Last year, Mike Iupati’s younger brother, Andrew, earned a tryout at the 49ers rookie minicamp.

The family feel will continue in 2013 according to a report from Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.

Anthony Davis’ older brother, Andre Davis, will get a tryout at the 49ers rookie minicamp set to take place on May 10.

The elder Davis, 26, played the past two years at NAIA school Kentucky Christian. At 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, Davis made honorable mention for the All-Mid-South Conference East Division. Davis will join another invite with a well-known last name, West Virginia Wesleyan quarterback Nate Montana, who was invited to tryout according to a report from the Sacramento Bee.

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

Curtis Crabtree of ProFootballTalk.com shared his review of San Francisco’s draft class.

Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports called the 49ers draft, “Super.”

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle discussed the significance of Vance McDonald’s uniform number.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee offered additional draft notes on the 2013 class.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com believes 49ers draft moves spoke more about pass-rush issues than the need for defensive backs.

49ers.com shared additional videos and links on the 2013 class, plus released their rookie uniform numbers.

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Good morning! my good ppl. Time to go put that work in! "I only know one way Lets Go!"—
Patrick willis (@PatrickWillis52) April 30, 2013

Pat’s ready for day two of football school at 49ers HQ.

It’s the first football activity the San Francisco 49ers can hold in 2013. Voluntary offseason conditioning work begins today at team headquarters in Santa Clara.

In Phase One of the offseason program, the 49ers will hold two weeks of conditioning work under the supervision of the team’s strength and conditioning staff.

When the two weeks have passed, Phase Two of the program will allow coaches on the field to work on drills with the players before the start of 10 days of offseason team activities (OTAs) and minicamps to be held in May and June.

The first OTA sessions will be held on May 21-23, May 28-30 and June 3-6.

A rookie minicamp will be held after the 2013 NFL Draft. Rookies, however, must finish their spring semester or fourth quarter of school before participating in the OTA sessions with veteran teammates. Last offseason, second-round pick LaMichael James had to finish school at Oregon before taking part in offseason workouts with the 49ers.

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

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com previewed San Francisco’s potential interest in this year’s draft-eligible specialists.

Albert Breer of NFL.com tweeted the 49ers have begun negotiating a contract extension with Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News shared Joe Montana’s Twitter comments on the Masters scoring controversy.

Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram caught up with new 49ers quarterback Colt McCoy.

Peter King of SI.com offered the latest draft rumors in his Monday Morning Quarterback column.

Mexico faces Peru in an international soccer match this Wednesday at Candlestick Park.

49ers.com’s “49 in 49” series finished up “Best of the Rest” week with profiles on Cincinnati tight end Travis Kelce and Louisiana Tech wide receiver Quinton Patton.

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RT @JerryRice: Only a few days left to vote! Keep voting guys! #MaddenCoverVote ht.ly/k4UGr—
San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 15, 2013

Help Jerry out.

Both Frank Gore and Marcus Lattimore suffered multiple knee injuries in college. Both, however, are considered highly talented running backs, ones who have been known as explosive play-makers during their respective careers.

Gore stands as the San Francisco 49ers all-time leader in rushing yards, carries and rushing touchdowns. At 29, Gore is also coming off a Pro Bowl season, the fourth of his career.

Lattimore,  the NCAA’s national freshman of the year in 2009, has yet to make a lasting career in the NFL. He’s still aiming to be drafted in 2013 after suffering his second major knee injury at the University of South Carolina.

However, the comparisons between the two are still easy to dissect.

Gore was a third-round draft pick by the 49ers in 2005 and proved to be a brilliant selection for San Francisco.

Lattimore, on the other hand, stands poised to follow in Gore’s footsteps. The two also developed a relationship last year. Thanks to 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver, a college teammate of Lattimore, the two were put in touch after the running back prospect tore all three major knee ligaments in his right knee against the University of Tennessee.

Lattimore later compared himself to Gore at the 2013 Scouting Combine.

“I feel like we both run hard,” Lattimore said. “He runs like nobody’s there. He runs with total destruction. I feel like if I could compare my game to anybody, it would be Frank Gore. He’s got low pads, he’s got great vision, he can see the whole field. Great balance.”

The comparisons between the two running backs continued this week in a recent episode of John Gruden’s Camp on ESPN.

