in a dome as opposed to being in an open stadium) “The environmental issues are a little different here. You don’t have as much wind and you have steady footing on the surface. It doesn’t guarantee you success, that’s for sure, but yeah, it will help as far as that goes. You don’t get any help getting any further distance with wind at your back though, either.”

(on if special teams are underrated during the Super Bowl) “Oh, I think special teams are underrated a lot of times. Well first off, as a special teams coordinator, they’re the only guys that actually deal with the entire team. Every other coach has their own group, but a special teams coordinator has, other than the head coach, is the only one who deals with the entire team. That being the case, I truly believe that shows the importance of really what’s going on out there. Kickoff and the punt, they will change the hidden yardage of the game, so you can have sometimes over 100 and some yards in hidden yardage that can add another touchdown for sure.”

(on how he has a separate mentality like a relief pitcher in baseball) “I think it’s kind of like, as you said, like a relief pitcher. You’re brought in at one time and hopefully are going to do good when you go on the field, because it’s pretty obvious when you don’t. So there’s no gray area. Same thing with a relief pitcher; you’ve got to either finish the game off, or, for us, go out whether it’s the first extra point of the game or the last-second field goal.”

(on his thoughts about the media covering the Super Bowl) “It’s part of the game. It is what it is, so you kind of deal with it. And then Sunday, hopefully go out and have a good game, and hopefully come back world champions.”

(on the faith and character of the team) “Strong character is built, it’s not just automatically given. So a lot of guys have gone through a lot of perseverance, a lot of trials, and they’ve stood through those trials and the character has developed through that. Because of that, I think that’s why you see so many strong guys, like the Patrick Willis’ of the world. (He) had such a horrible childhood experience, but yet has been able to come out strong and be able to be a leader on and off the field and the way he is as a man is really impressive and inspirational. For that, that’s just one example, but there are a lot of guys, whether it’s Vernon Davis or Frank Gore, very strong in what they believe and strive in each day in their walk.”

-more-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Super Bowl XLVII – Tuesday, January 29, 2013

QUOTES FROM SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS MEDIA DAY

MORE KICKER DAVID AKERS

(on how his relationship with God has helped him through a year like this year) “It’s been a tough personal season for myself. Injuries in the beginning of the year, having surgery, and then rehabbing. Having a great preseason, great opening game, and then kind of some inconsistencies – to be good, then would be down – so I kind of go to this: the frustration gets to a point where, ‘Lean not on your own understanding.’ Then you go back and say, ‘Okay, His ways are –, His thoughts are – ,’ so I don’t know why a lot of stuff’s going on. You reflect on it, the answers aren’t there. At one time in the future, I think those will become more clear.”

(on the power of scripture in his life and what it does for him) “For me, being a spiritual guy and understanding the relationship, I believe that is kind of the blueprint for what we’re supposed to do in certain situations. Does it necessarily come with answers? No, but you kind of lean on that and stay strong in the faith.”

(on if there’s a scripture that he leans heavily on in his life) “I keep going on Romans 8:28. I believe that we’re all here for a purpose, and trying to figure out what that purpose is. As long as you love God, then you know that He has a plan for you and you’ve got to just keep working in the situation that you’re in.”

(on if there’s any spiritual advice that he can give to the younger guys experiencing their first Super Bowl) “I believe that just staying strong, and what you believe, the character, who you are – don’t change that. And don’t just get into worldly things because people are patting you on the back. So I’ve talked about that with guys a lot during the season. We’ve got a lot of great guys on this team, so hopefully they can actually give me some advice – even though I’m the oldest. I think everybody looks at me because I’m the oldest.”

(on if he talked to other kickers or special teams players during his recent struggles) “You know what’s crazy is we talk about that stuff all the time, we kind of always bounce stuff off each other, so yeah, that’s definitely part of it.”

(on if there was any one player that was helpful to him) “I wouldn’t say any one, I kind of take advice from a lot of people. Take in the good and throw away the bad.”

(on his professional journey to the Super Bowl) “It’s been a crazy, crazy situation. I actually started in ’97 with the Panthers in training camp, went back – I was teaching sixth grade science as a permanent substitute teacher, and went to the Falcons in ’98. Got cut from there, went to the Redskins, was practice squad, got brought up, missed a couple kicks. In the first game, actually my first regular season kickoff was returned 90 yards for a touchdown, so it’s not really the way you want to start off your career. But the Eagles ended up bringing me in in ’98, the end of ’98, signing me from the beginning of ’99. Went to NFL Europe, they allocated me over there, had a great time over there, and then spent 12 years with the Eagles. Last year, had a great year out here, and this year has been rocky, to say the least. Hopefully, we can end up strong.”

(on if he ever had any thoughts that an NFL career might not pan out) “Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. I had a wife that was really strong, though, and she said give it another year, give it one more ride, and see what happens. Because of that, I did, opportunities came into place, and we’re here now 14 years later. Absolutely, you’ve got to have the people there that are there to support you, give you advice, and the right opportunity came along as well.”

(on if he ever worries about getting a blindside hit that becomes a YouTube video) “Being a YouTube video would be the least of my concerns if I got blindsided or something. You’re making sure you’ve got all your teeth, and all that. Looking out the ear hole.”

(on if there’s a certain fear a special teams player has that a position player doesn’t have) “Well as a kicker, you don’t want to miss, and you don’t want to get a blocked kick, so that’s not a good situation.”

WIDE RECEIVER RANDY MOSS

(on if he plans on coming back and playing another season) “I’ve thought about it. I do want to play another year.”

