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.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle talked about the 49ers looking forward to next year’s Super Bowl more than Super Bowl L.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News caught up with A.J. Jenkins.

Nate Stuhlbarg of CSNBayArea.com shared Carlos Rogers’ post OTA comments.

49ers.com caught up with third-year linebacker Aldon Smith.

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Today was a good start to OTA's. We just got to get a lil better everyday! But in the mean time Ima be wearing my "… say.ly/itx5Sk7—
Patrick willis (@PatrickWillis52) May 21, 2013

Day 2 of OTAs are next.

The second phase of San Francisco’s offseason program is called “Football School.”

Fundamental work under the coaching staff’s supervision began on Monday and will last two weeks before the 49ers take part in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamps.

The opening session was heavily attended and included the first on-field work from new wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

“I thought it was important for me to come out and try to get as familiar as possible before the season starts,” the 11-year pro told 49ers.com.

Boldin wanted to learn the offense and get used to working with starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

The on-field relationship continues to blossom. In addition to the quarterback, Boldin already sees a talented roster and hopes to boost its chances of winning the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl in 2013.

“I do see a hungry team, a team that wants to avenge what happened last year,” said Boldin, a key reason why the 49ers came up short to the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. “For me, I’m glad to be a part of that because my whole thing is winning championships.”

Boldin isn’t the only veteran taking part in the voluntary work.

Carlos Rogers also told 49ers.com about his reasons for joining the workouts. In previous years, the ninth-year pro didn’t make it a priority to take part in voluntary offseason work with the Washington Redskins. Now, Rogers enjoys the offseason sessions that better prepares him mentally and physically for upcoming seasons.

“You can do all the workouts you want to at home, but you don’t get the drills and the work with your teammates,” Rogers, a 2011 Pro Bowler said. “You can learn more. It’s totally different than working with a strength coach and just running around… I take pride in coming here.”

NFL.com followed the draft journey of new 49ers running back Marcus Lattimore.

Chris Burke of SI.com shared the first look at his 2014 mock draf.t

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com offered his first-round picks for the 2014 draft.

Rob Rang of CBS Sports shared his 2014 mock.

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Got to my locker out here in San Francisco and found a box of gear from the @SFGiants waiting for me. Big thanks for the welcoming gift.—
Anquan Boldin (@AnquanBoldin) May 01, 2013

#SFUnite.

The 49ers roster features many homegrown players that have been drafted and developed by the respected front office staff led by general manager Trent Baalke. But San Francisco also features some top-notch free agents which have shaped it into a Super Bowl contender.

As the 2013 free agency period gets off to its frenzied start, 49ers.com takes a look back at some of the biggest impact free agents signed by the franchise in recent history. View a photo gallery of recent 49ers free agent additions and vote for your favorite at the bottom of this post.

Defensive tackle Justin Smith signed with the 49ers before the 2008 season and has earned Pro Bowl invites in the past four seasons, including All-Pro honors in 2011 and 2012. Cornerback Carlos Rogers and Donte Whitner inked deals with San Francisco in time for the 2011 season, helping turn the secondary into one of the league’s most feared groups. Also a part of the 2011 free agent class was experienced center Jonathan Goodwin, who has become a quiet locker room leader in his two seasons with the team. Rounding out the group is receiver Mario Manningham, who signed with the 49ers before the 2012 season but suffered a season-ending injury in Week 12.

The San Francisco 49ers are set to make the franchise’s 14th appearance in the NFC title game and second in as many seasons this Sunday in Atlanta.

It will also be a homecoming for Augusta, Ga., native Carlos Rogers, one of San Francisco’s starting cornerbacks.

Rogers joined our Niner Talk podcast this week to discuss his return to his home state in addition to a number of topics. The veteran defensive back also touched on his relationship with fellow starting corner Tarell Brown, plus discussed the matchup against Atlanta’s talented receiver tandem of Roddy White and Julio Jones.

Rogers also explained why he’s not into social media, but how fans can get hear his thoughts on the team all season long.

For the Falcons perspective, we welcomed Jay Adams, the Digital Media Manager for AtlantaFalcons.com, to hear his thoughts on Atlanta’s winning ways in the Georgia Dome, the Falcons challenge of stopping Colin Kaepernick and his keys to the game.

Click here to listen to the Niner Talk podcast, which is also available on our 49ers Gameday live App.

Here are some of the highlights from both interviews.

CARLOS ROGERS

[1:00 – Rogers’ thoughts on the 49ers reaching the conference championship for a second consecutive postseason.]

“It’s a privilege to be back in this game. Eight years in this league, my last two years, last year and this year, I had an opportunity to go to this game. I was telling some of the younger guys, ‘This doesn’t come around too often.’ To get this opportunity two years in a row, this is the year I feel we really need to grab it and take advantage of this opportunity. Last year, New York came in here in our home and took it from us. We need to send that same message and go to Atlanta and take it from them.”

 [3:30 – Rogers’ thoughts on the matchup vs. Atlanta’s receivers.]

“Man, those guys, it’s like Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson on both sides of the field, along with a Hall of Fame tight end in the middle and a real good quarterback to throw them the ball. It’s going to be a difficult challenge. A lot of the teams we’ve faced that got all the talented receivers and tight ends usually throw a lot, these guys have a balanced attack. They’ve got a running game, they’ve got a passing game – got great guys on the outside to stop. So it’s going to take a good week of preparation, studying what they do, great calls from Coach Vic (Fangio) and great exectution.”

JAY ADAMS

[11:50 – Adams’ thoughts on Atlanta’s reasons for sustained success at home under Mike Smith.]

“A lot of it has to do with the crowd. Against the Seattle last week, the crowd as loud as its ever been inside the Georgia Dome – there’s a lot of excitement in this city. But there has been ever since Mike Smith came into town in 2008 so I think that’s a big part of it. Matt Ryan is just one of those quarterbacks, he feels more comfortable at home, being able to work his offense in friendly confines. He just seems to have that intangible quality that makes him successful at home, being comfortable and being able to basically run the offense the way he wants to and not let a crowd dictate what he’s doing. I think all those things come into play and come together to make Atlanta so successful in the Georgia Dome.”

 [19:20 – Adams’ storyline of the game to track on Sunday.]

“The big one for me is the run game and how important it is for Atlanta to establish that run game, go to it, and rely on it to extend drives. I think the San Francisco defense is most difficult when they turn you into a one-dimensional team. Although the Falcons have had a lot of success in the passing game, I think they’re going to want to have that running game to go to when they need to, in order to keep drives alive, keep Matt Ryan from being hit too much. The offensive line did a great job against Seattle, I think he was only hit once. But against a San Francisco defense that brings a lot of pressure, that has Pro Bowl players on the defensive front, it could be a little more dicey. To me, getting the running game going for the Falcons is 1-A.”

There’s a new video posted on NewSantaClaraStadium.com that all 49ers Faithful fans will want to check out.

The video features incredible aerial views of the new Santa Clara Stadium, future home of the five-time Super Bowl champs.

Book your own tour of the new stadium site and learn more about securing a seat in the new building.

Long snapper Brian Jennings explained his background in yoga with ESPNW.com.

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle looked at two ways the 49ers can defeat the Patriots on Sunday night.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News examined Randy Moss’ comments on returning to New England.

Inman also noted Mario Manningham returned to practice on a limited basis.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee wrote about Colin Kaepernick’s experience in bad weather games.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com wrote about Kaepernick taking the same approach while preparing for the Patriots.

Maiocco also looked at Chad Hall’s scout-team role as Wes Welker.

49ers.com looked at Larry Grant’s recent charity work, Mike Iuapti’s Pro Bowl-caliber play, Carlos Rogers’ matchup against Welker in the slot, Bill Belichick and Welker’s conference call comments, Moss’ outlook on facing the Patriots and Kaepernick’s steady development.

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Just another game for Justin Smith. #TheCowboy instagr.am/p/TLqAvICemI/—
San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 13, 2012

Tough.

It’s going to take a group effort to limit the production of New England Patriots slot receiver Wes Welker.

At least that’s the assessment of Carlos Rogers, San Francisco’s starting cornerback, who will line up in the nickel package this Sunday night against one of the most productive wideouts in the NFL.

Welker, New England’s shifty slot playmaker, ranks ninth in receiving yards (1,116), fourth in targets (142) and third in receptions (95).

He also needs five catches to become the first player in league history with five, 100-catch seasons.

It’s a challenge that San Francisco’s Pro Bowl defensive back is ready to face.

“He runs a lot of option routes,” said the 49ers starting corner when asked about Welker’s best talents. “Those quick guys like that, especially when you face a good quarterback, it’s going to take a lot, not just me sticking him, but Dashon (Goldson) coming down inside, some of the D-ends hitting those guys.”

It’ll be a group effort to limit the production of Welker and tight end, turned slot wideout, Aaron Hernandez. It also extends to the 49ers offense.

Points are at a premium, but the same can be said for time of possession. Rogers believes the longer San Francisco’s offense can sustain drives, the better the 49ers match up against New England and MVP candidate Tom Brady.

“Tom makes this offense go,” Roger said point-blank.

“Brady’s going to make plays, his offense is going to make plays,” Rogers went on to say. “Our defense is going to make plays; we just want to make more than him at the end of the game.”

It sounds rather basic, but it’s quite true. Both teams reached their respective conference championships last year and have just three losses each through 14 weeks in 2012.

Come Week 15, both sides expect to be in for a 60-minute contest.

Furthermore, Rogers and his teammates are looking at it like a playoff-like contest. Not only is it a road game in a cold environment on a national stage, but a victory will cement San Francisco’s postseason bid.

Win, and the 49ers are in the playoffs.

With a second consecutive postseason appearance on the line, the 49ers are treating the remaining games with the utmost focus.

“You’ve got to take these last four games with that mindset,” Rogers shared. “It is seeding for the playoffs. We’ve got guys right on our back if we lose, so it would make next week that much bigger.”

Those “guys” are the 8-5 Seattle Seahawks who are one of two NFC West clubs to defeat the Patriots this season, along with the Arizona Cardinals.

Rogers and the 49ers aim to be the third NFC West opponent to defeat New England and first to do it in the month of December where the Patriots have won 20 consecutive home games in the final month of the regular season.

“If you take care of business right now,” Rogers said, “it’ll make your path easier going into the playoffs.”

That’s why Rogers is taking advantage of everything in sight. The veteran cornerback is picking the brain of Donte Whitner, a longtime rival of Brady and the Patriots from his days in the AFC East.

Rogers is also seeking the wisdom of former Patriots wideout Randy Moss, the very same player who recorded 50 touchdown receptions in 52 games for New England from 2007-10.

“He knows Brady’s checks,” Rogers said of Moss. “He knows where the ball is going.”

Moss will be a welcomed party-crasher in this week’s defensive back meetings. The former Patriots wideout will surely be a help, but as Rogers pointed out, it’ll take in-game execution to limit the high-powered opponent.

When it comes to defending the slot, Rogers is ready for the challenge of defending Welker, Hernandez and New England’s numerous option routes.

“When you have a lot of options routes, whatever leverage you show, they’re going to run opposites,” Rogers detailed. “It’s going to take a lot of pressure, Aldon (Smith) and those guys getting to Brady to mix up their looks –get him off his spot so he’s not back there picking us apart.”

In Rogers’ mind, it’ll take “The Team, The Team, The Team,” to beat the Patriots Sunday night.

Jed York speaks of flexibility when it comes to the technology vision for the new Santa Clara Stadium, the future home of the San Francisco 49ers.

“We want to make sure it’s an open-source stadium that can grow and develop over time,” the 49ers CEO recently told Fortune’s editor-at-large Adam Lashinsky in a video aired on CNN Money.

In the piece, York discussed the team’s vision for the billion-dollar future home for the five-time Super Bowl champion franchise. The 49ers CEO also expressed his excitement in the team’s working partnership with the City of Santa Clara and the Stadium Authority.

“I think the most important thing is we have a public-private partnership,” York told Lashinsky. “If you don’t have a good relationship between your municipality and a sports team, then you’re setting yourself up for failure.”

The 49ers certainly feel good about the recent developments for the stadium. Besides having the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl to be played at the new stadium beginning in 2014, this week will mark the “topping out” ceremony for the stadium project when the highest pieces of steel will be erected.

While construction remains rampant at the stadium site, the same can be said for the team’s technology vision. York and the team’s technology department aim to find ways to compete with the NFL’s high-definition television coverage.

“What I really want to do is build a software-driven stadium as opposed to a hardware-driven stadium,” the 49ers CEO explained.

In York’s mind, scoreboards will be obsolete in five years. Fans will be utilizing smart phones and personal tablets for instant information.

“I would much rather leverage the great companies that we have in the Silicon Valley who are creating smart phones, creating tablets, that our fanbase and the majority of folks in Northern California use  on a daily basis,” York went on to say.

The team has visions of a ticket-less, cash-less building for the future home of the 49ers, all while increasing viewing options on a fan’s preferred personal device.

But as York explains it, the key is to be flexible. With technology rapidly improving fan’s experiences within NFL stadiums, the 49ers CEO wants to be at the forefront of it.

Visit NewSantaClaraStadium.com for ticket information on the future home of the 49ers.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle checks in with patient rookie running back LaMichael James.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News writes that Frank Gore wore a wrist brace on Tuesday, but said it was of no concern for Sunday.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee shares Gore’s analysis of James’ development behind the scenes.

Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.com shares Gore’s comments on facing his hometown team.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com takes a look at the dozen-plus picks the 49ers will have in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Chris Burke of SI.com looks at Colin Kaepernick’s performance against St. Louis.

49ers.com looked at Carlos Rogers’ outlook for the remaining four games and James’ eagerness to play against Miami.

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20 days till Xmas !—
Aldon Smith (@aldonsmithJETS) December 05, 2012

The gift that keeps on giving.

It’s all about finishing in the NFL.

Not only are the fates of games decided in the last quarter of play, but the fates of teams can be decided in the final quarter of the season.

Take the 2011 New York Giants for example. Big Blue was sitting at 6-6 through 12 games last year, before going 3-1 in the final four games to sneak in the playoffs to make its eventual Super Bowl run.

“It’s very important to finish this quarter strong,” Carlos Rogers said. “We talk about fourth quarters. This is the last quarter and the teams that do good in the playoffs – around the end of November, December they kind of click, kind of get going and establish themselves into the playoffs. That’s what we’ve got to do. Can’t come into the playoffs with losses like we did last week and not hitting on all cylinders.”

At the moment, the 49ers are trying to build momentum after Sunday’s tough 16-13 overtime loss at St. Louis. With an 8-3-1 record, the 49ers still have a slight lead over Seattle (7-5) in the divisional race, but will need to finish strong to claim their second straight NFC West title. Still, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reported, there’s an outside chance of the 49ers clinching a playoff spot on Sunday.

The Rams earned a hard-fought victory over the 49ers even though the offense accounted for just 6 points against the stingy San Francisco defense. But Rogers and his teammates haven’t pointed any fingers since suffering the defeat.

“We lose as a team, we win as a team,” Rogers said. “Regardless, we’ve got to try and find a way to get that ‘W’ no matter what the circumstances are.”

The 49ers have four tall tasks lined up for the end of the season, starting Sunday against Miami before a marquee matchup at New England in Week 15, a road contest in Seattle in Week 16 and the regular season finale at home against Arizona.

Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill has struggled for Miami (5-7) this season, throwing for 2,559 yards, seven touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 57.9 percent completion percentage. The Dolphins have lost four of their last five and recently placed franchise left tackle Jake Long on the Injured Reserve with a torn triceps, but Rogers said the 49ers aren’t looking past any opponent.

“Unfortunately we just lost one and all we can do is bounce back,” Rogers said. “That’s when you test your character is when you go through adversity. If you never go through anything, you never lose, when times get tough you won’t know how to respond. We’re a good team at responding.”

Time and time again the San Francisco 49ers have proven to be a united front. Two recent examples shed a bright light on the team-oriented locker room.

According to CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, teamwork was involved in the recent five-year contract extension for All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman. Three players, Vernon Davis, Carlos Rogers and Ray McDonald, all restructured their contracts to give the 49ers enough cap flexibility to sign the talented linebacker long-term.

The other example would be the professionalism shown by Alex Smith in the wake of Jim Harbaugh’s decision to start Colin Kaepernick Sunday in St. Louis. In order to understand the potential reasoning for the move, Mike Silver of Yahoo! Sports caught up with a cast of Harbaugh’s former teammates to learn more about the 49ers coach’s playing career as it relates to his coaching decisions.

Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk told Silver, “I’m pretty sure about the fact that this is not a game-playing thing for him. It’s for the greater good of the team. There is no personal gain for him. Everything he does is for the greater good of that team, and he’s not going to deviate from that.”

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle looks at the team’s rematch with St. Louis and how the 49ers are not underestimating the Rams the second time around.

Branch also shares Vic Fangio’s comments on his hard-hitting safety tandem.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News examines the latest injury report for the Rams and 49ers and its potential implications for cornerback Carlos Rogers.

Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.com looks at where the 49ers linebackers rank with the NFL’s best linebacking groups.

Ashley Fox of ESPN.com writes that Harbaugh made a decision on his starting quarterback than any coach would make.

Adam Schein of NFL.com believes Bowman is one of his nine players who can be trusted to perform every Sunday.

Dan Arkush of Pro Football Weekly looks at the competition for Frank Gore’s backup running back duties.

49ers.com examined Michael Crabtree’s third-down production and relationship with Colin Kaepernick, shared details on Aldon Smith’s NFC Defensive Player of the Month honor and highlighted one of the greatest moments in Candlestick Park’s history.

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A @49ers legend was born OTD. Retweet to honor Bill Walsh! instagr.am/p/SqJyzbyw13/—
Pro Football HOF (@ProFootballHOF) November 30, 2012

RT – worthy.

Carlos Rogers might want to pay extra attention to the St. Louis Rams injury report this week. As the team’s primary slot cornerback in the nickel package, his duties will change drastically depending on the availability of Rams receiver Danny Amendola.

The shifty, 5-foot-11, 188-pound wideout hasn’t played since he suffered a collarbone injury in Week 5, but is questionable to return on Sunday. Before his injury, Amendola established himself as Sam Bradford’s go-to guy on the perimeter, as evidenced by his 15-catch, 160-yard performance against the Redskins in Week 2.

“In a series, if they have to drive 14 times, they’re going to throw him the ball at least seven times on the drive,” Rogers said. “He’s their main target. They have a lot of deep threat, fast guys, but any time he’s on the field, any time he’s moving, we think they’re trying to give him the ball.”

Rogers enters Sunday’s NFC West matchup expecting Amendola to play. The veteran 49ers cornerback already has experience against elite slot receivers this year, as he helped limit Victor Cruz to six catches for 58 yards in Week 6.

In fact, Rogers said the Rams like to use Amendola in a similar role that Cruz has with the Giants offense, running a variety of routes from the slot position.

“A quick guy,” Rogers said of Amendola. “Not very fast but very explosive, he gets in and out of his cuts.”

Sunday will mark Rogers’ first time facing Bradford as a division rival. Bradford sat out both of the 49ers-Rams matchups in 2011, Rogers’s initial season in San Francisco, but the Pro Bowler has respect for the franchise quarterback’s skills.

Bradford enters the Week 10 showdown averaging 224.6 yards in eight games, with season totals of eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Along with Amendola, the Rams also feature receiver Brandon Gibson (28 catches, 381 yards), and tight end Lance Kendricks (20 catches, 165 yards).

“He looks pretty good, he looks better,” Rogers said of Bradford. “The team looks better. Different coaching staff, more players, different players, the defense is showing up and playing real good. It’s going to be a challenge. Any time you play a division game it’s going to be a challenge, no matter if we’re on our field or their field.”

The 49ers are eager to return to Candlestick Park for the first time since their Week 7 victory over the Seahawks. San Francisco enters the contest with the NFL’s second-best pass defense (184 yards per game) and second-lowest opponent quarterback rating (72.7).

While the sacks and interceptions may be down from last year’s pace, Rogers and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio are still pleased with the team’s pass-rush and coverage this season.

“Turnovers are great, you can’t take anything from those,” Rogers said. “But if you’re getting off the field and a lot of three-and-outs, and you’re giving the offense a lot of possessions, that’s real good, too.”