The former NFL head coach asked Lattimore about both major knee injuries he suffered in college and how he’s been able to bounce back from the hardships.

“Anything that comes to me in life,” Lattimore began, “I feel like I’ve been through it all. Nothing can ever take the smile off my face because I’ll never take anything for granted again.”

Lattimore continued to detail the lessons he’s learned through rehab and why he’s pursuing a career in the NFL.

“I love football,” the South Carolina star told Gruden. “My kids they’re going to watch this one day and they’re going to see my dad never gave up.

“My story relates to everybody…Adversity introduces a man to himself.”

Gruden later commented that his father ribbed him for not drafting Gore back in 2005. When the 49ers running back broke a big run against a Gruden-coached Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, the elder Gruden immediately sent his son a text message with a reminder of his praise for Gore.

It remains to be seen where Lattimore gets drafted in 2013, but his story is one to watch come April 25, especially with how it compares to San Francisco’s own starting running back.

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

NFL.com offers mock draft selections for the 49ers from multiple analysts. Alabama NT Jesse Williams is a popular choice.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee wondered if Cal wide receiver Keenan Allen will be available for the 49ers and also wrote about San Francisco watching a pro day for Oregon safety John Boyett.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle checked in with a story about Demarcus Dobb’s offseason rehab.

Branch also wondered if Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati is next in line for a contract extension.

NewSantaClaraStadium.com covered the 49ers coaches taking a tour of the new stadium in Santa Clara and how to book your own tour of the future home of the 49ers.

49ers.com recapped CEO Jed York’s recent comments to NFL Network.

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Bravo, Joe.

The 13th Annual 49ers Winter Fest is in full swing at Lake Tahoe.

The fun-filled weekend got off to a great start on Thursday when families of players, coaches and guests of the 49ers Foundation arrived and took part in a lively welcome reception. Winter Fest marks one of the biggest annual events for the 49ers Foundation, as last year’s gathering raised more than $1 million for local causes in the Bay Area.

Following the reception on Thursday, members of the Gold Rush also treated kids and adults alike to a fun night of s’mores by the fire pit.

Friday got off to a rousing start as long snapper Brian Jennings held an intense early-morning yoga session for a group of brave Winter Fest attendees including former 49ers quarterback Steve Bono. Jennings has been teaching yoga for a few years and was happy to share the experience with new friends.

“I had a great class,” Jennings said. “Enthusiastic crew, the room was nice and warm. We got the music cranking and we did yoga poses, it was great.”

Up next, former Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi joined dozens of people on the ice for a morning skating session.

“I was honored to be invited up here to be a part of the festivities,” Yamaguchi said. “It’s just been an all-around amazing weekend. And you feel good having fun, because you know it’s going to a great cause to support the 49ers Foundation.”

After the guests were served a hearty lunch on the sun-splashed patio next to the ice rink, broomball took center stage. With former NHL player Bret Hedican on hand, fullback Bruce Miller and running back Anthony Dixon joined kids and parents in an entertaining broomball game that featured people falling left and right.

Miller had a particularly spectacular fall, throwing his broom about 15 feet in the air as he dropped to his back.

“I don’t spend a lot of time on ice in general,” Miller said. “I have a newfound respect for hockey players and what they do out there on the ice. That’s pretty impressive.”

Miller and Dixon were teammates for the competition, but they were also vying for the title of best broomballer on the 49ers.

“Am I the greatest broomball player on the Niners?” Miller said. “There was only two of us and I think I edged Anthony out in broomballing.”

Upon hearing Miller’s assessment, Dixon happily defended his broomball game.

“Bruce did score, but I had saves,” Dixon said after spending a good part of the game between the pipes as a goalie. “So that kind of evens out, if you ask me. I also was a physical presence and I moved without the ball. I almost checked a couple people, I grabbed a couple guys.”

The afternoon featured simultaneous events at the Resort at Squaw Creek. While Miller, Dixon, Iupati, Jennings and coaches Jim Tomsula and Reggie Davis taught an eager group of youngsters during Football 101, 49ers alumni Keena Turner, Guy McIntryre, Steve Bono, J.J. Stokes, Dennis Brown and Greg Clark shared stories from their playing days in a fireside chat.

At Football 101, the players and coaches went over the basics of ball carrying and pass-catching before the room was converted into a makeshift football field for drills.