(on what he has said to his teammates regarding their business this week) “I think for us being here, and this is my second trip here, some guys have never experienced the atmosphere of the whole week of the Super Bowl. It’s more of a business approach. Early in the week, get your fun out of the way. Whatever partying that you may do, get it out early in the week because I think towards the middle of the week, and the end of the week, it’s all preparation. We put a lot of work in last week because we didn’t really know what to expect this whole week. It’s more just getting the fun out of the way early in the week and starting this evening all the way up to Sunday, it’s all business.”

(on getting another chance to play in the Super Bowl at the end of his career) “It’s actually a dream, really. By me taking a year off and having to work out for almost a whole year, being able to come back and be in the Super Bowl one year later is just a dream. I really didn’t expect this. Everybody has their own goals and has their own dreams of what they want to do and what they want to accomplish. For me to be here, I couldn’t have told you this back in June or July. It would’ve been more of a, ‘Keep your fingers crossed. I hope I’m in New Orleans for the Super Bowl in February.’ Now that it’s here, I just want to make the best of it and take advantage of it and bring a trophy back to San Francisco.”

(on what having a Super Bowl championship would mean to him) “I think that what I’ve accomplished in my professional career and throughout my whole life of playing football, I’ve really wanted a championship on every level. I’ve always told myself that I wanted to win a championship on this level. Having a Super Bowl ring, I think my career would be complete.”

(on if he came back just to win a Super Bowl) “No, I think the reason I came back was I really wasn’t ready to leave the game. I think I told y’all earlier, just going through some family problems with my kids and trying to put them on the same page because football takes a lot of our time up. Sometimes we forget, as parents, about our main objective in life. I think that I keep my family dear to my heart. I really do. I play each and every game. I collect the game check and my family spends it. I think that for me to be able to take a year off; I’ve said it before that I really did cry, I really did. I love this game of football so much. I don’t like everything that comes with it, but going out on the field between the white lines and playing football is something I’ve always done. I’ve been doing it since I was six years old. For me to be able to just walk away from the game, knowing that I wasn’t ready, mentally or physically, it really hurt me, man. It really depressed me. It warmed me up to know that I wasn’t ready to leave the game. Now that I’ve made the decision to come back and play, it was something that I was ready to do. I think that my conditioning in the offseason really showed that I was ready to go. I feel good. I really do. Throughout the whole season, I’ve been healthy. I’ve come out of games where it felt like I didn’t really do anything. I always want to compete. I always want to contribute to the team. For me to be here, it’s just like a dream because I would have never thought in a million years that this would happen. It’s something that you keep your fingers crossed and hope you get here.”

(on if he has taken on a leadership role of the team) “I don’t really want to get into that, because I never considered myself to be trying to be a leader. This team already has the leaders. It already has Joe Staley, has Justin Smith, has Patrick Willis, Frank Gore of course. I just wanted to play football. That’s something I’ve always done. I’ve never been vocal. I think it’s something you develop over time, especially when your peers look to you for vocal leadership. If there is anything that I’ve been able to give back to the younger guys, it’s my experience. That’s something I’ve taken to heart because by looking at the younger guys and how they respond and how they look at me, it’s something I never would have imagined. I never wanted to be a vocal guy and lead by my mouth. I always wanted to lead by example and that’s by making plays on the field.”

(on the main thing that he missed when he was away from the game) “I think the main thing that I missed was the locker room, the meetings each week and going out here to put a show on for the fans. I really consider us as entertainers because I’ve always said [that] no matter what a person may go through during the week at their 9-5 job, that they can always depend on the NFL to keep them smiling and perk them up. That’s the main thing, just going out here to compete, being around my teammates and going out here and showing out for the fans on Sunday.”

(on the difference between his Patriots Super Bowl teams and this 49ers squad) “In ’07 with the Patriots, we were riding high being undefeated leading up to the Super Bowl. I think that’s just something that we wanted to accomplish as a whole team, something to set ourselves in history. Being here with the 49ers—they were so close last year with a couple mishaps against the Giants in the NFC Championship game—I think by the way we practice and the way guys speak in the locker room, they were determined to get back here. I just wanted to be a part of it.”

(on kids using the term ‘Mossing someone’ to describe catches over defensive backs and what he sees as his legacy in the game) “For me to be able to go up above the defensive back and make a catch, sort of like a slam dunk, I hear it still to this day and it’s really hard to believe that it’s me that they’re talking about. I try to stay focused and try to stay humble and try to stay grounded, but if you go out to different parts of the country, and sometimes different parts of the world, and you hear that phrase, that little slogan, it’s hard to believe. I’m overwhelmed by it. I never thought in a million years that something like this would happen. I’ve always just wanted to play football and everything else comes secondary. For that slogan, ‘You’ve been Mossed’, is something I definitely hang my hat on.”

(on how he spent his Sundays when he wasn’t playing last year) “My Sundays last year, I watched a little football. I usually would fish during the week or maybe on Saturday, but I still love football. It’s hard to get away from. It really is. I like to see the guys go out there and compete even though I’m not playing. I think for me to be able to sit home on Sundays one of these days and just watch guys I played with and the future of the NFL will hopefully grow. I look forward to it. I would like to, one day, tailgate a football game. I’ve always said that. I think there is something that I’m missing from the food to the drinks and seeing the camaraderie and how the fans interact. I think that most of my Sundays were spent watching football. I watched a little basketball, but mainly football. That’s what I do; I’m a football player.”

