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.

Branch offered details of the 49ers local pro day, plus the comments of quarterback Nate Montana.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News shared Trent Baalke’s draft-day trade philosophy.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee highlighted other Baalke comments, including ones on the health of Justin and Aldon Smith.

Barrows noted that the 49ers could have 9-10 selections in the 2014 draft.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com shared Baalke’s comments on the 49ers remaining interested in Charles Woodson.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com has Vernon Davis ranked as the top tight end in the NFC West.

49ers.com looked at Colin Kaepernick’s offseason work ethic, Baalke’s outlook on free agency moves in 2013, draft philosophy for 2013, Michael Thomas’ experience at the 2013 local pro day and continued our “49 in 49” series with a Burlingame native who played his college ball at Colorado, David Bakhtiari.

CLIP OF THE DAY

TWEET ABOUT IT

#tbt meeting sterling sharpe on my 8th birthday when he played at South Carolina. instagram.com/p/YP_fqzENbE/—
jonathan goodwin (@jgoody59) April 18, 2013

Fresh.

Jim Harbaugh traded in his trademark black sweater for a red one on Thursday as he hit the Pebble Beach Golf Links in the first round of the AT&T Pro-AM. Along with partner Jason Day, Harbaugh finished tied for second with a score of 9-under 61. Harbaugh and Day are playing Friday’s second round at Spyglass Hill with Giants pitcher Matt Cain and Matt Bettencourt and you can follow with live scoring from PGATour.com.

Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle recapped Harbaugh’s initial round at Pebble Beach. “Harbaugh arrived at the practice range Thursday morning … well, needing to practice. He hadn’t swung a golf club in nearly a full year, since last year’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am,” Kroichick wrote. “Then he went out and helped his professional partner, Jason Day, post a team score of 9-under-par. That planted Harbaugh and Day in the thick of early contention, tied for third among the 156 pro-am tandems in the tournament.”

The rest of Today’s Morning Tailgate looks back to Harbaugh’s day on the links, Colin Kaepernick’s playoff success and more.

Mark Purdy of the Bay Area News Group passed along Harbaugh’s comments on the Super Bowl season of 2012.

PGATour.com featured a great photo of Bill Murray’s exquisite facial hair in Thursday’s celebrity Pro-Am recap.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com analyzed Kaepernick’s success on third downs in the postseason.

The San Francisco Chronicle offered 50 of the top photos of the 2012 49ers season.

49ers.com’s coverage included a story and photo gallery of Harbaugh’s first round, an end of the season blog from Donte Whitner and the announcement of six players signed to reserve/future contracts.

TV49′s CLIP OF THE DAY

TWEET ABOUT IT

S/o to John Tyler HS for having me as a guest speaker tonight. Best high school ever!! #CUJO lockerz.com/s/282057002—
Kendall Hunter (@KendallHunter32) February 08, 2013

Congratulations to Kendall Hunter.

Who’s got better linebackers than the 49ers? All-Pro NaVorro Bowman inked a five-year contract extension on Tuesday that will keep him with the 49ers until the 2018 season. Combined with the contract status of the team’s other linebackers, Aldon Smith (Signed through 2015), Patrick Willis (2016) and Ahmad Brooks (2017), it will be interesting to watch the new group during the final stages of Candlestick Park’s great history and entering the new home of the 49ers in 2014.

Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.com described the scene at 49ers headquarters as Bowman talked to the media after signing his extension. “The move ensures that Bowman and fellow linebacker and good friend Patrick Willis will be together through at least the 2016 season,” Kurz wrote. “In fact, Willis was among the first people Bowman gave his good news. He just couldn’t keep the secret any longer.”

Tuesday was also a noteworthy day for bad reasons, as Kendall Hunter and Kyle Williams were placed on the season-ending Injured Reserved list. Read up on all the latest 49ers new after the jump.

Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle noted that Bowman wanted to keep playing alongside Willis for years to come.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee relayed comments from Bowman’s agent Drew Rosenhaus on the contract.

Daniel Brown of the Bay Area News Group passed along a transcript of Rosenhaus’ meeting with the media.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com examined the 49ers and their salary cap situation going forward.

Brown also detailed the player movement after Hunter and Williams were placed on IR.

Kroichick discussed the impact of losing Hunter and how it will affect Frank Gore.

