Head coach Jim Tomsula, just tell us about the start of the offseason program and sort of the vibe in the building that you're picking up so far?
JT: "Awesome, it's awesome. The guys are awesome, everybody's working. Obviously, we're not on the field as coaches, but it's awesome. A lot of guys really excited to be here. Shoot, we're trying to throw guys out of here so they get out of here and go home. Anyway, it's been terrific."
And Jim, why did you pick these three to accompany you here today?
JT: "I didn't pick these three. Pretty good three."
What do these guys, what do they symbolize?
JT: "You've got three great players. I figured you guys, [49ers director of communications] Bobby [Bob Lange] said that to me, he said let's get some guys out there that everybody would want to ask questions to and go straight up and see what you needed. So, I said, 'Alright Bob, grab them.' I just got out of a meeting so I ran down and the boys were in the hall. Here we go."
TE Vernon Davis, you're the longest tenured guy here among them. What's the vibe like with this team right now and how this offseason has unfolded and what's ahead of you?
VD: "I think it's a good vibe. The energy around here is fantastic. Like coach just said, guys don't want to leave. I mean I'm here. I'm still here. Normally I'd be out of here, but I just feel some great energy and working with the guys has just been great. Just being back here, it's been a little while since we've all been together. I'm just having a great time here just learning as much as I possibly can from the new staff and just taking it all in and just enjoying it."
You weren't here last year, why are you here this year?
VD: "I'm here this year because I want to get better. I want to win. I want to develop some chemistry amongst my teammates and get to know guys. There are a lot of new guys here and you just never know when this game is over for you. [Former 49ers LB] Patrick Willis put everything in perspective for a lot of guys around here with him retiring. That just gave me some insight and it put a good taste in my mouth as far as my approach towards the game and just giving this game all I can give it and taking it one day at a time and give it my best."
Vernon, what does it mean to you to see what QB Colin Kaepernick did this offseason going and working with some quarterback gurus to better his game?
VD: "Well, when I saw him yesterday, I didn't even know that was Colin. No, seriously he was working on his dropback and I was like who is that? You guys are in for a treat. But he looks like a totally different guy. I think it was really genuine and I think he's just a class guy and it shows that he is humble for him to go to someone and work on his craft and get better. And it shows that his approach to this game, he's just relentless. He just wants to be great. And, I respect that and that's another reason why I'm in this building today."
Colin, when you look at yourself now on film, is it that dramatic? Is it completely different as far as mechanics go?
CK: "I feel like there's been quite a bit of change. Obviously noticeable. Vernon said something to me right away when we started throwing. But, I just want to do everything I can to make sure I'm getting better and doing my part to help this team win."
Is there any trepidation of changing four years in?
CK: "No. To me change isn't, you have to be able to change and adapt to be the best player you can be."
What would you say were the biggest gains you made during that stint?
CK: "Becoming a better quarterback. A lot of knowledge picked up, not just mechanics wise, but mentally as far as the approach to the game."
Could you offer any details on that in terms of your approach?
CK: "No more than what I just gave you."
How much board work did you do in Phoenix? How much of it was classroom type of stuff versus on the field, in the weight room type of stuff?
CK: "We'd go one day a week on the board. But, when we're on the field, we're still talking like we're talking in the classroom. So, it's constant mental work. We aren't just out there throwing just to throw."
S Antoine Bethea, what was it like to see Willis retire and former 49ers LB Chris Borland walk away and what do you see for the defense going forward?
AB: "It was definitely a surprise, I think like everybody else. But, like Vernon said, it put everything into perspective. This game is short lived and you've got to put everything into it while you're playing this game. Two great players, Chris Borland came on strong for us towards the end of the year, but we've got to keep it rolling. I'm pretty sure we're going to have guys that are going to step in and play some great football for us. Getting [LB] NaVorro [Bowman] back this year and like I said, we're going to get some guys to come in and step in and make some plays. We're going to be a family out there and we're going to do what we need to do."
Even in the defensive backfield, two guys that started most of the games at corner won't be back. How do you feel about how things shape up in the defensive backfield?
AB: "It's going to be fine. I have no worries about that. I think last year, I think there was a lot of talk about our secondary, but I think our secondary did pretty good last year. We've got a lot of young guys. [CB Tramaine Brock] T-Brock is healthy and once we come together, get this comradery together out here working, pushing each other, get these OTAs, minicamps and all that, I think we'll be fine."