(on the discussion he had with his family about returning to football) “We were at dinner, at my Mom’s house. I told my 18-year old daughter. She’s actually a freshman at the University of Florida. I asked her if it was okay for me to get back into football. She said, ‘Dad, I don’t even know why you left the game.’ For her being older, I had to really sit down and explain to her the importance of family and how much I love them and what I’ve sacrificed all these years so they’re able to have and able to do. After I explained it to my mom, I had to explain to her that if I come back to this game, you’re not going to see me as much. She didn’t earlier in her life. She said, “Dad, if you come back to the game, I want you to win a Super Bowl because I’m going to the University of Florida to win a National Championship [in basketball].’ That really made me smile because I’ve never heard my daughter talk like that. For her to be able to tell me that face-to-face, well I’m on the verge of trying to win my first Super Bowl. Hopefully, we’ll get it and the next thing is to see her get her NCAA Championship.”

(on his role in the offense as a decoy compared to earlier years) “I don’t like my role; I don’t. I like to be out there playing football. One thing that I’ve always had to really understand was being a decoy. It was put to me, Coach Dennis Green just said, ‘Even though the football is not in your hand, you’re still out there dictating how the defense is playing the offense.’ It took me awhile to really understand where he was coming from. Later on and now in my career, I understand that my presence out on the field, I don’t always have to touch the ball to be able to help the offense score touchdowns. Like I said, I don’t really like that, but it’s something that I’m used to. I have to grow to understand and grow to like it. I’ve always been a team player. I’ve never been about self. Anything that is going to push our team to victory and hopefully win a Super Bowl, I’m willing to do.”

(on his love for the game) “I don’t think I’ve really expressed how much I love to compete. I’ve been in fights in practice. I’ve been in verbal arguments in practice with coaches and players, even in college and high school. I don’t think the football world understands how much I love to compete. When I hear people talk about how talented I am and how easy I make it look, I can honestly tell you people that it’s very hard work. I work out five times a week. I put the work in and for me to be able to go out there and have results it something I am proud of. It’s not always the individual results that I’m proud of. For me to be able to talk to a Michael Crabtree or talk to a Frank Gore or Percy Harvin and for them to go out there and have a good game that week, that’s something I can be proud of. That’s just me giving back to the NFL. I’ve always said, I don’t like what the NFL does for me because I’m very blessed. My family is blessed. I’ve always been the type of person to know what I can do to make the League better. At this point in my career, if I’m able to be vocal, to share a little knowledge and also to go out there and play, if that’s what it takes to win a championship, then I’m willing to do that. I’ve always been that way.”

(on Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith) “We don’t like to talk about how age finds every player, but I think that Anquan Boldin, I’ve watched him back when he was in college. I was a fan of his since he was in college. He went to Arizona and teamed up with (Larry) Fitzgerald. There are a couple duos out there in the NFL that are very exciting to watch. I think Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith are a nice duo to watch. The guys in Atlanta [Roddy White and Julio Jones] are a nice duo to watch. I don’t know how many years he has left, but in the 3-6 years, I think they can do some magical work.”

(on the Harbaugh brothers facing each other and how he would be if he was facing his own brother) “Knowing they grew up in the same house—same room? That makes it worse because me and my brother shared a room. I don’t really think that I could talk to my brother for that week. If our mom came down to have dinner, I’d probably have to cancel that. I understand that it’s the 49ers against the Baltimore Ravens, but I know John and Jim would like to beat one another. That’s bragging rights forever. You know what I’m saying? They could be long gone, grandfathers or great grandfathers, but they still have something to hold over the other brother’s head. I think that both Jim and John want to beat each other. They don’t care how they do it. They just want to win. I think that’s the approach of each team.”

(on how he would describe Jim Harbaugh) “A coach.”

(on where he ranks Colin Kaepernick among the other quarterbacks that he’s played with) “I’ve never really ranked them. I think for what me and Tom Brady accomplished in ’07 would put him at the top, just because trying to be undefeated and coming to the Super Bowl. I can’t really rank Kaepernick because he came in midseason. It was Alex Smith’s team and Kaep took over. All I can say about Kaep is I’m happy to play with him. I wish he would take some of the heat of those balls sometimes. His future is very bright. Either he or Frank Gore asked me, they said, ‘Moss, how long do you think this pistol offense will work?’ I said, ‘Man, as long as you keep doing what you’re doing, it’ll go as far you will take it.’ I’m a big fan of Kaepernick’s. I told him and he’ll tell you, it could’ve been April or it could’ve been May, that I saw something in him. I pulled him to the side and shared a few words with him. I’m not going to share what we were talking about. I had just seen something in him. He’s very athletic. Just seeing his focus and determination to go out and lead the offense up and down the field like the Atlanta game, it’s what you want to see in your quarterback. Alex Smith, I’m not taking anything from Alex Smith. I’ve watch him and I don’t really think that in his career that Alex had a fair chance because he could never get a coaching staff or offense to grasp and learn. Each and every year, it was always an offense this year and another offense the next year and then the following year had another offense. Alex Smith can still play this game. He really can. He can still play the game. He’s still throwing the ball in practice. When it comes to sports, I think you take advantage of your opportunities. One thing that Kaep did was he took advantage of his opportunities. He’s a blessed young man. Not just this year, I’m looking for big things out of Kaepernick.”

(on what his responsibility is to the younger players around the league) “My responsibility is to try and lead, going out there and showing them how professionals are supposed to work. Early in my career, I looked at Cris Carter, Randall McDaniel, Randall Cunningham and John Randle, just seeing how professionals are supposed to work each and every day. That’s something that I thought I knew how to work, but then I went up to New England and ran into Kevin Faulk. Me and Kevin Faulk, we have a little bit of history together because we came out the same year in high school and were on the same All-American team. I said, ‘Man, this is really how y’all work?’ Like I said, I thought I knew how to work. I was working out in the mornings doing this and doing that. He took it an extra mile. He took it to the next level. What I’ve learned and what I’ve experienced and what guys like the Faulks and the John Randles and the Carters have taught me is that it’s my duty to give it back. Like I said, I’ve always wanted to make the NFL better because there are different topics, good and bad, that come up every day about the NFL. As you know now, talking about concussions and trying to take player safety downward instead of upward, I think it’s my duty to do whatever I can to give back to the league to make it better.”