“You might think everyone is just running around out there during a football game,” Tomsula told his pupils. “The part everyone doesn’t get is just how smart you have to be.”

Meanwhile, the alumni fireside chat featured many anecdotes from the players’ rookie seasons. Stokes had a humorous recollection of his first time in the wide receiver meeting room with the 49ers, alongside players like Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens.

“I get in the big meeting room and everyone has an assigned seat,” Stokes said. “Rookies don’t know this, so I just sit in a seat. Then they go, ‘Get up, rook, leave.’ After I got up about 10 times, I found out I was in the seat right in front of the coaches. That was my first experience.”

Those two events were followed up by two more simultaneous ones, as the adults mixed wine and were judged by a panel and kids went downstairs for cupcake tasting.

Well, perhaps it wouldn’t be accurate to say it was just kids at the cupcake tasting. Iupati, Miller, Dixon, Scott Tolzien and Yamaguchi also tried out the sweets. Each participant was given five cupcakes from nearby Batch Cupcakery and asked to guess the flavors.

“I tried the first one it was a vanilla kind,” Iupati said. “The second one, she said was red velvet, but it seemed like it was chocolate to me. My favorite so far is No. 1, the vanilla one.”

But the highlight of the event came when Miller posed with a group of five youngsters for a picture, before they smashed five cupcakes on to his face.

For the wine mixing event, the drinks were blended with a mix of Syrah and Grenache-based wines. The six-person panel of judges for the wine mixes included General Manager Trent Baalke and Jenna and Mara York, but they were split 3-3 on which was better, the Syrah or Grenache.

“I can be bought,” Baalke joked to the crowd.

So 49ers Co-Chairman Dr. John York was called in to be the seventh, tie-breaking judge.

“The Grenache,” he declared.

Friday night’s schedule includes more wine tasting, dinner and two auctions, before rockstar juggler Mike Price closes out the night.

Stay tuned to 49ers.com for more coverage of 2013 Winter Fest throughout the weekend.

NEW ORLEANS – Good morning, it’s Media Day at Super Bowl XLVII. If the San Francisco 49ers thought they’d been a part of a media swarm before, Tuesday’s annual media day will crush that in comparison.

Thousands of credentialed reporters will get their chance to speak with the 49ers Tuesday morning in the Superdome. It should be quiet the scene compared to Monday’s media session which can be viewed in this 49ers.com photo gallery.

Only a handful of players have spoken to the press so far, but the entire team, plus coaches, will be available. It should make for quite the day, 49ers.com will have it all covered LIVE. That’s right, LIVE.

Visit 49ers.com/live during Media Day at Super Bowl XLVII for unprecedented access to the 49ers.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News wrote about the 49ers improvements since the last time they faced Baltimore.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle shared how Jim Harbaugh helped his father in a time of need.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee explained which team awards were won by the Smiths, Justin and Aldon.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com shared insight on Randy Moss’ leadership to teammates and also reviewed Anthony Davis’ blocking matchup against Paul Kruger.

Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle spoke with Saints linebacker Jon Vilma about former teammate Frank Gore

Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group profiled 49ers Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati.

Dennis Dillon of SI.com reviewed how the Harbaugh brothers have dealt with Super Bowl media attention thus far.

49ers.com shared Aldon Smith’s comments on being named team MVP, a look at Frank Gore’s determination to win, as well as transcripts from offensive and defensive players.

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NOLA showing love! #Niners #SuperBowl http://t.co/6o0IBLYr—
Vernon Davis (@VernonDavis85) January 29, 2013

Who’s got it better than us?

The awards keep on piling up at 49ers headquarters.

Punter Andy Lee and Pro Bowlers Mike Iupati and Aldon Smith were recently recognized by USA Football and named to the 2012 All-Fundamentals Teams, which honors 26 NFL players – 11 offense, 11 defense and four special teams – who exhibit exemplary football techniques for youth players to emulate.

The fourth annual USA Football All-Fundamentals Team recognizes NFL players who employ proper technique, particularly when blocking and tackling, which fosters better on-field performance and inherent safety benefits.

Iupati’s rare combination of size, speed and strength was also complemented by his strong mental development in his third season since being picked in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The mauling guard especially excelled as a pulling lead blocker for the fourth-ranked 49ers rushing attack, while providing solid pass protection all year long.