Barrows wrote that the 49ers have talented players ready to fill the voids left by Hunter and Williams.

Barrows also noted that the 49ers currently have just 52 players on their 53-man roster.

Kurz wrote about the possibilities the 49ers have on offense without Hunter and Williams.

Steve Palazzolo of ProFootballFocus.com made a statistical analysis of the 49ers-Saints matchup in Week 12.

Sando pointed out a smart offensive coaching decision which led to a big gain for the 49ers vs. New Orleans.

Sando looked back in NFL history to try and find a similar situation to the one between Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith.

Brown spoke to Gore and Donte Whitner about the team’s support of both quarterbacks in the locker room.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle took a historic look back to Jim Harbaugh’s coaching career and how he’s dealt with quarterbacks.

49ers.com offered complete coverage of Bowman’s extension (video/story/photos/press release), discussed the key injuries and how the 49ers are poised to overcome them, and encouraged the Faithful Fans to vote for the 49ers to reach the 2013 Pro Bowl.

TV49′s CLIP OF THE DAY

TWEET ABOUT IT

Congrats to my brother @NBowman53 on the contract ex. Very deserving to a star for yrs to come!!!—
Patrick willis (@PatrickWillis52) November 27, 2012

Willis and Bowman.

The San Francisco 49ers announced they have placed WR Kyle Williams and RB Kendall Hunter on the Injured Reserve List. The team also announced that RB Jewel Hampton has been added to the active roster from the Non-Football Injury List. The team also added WR Chad Hall to the practice squad, and waived S Eddie Whitley from that unit.

Hampton played 26 games (seven starts) for Iowa and Southern Illinois, finishing his collegiate career with 348 carries for 1,698 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding 22 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown. As a junior at Southern Illinois in 2011, Hampton was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Year.

Hampton was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the 49ers on May 4, 2012.  The team placed him on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List on August 27, 2012.

Hall (5-8, 187) was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles on March 11, 2010. He was later released by the Eagles on September 4, 2010 and signed to Philadelphia’s practice squad a day later. The Eagles promoted Hall to the active roster on October 10, 2010, and he went on to play in 8 games (one start).

After being released by Philadelphia on September 3, 2011, Hall was added to the team’s practice squad the next day. He joined the Eagles active roster again on November 16, 2011, and played in the final seven games of the season. In two seasons with the Eagles, he caught 14 passes for 135 yards (9.6 average) and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards on 12 carries. Hall was released by the Eagles on August 31, 2012.

The 26-year old native of Atlanta, GA, attended The Air Force Academy and led the team in both rushing and receiving, as a senior. He spent two years on active duty as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.

Whitley had been on the practice squad since November 20, 2012.

Patrick Willis has been long regarded as one of the NFL’s elite defensive players. Each season of his six-year career, the San Francisco 49ers linebacker has been in the discussion for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year honors.

This year is no different, only Willis is not alone in receiving DPOY publicity. Second-year linebacker Aldon Smith, the NFL’s leader with 16.5 sacks, is also receiving praise for his elite play.

ProFootballFocus.com’s cast of writers recently listed Smith and Willis as their No. 8 and No. 9 candidates for DPOY honors.

There’s still five games to play and Smith (16.5 sacks) is chasing the NFL’s single-season sack record (22.5) held by former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.

Jim Harbaugh believes it’s great to be mentioned with some of the game’s all-time greats, but the 49ers coach believes there’s more important accomplishments left on the table.

“I think I’ve told you what I think of team effort and records and it doesn’t need to be compared with anything that happened previous years or with previous great players,” Harbaugh said on Monday. “I mean you’re talking about great players that accomplished great things. It’s great to be mentioned with that, but I think I could speak for Aldon if I could for minute. Statistics aren’t what motivates him, it’s winning games.”

In the month of November, Smith totaled 9.0 sacks in three games, while the league’s No. 2 and 3 sack leaders, J.J. Watt and Von Miller, totaled five and eight sacks, respectively, in four November contests.

ESPN.com’s football writers ranked the 49ers as the NFL’s No. 3 team in recent power rankings.

ESPN.com’s Mike Sando writes that Colin Kaepernick is the fastest rising player in the NFC West.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee shares a report that Kendall Hunter could be out for the season.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that injuries to Hunter and Kyle Williams could open up opportunities for 49ers rookies.

Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that Kaepernick has earned the team’s starting quarterback role, fair or not.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com checked in with former 49ers coach and current NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci for his thoughts on Harbaugh’s looming quarterback decision.

49ers.com detailed the rationale behind Harbaugh’s decision to wait till mid-week to announce a starter for Sunday in St. Louis.

 TV49’S CLIP OF THE DAY

TWEET ABOUT IT

Tonight @DwightC87 @jstaley74 #joemontana and @robinthicke in SF for the 555 California Tree Lighting! See you there!! bit.ly/WlpKrH—
555 CA Tree Lighting (@555CATreeLight) November 27, 2012

FYI.

The San Francisco 49ers boast not one, but two of the best running backs in the National Football League. With Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter literally carrying a heavy workload for the 49ers, the team has gone 19-1-1 when the duo combine for 20 or more carries.

Such was the case in the team’s recent 32-7 dismantling of the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Gore carried the ball 17 times for 78 yards, while Hunter added 27 yards on five carries, including a 14-yard touchdown run.

The talented running backs share a great deal of respect for each other on and off the field. The bond between the two has clearly translated into consistent success for San Francisco. The relationship of the 49ers running back was further examined in the recent edition of Gameday. Running backs coach Tom Rathman explained the dynamic of his meeting room and how Gore constantly looks out for his younger teammates.

Get to know the hard-working ways of the 49ers running back in the latest Gameday cover story.

I’ve Got Your Back
San Francisco’s running back room shares mutual respect for each other and the game of football.
By Taylor Price, 49ers.com

Frank Gore has the most carries and rushing yards in the history of the San Francisco 49ers and is three rushing touchdowns away from having sole possession of that record in team history, too. He’s been to three Pro Bowls in eight seasons and has been a respected runner throughout the league since he was selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Even will all those accolades and credibility amongst his peers, Gore remains humble in the presence of his teammates. In reality, all he wants to do is work and continue to find ways to improve at his craft. But Gore’s not alone in striving to be his best. Surrounded by a group of committed players in the San Francisco 49ers locker room, Gore stands out amongst his teammates as a leader. Because of that, they voted him offensive co-captain before the start of the 2012 campaign.

But Gore doesn’t soak up all the glory. He shares it with his teammates and coaches, always crediting them for his triumphs on the field. When Gore goes to TV production meetings days prior to a Sunday kick-off, the elite running back tends to bring his understudy, Kendall Hunter, into the meetings that give broadcasters additional information before gameday. “He’s a little guy, but he’s real tough,” Gore says of Hunter. “He loves what he does, very fast. People think they can take him on because he’s small, but he can deliver a punch.”

Hunter, a second-year runner, who was a fourth-round pick himself, appreciates the wisdom and guidance he receives daily from one of the league’s top running backs. Hunter likes how Gore keeps it real with him on every detail. “I’m lucky to have a guy that’s like that,” says Hunter. “He’s a great back and to learn from him. To have him here, I’m learning a lot ever since the day I got here. It was about learning – him giving me tips – he’s just like a big brother.”

The tandem of Gore and Hunter has been more than effective in their 25 regular season games working together. The 49ers are 18-1-1 when both players combine for 20 or more carries in a game. As for 2012, both remain especially dominant, the 49ers are 6-0-1 when out-rushing opponents. Both backs have also been key in the 49ers racing out to be atop the NFC West through 10 weeks. With Gore (5.4) and Hunter (5.0) standing out as the only teammates in the NFL to average 5.0 or more yards per carry this season, it’s no surprise the 49ers are currently ranked as the league’s No. 1 rushing attack, averaging 170.2 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry.

In order to have such success for a sustained period of time, the running backs’ genuine relationship has enabled consistent performances. Hunter looks up to Gore as a big brother. Meanwhile, running backs coach and respected former 49ers fullback Tom Rathman, looks at the group as his children and students. “I think it’s a little bit of both, as students and as part of who you are,” says Rathman. “As a father, I want my kids to do the right thing and have a lot of success. As a football coach, you want the same thing for your players – to go out and have success. So yeah, I can see these guys as being part of who I want to be as a coach. It’s important.”

In the student-teacher role in the meeting room is where the running backs do much of their damage before kick-off. Rathman leads meticulous film study, covering everything from Greg Roman’s diverse running schemes, to the finer details of the opponent’s personnel. He starts with the snap of the play to the end, the stance, the angles, and how to get specific blocks and runs executed. He’s thorough with the information, too.

But it’s Gore who asks the most questions, not because he’s necessarily in search of an answer, but sometimes to spark a conversation for his fellow running backs to hear. “I just like to get the most,” says Gore. “I let them know you don’t have to be scared to ask questions. The more you know, the easier it is on the field.”

Rathman refers to Gore as the big brother in the 49ers running back equation. He also consistently sees Gore looking out for his little brothers. “He does a great job with it,” details Rathman. “You’d think a guy would be selfish or worry about himself and getting himself ready to play at a high level consistently, but Frank is continuously working with these other backs, making sure they know what they’re doing – giving them some hints on what’s going to make their job easier. He’s been an outstanding player and a complete player. He lets them know this is how it’s done and these are the expectations.”

Gore might ask the most questions, but it’s mostly affirmation of what he already knows. “Really, a lot of it is confirmation,” says Rathman. “To confirm that’s what it is. He may know it, but he may ask for somebody else. I would say Frank is always involved. It’s really conversations you have when you coach these guys.”

Beyond conversations, the group is tight as a whole. Mutual respect and a shared vision from the veterans and young backs allow them to build solid bonds. With respect to the teacher/father/position coach, Rathman is appreciated not just because of his two Super Bowl rings and decade-plus work in the NFL as a running backs coach, but because of the way he supports and uplifts his players with detailed information. It comes from experience. “He’s so smart and he beats everything into our heads,” says Gore. “He understands, the more you know on the field, the slower the game feels and the faster you can play to help your team be successful.”

The 49ers look fast this year all right. In the second season running Roman’s offense, Gore and Hunter have 1,069 combined rushing yards. Gore’s 753 yards rank eighth in the NFL through 10 weeks, while Hunter has supplied 316 yards of his own, including a career-high 81-yard game against the Buffalo Bills.

Roman knows how dynamic his running backs are for him, allowing him to dive deep into his offensive playbook, even dialing up split-back alignments learned from his time working for former 49ers coach George Seifert when the two worked together in Carolina. Roman raved about his backs prior to a Week 10 tie against the St. Louis.

“We love them and they wear a lot of different hats,” said the coordinator in his weekly press briefing. “Coach Rathman does a great job getting them prepared week in and week out, from top to bottom, everybody in the room. The first thing that jumps out about Frank and Kendall, not from a talent standpoint but from just their mindset standpoint, is they love football. These guys are natural born football players and they love football, they understand football, love to compete. There’s nothing about them at all, not one iota where you ever question their effort, because it’s always great. Protection, I think we’ve made a lot great strides up to this point with our young guys in protection across the board really. But those guys, they’re difference makers at the position. We’re very fortunate to have them.”

Besides being tough, football-loving, unselfish teammates, the 49ers running backs are sponges when it comes to learning about the game. They, too, are eager to share input, something Rathman respects as a former player. “There’s a lot of things, your coach taught you a lot, but a lot of times you figure it out yourself out there on the football field,” says Rathman. “You find out what’s feasible and what’s not, what’s real and what’s not.”

The running back coach also relies on drill work from his playing days. It’s a key portion of his weekly teachings, which include a heavy emphasis on ball protection every Wednesday. “I like doing that,” says Gore. “I also like doing his cone drill, his jump-cut drill and all the blocking drills.”

Rathman instructs his players with purpose. Everything they’ll do in drill work is correlated to their roles on the football field.  They appreciate the tough love, too. “He’s a good coach and he’s tough,” says Hunter. “He’s tough on you because he wants you to be the best you can be – no matter what. Just having him around to push you makes you even better. If you’re not doing something right – he’ll be the first person to let you know.”

It’s no secret why Rathman wears his Jim Harbaugh-issued blue collar work shirt for every 49ers practice. “We consider ourselves to all be blue-collar,” says the coach. “We don’t mind doing the dirty work. We really don’t. We want to be the best at doing the dirty work. We take a lot of pride in it.”

Gore understands the symbolism of the shirt. He knows his running back coach cares more about the grittier side of the position than the glorification of it. “He cares about the small things that a lot of backs can’t do, things like protecting,” says Gore. “Protecting, that’s a tough job to do, that’s a blue-collar job. If he sees you’re doing that well, he feels like you’ll be all right.”

Gore’s been more than all right in that category. Knockdown blitz pickups have been a staple of his playing career. That tough-minded mentality carries over to the entire room, which includes a former collegiate defensive end who’s developed into one of the best fullbacks in the league. Bruce Miller is the only true fullback in the meeting room, but still is recognized for his efforts the same as Rathman’s other students.

“He’s a pretty good fullback right now,” says Rathman of Miller, a former standout collegiate pass-rusher in his second year playing on offense. “He’ll continually get better, but he’s pretty good right now. He continues to grow as a football player and as a fullback every day. We like the progress that he’s made.”

The entire room continues to get better one day at a time. The relationships, too, grow tighter with each day. “I have to say it’s like a family, all brothers,” says Hunter. “We’re always together and if something goes down we all have each other’s back.”

The last Super Bowl-winning team in Chicago Bears history was the last team of the proud franchise to win in San Francisco.

Since Mike Ditka’s Bears won 26-10 on Oct. 13, 1985, Chicago has lost seven consecutive games at Candlestick Park.

History aside, this year’s Bears team, led by coach Lovie Smith, enters Monday’s matchup in the Bay Area confident about ending the seven-game road slide to the 49ers.

Chicago’s starting quarterback Jay Cutler has not returned to practice this week, but Smith is encouraged by the strides being taken behind the scenes.

“He’s getting better which is a good thing,” Smith said in his conference call with 49ers beat writers on Thursday.

If Cutler is unable to play, the Bears are comfortable with backup signal-caller Jason Campbell.

“We felt like we needed to improve our backup quarterback position in the offseason,” Smith said. “We felt really good about convincing Jason to come out here and be Jay’s backup. We’ve been with him awhile and I just love the way he prepares off the field. He’s a pro.”

Smith not only feels like Campbell is starter-caliber, but added, “We feel very comfortable with him leading us.”

As for preparing for San Francisco’s starting quarterback Alex Smith, the Bears head coach has his team preparing for both 49ers quarterbacks, backup Colin Kaepernick included.

“We’re going to prepare for the quarterback position for the 49ers,” Lovie Smith explained. “Whether it’s (Alex) Smith or Colin, there’s a difference between the two of them, but the 49ers are a running football team we have to start with that… It won’t change much with who the quarterback is going to be.”

While the Bears coach doesn’t see much variance between 49ers quarterbacks, he knows there’s only one Frank Gore.

“I see a special running back,” Smith said of the runner with 753 yards on the season. “It’s not like it’s all of a sudden happen this year, he’s been a good player in this league for a long time.”

Similar praise for Gore also came from Bears linebacker Lance Briggs. The Sacramento native discussed the quality players on the 49ers offense, but made a point to stress his respect for San Francisco’s all-time leading rusher.

“They attack,” Briggs said of the 49ers’ top-ranked rushing attack (averaging 170.2 yards per game). “They understand their running system. Frank Gore, he finds holes. Kendall Hunter, is very quick, he gets to the second level very fast.”

Briggs let it be known he respects the entire offense.

“All quality players over there,” he said. “We know what we’re dealing with, a great 49ers team.”

Briggs also expect “Monday Night Football” to be a matchup of two of the league’s toughest defenses. He also knows only one of them will walk away content after the game.

“It’s an opportunity, definitely a big opportunity,” the 10-year veteran said. “Two NFC teams and we’re all fighting for the postseason, not only that but home-field advantage.

“We know that the 49ers have a great defense. They know we have a great defense. Obviously it’s going to be one of those weeks where one of the defenses is going to outplay the other.”

Click here to listen to Lovie Smith’s conference call.

Click here to listen to Lance Briggs’ conference call.

Alex Smith joined NBC’s Pro Football Talk Live on Friday afternoon to discuss a number of topics.

The NFC’s Week 8 Offensive Player of the Week spent a dozen minutes on the air with host Mike Florio touching on items ranging from his relationship with Jim Harbaugh to the keys of San Francisco’s second half of the season.

Smith also said he believes the 49ers are better than they were in 2011. Added weapons and the team’s playoff experience from last season have all helped the team improve their play to start the 2012 regular season.

“Better from the experience of last year, the experience of the playoffs good and bad,” Smith shared. “I think that’s important, to get in those games, play in those games and have a little success there. “

However, the quarterback of the 6-2, first-place 49ers team said the biggest difference in the team’s two defeats from this season was the preparation leading up to games against the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.

Smith said the players need to maintain their “edge” that they take into each week of preparation going forward.

For Smith, it all starts with consistency.

“We all know what we’re capable of a team it’s a matter of consistently doing it week in and week out,” Smith told Florio. “It’s not just showing up on gamedays, I think this team understands that.”

Florio asked the 49ers quarterback if the San Francisco Giants’ World Series run would inspire San Francisco’s football team to hold a parade of their own in February.

Smith said that was the ultimate goal.

“There’s a ton of work left ahead of us, a long season,” Smith said. “You never know, but that’s what we’re all playing for.”

Other highlights of the interview included Smith explaining his reason for re-signing with the 49ers this offseason to stay with the club for an eighth season and beyond.

Smith said it was all about the opportunity to have sustained success with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft.

“Some of these decisions our outside of my hands and I’m thankful for the ownership and Coach Harbaugh here did give me another opportunity and my teammates as well,” Smith said. “It definitely wouldn’t have been a possibility without them. It’s tough to play quarterback without the guys around you.”

Leaving wasn’t much of an option for Smith, who signed on for three more seasons.

“I felt like it wasn’t right for me,” Smith explained. “I wanted another chance to play football at this level and be successful. For whatever reason it wasn’t showing up on the field but I was determined to get it there and thankfully Coach Harbaugh came in and gave me the opportunity to compete for the job and my teammates around me for making me look good lately.”

The 49ers have the No. 1 rushing attack (168.6 rushing yards per game) with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter (957 combined rushing yards), Smith reiterated his appreciation for the players around him.

“Football is the ultimate team sport… there’s so much that goes into a football team being successful, it’s hard to get it all going the same way, everyone on the same page and clicking just right and when it does I think it’s pretty special. That all has something to do with it, it’s the bigger picture. It’s more than getting the right pieces on paper. It’s really a lot of little things that go into winning football games.”

Smith said he enjoys Harbaugh’s consistent approach to the game and his relationships with the players.

“He’s always the same guy, he’s always sincere and genuine to himself,” the 49ers quarterback said. “I think it’s a great thing. It’s unique that he stays true to himself.”

Towards the end of the interview, Smith was asked to chime in on a growing topic in the NFL this week – whether or not a college team could be a last-place NFL team.

Smith says no chance.

“I think it’s a fun joke to talk about,” he said. “I think it would be a disaster. It wouldn’t be close. Having played on both levels it’s not even comparable.”

For one, playing quarterback is much harder in the NFL.

Decision-making is harder when everything is happening faster. Smith also pointed to accuracy and consistency as the hardest traits to master when making the adjustment into the professional ranks.

“The guy who can hit his targets is more important, that shows up more in the NFL,” Smith said.

Lastly, the 49ers quarterback discussed his role in Visa’s “Make it Epic” campaign which features a commercial starring several 49ers players, including Smith himself.

The 49ers quarterback urged fans to visit Visa.com/makeitepic for a chance to win many prizes, including a visit to the 49ers locker room on gameday.

“A chance to get in there and see what it’s like would be very cool,” Smith said.

Bruce Miller has been an active, yet almost forgotten, contributor to the success of the San Francisco 49ers’ second-ranked rushing attack.

The second-year fullback (who converted to his position after being an acclaimed college pass-rushing defensive lineman) continues to create rushing lanes for 49ers all-time leading rusher Frank Gore. In last week’s 13-6 win over Seattle, Miller helped Gore pick up 131 yards in a winning effort.

Miller received media attention this week in the form of an appearance on our latest Niner Talk podcast. The 49ers fullback discussed his relationship with Gore, as well as the details he’s working in year two under running backs coach Tom Rathman. Miller also talked Halloween costumes, his favorite Halloween candy and more. Joe Staley even made a cameo during the costume discussion.

For the Arizona perspective, AZCardinals.com writer Darren Urban offered his takes on Arizona’s rivalry with San Francisco, the passing connection of John Skelton and Larry Fitzgerald and more insight into Monday’s 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.

BRUCE MILLER

[:50–Miller’s thoughts on Monday’s matchup with Arizona.]

“I’m just excited. Anytime you have a chance to play on a national stage like, ‘Monday Night Football, it’s definitely going to be a great game, two great teams going at it. We’re excited about the opportunity.”

 [2:00 – Miller’s thoughts on the camaraderie amongst 49ers running backs and blocking for Frank Gore for a second season.]

“It’s been great, we’re starting to build some chemistry in the backfield. We’re really enjoying playing off of each other. I have an idea of what Frank wants to happen and where he wants to go. I feel like we’ve done a great job of playing off of each other. Kendall (Hunter) as well. I’m just fortunate to have two backs back there that I can block for and they can make plays.”

DARREN URBAN

[12:00 –Urban’s thoughts on the San Francisco-Arizona special teams matchup.]

“I do think teams are a lot less likely to kick (Patrick Peterson) the ball. I know in Minnesota they took a slightly different tact where they were basically kicking moon shots that were going only about 35 yards downfield. They were kicking them so short, Patrick was having to run up under them. I know last year in both games against the Cardinals, I thought the 49ers did a great job. Even if Patrick ended up with the ball it wasn’t a great situation for him to be in. I do see Peterson pressing a little bit to make things happen as a punt returner because of all the success he had last year, but there’s no question he’s still very dangerous.”

[14:40 – Urban’s matchup to watch on Monday night. ]

“The Cardinals are giving up a lot of sacks and the 49ers have a very good front-seven and a very good front-four. I think the ability for the Cardinals to block that front-four, to create some running lanes, to run the ball once and awhile, to be able to give John Skelton enough time to throw the ball to (Larry) Fitzgerald and Andre Roberts – I think is going to be crucial. Ultimately, sacks aside, and they’ve given up a lot of sacks, what you don’t want to be for the Cardinals is in a situation where Skelton is forced to make poor decisions because of pressure. That ultimately leads to turnovers and not only is that hurt the Cardinals badly this year when they’ve made ill-timed turnovers, but obviously, that’s what the 49ers feast on. It’s what drives that team, winning the turnover battle and putting teams in bad positions. I think that’s what I’m going to be paying attention to mostly.”

It’s already Week 8 of the 2012 season and identities of the NFL’s 32 clubs are taking shape. Through their first seven games, the 49ers have featured one of the league’s best rushing attacks, ranking first in yards per carry (5.9) and second in yards per game (176.6).

Frank Gore (103 carries) and Kendall Hunter (50 attempts) have carried the load for the 49ers so far this season, totaling 859 rushing yards as a tandem already. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee also noted that Gore (5.8 yards per carry) and Hunter (5.2) are the only duo to average better than five yards per carry this year.

“Gore, 29, trails only Buffalo running back C.J. Spiller ,a change-of-pace back who has sprinter’s speed, in averaging 5.8 yards per carry,” Barrows wrote. “He’s on pace for 1,374 yards this season, which would be his best output since he ran for 1,695 yards in 2006.”

Today’s Morning Tailgate looks at the challenge the Arizona run defense imposes, Eddie DeBartolo’s upcoming profile on the NFL Network and more.

Dan Arkush of ProFootballWeekly.com discussed the upcoming matchup between the 49ers rushing attack and Arizona’s defense.

Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group passed along comments from Jim Harbaugh, who called the 49ers’ victory over Seattle one of the best games he’s seen in years.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com previewed the NFL Network’s Football Life: Eddie DeBartolo. A profile of the landmark 49ers owner who presided over all five of the franchise’s Super Bowl teams will be shown at 5 p.m. PT on NFL Network tonight.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle spoke to A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James about their rookie experiences with the 49ers so far.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com takes a look at the upcoming NFC West showdown between the 49ers and Cardinals.

49ers.com’s daily coverage included a stories on Andy Lee’s Special Teams Player of the Week Award, the hiring of Cipora Herman to be the 49ers CFO, an update with LaMichael James and Pro Bowl voting.

TV49′S CLIP OF THE DAY

TWEET ABOUT IT

Who's ready for the #WorldSeries to get started tonight? #Giants #Tigers—
Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) October 24, 2012

Jerry Rice is ready for the World Series. Are you?