(on what he has done to become a better professional) “I just think my work ethic and my preparation each and every day. I don’t do anything different. Probably the last five or six years, I’ve always taken the approach to do everything that I need to do in the morning. Once you sit in the classroom all day and jot down your notes, look at film and go out to practice, I think I’m so mentally and physically drained that I can’t go lift another weight. There are a lot of guys that can vouch for this, that once that evening meeting comes after practice, a lot of guys are tired and a lot of guys do doze off. Not in Coach Harbaugh’s meetings. He’ll call you outside and want to talk to you for a minute. What’s said? I don’t know. I haven’t been caught yet. Hopefully, I’ll be able to hold strong this week.”

(on what are some of his good memories from New England) “The memories that I have in New England are just something that I hold dear to my heart because of what we accomplished. I’m trying to do something here special in San Francisco, too. I don’t want to sit up here and talk about the Patriots because the Patriots are the past. I’m living in the present. It’s not hard to get what we did because we did some great things up there. I think being here with the 49ers and the organization giving me the opportunity to come back to this game, it’s something that I wanted to do and I just want to go out here and play football. I know in a couple days, this stadium is going to be full of cameras, full of 49ers and Ravens fans. The atmosphere is going to be crazy. It’s something that I look forward to and hopefully I’ll step up for the moment.”

(on why he’s always been so reserved with the media) “Because I live for myself. The thing about the media is that everything is not said and the truth is not always told. I grew up just respecting myself. I do respect other people, but when it comes to the pen and pad that you’re writing on right now, you’ve got a job to do. You’ve got papers to sell. I’ve always said I’ve never come off negative. I think a lot of people see my focus. I don’t like anything that comes outside of football when it comes to sports. I love the game. I love to play in between the white lines. It’s like a kid at school, when you’re sitting in the classroom and the teacher says it’s recess and that door opens. All the kids just go running and screaming and jumping on swing sets and swinging and stuff. That’s kind of how I treat the football field because we are clamped up all week. We have to do the interviews and things like that. Once it’s kickoff, it’s like you’re opening that door. Any time that I step on the field, that’s when I feel free and I can do anything I want and act any way I want. You’re having fun and it’s all a game. It’s like me and you sitting down and playing a game of Monopoly. It’s just a game. I love to compete and I keep it dear to my heart.”

(on Moss TV) “Moss TV, it was something for the fans. A friend of mine told me that I’ve never really given back to the fans. I think that when I started Moss TV, that was just the way of my fans being able to interact with me and ask questions and things like that and feel like we were face-to-face. I couldn’t see them, but they could see me and I could see their questions. I think that was just my way of giving back to the fans. I know there are some true Moss fans out there. I mess with them every day on Twitter. My little slogan is ‘My comeback is our comeback.’ I really do believe that because I do know there are some true fans out in the world that love me for who I am. I really thank them for that. When I’m able to give back, it’s what I do on Sundays. I look forward to a good game this Sunday.”

(on if he wishes the end of his career  was celebrated the way Ray Lewis’ career is being celebrated currently) “No, because that’s not me. I’m not a celebrator. I love to do my work and go home. A lot of people see me out there in public and I’ve always wanted to be normal my whole life, from elementary school until now. I’ve been a big fan of Michael Jackson’s, I really was. Everybody grew up, in the era I grew up in, was a big Michael Jackson fan. I think it was his sister or brother, one of them said Michael just always wanted to be normal. I’m not putting myself on Michael Jackson’s pedestal, but I kind of understood where they were coming from. I always wanted to be able to go to the park and play a game or go shopping or go to the grocery store. I’ve always wanted to be normal, still to this day. When people see me and they are overwhelmed that they’re meeting me for the first time, I just try and let them know and understand that I’m normal. I just want to be a normal person. Hopefully, one day, I don’t know if I will ever get to do that, but one day, hopefully all of this will die down where I can just live my life and just go play a pickup game and go to the grocery store and just be normal.”

(on his post-football plans and if he thinks he’ll do any coaching once his playing career is over) “I think if I do any type of coaching, I think I would like for it to be on the high school level. The collegiate level and professional level takes up a lot of your time. Being able to go to high school is where you’re on the verge of thinking you’re something and you might not be, but you could be something. My experience, throughout my whole life, I think that’s where I’m able to impact and give back the most is probably on the high school level. So if I did any type of coaching, it would be on the high school level. I just want to love my family and do a little fishing. That’s about it.”

(on if he’s ever had an imaginary girlfriend) “No. If I did, I never told anybody about it.”

(on what would happen if someone tried to hoax him) “Speaking of the linebacker from Notre Dame, I feel for the young guy. We all do some things in our life that we wish we could have back or we regret. Like I said, when you’re going to a prestigious school such as Notre Dame and being in the limelight, being up for the Heisman, I think that you have to expect—I’ve always said you have to take the good with the good and the bad with the bad. I’ve been a fan of his since he came on the scene playing football and being catfished I guess. He’s not the only one. Big ups to him and I hope he keeps his head up.”