Not only does Lee possess one of the NFL’s most powerful legs, but he also possesses some of the softest hands on a punter. Lee, who is also the team’s holder on place kicks, followed up his 2011 All-Pro season with another impressive campaign that featured a 43.2-yard net punting average, which was tops in the league.

Smith flourished in his first season as an every-down player, racking up 19.5 sacks en route to being named to his first Pro Bowl. Smith showed a deft ability to use his hand and legs to slither and power past opponents while threatening Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record of 22.5.

Each player chosen for the All-Fundamentals Team will receive a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school football program of his choice. USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, is the official youth football development partner of the 49ers, the NFL and each of the league’s other 31 teams.

A fan vote will determine All-Fundamentals Team captains at www.facebook.com/usafootball. Fans may vote for one captain on offense, defense and special teams. USA Football will award each of the three captains a $3,000 equipment grant to donate and an All-Fundamentals Team helmet trophy. Voting is open through Jan. 21.

Employing core football fundamentals advances a youth player’s performance and safety, particularly in the areas of blocking and tackling. USA Football has educated more than 100,000 youth football coaches in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., through its online courses and single-day coaching clinics. Approximately 3 million American children age 6-14 play organized tackle football, placing it among the country’s most popular youth sports.

The USA Football All-Fundamentals Team was assembled with guidance from a five-person selection committee:

• TOM CARTER, NFLPA player advocate and former NFL defensive back
• CHARLES DAVIS, USA Football spokesperson, football analyst for NFL Network and FOX Sports
• HERM EDWARDS, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL head coach
• MERRIL HOGE, USA Football board member, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL running back
• CARL PETERSON, USA Football chairman, former NFL team executive and assistant coach

2012 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team – Offense:

Quarterback
Matt Ryan, Falcons

Running Back
Arian Foster, Texans

Fullback
Henry Hynoski, Giants

Wide Receiver (2)
Davone Bess, Dolphins
Reggie Wayne, Colts

Tight End
Tony Gonzalez Falcons

Tackle (2)
Ryan Clady, Broncos
Nate Solder, Patriots

Guard (2)
Mike Iupati, 49ers
Carl Nicks, Buccaneers

Center
Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers

2012 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team – Defense:

End (2)
Chris Long, Rams
J.J. Watt, Texans

Tackle (2)
Haloti Ngata, Ravens
Vince Wilfork, Patriots

Linebacker (3)
Aldon Smith, 49ers
London Fletcher, Redskins
Chad Greenway, Vikings

Cornerback (2)
Champ Bailey, Broncos
Charles Tillman, Bears

Safety (2)
Thomas DeCoud, Falcons
Earl Thomas, Seahawks

2012 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team – Special Teams:

Return Specialist
Leodis McKelvin, Bills

Kicker
Phil Dawson, Browns

Punter
Andy Lee, 49ers

Long Snapper
Greg Warren, Steelers

Thanks to a pair of Pro Bowl starters and a trio of Pro Bowl alternates on the offensive line, the San Francisco 49ers boast the league’s No. 4 rushing attack.

The 49ers running game excelled in 2012 thanks to the hard work of Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Jonathan Goodwin, Alex Boone and Anthony Davis.

Those efforts were chronicled in our season finale Gameday magazine. The “Five Guys” on the offensive line came into greater focus thanks to team photographer Terrell Lloyd and team graphic designer Ben Mayberry, who used an outdoor setting to showcase the unique personalities on the offensive line.

Get to know those “Five Guys” in this story.

Five Guys
San Francisco’s bruising running game has taken off in 2012 thanks to the work of a powerful quintet.
By Taylor Price, 49ers.com.

Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Jonathan Goodwin, Alex Boone and Anthony Davis – five offensive linemen from five completely different athletic backgrounds – have given the San Francisco 49ers one of the most versatile, yet feared, rushing attacks in the National Football League.  The like-minded maulers all have unbridled love for the game, but more importantly; they enjoy what their fellow linemen bring to the table. The unified front has also done considerable damage this year. Besides posting the franchise’s fourth-best single-game rushing outing, a 311-yard effort against the Buffalo Bills in Week 5, the group has twice won John Madden’s Most Valuable Protectors Award this season and has paved the way for 16 rushing touchdowns through 14 games, two more than the team posted in all of 2011.