Vernon, so you guys worked out. When did you and Colin start working out together?
VD: "I believe it was yesterday. We threw some balls and ran a few routes."
What did you say to him initially? Just whoa or what was your first observation?
VD: "Like my God, what have you been doing?"
What do you see different?
VD: "Everything. His approach to the game. The way he drops back. The way he throws the ball. Just everything. His demeanor. His approach. I mean, he just has that will to win attitude. He's a great guy, a great player, a great person. He just wants to be great just like everybody else."
Colin, did you put in more work these past couple of months than you have in other offseasons or is it just different type of work?
CK: "Hours wise, it was probably about the same, but different type of work. More detailed work."
You're going to have a new offensive coordinator now, but you know 49ers offensive coordinator Geep Chryst well. What's the relationship like there with Geep and what you're going to expect, differences offensively?
CK: "I have a great relationship with Geep. I don't think there was anyone more excited when Jimmy T brought him on as the OC than me. Very excited to what he brings to the table and the situations he's going to put the offense in. Anything more than that we'll have to see as we go."
Colin, what prompted you to decide to do the different kind of work this offseason than what you've been doing in the past?
CK: "To get better. We didn't have the season we wanted to last year. I could have played better last year. Offensively we could have played better last year. So, something had to change."
What do you think you could have done better last season?
CK: "Put our offense in better situations. Complete more passes. Score more touchdowns. That's what offenses are meant to do and we didn't do it enough."
Is it too far out to think that you might go and do some of this program again in the future? Maybe not the length of it, but go back there and train some more?
CK: "Right now we're taking this one day at a time. I'm focused on what this team is doing right now."
JT: "I want to add something to that. I know Colin's getting a lot of questions right here and rightfully so with what he's done. Obviously, I admire the heck out of it and I think everybody does. And it's very interesting. But, we didn't have something that was broke. Colin Kaepernick was not broke. None of us had a good season last year. And we're not going to spend a lot of time talking about last year, but we've got one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the National Football League sitting next to me. This is a guy that went out and busted his tail. He took good and made it better. That's what he did. So, I just want to make sure we're talking about that. I'm listening to Vernon and he's complimenting the heck out of the guy for what he's done and how much he appreciates it. That needs to be said. We didn't go out to fix something that was broke in Colin Kaepernick. Nobody had the year they needed to have last year. But, we took good, he took good and made it better. It's what he's been doing since he's been here. I do want to make sure I add that."
Have you seen Colin since? Have you been able to see him throw?
JT: "That is absolutely not allowed, CBA rules."
Are you curious what he's going to look like?
JT: "Absolutely. Look like, I mean I've seen a guy for four years and he's really done well and he's continued to get better. We're all, if you're not getting better you're getting worse. So, yeah in terms of he made it clear, you and Geep talked before you left at the end of the season about different things that you wanted to work on. He's always self-evaluating himself. That's what you do. You know what I'm saying. That's not a secret. But, so does this cat [TE Vernon Davis], so does this dude [S Antoine Bethea]. That's what these great ones do. The difference with these guys here is that you all look at him and say, 'He's got the muscles and they're beautiful and they've got all this stuff.' The biggest difference about these guys here and that locker room is they're all millionaires. If I took a penny and threw it across the floor right there and said whoever gets it is the champion, they'd fight each other tooth and nail to get to that penny. That's what they've got. That's what makes them different. It's that competitive thing that people can't comprehend. They way these guys attack things. Now this guy here, he's out throwing the ball and boom look he touches the ball every play. So, he's going to get way more credit than we should when we win and he's going to get way more blame than he should when we don't. He knows that. That's the deal. We're not going to hide behind it either. This guy here can fly and he can catch a football. He can play on the line of scrimmage. He can play five yards across the line of scrimmage and he can play 50 yards down the field. That's why he's cool. And he catches 100 footballs every day after practice with the JUGS machine. He's been doing that since I've known him. And this dude right here, I mean the career he's had and we get him here and then what he's done last year. We all watched it. He stepped in, it was his first year here. With learning and you talk about all of this learning and the guy goes like crazy. So, that's the part that, yeah he worked. He went and did it. I'm fired up to watch him with Geep and [49ers quarterbacks coach Steve] Logan and get going on what's going on there and all that stuff. That's the fun thing I'm looking forward to and all of these guys running around."