(on if he still thinks about the Super Bowl loss to the Giants) “I still think about it. I still think about the loss in ’07. I can still say that I haven’t seen the game. I haven’t watched the game of it yet. The only time that I really watch the game is when we are doing film study and critiquing ourselves after a win or loss. I go to the coaches—I’ve always been coachable. I think there was some stuff out there early in my career that I wasn’t coachable. I still don’t know everything. I think when it comes to players and coaches, sometimes the coaches need to sit their butts down and listen too because they expect us to listen. We’re out here playing. We’re out here putting our lives on the line. I think I’ve always been coachable. I love to be coached by a guy that loves to listen.”

(on if he typically watches the replays of games) “I would probably love to watch it. I really do. There’s just something about ’07, being undefeated going into a Super Bowl and losing it like that. I’ll never forget that moment because it’s not fun when you’re sweating and you have confetti dropping down and sticking to your face knowing that you’re not on the winning side of the confetti.”

(on if winning this Super Bowl will make up for losing in 2007) “No, I think I’ll still remember that because if I win this one, that means I could have had two. That’s something I’ll never forget.”

(on comparing Jim Harbaugh to Bill Belichick) “They both have their styles of coaching. I think Coach Harbaugh, he loves to have fun. He has a lot of stories. Some are very, very comical. Others are just pushing forward and keep striving. Coach Belichick is very business-oriented. He doesn’t really show a lot of emotion. He prepares his guys and really doesn’t crack a smile. I think the comparison between the two, if I could put it on, is Coach Belichick is really straight forward and Coach Harbaugh sometimes gets off the road and keeps it humorous.”

(on if Bill Belichick was a good listener) “Yeah, not every coach is going to listen because certain coaches are stuck in their ways and I’m not talking about any particular coach. If a certain coach has gotten to this point doing it the way he’s done it, they just do it their way. This game has changed and evolved like no other. I think it’s time for the coaches, and you can take it down to high school even, these guys watch us train. I think if coaches would take time to really talk to the players and see how they see it on the field because if you’re sitting up there watching as the eye in the sky or watching from afar to see what’s going on, it might not be as easy as it looks because football is a game of reaction and how you react to the play.”

QUOTES FROM SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS MEDIA DAY

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR VIC FANGIO

(on returning to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where he used to coach for the Saints) “It feels good to be back here. It’s where it all started for me in the NFL. I was here a good nine years. Still, it’s overriding that it’s the Super Bowl, but it’s nice to be back here.”

(on the opportunity to be in the Super Bowl) “It’s special. There are only two teams that make it this far each year. We happen to be one of them. It makes it special. This group of players and team makes it even more special. It’s been a good group. We’ve had a good two-year run here and to culminate it with a chance to win it all is special.”

(on the advantages of running a 3-4 defense as opposed to a 4-3 defense) “Everything seems to have a run. I can remember when I first came into the NFL here with the Saints, there were only three or four teams running the 4-3. Everybody else ran the 3-4. Then there came a point around the mid-1990s to late 1990s where it kind of flipped. Then slowly here in the 2000s, it’s become pretty balanced – almost 50-50 (percent) 3-4 versus 4-3.  The 3-4 does allow you some versatility. You do have another guy on the field who has pass responsibility as his job description, so you can mix and match a little bit better that way. The angles are a little different in the running game as for the offense to block it, but really it comes down to the players. You have a front-seven, and whether it’s 3-4 or 4-3, the good teams will make it work. In my opinion, there are some advantages to the 3-4.”

(on whether more teams are running a 3-4 defense because colleges are producing smaller pass rushers) “Yes and no. That’s one of the arguments personnel people had against being a 3-4. They felt it was hard to find the outside linebackers to play that position because colleges weren’t playing (the 3-4). We’re all a product of the college system to some degree. They’re our farm system. It is hard to find those guys. That’s why when you find them you have to latch on to them. We have two good ones here in Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith. And you always have to end up projecting some of those guys. Aldon Smith actually played more defensive tackle in college than he played defensive end in college. He had never been a linebacker at any level, but we had to project that and foresee that. We did. Luckily we were correct and he was able to do that. Invariably, there are a lot of projections going on.”

(on comparing his current group of linebackers to the “Dome Patrol” he coached in New Orleans, which included All-Pro linebackers Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson)  “The ‘Dome Patrol’ was a great group. I think the one thing that was great about them was those guys started together for seven straight seasons and these guys have only started together one season because Aldon wasn’t a starter last season, (although) he played a lot. They’re into their second year as a group. I keep telling them they have to get to the point where they’re together for six or seven years, so I can compare them to those guys. Hopefully we can keep them that long together. I think we can and there are great players in both groups. I’ve told our linebackers here that. I’ve been asked that question already a lot this year and I knew it would get asked here. I knew at some point I’d be able to give a favorable comparison.”

(on finding linebackers who work well together in a 3-4 base defense) “It is hard to find those guys. As the inside linebackers go, I think our inside linebackers can play in a 4-3 just as equally as well. It’s the outside linebackers that are hard to find. Again, we have two good ones here in Brooks and Smith. We had two really good ones back here in the day in Pat Swilling and Rickey Jackson. Swilling and Aldon Smith’s careers have paralleled a little bit. Pat was a pass-rushing defensive end at Georgia Tech. He had never been a linebacker. He really only played rush end in sub-(package) situations for us his first year here with the Saints, and then we groomed him into being a full-time player his second year. That experience kind of helped me with Aldon because I knew I didn’t want to force it on him too quickly. Also, we didn’t have the offseason his rookie year with the (2011)-lockout, so he lost a lot of work there. There are some comparisons between those two guys. And Ricky Jackson, Ricky Jackson was just the opposite. He played 3-4 outside linebacker  in college for four years at Pittsburgh and then was here his whole career. He played that position his whole career. He was groomed for that and was ready to go. (He was) a great player, a Hall of Famer. There’s always a different story between all outside linebackers you find.”

