Blogs

MT: Harbaugh to Drive Pace Car at Indy 500

Jim Harbaugh will drive the pace car on Sunday at the 97th installment of the  Indianapolis 500.

The 49ers coach, who is a racing fan and has a principle role with Panther Racing, said it will be a “tremendous thrill” according to a news release sent out by track officials.

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Morning Tailgate: Rookie Camp Recap

San Francisco’s rookies had a successful introduction into the “Forty Niner Way” over the weekend.

Three days of a rookie minicamp at 49ers headquarters saw the 2013 class learn the basics of San Francisco’s offensive, defensive and special team systems. It also saw the newcomers get to know each other and their coaching staff in perfect climate conditions.

The going will only get tougher for the rookies, like Sergio Garcia on the 17^th tee box of Sawgrass, tough.

That’s because the rookies join forces with their veteran teammates this week for the third installment of “Football School.” The helmet-free fundamental work will take place this week to prepare the entire squad for upcoming Organized Team Activities.

49ers.com will check in with the rookie class after they get to work with the veterans, but for now, let’s look back at the opening impressions from rookie minicamp in today’s Morning Tailgate.

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MT: Kendall Hunter Back Sprinting

The San Francisco 49ers enjoy a bevy of talented running backs who can run Greg Roman’s complex offensive system. One of them, third-year runner Kendall Hunter, is back running sprints this offseason. He’s doing so five months removed from a torn left Achilles. Perhaps, Kobe Bryant might want rehab notes from the 49ers running back.

Hunter shared details of his progress with Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I’m just doing what the trainers want me to do,” Hunter told Branch. “That’s the process. I feel and know I can do more, but I’m not going to rush whatever the coaches and trainers want.”

Hunter rushed for 371 yards in 2012, good for 5.2 yards per carry. Hunter also scored two rushing touchdowns before injuring himself on Nov. 25 against the New Orleans Saints.

Hunter told Branch he’d like to participate in OTAs in May or San Francisco’s mandatory minicamp in June, but the talented running back understands the importance of a patient rehab process and expects to be held out of action until training camp.

More 49ers headlines can be found in today’s Morning Tailgate.

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Morning Tailgate: Harbaugh Stays Driven

Five yards. That’s all that separated the 49ers from winning the sixth Super Bowl in franchise history earlier this year. Coach Jim Harbaugh has had a few weeks to reflect on the tough loss on football’s biggest stage and it appears he’s using the defeat to fuel him for 2013. Ashley Fox of ESPN.com shared comments from Harbaugh on his motivation for the new season going forward.

“Harbaugh is a fiercely competitive man now inspired by defeat, and that will be a problem for the other teams in the NFC West, the rest of the conference and ultimately the entire league,” Fox wrote. “It didn’t seem possible, given the intensity with which he worked his first two seasons as head coach, but Harbaugh is more inspired, more hungry, more dedicated than ever, all because of those 5 short but significant yards.”

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate focuses on the team’s evolving special teams unit and more.

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Morning Tailgate: Boldin Meets Media

Fresh off his charitable trip to Senegal, Africa, new 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin met the Bay Area media on Wednesday in Santa Clara. The veteran wideout is already looking forward to building chemistry with Colin Kaepernick, telling reporters he’s eager to work with the young star in the coming months.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle shared Boldin’s thoughts as he stood in the 49ers locker room for the first time.

“Boldin, 32, knows from recent experience how that chemistry can take time to establish,” Branch wrote. “He was traded to the Ravens in 2010 and slowly began to develop a rapport with Joe Flacco. In 2012, he had 65 catches for 921 yards, the highest totals of his three seasons in Baltimore. In four playoff games, he added 22 receptions and 380 yards. After he joined the Ravens, he spent time working with Flacco after organized team activities concluded. He hopes to have a similar arrangement with Kaepernick, whom he termed a ‘special kid.’”

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate features more reaction from Boldin news from the final day of league owners meetings in Arizona.

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2012 Plays of the Year: Final Five

The 49ers Faithful have spoken. Now it’s time for one final vote.

In recent weeks, 49ers.com has brought you the top 5 takeaways, touchdowns, sacks, big hits and big plays and asked for the Faithful to vote for their favorite plays of the year. For the last round of voting, a winner will emerge from the Final Five candidates as picked by the 49ers Faithful.

The Final Five features a great mix of breakneck offensive plays, bone-crushing defensive plays and game-changers. Until 5 p.m. PT on Monday, you can vote for the 2012 Play of the Year at the bottom of this blog post. Let’s take a look at the top play for each category.

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2012 Plays of the Year: Big Hits

We need your help in selecting the top plays from the 2012 season. We’re asking our Faithful fans to choose the top takeaway, touchdown, sack, big play and biggest hit of the season. Next, the winning five plays (one from each category), will move on to the championship round to determine 49ers.com’s “Top Play of 2012.”

Watch our “Top 5” video highlights on the best plays for each category, then vote in the poll section of the corresponding blog post to see which top play will reach the championship round.

Help us crown the top play of 2012 by choosing your favorite big hit from this past season. You can vote for your favorite big hit up until Wednesday at noon. Let’s take a look at the five nominees.

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Morning Tailgate: Bowman Visits Uganda

Following in the footsteps of his teammate Vernon Davis, NaVorro Bowman is in Africa to help fit local, underprivileged residents with hearing aids. Davis made the trip in 2011 with his brother, Colts cornerback Vontae Davis, and several other players. Comcast SportsNet Bay Area shared a four-part video series. (Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4)

On Monday, Bowman tweeted out a picture of himself helping the Pros For Africa Foundation in Uganda. For more information, visit ProsForAfrica.com.

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate looks at the franchise tag situation on the verge of Monday’s deadline and more.

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Morning Tailgate: Aldon Smith Tries MMA

Aldon Smith may have put together a historic start to his career, but the 23-year-old is pushing himself in a new direction this offseason. Smith, who has set an NFL record with 33.5 sacks through the first two seasons of his career, started training in a local Mixed Martial Arts gym to improve his athleticism.

Comcast Sports Bay Area shared a video of Smith working out with UFC Heavyweight Daniel Cormier. “It’s definitely a good way to stay in physical shape,” Smith said. “In football you use your hands and feet so much, they definitely do it a lot in this sport.

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate features the latest mock draft predictions for the 49ers and more.

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Morning Tailgate: Kaepernick Stays Busy

It doesn’t seem like Colin Kaepernick is taking time to rest and relax this offseason. It’s not a shocker, either. The San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback appeared at an award show, began working out with teammates at a training facility in Atlanta and recently took part in an event hosted by the first lady, Michelle Obama.

Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign received help this week from Kaepernick, plus Olympic athletes (Dominique Dawes, Gabby Douglas, Allyson Felix) and tennis star Serena Williams among others.

Details of the event, shared by The Washington Post, touched on Mrs. Obama’s quest to help schools become more active in saving physical education programs nation-wide. Kaepernick, an example of physical condition, has proven to be a strong force in the community, not just on the football field.

The 49ers quarterback will also appear on NFL Network on Thursday at 3 p.m. PT to join the network’s “Path to the Draft” show.

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