You can imagine the intrigue when we hear the tight end say, fans are curious, everybody's curious.
JT: "Yeah. It's really curious. But, when you say different, I don't want to speak for you, but it's the same guy out there. It's just the ball, it's the drops, it's cleaner."
VD: "He's the same guy. Like I said, he's just trying to get better, same as me. I'm just trying to get better. Every year that we come back here we want to improve on something. And he's improving on whatever it is that he wants to improve on. And to me, the moment he stepped out there, we can go back in time and I believe you guys asked me a few questions about Kaepernick and I told you what I thought of him. The same thing I thought about him then is the same thing I think about him now."
Colin, you've got a new target in 49ers WR Torrey Smith. What do you know about him? Have you had any interaction with him since the 49ers signed him?
CK: "Yeah. Knew Torrey a little bit before we signed him. Great dude. The work he's done speaks for itself. We know what we have in him and we want to utilize him."
He's known for his speed. I'm not sure, aside from Vernon, you've had that type of speed at the wide out position since you've been here. Are you looking forward to utilizing the deep pass perhaps more so than you've had in the past?
CK: "Very much so. We brought him here for a reason. Like I said, we want to utilize him and his talent."
You worked out with some of your teammates in Phoenix. Who were the guys that were there with you in that stretch?
CK: "[WR] Quinton [Patton] was there, [WR] Bruce Ellington and [RB] Jarryd Hayne came down."
What were your impressions of Jarryd?
CK: "A phenomenal athlete. Just a natural. Since the day I've met him, since every workout he's been at, he's going to give you everything he has. It doesn't seem like there's much of a learning curve for him."
What is he? He doesn't have a position per se? What was your initial thought when you saw him out on the field?
CK: "This is going to be a football player. He does a lot of things very well. It's going to be our job to be able to utilize him and put him in positions to allow him to make plays and use his athleticism."
Have you talked to DT Justin Smith? Do you know where he stands?
JT: "When's the last time I've talked to Justin? I don't know. I talked to him a week ago or something. I know that's a legitimate question, and absolutely I've told that guy, "Go." OK. For the last three or four years, we've talked about it. The guy's played a lot of football and obviously near and dear to my heart. And I'm not going there. I told him to go do his thing with his family and we'll get to it, we will. For four years you've seen the D-linemen we've brought in. We've been making preparations. This isn't a this year thing for us. We've been making preparations. The guy gets to 12 years in the National Football League and he's about a 92 percent rep count playing defensive line. You better start making preparations. So, that started a while ago. So obviously Justin Smith here playing and feeling good, I mean my gosh, we all want Justin Smith to come back and play football. But, he's earned a right to make that decision and take the time he needs and he needs to think it through, he does. So, I think personally where I'm sitting, I think I'd absolutely be doing the wrong thing to be calling that guy every day badgering him. I think it would be disrespectful to him and what he's accomplished. And I just think too much about him and admire him too much to do that. And I know what kind of guy he is. And when he knows, he'll tell you. And it will be a one-word answer, and it'll be done. Or he's here or he's not. But that answer will be real clear and concise. That's the way he is."
Has he not taken part in this?
JT: "No, he's been working out. I think those guys all work out at San Jose or something in the offseason. One of you guys told me that. Somebody bumped into him when they were working out. Wasn't it you [Sacramento Bee Matt Barrows]?"
We lifted together.
JT: "I thought you bumped into him going into the gym. That's where I got my information. [49ers Director of Communications] Bob [Lange] told me that."
[Laughs] Why is that funny?
JT: "It's not funny. I didn't know you were working out with the boys. I need to come to you to find out how they're doing."
What do you know about DB Jimmie Ward's health and recovery and everything?
JT: "Everything I've gotten on that has been great, with him, with [LB NaVorro] Bowman, and what other ones would you ask me about? All those things have been great. Bob, you were there when I asked [Vice President of Football Operations Jeff Ferguson] Ferg. We're feeling great about everything. Those would be the two names you would ask about I think."
What about the camp that's at the end of this month? Is Bowman ready to take part in that camp?
JT: "Yeah from what I understand, I didn't ask that specifically, but Bow's going into it. When we can get on the field, Bow's going out on the field. I haven't gotten into the specifics on how much, and obviously we're not going to throw somebody out there and go 100 reps. But, my understanding right now is yes. He's moving along great. You guys have seen him in the weight room and running. He's moving pretty good, right? We're not allowed to be out there, coaching staff wise. We're not allowed to go out there yet. I'm not going to mess that up."
Colin, I believe you worked out with WR Dorial Green-Beckham in Arizona. What was your impression of him?
CK: "Great talent. Everything I saw of him he was working hard, doing things well, he looks like a great prospect."
Colin and Vernon, how different is the atmosphere now under Jim Tomsula than it was under Jim Harbaugh? I know it's been pretty not a lot of time to spent together and everything, but how different is that environment right now?
JT: "They don't have to go there. They don't need to compare anything."
We're not comparing, but it's one of those things.
CK: "We talked about it earlier, everyone's excited to be here. It's been a great environment here. We're excited to get back to playing football."
Jim, what's your involvement been in the draft process and how is it different now that you're head coach compared to when you were the defensive line coach?
JT: "Well, obviously it's all positions. As the defensive line coach, rushers and backers and crosschecking and doing all that stuff. So, it's the whole part. And the thing that I like, and again, I don't have anything to compare from that perspective. But, the thing that I'm really appreciating is the inclusion of all information from all people, and the way Trent and all the personnel is working and obviously that's the lead right there. That's where it's going. And then the coaches doing their work and bringing it in, and just the open dialogue and things that have been going on right now, you couldn't ask for anything better in terms of that."
Are you looking at all positions and offense too, or are you still focusing mostly on the defensive side?
JT: "No, all positions. A lot of learning, I'll tell you that right now, the learning curve and making sure that I'm listening. Doing a lot more listening than I am talking to see where people are. Again, you've got Geep Chryst here, you've got [quarterbacks coach] Steve Logan here when you talk quarterbacks. You've got [defensive backs coach] Tim Lewis here with [defensive coordinator] Eric Mangini when you talk defensive backs. [Tight ends coach] Tony Sparano when you're talking tight ends, [offensive line coach] Chris Foerster offensive line. You know what I mean? You've got all these guys. You've got [senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach Jason] Tarver and [linebackers coach] Clancy Pendergast on linebackers, and [defensive line coach] Scott Brown and [defensive assistant] Aubrayo [Franklin] on the D-line. You've got people who know what they're looking at. So, I'm really trying to pay attention and listen."
Antoine, you've been in on the defensive meetings. You guys can meet with the players, the coaching staff. So, when you get in there what jumps out at you as far as Mangini now running the defense? You've known him as the tight ends coach, but what is he like as the defensive coordinator? What has stuck with you through the first few days?
AB: "You can tell he's a smart guy, a really smart guy. The way he gives off the information, everybody on our defense is going to know what to do. We've got some smart players out there, and I'm just excited to get out there and play in the defense that we're installing,"
Can I just ask one more quick one for Colin? How do you expect the offense to adjust without RB Frank Gore since he's been a part of this team for 10 years?
CK: "It's going to be different without Frank. Frank was a huge asset to us, but we have a lot of great running backs here. We have [RB] Kendall [Hunter] coming back who a lot of people forget about. [RB] Carlos [Hyde] had a great rookie year for us, and we'll probably be using him a lot more this year. We've brought [RB] Reggie [Bush] in who's another great weapon on offense. And those are just to name a few of the guys that we have back there. He'll be missed, but we also have people who are more than capable of filling that void."
We've joked from time to time about people calling Justin Smith to try and recruit him back. I know what you're coach just said. But, will anyone from the defense make a couple text messages?
AB: "No, I think we're going to piggyback off what he said. We've got to respect his time, respect his space. Like he was saying, he's been playing this game a long time and as a man, when he's ready to make that decision if he's going to come back or not, everybody will respect his decision."
Has he not taken part in this?
JT: "He's been working out. I think those guys all work out at San Jose or something in the offseason. One of you guys told me that. Somebody bumped into him while they were working out. Wasn't it you [Sacramento Bee Matt Barrows]?"
We lifted together.
JT: "I thought you bumped into him going into the gym. That's where I got my information. [49ers Director of Communications] Bob [Lange] told me that."
[Laughs] Why is that funny?
JT: "It's not funny. I didn't know you were working out with the boys. I need to come to you to find out how they're doing."
What do you know about DB Jimmie Ward's health and recovery and everything?
JT: "Everything I've gotten on that has been great, with him, with [LB NaVorro] Bowman, and what other ones would you ask me about? All those things have been great. Bob, you were there when I asked [Vice President of Football Operations Jeff Ferguson] Ferg. We're feeling great about everything. Those would be the two names you would ask about I think."
What about the camp that's at the end of this month? Is Bowman ready to take part in that camp?
JT: "Yeah from what I understand. I didn't ask that specifically, but Bo's going into it. When we can get on the field, Bo's going out on the field. I haven't gotten into the specifics on how much, and obviously we're not going to throw somebody out there and go 100 reps. But, my understanding right now is yes. He's moving along great. You guys have seen him in the weight room and running. He's moving pretty good, right? We're not allowed to be out there, coaching staff wise. We're not allowed to go out there. I'm not going to mess that up."
Colin, I believe you worked out with WR Dorial Green-Beckham in Arizona. What was your impression of him?
CK: "Great talent. Everything I saw of him he was working hard, doing things well, he looks like a great prospect."
Colin and Vernon, how different is the atmosphere now under Jim Tomsula than it was under Jim Harbaugh? I know it's been pretty not a lot of time to spent together and everything, but how different is that environment right now?
JT: "You guys don't have to go there. They don't need to compare anything."
We're not comparing, but it's one of those things.
CK: "We talked about it earlier, we said everyone's excited to be here. It's been a great environment here. We're excited to get back to playing football."
Jim, what's your involvement been in the draft process and how is it different now that you're head coach compared to when you were the defensive line coach?
JT: "Well, obviously it's all positions. As the defensive line coach, rushers and backers and crosschecking and doing all that stuff. So, it's the whole part. And the thing that I like, and again, I don't have anything to compare from that perspective. But, the thing I'm really appreciating is the inclusion of all information from all people, and the way Trent and all the personnel is working and obviously that's the lead right there. That's where it's going. And then the coaches doing their work and bringing it in, and just the open dialogue and things that have been going on right now, you couldn't ask for anything better in terms of that."
Are you looking at all positions and offense too, or are you still focusing mostly on the defensive side?
JT: "No, all positions. A lot of learning, I'll tell you that right now, the learning curve and making sure that I'm listening. Doing a lot more listening than I am talking to see where people are. Again, you've got Geep Chryst here, you've got [quarterbacks coach] Steve Logan here when you talk quarterbacks. You've got [defensive backs coach] Tim Lewis here with [defensive coordinator] Eric Mangini when you talk defensive backs. [Tight ends coach] Tony Sparano when you're talking tight ends, [offensive line coach] Chris Foerster offensive line. You know what I mean? You've got all these guys. You've got [senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach Jason] Tarver and [linebackers coach] Clancy Pendergast on linebackers, and [defensive line coach] Scott Brown and [defensive assistant] Aubrayo [Franklin] with the D-line. You've got people who know what they're looking at. So, I'm really trying to pay attention and listen."
Antoine, you've been in on the defensive meetings. You guys can meet with the players, the coaching staff? So, when you get in there what jumps out at you as far as Mangini now running the defense? You've known him as the tight ends coach, but what is he like as the defensive coordinator? What has stuck with you through the first few days?
AB: "You can tell he's a smart guy, a really smart guy. The way he gives off the information, everybody on our defense is going to know what to do and there's going to be some smart players out there. I'm just excited to get out there and play in the defense that we're installing."
Can I just ask one more quick one for Colin? How do you expect the offense to adjust without RB Frank Gore since he's been a part of this team for 10 years?
CK: "It's going to be different without Frank. Frank was a huge asset to us, but we have a lot of great running backs here. We have [RB] Kendall [Hunter] coming back who a lot of people forget about. [RB] Carlos [Hyde] had a great rookie year for us, and we'll probably be using him a lot more this year. We've brought [RB] Reggie [Bush] in who's another great weapon on offense. And those are just to name a few of the guys that we have back there. He'll be missed, but we also have people that are more than capable of filling that void."
We've joked from time to time about people calling Justin Smith to try to recruit him back. I know what you're coach just said. But, will anyone from the defense make a couple text messages?
AB: "No, I think we're going to piggyback on what he said. We've got to respect his time, got to respect his space. Like he was saying, he's been playing this game a long time. As a man, when he's ready to make that decision if he's going to come back or not, everybody will respect that decision."
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