(on LB Patrick Willis and DT Ricky Jean Francois) “Patrick, as everybody knows, is a great player. He was before we got there and I think he’s improved the last few years. Ricky is our fourth defensive lineman. He can play any of the three spots up front. He replaced Justin Smith when Justin missed his two games, went in there and did a really nice job for us. He had a big play in the New England game that helped seal the win there. He had a big play in the Arizona game when we were struggling in that game, which we had to win to win the division. He has played well. He’s a darn good player and he’s a very valuable player for us.”

(on Ravens QB Joe Flacco) “I was there when Flacco was drafted in Baltimore. Right from the beginning, I was very impressed with him. He has a big arm, throws the ball very easily and naturally. He’s calm. He’s knowledgeable. The game is not too big for him. In fact, I told (Baltimore Head Coach) John Harbaugh early on in the process the first offseason we were there with him during OTAs, I told him he has his horse that he can ride the next 10-to-15 years as his quarterback in Baltimore. I thought that then and I still think that.”

(on the growth of Joe Flacco into one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL) “He has had the benefit of playing in the same offensive system for five straight years, so he’s grown into that. I know the first year he was there, there was a special emphasis made not to throw the ball inside too much with a young quarterback. He now throws the ball inside equally well as outside. He’s one of the few quarterbacks in the NFL that can throw the ball outside the numbers – the deep-outs, the deep-comeback [and] the deep-ends with proficiency. A lot of times you’re afraid to do (that) or don’t have quarterbacks that can do that, so he can stretch the defense that way with his throws outside. He kind of reminds me of Troy Aikman in that respect. When Troy was in his heyday, they’d run the ball, run the ball, then throw the ball outside deep and make you pay for playing the run too much. Joe is the perfect fit for their offense.”

(on whether the linebackers are the “heart-and-soul” of their defense) “We have a great group (of linebackers). I don’t know if they’re the ‘heart-and-soul’ of our defense. We’re 11 guys playing as one. Our defensive linemen are a huge part of this defense as is our secondary. We have great linebackers. There’s no hiding that. They’re on the field all the time. Whether we’re in nickel or base, they stay out there. Those two outside linebackers become our ends in the nickel and our two inside linebackers stay in the game. They’re out there all the time. They’re really great players. They’re athletic. Our inside linebackers are athletic enough to play in the passing situations. We feel fine about leaving them out there [and] matching them up against tight ends and even wide receivers at times. They allow us some flexibility.”

(on the importance of having linebackers who can stop the run and cover against the pass) “It will always be important. Your linebackers are your primary tacklers. We have two good ones in [NaVorro] Bowman and Willis. I think what people are alluding to is the old traditional linebacker, the big thick linebacker who plays the run game between the tackles very physically. Sometimes those guys don’t have the place to be a full-time player anymore because of the passing game and everyone spreading it out with four wide receivers or running empty backfield sets. Those types of guys have lost their spots, but our guys are athletic enough to stay out there.”

(on how much it helps to work with Defensive Line Coach Jim Tomsula) “It helps a lot. Jim is a great football coach. He was one of the coaches we kept from the previous staff. You never quite know how you’re going to mesh when you haven’t worked with a guy before, but it was pretty evident that Jim and I see football the same way. We have the same philosophy of doing things, so it’s been a really clean, natural fit for what he believes with the defensive line and what I believe. That part of it is great.”

(on comparing the 49ers’ linebackers to Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs) “They’re right there with them. They’re the upper echelon of linebackers. I think our guys are, too, and they’re right there with them. Suggs is very similar to Aldon Smith. I used him as a comparison a lot of times in explaining to our guys how we needed to bring Aldon Smith along. Suggs didn’t play in a base (defense) his first year in the NFL, he just played nickel. The next year, he was groomed into being a full-time player and that’s what we did with Aldon Smith.”

QUARTERBACK ALEX SMITH

(on Kaepernick taking the starting job) “No question, I’m not going to lie about any of that. [It’s been] tough at times for sure, tough to accept, tough to watch, but we’re in the Super Bowl, and this has been an amazing experience. It’s a great team, I love being a part of it. I have said it before, it’s bittersweet a little bit, but still, it’s been a great thing to be a part of.”

(on his frustration losing the starting job) “I mean, it’s only human nature that things like that do happen, but for me it’s just trying to shut all that down. That’s not doing any good for anybody, certainly not me. For me, it’s focusing on my job, staying ready, and being the best teammate I can. Those are the priorities for me; those are what I try to focus on.”

(on the Ravens’ strengths) “I don’t know if there’s any one spot; they are good across the board. Very physical up front, good in the back end, and good in the middle. For us it will be a challenge. There are no weak spots, as you would expect from a Super Bowl defense. They are really well-rounded, and, for us, I think it is going to take a balanced attack. We’re going to have to be able to do it all: run, pass, mix it up and keep them on their heels.”

(on him requesting to be released) “I don’t know where this stuff comes from. I’m focused on this game and helping this team win a championship and doing whatever I can do. That stuff can wait; there is plenty of time for that in a week.”

(on Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard) “Both are really good players, both veteran guys. They really understand what they’re doing. They know offenses well; they know what quarterbacks try to do. Pollard is a very physical guy. You see it on the tape, some of the hits he makes, his physical presence. With Ed, he’s unique in his own right. He’s so unorthodox in how he plays; it’s not textbook safety play that you’re used to seeing. He plays Cover 2 different than anybody; he plays the middle of different than anybody, and obviously has exceptional range and great instincts. When he is around the ball he has great ball skills as well. He’s a unique guy to go against; it definitely requires a lot of film study because he doesn’t play safety like anybody else.”

(on how Coach Harbaugh’s impact on the team and himself) “I just think he understands what it’s like to be back there. The expectation level, he understands the plays you should be making back there, what are tough plays to make back there and what it’s like to go through a game to go through a season, and I think constantly just thinking about putting players in a position to succeed. It’s no different as a quarterback he’s just trying to put us all in a position to succeed and he understands what it’s like to be back there so I think he has a good idea what it takes.

(on the experience) “Amazing. You’d love to be starting but it’s a blessing to be at a Super Bowl, there’s a lot of guys that play a long time that don’t ever get here, so I’m enjoying it. We’ve got a great team, a great group of guys, loving it.”

(on the challenges of the week) “For me it’s the same as the rest of the guys. There are a lot of distractions. You’re away from home, a lot of things that break up routine. For myself it’s just trying to remain focused. There’s a lot of things going on, things like this that are out of the ordinary. Just stay focused, stay in the game plan and get ready to play the game.”

(on his coaching of Colin Kaepernick) “I don’t know about that, it’s probably a better question for Coach and Colin. We’ve got a great QB room, all the guys are great, starting with [Quarterbacks Coach] Geep [Chryst]. For me it’s just being a good teammate, I don’t know if I’m doing anything extraordinary, just doing my job.”

(on if he feared losing his job) “I knew there was an opportunity there, no question. You’re letting the next guy step in and get an opportunity. I fully knew what Colin was potentially capable of. He came in and made the most of it. It’s the nature of sports.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Super Bowl XLVII – Tuesday, January 29, 2013

QUOTES FROM SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS MEDIA DAY

MORE QUARTERBACK ALEX SMITH

(on if he wanted to lash out) “I don’t about lash out. In my mind it’s focus on things you can control and there was nothing about that I could have changed, the way it happened. Stuff like that happens, it’s football, there’s going to be injuries, it’s a physical game.”

(on Kaepernick taking over as the starter) “We’re in the Super Bowl, this is a great thing. It’s been an amazing ride. We’ve still got one left here. I’m not thinking about that stuff right now. My role changed, however many weeks ago that was, and I’ve taken on this new role. That’s my job. Now it’s to stay ready to go and help this team any way I can. I’ll have time to think about other stuff in a week.”

(on if he’s thinking about his future) “Not at all, not at all. Like I said, after Sunday there will be a long time to think about that stuff.”

(on how he helps Kaepernick) “For me, if there’s anything I see, whether it’s in the game plan or in the game. As a backup quarterback you’re constantly trying to play the game through the starter. So for me, in practice, you’re not getting the reps, so you’re back there watching. It’s the same thing on game day. It could be anything, it could be nothing. With him, it’s not a lot at times, he sees things really well he’s a really smart kid, and obviously a tremendous player.

(on his progress under Coach Harbaugh and how he has changed) “I really feel like even a few years ago I was the same player. I really think the difference is the receiver group around me changed. (We have) a good system, putting guys in a position to make plays, playing good, sound football and just doing it more consistently.”

(on head injuries and if he regrets taking himself out of the game) “Not at all. We’re all going to be done with this game at some point and we’ve got a lot of life ahead of us, so err on the side of caution. With that head stuff, there are no brain transplants I’ve ever heard of. I may only get one, so it’s not something to mess around with.”

(on if other players would not report head injuries for fear of losing their jobs) “I haven’t heard any. Players deal with that with all types of injuries and have always dealt with that, whether it be an ankle or your head. I think it ultimately comes down to the doctors and the players and how they feel. I don’t think anybody is going out there recklessly. If guys don’t think they’re ready and can’t go in then I don’t think they’re going to mess with it. I don’t think that changes it.”

(on how things could have been different were he the starter) “I’m not thinking about it, to be totally honest with you; I’m really focused on taking this all in. This is a great thing. For almost all the guys on the team this is their first trip to the Super Bowl. (I’m) primarily just getting ready to play.”

(on if he prepares as though he could still play and win the Super Bowl) “That’s my job. Be ready to go. You never know, it’s a crazy game, crazy things happen and my job is to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. That’s my role.”

(on preparing as a backup) “It’s different, but it’s a lot of mental preparation. A lot of time in the film room a lot of time with the playbook, and just being ready to go. Like I said, I play the game through Kaep a lot, you’re just trying to take the reps and be ready to jump in at any time.

(on getting through the disappointment of losing the starting job) “Things happen in sports. For me it’s just being ready for the next opportunity, that’s what I can control, being ready for when that opportunity comes. I don’t know when it’s going to come, but for me I’m just doing to continue to work to be ready. Once this is done and next week or a few weeks from now we can think about that stuff.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Super Bowl XLVII – Tuesday, January 29, 2013

QUOTES FROM SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS MEDIA DAY

MORE QUARTERBACK ALEX SMITH

(on working in a system he is comfortable in) “I think there are a lot of great systems out there, and I think arguments can be made for any of them. There are a lot of things that go into being a good offense and playing good quarterback. For one, it’s good players around you, it makes life around you much easier. For me it’s just being well rounded. You want to be able to do a lot of different things, you want to be versatile.”

(on having to address losing his job all week) “I mean it’s coming, it’s expected. I feel like I’ve been answering it the last few weeks anyway, so I’m ready for it. Like I said, I focus on what I can control. For me it’s getting ready to go if I have to and staying prepared and helping this team. No different from a lot of these guys. There are distractions that are unique to this week for everybody. For me it’s just trying to stay as focused as possible.”

(on if being young helps make losing his job easier to deal with) “I feel like I have a lot of football ahead of me. I don’t feel like this is my last opportunity I feel like there’s more out there for me.”

(on looking to the future) “There will be plenty of time for that when this is all done. Right now I’m just focused on the game.

(on having to deal with doubt throughout his career) “It’s kind of the nature of playing quarterback. There’s going to be a lot of scrutiny, there’s going to be a lot of eyes on you, it’s kind of the nature of the job.”

(on asking the advantages of being released versus being traded) “I have no idea. That didn’t come from me; I don’t know where any of that came from. I haven’t even thought about it to be totally honest with you. I want to play football but there will be time to think about that stuff when this is done.”

(on how he’s enjoying the Super Bowl) “Loving it! We spend so much time together as a team, we spend so much time away from our families putting in time with each other you can’t help but get closer to each other. For us to come down here and go on this journey, it’s been a great ride and a great experience.”

(on being a consummate professional) “It’s a team game and a team sport. If you want it to be about yourself, go play golf or tennis. I got into team sports to be a part of a team and there’s something very unique about that, the selflessness of a team sport. For me, my teammates are about as high as it gets on the priority list, behind my family.

(on dealing with the difficulty of the switch) “I just think I’m honest about it, I don’t think my teammates expect anything else. That’s not to say that the situation is easy, it can be uncomfortable or awkward at times, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

(on his biggest improvements under Harbaugh) “I don’t necessarily think I was doing anything different. Maybe more consistent, but I give credit to my teammates, the guys around me when I was playing, and Coach is putting us in positions to succeed.

(on if he learned anything from replacing a Brett Elliot in college) “I know how close we remained through that and for me knowing it was difficult for him, but I’ve learned a lot from all the quarterbacks. Brett to start, but then I’ve been around a lot of great guys, I’ve seen in a lot of quarterback competitions. Shaun Hill and I competed for a few years and it actually only brought us closer. We’re actually really good friends and I just think it can be handled the right way… There’s only one guy that can get the ball, there’s only one starter. I don’t think it has to be handled in a negative way. Everything can be put out on the table, and left out on the field, so to speak.”

-more-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Super Bowl XLVII – Tuesday, January 29, 2013

QUOTES FROM SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS MEDIA DAY

MORE QUARTERBACK ALEX SMITH

(on coming so close to the Super Bowl last season) “Obviously for us it was a great run last year. We came up short. Some great moments you look back on, and then the Giants game. Getting that close to being here last year, it’s tough.

(on the burden being drafted number one) “At the time it’s a great thing, you’re doing all the combine and doing all the work outs and all that stuff. Inherently, if you’re going to the number one team, usually that means they’re the worst team from the year before. Then all of a sudden you’re playing and maybe they don’t have the pieces around you. That’s kind of the nature of the deal.”

(on if he thinks he would still be the starter had he not gotten hurt) “I haven’t even thought about it to be honest with you.”

(on if the thinks he was playing his best football when the switch happened) “I felt the most comfortable I’ve been on a football field in a long time, maybe ever. I felt like I was continuing to get better and better.

(on if he thinks he could have led the team to the Super Bowl) “I for sure think that, but that’s kind of neither here nor there.”

(on how his previous experiences helped prepare him for his benching) “I have had a lot of ups and downs in my career. I’ve been in a lot of competitions. I’ve dealt with injuries before. I feel like I’ve been through a lot that has prepared me for this. If you’re a quarterback very long in this league, you’re going to go through some things. You better have thick skin, you better be able to handle situations. For me it’s just being ready for the next opportunity. That’s my focus.”

(on the frequent turnover of offensive staff early in his career) “It’s hard, not just for me, I think for everybody on offense who played here. I don’t know how you get very proficient and something, when you’re constantly just pressing delete and having to learn something different. The terminology the complexity of an NFL offense is big. You’ve started to lay that foundation, you start to feel comfortable with something then you’ve got to press delete and learn a different one. You never really get to an advanced level within the offense with that kind of turnover.”

OFFENSIVE TACKLE ANTHONY DAVIS

(on playing in the Super Bowl) “It’s a big deal. It’s our hopes and dreams coming true. You work so hard all year. It’s more than just the Super Bowl. It’s a way to finish off a great season.”

(on getting hot in the playoffs) “With the talent that we have, this is where we should be, and with the coaching staff that we have. Anything else would be considered a failure.”

(on whether he noticed a change on offense when Colin Kaepernick took over) “We didn’t change anything as far as scheme. There wasn’t much of a difference.”

(on facing another former Rutgers player in Ravens RB Ray Rice) “It’s a big deal. I talked to him earlier this week. I’m sure his guys will play the game of their life and that’s what we’re trying to do over here.”

(on what makes Jim Harbaugh special) “He’s an interesting guy. He is a great leader. He has to make difficult decisions.”

(on what allows players to accept tough coaching) “It’s how you’re brought up. Going to Rutgers, my mom wanted me to go to Rutgers because of Coach (Greg) Schiano. She was strict, too. You learn how to receive the message while ignoring the tone of it and trust that they want what’s best for you.”

(on what makes QB Colin Kaepernick special) “That Bears game, watching him make all those difficult throws and not hesitating one bit. Some of those throws some guys wouldn’t take, especially being their first start on Monday Night Football.”

(on the pistol offense) “I love it. They (the defense) try to figure out who has the ball and which way the ball’s going. It’s just fun to watch them try to figure it out with 350 pounds leaning on them.”

(on how facing the Ravens now is different than facing them last year) “We’re a more mature team. Some of our players are more experienced.”

(on the Ravens defense) “Big guys, they are all big. It will be a good time.”

-SB XLVII-