Where does this Rams defensive front rank among the defensive fronts that you're going to face this season?
"They're very talented across the board. They also give you a lot of looks that can cause problems. We're going to have to be ready for all of those things."
Head coach Jim Tomsula mentioned that the team meeting a while ago was largely about communication and you know, and to have, things are said before anything blows up. Did you think that meeting was productive? Was there anything pointed at you said or anything that was said about you that you thought was constructive?
"I think we have great communication in this building. This team is working its hardest to fix the problems we do have and make sure we're ready to win games on Sunday. All of our efforts in the past and moving forward are going to continue to reflect that."
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Did it get heated at all, just from the emotions of being in a situation where you don't like?
"Everybody wants to win. That's what the discussions are about. What can we do to help this team win."
Just for the record, have you ever broken dishes at an Italian dinner? Or at any dinner?
"No, I haven't."
Are you hurt by these reports? What's your feeling about all that?
"What reports would you be referring to?"
Well, the reports that were on TV last week that you're on an island and that the team is not with you. Does that bother you? Does it hurt you? Does it anger you? How does it--?
"No. Reports don't bother me. My relationship with my teammates is great. That's all I'm worried about. What the perspective is outside the locker room really has nothing to do with me or this team."
FOX Sports reporter Jay Glazer did say that you are on an island in the locker room. Have you felt that way? Have you ever felt that way?
"No. I have a great relationship with my teammates. To me, that's a situation that I don't know what the agenda is saying that or what the credibility of that source is. I have a great relationship with my teammates and I'll leave it at that."
Last year, we all say what happened with former head coach Jim Harbaugh, just reports that seemed to undermine the situation and then he's gone. Do you feel in any way that you're being made a scapegoat by maybe someone in the organization for what's happening this season?
"I really hope not. For me, I give everything I can to this organization. I give everything I can to my teammates to try to help us win and try to help us be better moving forward."
Who do you eat lunch with in the lunchroom that are teammates of yours?
"I eat a lot of times with [QB] Blaine [Gabbert], [QB] Dylan [Thompson], [G/T Alex] Boone, [T Joe] Staley. Really depends on who's in there by the time I get in there. Varies on days depending if I have to do media or if I have rehab, correctives, things like that."
You said when asked about possibly being a scapegoat, you say I hope not. There seems to be some, I would interpret that as being, you're not sure. Is that an accurate portrayal?
"No. I would say that I don't think about that. What I think about is what I can do to help this team win and what I can do to help make this team better."
How important is it to you to be liked by your teammates?
"It's more important for me to be respected by my teammates."
Where do things stand right now between you and TE Vernon Davis? Was there, did you guys meet after the meeting? Have you smoothed things over with him?
"I have a great relationship with Vernon. We've constantly had talks since I started playing. It's something that we both want to do what's best for this team and we're both trying to win. That's where some of the frustrations come from. We're trying to fix the losing streak that we have been on."
You guys, team-wide, had a couple days off. Did you take a couple days away from the facility over the weekend?
"Yeah. I got to go home and spend time with my family."
Coach Tomsula also said where we are, where our record is, this chatter comes about. Is that part of it, all this outside talk is what it's about when you guys are losing?
"Most definitely. It happens to every team when you're not winning the way that you feel like you should be and things are going as smoothly as planned. For us, we have to put our head down. We have to keep working. We have to fix our problems and make sure we're ready for the next game."
You obviously worked over the summer on different techniques. You came into the season very optimistic about the team and about yourself. Do you look at your play this season in kind of in totality, you maybe had a few days to do over the weekend? Does it baffle you that it hasn't been more productive? What would you say your emotions are just looking by your play?
"I would say that I have to take it to another level. I have to be able to make plays for this team and I have to be a difference maker when I step on the field."
You had no rushing attempts in the last game. Was that just, happen or were you consciously trying not to run?
"No. That was just how the game played out."
You came out of that game with a swollen thumb. What's the status on that and how it may impact your throwing?
"It's been fine so far this week."
You had to have X-rays on it?
"I did after the game."
And it was negative.
"Yes."
How hard you work at your craft, what do you think you're better at now than you were two, three years ago?
"I would say the mental aspect of the game. That's the biggest difference. It also comes along with experience. Being able to see defenses over and over, seeing how defenses want to attack us and how we can adjust."
* Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers
Transcript: Jim Tomsula talks Tartt, Kaepernick, Rams, team leaks and more
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