The on-field execution has been music to offensive line coach Mike Solari’s ears.

“Any time you have a chance to bring all five to work as one, it’s rewarding,” says the veteran line coach who works with alongside assistant line coach Tim Drevno, now in their second year working in tandem. “Tim does a great job, (offensive coordinator) Greg (Roman) does a great job of bringing it all together.”

Solari considers the “Five Guys” to be working as one at all times. “It’s one heartbeat,” he says. Drevno views it similarly and also highlighted the unselfish qualities that make this year’s group one of the best in team history. “Anyone who plays on the offensive line is special,” says Drevno. “Everybody wants to throw the ball in the backyard or jump over the bed like a running back – nobody wants to go out in the middle of the street and push a car down the street with a wide base.”

Fortunately for the 49ers coaching staff, the entire offensive line has a passion for work, but also doing it together.  The line features two Pro Bowlers (Staley in 2011 and Goodwin in 2009) and several up-and-coming linemen. Davis and Iupati were first-round picks in 2010, Boone, however, has worked his way through the ranks from an undrafted free agent tackle to a starting guard.

Together, the offensive line has worked together to become one of the top units in the NFL. They also know each other quite well from all the hours spent in meeting rooms, locker rooms, weight rooms, hotels, buses, airplanes, and oh yeah, the football field.

Linemen can be bashful when it comes to discussing themselves, so Gameday figured it would be better to have them describe a teammate on the offensive line. Here’s what stands out most about the “Five Guys” on the San Francisco 49ers offensive line.

RT ANTHONY DAVIS ON LG MIKE IUPATI

“Mike has a big heart, he just does. He can’t help but have compassion for everybody around him. He can be mad you – he’ll let you know why he’s mad – then he’ll be willing to fix it, or whatever it is. He’s just got a big heart, but he’s also one of the toughest people I know. When it comes to the other team, usually if he sees a Samoan/Tongan guy on the other side, he’ll give a nod of respect. After that, it’s just trying to take them out of the game. He’s a good person though. Mike, when he came in, I felt he was already really good. He was good already and I tell him that now. He says, ‘Man, I was bad my rookie year.’ But I don’t think he was ever bad. Some of his technique, he polished it. He was so strong and athletic he could get away with it at guard. Right before the game and right after the game though – that’s the most you’ll get out of him as far as being loud. Before the game, he gets a little crazy. He’ll spaz a little bit – turn the music up and he starts singing with it. During the game, he’s just doing his job, trying to punish people. If somebody starts talking to him, he’ll let it go. But when he gets tired of it, he snaps on them. One time I stopped him from walking to the defensive huddle. With him, it’s not, ‘yap back and forth.’ It’s, ‘I’m calm,’ to, ‘Now, I’m mad,’ to, ‘I’m coming to your huddle.’ We try to tell him no talking smack because he can’t separate it. It’s a good feeling to have him on my side. When I was growing up I always wanted to be a part of a great offensive line. I told Mike this two weeks ago – this is the first time playing with a guy who is physically past me. He gives me a bar I need to work up to, like his functional strength and core strength. I think it’s the first time in my life I can say that, so it’s cool, I told him that and everybody waits till you’re old or done playing to share with teammates how you really feel. We were just sitting there and I told him that because it’s cool. High school, college, everyone’s looking at you. But when you get to the NFL, it’s like, ‘That’s what I came here for, to be around guys like that.’”

RG ALEX BOONE ON C JONATHAN GOODWIN

“He is the most composed, most masterful offensive lineman I think I’ve ever played next to. Jon is like the, I mean, he is, like the President out there. He basically gets to run the show. And, if he wants to do something, he can do it. It’s huge to have a guy like that who understands the offense completely and really, truly knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t blink when something happens – that’s a huge deal for us. To have him out there with us now, it’s just big. His technique is amazing, the way he snaps the ball. I know shotgun snaps to run-blocking is hard, but Jon does the best job of it in the NFL. He’s always got the tightest hands; he’s very good with his leverage. All-around, just a great player and he’s consistent with his snaps which is good for us. We’re kind of spoiled. And he has some pretty nice football cleats – you’d think he’d be a tight end out there with those things like Vernon Davis-style. Jon loves them and says they’re the most comfortable. It’s huge having him, especially when it comes to the knowledge-part. Guys think offensive linemen aren’t very smart, but it’s the exact opposite at center. You have to really know what’s going on and be focused. Jon’s one of those guys who’s never zoned-out. He’s always in the play, in the moment. Sometimes it’s almost harder to talk to him in those moments, because he’s so focused on what he’s doing. I’ll ask him a question and he won’t answer me. I’ll ask again and again, then he’ll break out of his thinking and say, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do.’ Going into a fight you want someone who knows what’s going on and I think Jon does a great job of getting everyone where they need to be and really picking up the whole mental side of the offensive line.”

C JONATHAN GOODWIN ON RT ANTHONY DAVIS

“He’s mean. He’s always the guy that does maybe the most talking during the games. But he plays physical – finishes his blocks. You rarely hear him talking nice to the guys on the other teams. I definitely like it. It’s part of this game. When he’s into it like that, I think he tends to play better. I think it’s something that’s a big part of his game and something he needs to keep doing. I also think he’s improved tremendously as a player in the past two years that I’ve been here. For his size, he’s got great feet and can move well. He’s just keeps getting better and better and he’s starting to see all his hard work pay off. I think this year he’s had some really nice finishing blocks. They’re blocks that have stood out on tape. He’s been driving guys into the ground and has done a great job of finishing blocks all season. When you see other guys doing it, it’s something that makes you want to get the ‘ohhs’ and the ‘ahhs’ in the meeting room. It becomes contagious to other guys who want to do the same thing. With Anthony, you know he’s got your back. He treats everyone almost like a brother and he definitely will look out for you and go to war with you.”

LB MIKE IUPATI ON LT JOE STALEY

“He’s a great player and he’s very flexible for a tackle. Joe can get low against a speed rush and can handle bullrushes, too. I think he’s one of the best tackles because he’s so athletic. I have a lot of respect for him, especially when I came in as a rookie. When I first got here, he was the one who helped me out the most as a player. He took me under his wing and showed me a lot. I respect him a lot, as a person and as a player. We know each other pretty well now. He’s one of those players, who is quick, athletic and can do it all. It’s hard to find those guys; luckily we have them with Joe and Anthony. They’re just big and athletic guys who can move. With the different plays we run, Joe can handle it all. He talks a lot, too. He motivates us and he’s a good leader on the O-line. In the meeting rooms, he’s smart as well, a really smart dude. He notices things right away – he’s always on it. He should be an All-Pro. I think he’s one of those guys you have to respect. For all the stuff he does for our offense, you need a quick tackle to do that, an athletic tackle to be able to move like that and show off all the running backs we have. He made the Pro Bowl last year and never got satisfied from it. He’s a tough dude, too. I appreciate playing with Joe and all offensive linemen. It’s fun playing next to him.”

LT JOE STALEY ON RG ALEX BOONE

“He’s a very hard worker. He’s very committed. There are a lot of things I could say about Alex. He works really hard and plays harder. He doesn’t play like he’s a first-year starter. He brings an attitude that he’s been doing this for a long time. He plays with that attitude every week. I think he has the confidence of a guy who’s been doing this at a very high level for a long time. He prepares and works very hard on and off the field – the weight room, the classroom. He’s done everything to prepare himself for his opportunity to be starting. He’s made the most of his opportunities and has played very well for us. Moving to guard from tackle is a tribute to his hard work. It’s been all him and the coaches, just working really hard. He’s put in the time and taken the most of his opportunities. It’s not easy to do that. He’s kind of a wildcard, but he’s one of the hardest workers I’ve been around. He’s actually really loud on the field, too. When you think about it what you’re doing, you’re missing the point. You’ve got to play loose and be yourself – it’s like anything in life. Boone plays football the way he is in life, has fun and talks a lot. He’s a very competitive person and takes a lot of pride in what he does. I think everybody is about doing their jobs, we don’t care what people think, if they fear us or if they think we’re a bunch of jokesters. We just want to win games and we want to do our jobs well. I think Alex is the epitome of that. I love playing with this group of guys and I’m really happy to have Alex as a part of it. He definitely deserves the success he’s had and has really solidified our offensive line. We’re lucky to have him.”

Nine Niners made the 2013 Pro Bowl on Wednesday. However, it is now a goal for those members of the San Francisco 49ers to not play in the game.

Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Frank Gore, Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith, Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner all would rather play in the Super Bowl than the league’s annual All-Star game.

Nonetheless, it was still remarkable for the 49ers to send nine players to the Pro Bowl for a second consecutive season. Furthermore, San Francisco led the NFL with nine Pro Bowl selections.

“The 49ers sent two-fifths of their starting offensive line and six members of their defense to the Pro Bowl,” noted ESPN.com’s Mike Sando.

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee examined the nine Pro Bowl selections for San Francisco.

Barrows also looked at the 49ers options to replace injured wideout Mario Manningham.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com noted that the 49ers selections seemingly came in pairs.

Maiocco also checked in with first-round pick A.J. Jenkins who is ready to contribute to the 49ers offense.

49ers.com shared the conference calls from Pro Bowl newcomers A. Smith, Bowman, Whitner and Iupati. We also examined the team’s options after Manningham and the defense’s outlook on facing Arizona with the NFC West on the line.

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I want to thank all the fans, players and coaches that voted me into the Pro Bowl. It's a special honor and I'm truly blessed!—
Patrick willis (@PatrickWillis52) December 27, 2012

6 for 6.

It was just a matter of time before the word got out. Mike Iupati is really good.

The third-year player was selected to his first Pro Bowl on Wednesday, as he was recognized for his season-long punishment of opposing defenses in the trenches.

“I’m very grateful and very blessed,” Iupati said. “Credit to my teammates and everybody, especially the front line – they sacrificed, too. Also a credit to our coaching staff, (Mike) Solari, coach (Paul) Wulff and coach (Tim) Drevno for preparing us every week, every day, to go out there and execute our plays.”

Another key element to Iupati’s rise in the NFL ranks has been tackle Joe Staley, who was named to his second straight Pro Bowl. The two big fellows have solidified the left side of the 49ers offensive line this season, helping turn the unit into one of the team’s biggest strengths.

“It’s paid off pretty good,” Iupati said of playing alongside Staley. “He’s just a great player and teammate to play next to. He helped me out a lot my rookie year, last year as well and especially this year, too. We work well together.”

The 49ers racked up a league-high nine Pro Bowlers this season, but unfortunately Iupati’s teammate and good friend Anthony Davis didn’t get the nod at right tackle. Davis, who was named an alternate for the NFL’s annual all-star game, has grown close to Iupati since both players were selected in the first round of the 2010 draft.

“He should have made it, in my eyes,” Iupati said, while later adding he has family in Hawaii and California who could make the trip to Honolulu for the game. “All of our starting five should have made it, but it’s tough.”

Iupati makes his first trip to the Pro Bowl as a starter. He is part of an offensive line that helped the team rush for 2,362 yards this season, ranking fourth in the NFL. The 2,362 rushing yards rank seventh in franchise history and are the most by San Francisco since 1998 (2,544). Iupati and the offensive line were awarded the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award in Weeks 5, 7 and 12.

The San Francisco 49ers have several Pro Bowl-worthy candidates on this year’s roster. The 2013 All-Star teams for both the NFC and AFC will be announced on Dec. 26, but five members of this year’s club can lay claim to leading the NFC fan-vote at their respective positions.

The vote leaders, released Thursday morning by the NFL, were as follows: DT Justin Smith (257,020), LB Patrick Willis (226,791), G Mike Iupati (177,817), K David Akers (140,847) and ST C.J. Spillman (89,797).

Smith, in particular, will be a much-discussed player this week. The 49ers defensive co-captain is nursing an elbow injury and has not practiced yet this week. Smith might not play against Seattle as discussed by Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News looked at San Francisco’s task of shutting down Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee examined how the 49ers will deal with Seattle’s well-known crowd noise.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com looked at the mid-week injury reports for both teams.

Kyle Bonagura of CBSSports.com doesn’t think Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll will be exchanging Christmas cards this year.

49ers.com looked at Colin Kaepernick’s preparation for Seattle, the conference calls of Carroll and Wilson, plus an update on the Sunday’s night Spanish simulcast of Sunday Night Football.

TV49’S CLIP OF THE DAY

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How does @49ers @KingCrab15 snag the ball without stepping out of bounds? He broke it down for us in #NEXT, out Dec. 28 http://t.co/zGYixpPV—
ESPN The Magazine (@ESPNMag) December 20, 2012

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