Kaepernick talks Seahawks, playing under center, more

How do you feel about this opportunity this week to face a division team at home and get back 1-1 in the division standings?

"Yeah, it's a huge opportunity for us. Like you said, to get back to 1-1 in our division, to give us an opportunity to get to 3-4 overall and start stacking wins together."

Does it feel that you, just given the battles obviously that you've been through with Seattle, that this is a bigger game than any other game just based on rivalry?

"It's another football game, another opportunity for this team to get a win."

Do you feel like maybe some momentum building with this couple of wins and what you guys have accomplished the last two weeks?

"We need to get this to get a couple of wins. We need this to gain momentum moving forward. We're not in a position to lose any more games."

There's a lot being said this week about the Thanksgiving on the logo and all that. Does any of that come into your guy's thinking or is that just us doing what we do?

"That's y'all doing what you do."

Coming into the season there was some talk about how the addition of WR Torrey Smith would make defenses choose who they could double cover and whatnot. Are you seeing that? Are you seeing other guys get open because the deep safety is focusing on Torrey and taking away that deep ball?

"Well, we have gotten deeper safeties this year in a lot of our coverages. And I think that's happening because of Torrey. Torrey has a great ability to go over the top of defenses. It showed up this past Sunday and it helped us win this game."

With a new defensive coordinator, do you see many changes in what Seattle tries to do?

"They have a few new wrinkles, but overall they're the same defense. A single-high defense that plays hard. They play fast. They know what they're doing. Very physical."

Sorry if you were asked this and I'm sure you won't field this question. You haven't had tons of success against Seattle. You've thrown three touchdowns and nine interceptions. Obviously that's a good defense, but can you put a finger on why you've had some of your struggles against them?

"Like you said, they're a good defense. I'm not going to take credit away from them and what they've been able to do. I do have to go out, I have to perform better."

Do they, do you feel like they have, I don't know, a template or a similar way they like to play against you or do they just play kind of their defense?

Colin Kaepernick Previews Matchup with Seahawks 

"They just play their defense. They're a very good defense. They have been for quite a few years now."

Would it mean any more or less to you to perform better? Obviously when you've struggled against an opponent, do you have a personal kind of just goal?

"It's not a personal goal to do better against this defense, but the personal goal is to win. That's all this team's worried about. That's all that I'm worried about."

They've struggled against tight ends this season which hasn't really been their calling card. When you're watching their defense on film, do you see some holes there that you guys might be able to exploit?

"There's holes in every defense. There's opportunities against every defense. We have to be able to find those and be able to exploit those."

How is Seattle Seahawks CB Richard Sherman playing this year, Colin? Is there any difference in his game?

"He's a great player. He does a lot of things well. I wouldn't say there's been a change in his game. He's been out there doing what he's done and he's done a great job at it."

Do you see him shadowing receivers more than he has in the past?

"I think part of that is due to matchups against teams that they've played. But, it has showed up a little bit more early on this year."

Playing under center more, what has that done for you the last few weeks and helped your game?

"It's helped this offense. It's part of a game plan that we've done the last couple weeks. And, depending on what [offensive coordinator] Geep [Chryst] wants to do, we'll either be under center or in the gun depending on what he feels is most advantageous."

Does it help you that you can keep your eyes on the defense while you're taking your drop as opposed to having your attention diverted to catch the ball?

"There is a split second where you have to catch the ball, but defenses can't move too far while you're catching it."

WR Anquan Boldin's got a hamstring injury this week that perhaps could mean more snaps for WR Quinton Patton. What have you seen from him? It seemed like you guys were on the same page, had a good rapport going in this last game.

"Yeah, I've always had a good relationship with him, a good feel for him as a route-runner. He plays very fast. He's very fearless when he's on the field and someone that I feel can be very reliable for us."

How is WR Jerome Simpson looking back on the practice field now?

"Well, we've had two walk-thrus so far. So, he's looked really good in the walk-thrus and he's had a really good walking pace."

Where would you say TE Vernon Davis is as far as being fully back from his knee injury? I mean, you see him in practice more than we do.

"I think he's been fine. He's been out there moving well. It looks like he's ready to play. So, very fortunate to have him back and excited to have the contributions from him."

Is it bittersweet at all that you're seeing a good friend of yours, Seattle Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette, having success up there but he's not having success here?

"No, I'm happy for him having success wherever he's at. I'm not rooting against him because he's in Seattle. That's my friend. I have a lot of friends on Seattle's team. I don't wish them any ill-will because of that. I hope they all do well."

But, I mean, he was here and he didn't stick here. Do you kind of look at him and wish that things had worked out here and he could have been more of a part of that offense while he was here?

"Once again, he's my friend. If I could play football with him, I would. But, it happens that we're on opposing teams. So, we'll go out, we'll play, we'll try to win the game. At at the end of the game we're still friends."

You mentioned fearless, your description for Quinton. What do you mean by that and does that attribute come in to play specifically this week against a defense that likes to intimidate opposing wide receivers?

"I think fearless is very self-explanatory as far as the term. But, he's someone that he's not going to back down from anyone. He doesn't care who you are or what you've done in the past. He's going to go out and play and play."


* Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers